Wednesday, October 29th 2008

Thermalright Ultra 120 True Copper Cooling Performance Tested

It did surprise people, when Thermalright decided to release a full-copper version of its iconic Ultra 120 CPU cooler, with one of the highlights being that this cooler tips the scales at close to 1.9 kg (roughly 4.19 lbs), while the other being that it's a limited edition product, priced at a little over $100.

Expreview got a hold of one of these coolers, and put it to test. The test-bed consisted of an Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 overclocked to 3.60 GHz running on an ASUS Maximus Extreme motherboard. With the machine idling, the cooler did not show any improvements over the cooling performance of the aluminum-built Ultra 120E. At load, the temperatures dropped by 4 °C, from 71 °C to 67 °C, a minor improvement. This leaves the looks of the cooler and its exclusiveness of being one in 3000 (being limited-edition) to justify its price tag.
Source: Expreview
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45 Comments on Thermalright Ultra 120 True Copper Cooling Performance Tested

#26
dark2099
Sorry to jump out of line here, but if anyone cares to do the math, and no offense to you btarunr, but the cooler actually weights (why does that look horribly wrong to me?) 4.18lbs. I would think most motherboards wouldn't like that if they could feel it. :p
Posted on Reply
#27
Unregistered
DrPepperwho said gf's were free :eek:
Good question! :toast:
Posted on Edit | Reply
#28
btarunr
Editor & Senior Moderator
dark2099Sorry to jump out of line here, but if anyone cares to do the math, and no offense to you btarunr, but the cooler actually weights (why does that look horribly wrong to me?) 4.18lbs. I would think most motherboards wouldn't like that if they could feel it. :p
You're correct. I just did the rough math of kg x 2 = lbs. My bad. The rest of the world grew up with the metric system, you see :)
Posted on Reply
#29
Bjorn_Of_Iceland
Really baffling though.. why is the Zalman VGA copper cooler (VF1000) is cheaper than the black one (GV1000)?
Posted on Reply
#31
btarunr
Editor & Senior Moderator
We are family...

Posted on Reply
#32
lemonadesoda
The problem with the test is that there was no mention of fan control. If it was using the default VARIABLE (temperature controlled) or FIXED fan speed, then the Copper Cooler may be better than the alu one... just that the fan speed is lower too. We really dont know.

A better tester is needed. Who will step up to the plate?

PS. For passive cooling there may also be a big difference in performance. Again, we dont know.

PPS. A rough, rather than shiney, surface is always the best cooler. Why doesnt someone make a nice rough surface, crinkled cut, cooler?
Posted on Reply
#33
btarunr
Editor & Senior Moderator
Both coolers were tested in identical conditions. Details on the test:
The QX9770 OC to 3.6GHz,and the core voltage was 1.35V. We use four SP2004 at the same time,making it in fullloaded. After 10min, let it on idle mode and read the temperature with “Core Temp” .
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#34
lemonadesoda
Sorry, bta, nowhere does it say FIXED fanspeed was used. If variable fanspeed (temperature depandent), then copper may have been running at 60%fan, and alu at 100%fan since over 70C.
Posted on Reply
#35
btarunr
Editor & Senior Moderator
lemonadesodaSorry, bta, nowhere does it say FIXED fanspeed was used. If variable fanspeed (temperature depandent), then copper may have been running at 60%fan, and alu at 100%fan since over 70C.
Then the data is not provided. We cannot make assumptions on either fronts, whether the fan speed was fixed or variable, from whatever they provided, that's identical conditions they tested it on.
Posted on Reply
#36
RadeonX2
btarunrWe are family...

I have the black one :D
Posted on Reply
#37
InnocentCriminal
Resident Grammar Amender
I'm with Radeon, I'd take the black one!

I might even be stupid enough to purchase it, maybe.
Posted on Reply
#38
RadeonX2
InnocentCriminalI'm with Radeon, I'd take the black one!

I might even be stupid enough to purchase it, maybe.
thanks man :rockout:

I rather lap my proc and heatsink rather than putting this heavy beast on a 775 mobo but I think the new socket can handle the weight :confused:
Posted on Reply
#39
InnocentCriminal
Resident Grammar Amender
I wish they had a mounting kit for 939.

:(

I could always get it for my girlfriend, then steal it back when I move to 1366.
Posted on Reply
#40
RadeonX2
InnocentCriminalI wish they had a mounting kit for 939.

:(

I could always get it for my girlfriend, then steal it back when I move to 1366.
is there a review on 1366 with this TR copper?
Posted on Reply
#41
InnocentCriminal
Resident Grammar Amender
I highly doubt it. I wouldn't be surprised if they release a upgrade kit though.
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#42
Mad-Matt
Its a pretty poor showing unless that QX9770 is some extreme heat edition ;)
My Xigmatech is keeping my overclocked Q6600 (3.6ghz) at under 60c for normal use and 64c is highest ive seen it go running inteltat for an hour or so. That was durring british summer (if it can be called that lol) and using standard pushpins.
Posted on Reply
#43
PCpraiser100
I heard many good things about this cooler, copper means uber-heat conduction. Some people rumored around other forums that the cooler might be cheaper since copper is cheaper than nickel.

BTW: perhaps the heat from the cooler is because the fan won't pull enough hot air to keep cool. I used professional server CPU pasting on my P4 stock cooler, didn't want to do it again.
Posted on Reply
#44
Poisonsnak
InnocentCriminalI wish they had a mounting kit for 939.

:(

I could always get it for my girlfriend, then steal it back when I move to 1366.
They do, or at least used to. I have an original ultra-120 (4 heatpipes) and a 939 mounting bracket for it.

check out this page:

www.thermalright.com/new_a_page/product_page/product_accessories.html

about half way down "939 bolt thru kit". Beware though I have installed this same heatsink on an AM2 system and a 939 system and the 939 bolt thru kit is WAY harder to install (you need to put a lot of pressure on that 2nd screw just to get the threads to start to grab)>
Posted on Reply
#45
InnocentCriminal
Resident Grammar Amender
Thanks for that dude. I'll look into sourcing one.
Posted on Reply
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