4 “budget” coolers versus a quad-core processor at ~ 4 GHz

Today, only until the end AMD’s loyal fans do not scold AMD for lagging behind Intel. At a comparable cost, the processors of the latter are noticeably faster, more economical and colder, and besides, they also have a much higher overclocking potential. All these extremely briefly indicated factors for AMD were further aggravated by the release of 45-nm Intel Core 2 processors based on Yorkfield and Wolfdale cores, which, when overclocked, easily cross the 4 GHz mark. It is difficult to say exactly how the future fate of AMD will develop, but today there is no alternative for an overclocker. Even from such seemingly attractive priced models with high nominal frequencies like AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ and 6000+, when overclocked, it will not be possible to achieve the performance that is provided by the overclocked Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 and even more so the new E8xxx.

Therefore, in fact, we are testing new cooling systems on platforms with Intel processors, rather than on AMD, on which we are systematically asked for tests. And in this there is no attachment or, moreover, fanaticism. In my opinion, the reasons are explained in a fairly accessible language. As for the tests and different types of comparisons of processors, you will find plenty of them on our website. Today we will check the efficiency of two new budget coolers from
GlacialTech
in comparison with the two air cooling systems already well known to us. Moreover, a feature of today’s tests is the inclusion of a new quad-core processor in the configuration and its overclocking using these inexpensive coolers.

The first novelty from GlacialTech comes in a small cardboard box with a photo of the cooler and its radiator on the front side:

Also on the box you can find brief technical characteristics of the cooler and a list of supported processors, including even Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6800 with an estimated heat release of 130 watts:

At the bottom of the box, you can find only a backplate for the LGA 775 and a brief instruction on how to install the cooler:

A mount for motherboards for K8 processors is not included in the kit, which, however, is quite logical, since the cooler is not intended for these platforms. In general, the budget of the Igloo 5610 literally shines through all of its edges. 😉.

The construction of the model is utterly trivial:

Two copper heatpipes with a diameter of 6 mm, coated with a thin layer of nickel-containing alloy, pass through the copper base. 36 thin aluminum fins are strung on them, and in the lower part, directly above the pipes, a small aluminum radiator is installed:

The entire structure is cooled by a fan of standard size 80 x 80 x 20 mm:

By the size of the fan, as well as by the way it is mounted on the radiator, we can conclude that Igloo 5610 is extremely compact. Indeed, its height is only 99 mm, with a width of 110 mm and a thickness of 66 mm:

GlacialTech Igloo 5610 weighs 373 grams.

The lower aluminum radiator is also cooled by the air flow from the fan:

The ends of the radiator fins on the air flow side are made of variable height:

This solution, now widely used in air cooling systems, allows to reduce the resistance to air flow and install fans with a low impeller speed, without losing efficiency. What, in fact, GlacialTech did:

Power Logic’s 80mm fan (model PLA08025D12M) is based on a rolling bearing. The fan speed is constant and according to the technical specifications it is 1800 rpm (± 10%) with a noise level of 19 dBA. According to monitoring data during testing, the average fan speed was 2040 rpm, but at the same time it worked really, if not silently, then very quietly. There is also a model 5610 cooler with a fan controlled by a pulse-width modulation in the GlacialTech cooler line. The 5610 PWM fan has a rotational speed of ~ 800 to ~ 3200 rpm (± 10%) with a maximum noise level of 34 dBA.

The fan is mounted on a metal casing that covers the top side and side edges:

The lugs of the cooler on the LGA 775 are screwed to the base with four screws:

In this connection, it is not entirely clear why it was not possible to include a pair of removable mounts for platforms with a K8 processor in the kit. Despite the low cost of the cooler, its non-versatility is a significant disadvantage, especially against the background of competitors that lack this disadvantage.

High-performance thermal paste has already been applied to the smooth and, I must say, well-processed base of the cooler:

We have previously tested its efficiency in comparison with Arctic Silver 5, so now we can say with confidence that GlacialTech uses a very high-quality thermal interface in its coolers, which, moreover, does not need to be applied.

Unfortunately, I was surprised by the atypically laborious way of attaching the cooler to the motherboard. The fact is that to fix the cooler on the processor, you need to remove the motherboard from the case of the system unit and screw the cooler through the board to the backplate. I don’t think that this type of mount is cheaper than the standard plastic clips for the LGA 775, and certainly less convenient than it. Whatever one may say, but for a cooler of such dimensions and weight, the through mounting method using a backplate is redundant.

Be that as it may, inside the case of the system unit, the cooler is more than compact and does not interfere with the elements of the near-socket space:

The recommended cost of the new item is $ 20, but, again, in my opinion, it could be lower. Separately, I would like to note the very high quality of the cooler, which has become the hallmark of GlacialTech products.