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Performance Fan Comparison on XP-90 |
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Written by Mikhail Ivanenkov
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Sunday, 01 July 2007 |
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Page 1 of 3
Thanks to Sidewinder Computers for the product samples.
A couple weeks ago we had our fun with Thermalright's impressive XP-90 heatsink, but we didn't stop there. If you recall, we only tested it with a mid-range 92mm Panaflo fan because we felt it was the ideal choice for a cooler of this type. The noise-to-performance ratio also fit the bill nicely. Today we're going to take it a step further by testing it with 7 different fans, both 80mm and 92mm. Speeds and airflow range from low to extreme.
Regardless of your speed preference, we recommend using a 92mm fan because it will provide more airflow at a lower noise level than an 80mm model. Nevertheless, 80mm fans are still more versatile and widespread so you may be content with one. One thing to note is that although the XP-90 is a hybrid cooler (nickel plated copper base with aluminum fins), the majority of the cooling is taken care of by the fins.
The general difference between copper and aluminum is that copper absorbs heat faster but dissipates it slower; aluminum is just the opposite - it absorbs heat slower but dissipates it faster. It is for this reason that hybrid coolers are all the rage: a copper base absorbs the initial heat quickly while the aluminum dissipates it well. This is also why copper heatsinks usually require high speed fans to be effective while aluminum coolers don't see much of a difference when going from medium to high speed. We'll see how this theory holds up shortly.
- Manufacturer: Panaflo
- Model: FBA08A12U
- Dimensions: 80 x 80 x 25mm
- Rated airflow: 46.9CFM
- RPM: 3450
- Rated noise: 38.2dBA
- Power: 3.24watts
Our first candidate is the "ultra high speed" 80mm Panaflo. The company is known for their very quiet and reliable L1A series (an all time favorite of the enthusiast community), but they're not very big on high speed fans. Because of this even this "ultra" speed belongs somewhere between mid and high range models. At a power consumption of 3.24watts it's safe to plug into your motherboard header (fans over 4watts generally aren't recommended). In terms of noise, it's slightly louder than most "normal" 80mm fans.
- Manufacturer: Delta
- Model: EFB0812L
- Dimensions: 80 x 80 x 25mm
- Rated airflow: 27.65CFM
- RPM: 2700
- Rated noise: 27.5dBA
- Power: 0.84watts
This may surprise some, but Delta actually makes quiet fans. The EFB0812L is the quietest, lowest output fan in our comparison. The triple blade design actually works quite well and there's a good chance that your Northbridge or VGA fan will be louder. 27.65CFM isn't much to brag about, but it does the job without being obnoxious.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 14 July 2007 )
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