Performance

Test system:

Note:
Idle refers to the computer sitting at desktop for 30 minutes.
Load refers to the CPU running two threads of Prime95's "In-place large FFTs" stress test for 15 minutes.
Temperatures have been taken via RealTemp. RealTemp takes the TjMax value of the CPU into account, providing very accurate results. Read all about it here.


At stock clocks, when idling and at load, the Silent Spirit's performance is approximately in the middle of all other coolers. It does not match or beat any of the bigger coolers (i.e., coolers with a 12cm or larger fan). None the less, it beats the stock cooler by 7 degrees Celsius when the CPU is under load. Considering the size of the Silent Spirit, performance is excellent. In reality, the other coolers that perform better than it are double its size and price, and only produce results which are a couple of degrees cooler (if that).


Once overclocked, the Silent Spirit again runs a lot cooler than the Intel stock cooler when idling and under load. As seen at stock CPU clocks, the Silent Spirit performs better than older/smaller CPU coolers yet not as good as larger, more expensive offerings. That being said, it still runs 8°C (under load) cooler than the stock cooler, which is quite good considering the stock cooler being used is Intel's larger, copper based variant. Performance in all tests is exceptional for such a small, lightweight CPU cooler.

Fan Noise

At its low setting (PWM controlled), the Silent Spirit holds to its name and is inaudible through the case. You wont be hearing it at all if you have a side panel attached and any other fans within the case. Under hotter conditions, when the PWM sensor increases the fan speed, the Silent Spirit amazed me at how quiet it remained. While the cooler was definitely louder than what it was when idling, and did become slightly audible even with a closed case, it still remained quiet for a 92mm fan at full speed. The problem with PWM fans is that the user cannot control the noise as they can with a fan controller (as some prefer to have higher temps but lower noise). I would say this is not a problem with the Silent Spirit as it is not an annoyance at all under full load, and will only but blend in with case/graphics card/power supply fans.

The Intel stock cooler is marginally louder at stock, but a lot louder when under load or when overclocked. The Silent Spirit is noticeably a lot quieter than the Intel stock cooler when running at higher speeds. Having a PWM fan on the Silent Spirit is an extremely smart move by Gelid Solutions, because the fan is not noisy and is not frustrating to listen to when running at 100%.