Performance

For the test setup, Prime95 was used to load the CPU, and Windows at the Desktop was used to get the idle temperature. Different clocks/voltages were used to increase the total heat output. The amount of heat output of a processor is measured in Watts. All CPUs/GPUs have what's known as a TDP or Thermal Design Point which is given by the manufacturer (different manufacturers measure TDP in different ways). This TDP rating gives a bases of how much heat is being dissipated off of a CPU when it's at its default state (not overclocked). However to get the heat output of an overclocked CPU, a formula is needed. To calculate this, the formula " TDP * (OC MHz / Stock MHz) * (OC vCore / Stock vCore )² " was used.



The cooler was mounted, then removed immediately after and the contact area was inspected. The contact was superb - All the paste was squished evenly over the surface of the CPU's IHS and the block, with a fair bit coming out the sides. The block was also quite difficult to remove; I was surprised the CPU didn't come out with it.

Now let's see how this cooler performs:


When I first got the results back, I questioned them straight away, then I questioned myself. First thing I checked was the make sure I had the block on correctly, so I took it off and the contact was superb as it was when I checked it before. There was no air in the system when I checked that again as well. I must say, I thought the cooler was going to do a little better than it did...


The 3D Galaxy II did a little better compared to other coolers when it came to a high heat load, but still nothing fantastic. Some high-end air coolers were beating it still, and the powerful Freezone from CoolIT was still well in the lead.