HDT Cooler Shootout!
Sunbeam Core-Contact Freezer
Sunbeam’s new Core-Contact Freezer is a very worthy successor to the popular Tuniq Tower 120. It bested all 14 coolers we’ve tested to date and moved to the top of our performance charts. Its performance on both our Intel and AMD test platforms was nothing short of amazing. To add icing to the cake, it retails for only $40, includes a tube of high quality thermal paste, a fan controller and a high-flow fan. What more could you ask for?
Installation was simple, thanks to the included socket 775 retention frame. I couldn’t help but wish that Sunbeam had used a backplate with the Core-Contact Freezer. Nonetheless, it is nice and light, and the included clips provide a secure mount. Some minor build quality issues are my only complaint about the Core-Contact Freezer. The fan clips are a bit too flimsy and the fins bend easily. The pads on the fan are also not held on strongly enough and fall off easily. All in all, these are very minor issues and the performance, included accessories and price of the Core-Contact Freezer make it a real winner. I am pleased to award this product with Icrontic’s “Outstanding Product Award”. A big thanks goes out to Sunbeam for providing us with this sample for testing. Stay tuned for a future review of the included TX-2 thermal paste.
Pros:
- Fantastic performance—the best to date
- Excellent base quality
- Easy to install
- High quality fan included
- High quality thermal paste included
- Fan controller included
- Excellent price—especially considering accessory bundle
Cons:
- Minor build quality issues
OCZ Vendetta 2
OCZ has impressed me quite a bit with their Vendetta 2. It shot its way right up to second place in almost all of our performance charts. Considering its relatively small footprint, OCZ’s implementation of HDT technology in the Vendetta 2 has been very successful. Its performance was consistent across both Intel and AMD platforms as well.
The build quality of the Vendetta 2 is very good, and its base quality is excellent. The included 4-pin, rifle bearing fan is a good quality, quiet model that is well suited to the heatsink. OCZ’s unique rubber fan mounts are an innovative, secure, low-noise solution that work well.
My biggest complaint about the Vendetta 2 is its OEM style push-pins used for installation on socket 775 systems. Again, it would have been nice to see a backplate used. Thankfully, the Vendetta 2 is nice and light, so this is not really an issue. The OCZ Vendetta 2 can be found at most retailers at the $50 price point. I would have liked to see OCZ include some of their higher end thermal paste with the Vendetta 2 at that price. None the less, considering its fantastic performance and high quality included fan, I’d consider this to be a fair price. Overall I was very impressed with the Vendetta 2 and I am pleased to present it with Icrontic’s “Outstanding Product Award”. A big thanks goes out to OCZ for sending us this sample.
Pros:
- Fantastic performance—second best to date
- Excellent base quality
- Relatively small footprint and light weight
- Good build quality
- High quality PWM fan included
- Rubber fan mounts
Cons:
- OEM style push-pins for socket 775 installation
