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, the TherMax II performs similarly to other DHT coolers such as the Gyre and Core Contact Freezer. Under load temperatures, we see the same result. From this test it is shown that the fan running at either high or low does not make much of a difference. This is actually surprising as the fan pushes a lot more air when at full speed, as compared to when it is at a low speed.


Once overclocked, the TherMax II again runs a lot cooler than the Intel stock cooler when idling. Under load temperatures, the TherMax II compares to the other DHT solutions but not as good as the CNPS9900 LED or the CoolIT Domino water cooling solution. It still runs a large number of degrees cooler than the stock cooler though. Again, the fan being from high to low makes no difference at idle and only performs two degrees better at load (with a large increase in noise).

Fan Noise

At its low setting, the TherMax II is almost totally silent. It is not audible at all over standard case fans once the case is closed, and only a whisper can be heard when the case is open. Yet, this silence only remains when the fan controller is set to low. Once the knob on the fan controller is turned all the way up, the fan can be heard clearly over all other case fans, even when the case is closed. Barring the serious overclocker, having the fan set to anything other than "low" is not needed, as tests conclude there is not much of an increase in cooling performance. That being said, the fan controller is not totally a waste, as if the user attaches a very low RPM fan to the heatsink and needs it to run faster, they will have that option.

The Intel stock cooler is marginally louder at stock, but a lot louder when under load or when overclocked. The TherMax II (when the fan is set to low) is noticeably a lot quieter than the Intel stock cooler when running at higher speeds. When the TherMax II has its fans set to 100% it produces the same noise levels as the stock cooler. The fan controller does help a lot, since running the fan at 100% all the time would be too noisy.