Test System Set-up and Software Used

For a system of this magnitude we popped together the "little" system you see above.   Its configuration is of one that would most certainly stress the new Noctua HSF's as all the elements supplied produce varying degrees of heat.

Benchmarks and Software Used

To maintain our target audience of the professional market place, though we are now seeing many old readers coming back who like the style we produce; we opted for a mix of consumer and professional applications benchmarks. This in turn means all walks of life have a very good idea what they are about to buy and just how good it really is from this factual article.

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 with complete updates
Sis Sandra 2009
MAXON Cinebench 10
3D Studio Max 9 SP2 - Radiosity Test
PCMark Vantage Professional
3D Studio Max 9 SP2

The hard drives completed the tests on a clean system disc to ensure that no residue drivers were left installed with all updates/patches applied.   Results that have been shown within this article are from the application / benchmarks first run as we have found on many occasions that certain benchmarks conflict with their results after the first test.

RESULTS

The object of this exercise is to actually see what temperatures the Noctua HSF coolers and not the actual performance of the system on this outing.  All temperatures have been obtained at the actual completion of the test.  Ambient room temperature was noted to be at 24C.   Before each test was ran the system was rebooted left to idle for a further 15 minutes to allow outstanding services to enable then the tests are ran.   It was noted that the CPU's at idle remained at a steady 36C whilst at idle.

It was noted after reboot from each test and the system and sitting at idle within the laid down parameters that a consistent 36C temperature was returned from the CPU's.

Test results have been very good in this construction, we would have liked more time to see just how effective the Ultra Low Noise adaptors would be, though this must await another day.  For now, in the low noise mode the Noctua NH-U12DX HSF in triple fan mode is extremely effective.   On another point of note, there is of course the option to run with the default fan setting, if you have that more older and meatier TDP 771 Xeon.  On a cross check with some other coolers used by a renown EU System Integrator it has been found that the shown above; are extremely good figures indeed.   It now would appear that Noctua have got it right, shifting up a major gear and now a force to be reckoned within this exceptionally exclusive arena .

Cost and availability.  They are readily available from many top end resellers within the EU.  Pricing does differ from region to region as we found out.  Noctua's Website has a good set of drop down menu's for both System Builders and direct End Users of where to buy and what the costs are.

This has been a very interesting exercise to which many of us take for granted the stock coolers provided for granted when there is something better out there.  Many good System Integrators and OEM's will however provide a system build of this magnitude an exceptional good cooler.  Though for the experienced end user that likes to build their own, then look no further as these Heat Sink Fan's are quiet, easy to build, insert and use.  Finally for those with that viewing window on the chassis side - giving it all that little bit of extra WHOW!

www.3dprofessor.org award for the NOCTUA NH-U12DX - SOCKET 771 COOLER

Page 1 - Introduction
Page 2 - Pictures
Page 3 - Putting it all together
Page 4 - Tests and Conclusions