Hi all!
My Vantage arrived a couple of days ago (typically infallible service from OcUK, very happy!) and I finally got round to fitting it today.
After a couple of experiments with airflow, I found that exhausting was better for the general temperature level of components in my build. People with bigger cases may benefit more from an intake setup, but in a small case like mine it wasn't so great.
Whilst I've yet to do my 24 hour Prime95 run, I have done a few torture tests with Intel Burn Test and have come back with some very positive results. I set up the radiator in a push/pull configuration with a couple of Scythe Jyuni 1900RPM fans. Using my Akasa fan controller, they're practically inaudible most of the time when dialled down to minimum RPM and still provide ample cooling whilst idle. They get a touch rowdy when turned right the way to maximum speed, but they are shifting an ungodly amount of air and this speed is unnecessary, even at full load whilst torture testing.
At 3.9GHz (200x19.5, 1.475v VID), my AMD Phenom X2 965 BE (125W edition) hasn't been able to stray above 58'c whilst on my old Akasa X4 air cooler, it would easily hit 65'c in IBT at 3.8GHz (200x19, 1.45v VID). I am hoping to break the 4GHz mark, though I'm under no illusions that the last 100MHz will be the most difficult to conquer, although when the thermal paste I used (MX-3) burns in those last couple of degrees may well help a lot.
Having spoken with OcUK Forums resident and CoolIt wunderkind Barry (Barrolde) I'm very excited about the release of the Maestro software CoolIt are bringing out. Although I had a couple teething problems getting my Scythes to play nice with the Vantage's 4 pin fan controller (Scythes are 3 pins) I finally opted to use CoolIt's fan as an exhaust on the top of my case. It runs around 800RPM all the time and is, again, almost inaudible. The only reason I opted not to use it in the push/pull config is because I'm really quite anal about that kind of thing and preferred to use fans with identical RPM/CFM specifications.
And now, some photos! (click to resize)
Case: Coolermaster Elite 430
CPU: AMD Phenom X2 965 Black Edition (125W, 3.4GHz stock)
TIM: Arctic MX-3
MB: Gigabyte GA-880GA-UD3H
RAM: Corsair XMS3 DDR3 1600MHz (4GB)
As a closing thought, I'd like to add the following: yes, I am aware that if I had built a custom loop using decent parts I could achieve lower temperatures and have a water cooling system made to my explicit specifications. I don't think there are many people who would deny this. But for people like myself who are enthusiasts when it comes to their computers but do not have the time to maintain a custom loop on a regular basis, the CoolIt Vantage is a really great compromise. Maybe someday I will try my own loop, but right now the learning curve (and cost of failure) is too much to draw me in, especially when a product such as this gives such great results. Is the Vantage perfect? Well it's far too early to say for me. Am I happy with it? So far, definitely. Installation was a total breeze and once I had worked out the best airflow for my chassis through trial and error, I was able to sit down and properly study how much of an effect the unit has had on my system.
Not only did I get the first class standard of customer service I've come to expect from OcUK, but I also got a great level of aftercare from CoolIt and having dealt with enough shoddy companies in my time, I find that the latter of those two is very difficult to put a price on. WTG CoolIt!
My Vantage arrived a couple of days ago (typically infallible service from OcUK, very happy!) and I finally got round to fitting it today.
After a couple of experiments with airflow, I found that exhausting was better for the general temperature level of components in my build. People with bigger cases may benefit more from an intake setup, but in a small case like mine it wasn't so great.
Whilst I've yet to do my 24 hour Prime95 run, I have done a few torture tests with Intel Burn Test and have come back with some very positive results. I set up the radiator in a push/pull configuration with a couple of Scythe Jyuni 1900RPM fans. Using my Akasa fan controller, they're practically inaudible most of the time when dialled down to minimum RPM and still provide ample cooling whilst idle. They get a touch rowdy when turned right the way to maximum speed, but they are shifting an ungodly amount of air and this speed is unnecessary, even at full load whilst torture testing.
At 3.9GHz (200x19.5, 1.475v VID), my AMD Phenom X2 965 BE (125W edition) hasn't been able to stray above 58'c whilst on my old Akasa X4 air cooler, it would easily hit 65'c in IBT at 3.8GHz (200x19, 1.45v VID). I am hoping to break the 4GHz mark, though I'm under no illusions that the last 100MHz will be the most difficult to conquer, although when the thermal paste I used (MX-3) burns in those last couple of degrees may well help a lot.
Having spoken with OcUK Forums resident and CoolIt wunderkind Barry (Barrolde) I'm very excited about the release of the Maestro software CoolIt are bringing out. Although I had a couple teething problems getting my Scythes to play nice with the Vantage's 4 pin fan controller (Scythes are 3 pins) I finally opted to use CoolIt's fan as an exhaust on the top of my case. It runs around 800RPM all the time and is, again, almost inaudible. The only reason I opted not to use it in the push/pull config is because I'm really quite anal about that kind of thing and preferred to use fans with identical RPM/CFM specifications.
And now, some photos! (click to resize)
Case: Coolermaster Elite 430
CPU: AMD Phenom X2 965 Black Edition (125W, 3.4GHz stock)
TIM: Arctic MX-3
MB: Gigabyte GA-880GA-UD3H
RAM: Corsair XMS3 DDR3 1600MHz (4GB)
As a closing thought, I'd like to add the following: yes, I am aware that if I had built a custom loop using decent parts I could achieve lower temperatures and have a water cooling system made to my explicit specifications. I don't think there are many people who would deny this. But for people like myself who are enthusiasts when it comes to their computers but do not have the time to maintain a custom loop on a regular basis, the CoolIt Vantage is a really great compromise. Maybe someday I will try my own loop, but right now the learning curve (and cost of failure) is too much to draw me in, especially when a product such as this gives such great results. Is the Vantage perfect? Well it's far too early to say for me. Am I happy with it? So far, definitely. Installation was a total breeze and once I had worked out the best airflow for my chassis through trial and error, I was able to sit down and properly study how much of an effect the unit has had on my system.
Not only did I get the first class standard of customer service I've come to expect from OcUK, but I also got a great level of aftercare from CoolIt and having dealt with enough shoddy companies in my time, I find that the latter of those two is very difficult to put a price on. WTG CoolIt!
