CoolIT ECO A.L.C. and Corsair H50 Comparison / Review

Hi Folks

Just finished testing on the CoolIT ECO. (H-50 to follow today/ tomorrow.) I'll also do a suicide run @ 4GHz + just to see how far these coolers will go;). For now...........

Here's the kit list and settings:

Hardware (Constant for both Tests):

Asus Rampage II Extreme (BIOS 1802)
intel i7 920 (DO) @ 3.8GHz 1.35V 20 X 190 HT on SS and TM off
6GB (3 X 2GB) Corsair XMS 3 1333 @ 1536MHz 24,9,9,9
Gainward GTX 280 (Stock for this test)
WD Velociraptor 150GB (Single Drive)
Enermax Revolution 1050W PSU

Software (Constant for both Tests):

Win 7 Home Premium 64 Bit (latest updates)
CoreTemp Version 0.99.3
Speedfan Version 4.40
CPUz Version 1.53.1
Prime 95 Version 2511

Testing Methodology:

1) - As per photos, both coolers tested out of the box on the bench to eliminate differences in case cooling properties resulting in a fairer test.
2) - Both coolers tested using the out of the box recommended configuration as per manufacturer's instructions.
3) - Both coolers tested using the pre-applied thermal interface medium factory applied by the manufacturer.
4) - CPU set to 1.35VCORE @ 3.8GHz (190 X 20) HT Enabled
5) - Ram @ 1.64V 1524 MHz
6) - Speedstep OFF and Turbo mode OFF to ensure a constant CPU speed of 3.8GHz.
7) - All fan speed control in BIOS left at defualt for both tests to ensure fairness.
8) - Same fan headers used for both tests at same BIOS settings.
9) - Ambient room temp approx 21 degrees C.
10)-Idle temp taken at 15 mins from system boot.
11)-Temp taken after 30 mins full load 8 threads Prime 95 small FFT default test.
12)-Screenshot taken @ 30 mins.

I will try and squeeze the H-50 in tonight, if not it will be tomorrow. Results will be posted when both coolers are done.

Any comments/ suggestions on the above methods appreciated :)
 
Last edited:
Can you do a test with the same fan in the same config for each?

CoolIt includes an 1800rpm stock fan Corsair includes a 1700rpm stock fan, a popular mod will be to use 3rd party fans, say an apache?
 
Can you do a test with the same fan in the same config for each?

CoolIt includes an 1800rpm stock fan Corsair includes a 1700rpm stock fan, a popular mod will be to use 3rd party fans, say an apache?

Agreed. The biggest problem I have with reviewing these 2 products is deciding how the end user will use them. i.e. most people buying these are either after a no nonsense, quality coolers for high end system integration or a safe forray into the world of watercooling.

I am trying to base this initial review on using them as the manufacturer intended first and foremost.

The CoolIT recommends sucking air through the RAD exhausting from the chassis.

Corsair recommends pushing air through the RAD into the chassis.

I will stick with all stock components and manufacturer instructions for the initial tests then play around with a few bits and bobs on the suicide run.

To be fair though mate, they both pitch these as the best product in their class so they should already be including best parts as well as best practices in the manuals IMO ;) I firmly believe that people (like myself) who want to tweak and fiddle will still buy and build custom water loops, and that at least 75% of people buying these products will use them straight out of the box.

What do you think mate? Open to suggestions ;) Other than that, any thoughts on my testing methodology?
 
I'm thinking that including a faster fan with slightly better specs is a likely tactic that a manufacturer might do to get an edge over the product they are challenging in the market.

Hence the standard fan suggestion so we can see if the fan makes the difference or if the loop itself is any better.

Makes sense to see how they perform as stock and as instructed though (but on a bench blowing in/out makes less difference than if it was in a case).
 
Last edited:
I'm thinking that including a faster fan with slightly better specs is a likely tactic that a manufacturer might do to get an edge over the product they are challenging in the market.

Hence the standard fan suggestion so we can see if the fan makes the difference or if the loop itself is any better.

Makes sense to see how they perform as stock and as instructed though (but on a bench blowing in/out makes less difference than if it was in a case).

Agreed, especially the bit about blowing in/ out making no difference when not inside a chassis. Trouble is, when inside a chassis, tests are never 100% equal due to heat build up between benchings, cables etc inside the case being moved around, sun hitting side of case through windows in the building - all sorts of crap that someone WILL pick up on and moan about lol :D At least this way ther's no arguing and we can look purely at the benefits of push or pull airflow through the RAD ;)


I'd agree with the standard fan (and also standard layout i.e. both pulling into or both out of the case), although there's no harm in testing the 'default' layouts and fans as an aside.

If I get time, i'll try both ways ;)

Thanks for the input guys ;)
 
Barry how about testing out in your labs a stacked 120mm as the idea for your products is that they should work for nearly every case out there so i can understand the 240mm may not suit everyone but maybe a stacked 120mm would be more suitable if done correctly?
 
RESULTS:

Results as promised folks:

Hardware (Constant for both Tests):

Asus Rampage II Extreme (BIOS 1802)
intel i7 920 (DO) @ 3.8GHz 1.35V 20 X 190 HT on SS and TM off
6GB (3 X 2GB) Corsair XMS 3 1333 @ 1536MHz 24,9,9,9
Gainward GTX 280 (Stock for this test)
WD Velociraptor 150GB (Single Drive)
Enermax Revolution 1050W PSU

Software (Constant for both Tests):

Win 7 Home Premium 64 Bit (latest updates)
CoreTemp Version 0.99.3
Speedfan Version 4.40
CPUz Version 1.53.1
Prime 95 Version 2511

Testing Methodology:

1) - As per photos, both coolers tested out of the box on the bench to eliminate differences in case cooling properties resulting in a fairer test.
2) - Both coolers tested using the out of the box recommended configuration as per manufacturer's instructions.
3) - Both coolers tested using the pre-applied thermal interface medium factory applied by the manufacturer.
4) - CPU set to 1.35VCORE @ 3.8GHz (190 X 20) HT Enabled
5) - Ram @ 1.64V 1524 MHz
6) - Speedstep OFF and Turbo mode OFF to ensure a constant CPU speed of 3.8GHz.
7) - All fan speed control in BIOS left at defualt for both tests to ensure fairness.
8) - Same fan headers used for both tests at same BIOS settings.
9) - Ambient room temp approx 21 degrees C.
10)-Idle temp taken at 15 mins from system boot.
11)-Temp taken after 30 mins full load 8 threads Prime 95 small FFT default test.
12)-Screenshot taken @ 30 mins.

Corsair H-50

Ambient Room Temp 20.5C
Idle temp taken at 15 mins from cold boot - 42C
Load after 30 mins prime 95 - 78C
CorsairH-50.jpg


Corsair in action

Corsair1.jpg


Corsair2.jpg


Corsair3.jpg


CoolIT ECO

Ambient Room Temp 20.6C
Idle temp taken at 15 mins from cold boot - 46C
Load after 30 mins prime 95 - 87C
Coolit.jpg



CoolIT ECO In Action


ECO1.jpg


ECO2.jpg


ECO3.jpg




Conclusion & Notes
 
Last edited:
Those temps look frightning especially since this is water cooling and out of the case and only a 3.8 ghz O/C

On air (noctua NH-D14) , inside a case, with a ambient room temp of 25c i get 68c tops on a 4.0 ghz overclock

I would have thought water cooling would be far better than the Noctua
 
Andy from the pictures, the bottom left pin of the eco isnt mounted properly. Its sticking out so isnt making proper contact with the cpu

EDIT: It tells you how to do it in this video at 00:55 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbfwdUWz6Tw

How on earth can you see that? :p


Disregarding this supposed Eco mal-mount ;), interesting results. It seems that as an out-of-the-box solution, the H50 offers better cooling - but there's still a couple of readily changeable factors that I know you're aware of :) - swapping out the shipped fans with identical 'performance' fans, since the only people who would swap the fans would likely be doing so with performance fans.

Cheers.
 
The small 'paddle' on the eco spun around no matter what I did. I checked and double checeked and it still wouldn't click into place. Rest assured, it did not affect contact with the CPU - I tried in two orientations and saw no noticable difference to temp difference between cores (nothing other than the usual anyway)

I'm still working on a conclusion paragraph but this mounting mechanism on the ECO is fiddly to say the least and there have been issues and recalls. IMHO the Corsair mounting procedure is much simpler despite having to fit individual socket mounts. Once they are on, its impossible to misallign anything. CoolIT are relying on every user of every ability to align all 4 of these fiddly clips exactly right 1st time.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom