Testing
Test Rig
Processor
|
Intel C2Q Q9450 Quad Core 2.66GHz |
Motherboard | Gigabyte S-Series GA-73PVM-S2H |
Graphics Card | XFX 8600GT |
Memory | Corsair XMS2 PC6400 (2x 1GB) |
Hard Drive | Hitachi HDT7250 (250GB) |
OS | Windows XP Pro 32bit |
PSU | NOX Apex 700W |
Methodology
In order to test the Gentle Typhoon 2150RPM fan, I chose to look at the CPU and system temperatures at both idle and full load states.
For idle testing the rig is left for 30 minutes without loading any processes and the temperatures are recorded using Speedfan. In order to achieve full load, four processes of CPU Burn-In are loaded and the rig is again left for 30 minutes before the most representative reading is taken.
I will be using the NOX Coolbay HX case as I unfortunately do not have a case that will properly take a 92mm case fan (most cases seem to either go for 80 or 100mm fans now). Therefore, the fan will have to be installed into a 120mm grate but this shouldn’t be any problem. I have uninstalled all other fans so the fan tested will the only thing generating system airflow. The stock Intel cooler is the one used for the CPU.
I will be comparing the results to the Noctua NF-B9; ambient temperature was 19 degrees.
Results
Cooling
CPU temperature
Clearly, the better of the two 92mm fans is the NF-B9 but this fan is much more expensive and surprisingly enough a little nosier as well. The Gentle Typhoon comes in a close second though with some solid results.
System temperature
Again, the NF-B9 is marginally better but the Typhoon is able to match the load temperature. Overall, the cooling is not bad considering the rival is of such high quality.
Noise
The fan is very quite indeed and I honestly did not notice it at all during testing except when very close up. Also, the fact that only screws were used for installation didn’t prove to be an issue either so perhaps rubber mounts weren’t so essential after all.
Cost
QuietPC has this fan priced at £8.80 (inc. VAT) which seems a pretty good price for such a quiet, well-performing fan.
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