Installation and Test Setup
For our testing, we’re using our AMD test bench which features our 45nm quad core Phenom II X4 940 processor. Modern multi-core processors run relatively cool, but they can put a strong thermal load on a heatsink when pushed to the limit. Because of this, the SpinQ’s performance on the Phenom II X 940 should give a strong indication of how it would behave across a wide variety of systems.
SpinQ in its natural habitat.
After applying OCZ’s Freeze thermal paste to the processor, we got to work. The SpinQ was easily installed thanks to its design affording good clearance around the socket. The Socket AM2+ clip slots into the bevel and slits atop the heatsink’s base. We carefully lowered the SpinQ onto processor, attached the fixed end of the spring clip to the motherboard’s mounting bracket, and easily slid the locking mechanism over the opposing mounting bracket catch. Flipping the cam’s lock lever was easy thanks to the plastic bushing, but we did notice the bracket catching on the pointy edges of the heatsink fins at some points. This contact posed no final problems and the heatsink was firmly attached with very little play or twisting. We attached the 3-pin power lead was to the motherboard’s fan header, and the fan’s rheostat dongle was extended out the back of our test bench’s chassis.
Powered on, it emits a blue glow.
Our testing methodology for this review is based on lemonlime’s methods used in previous reviews, but we’ve made some modifications. Tests were conducted using Prime95 small and large FFTs as we’ve done in the past, but temperatures were monitored with Everest. Our test bench consists of the following hardware:
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 940
Motherboard: MSI DK790GX Platinum
RAM: Corsair XMS2 DDR2-1066 (2x1GB) 5-5-5-15 @ 1.9v
PSU: OCZ 780W EvoStream
HDD: 320GB WD Caviar Blue SATA
OS: Windows 7 build 7000
Because we have majorly altered our test bench by introducing a quad core CPU, our existing library of heatsink test data would not provide an accurate comparison to the SpinQ. To provide a baseline measurement, we also went back and re-tested the Noctua U12-P on the new system. The Noctua was chosen because its performance is on par with many of today’s high-end coolers, and its well-engineered mounting system and unsurpassed build quality make it a joy to work with. Anyone wishing to extrapolate how the SpinQ would perform against heatsinks tested in the past may do so with the data available here.
Testing and Results
The heatsinks were tested in their stock configurations using Everest Ultimate v5.01 to monitor the CPU’s temperatures. Testing lasted until temperatures normalized, and the number shown reflects the peak value seen in the loading process. Full processor usage was achieved by loading all four cores with Prime95 v25.9. Both heatsinks were tested at the Phenom II’s default clockspeed of 3GHz (15 x 200) at 1.35v and again at an overclocked frequency of 3.4GHz s(17 x 200) at 1.4v to evaluate increased thermal loads. All temperatures were measured by on-board sensors and the ambient room temperature was evenly maintained as evidenced by the Case value.
At its lowest fan setting, the SpinQ is bested by the baseline Noctua but it does come very close when the SpinQ’s fan is moving its full 86.5 CFM. The SpinQ offers a lower idle temperature than our baseline heatsink at these RPMs. Overclocked performance follows this trend: With the fan on high, the SpinQ again offers a lower idle temperature than the Noctua, but at the expense of an additional few degrees in the intense Small FFT testing. Most overclockers wouldn’t dream of running the fan on its low setting while stressing the processor, but we’ve included the data for the sake of completeness. Overall, the SpinQ puts up a good fight.
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