Testing and Overclocking

Test Rig

• CPU: Intel 3770K – Stock turbo – all cores enabled – HT enabled
• GPU:  Zotac GTX680
• Memory: 16GB Corsair Vengeance 1600MHz 9-9-9-24 DDR3
• Storage: Crucial C300 128GB
• PSU: SuperFlower Golden King 550W Platinum
• OS: Windows 8 Professional x64
• Case: Coolmaster Cosmos 2

Methodology

To ensure the results were consistent, the heatsink was mounted three times and idle and load tests run each time. An average of the results is shown below.

For idle testing, Windows 8 was allowed to run with no programs for 10 minutes.

For load testing we use Prime 95 Small FFTs and temperatures were taken after 20 minutes.

The standard thermal paste, provided with the cooler, was used.

Overclocking

The settings we used for our stock and overclocked tests are:

Stock – 3500MHz – Turbo 3900GHz

Overclocked – CPU 4400MHz 1.275v

Results

Stock

The cooler performed poorly on our 3770K, this is partly due to the poor thermal paste provided and the fact it’s one of the smallest coolers we’ve reviewed so far. Fan noise was very quiet, the cooler couldn’t be heard at all.

Overclocked

Unfortunately the Coolgate didn’t have the performance to handle our overclocked 3770K, it reached 100C rapidly and the machine shut down.

Conclusion

OK so the Coolgate’s performance wasn’t exactly what we were hoping for. This is a shame because this could have been an excellent value choice. The cooler did beat the stock cooler by a good 11C margin while staying very quiet, much quieter than the stock cooler anyway.

The build quality was good, the mounting solution wasn’t as good as what some other companies have used in the past but it’s easy to install and firm once installed, what more can you ask for?

The Spire Coolgate goes for around £25 on Amazon, this isn’t a bad price for a very quiet cooler that beats the stock intel cooler by a good margin.

Pros

• Value for money
• Easy installation on motherboards without large Mosfet heatsinks
• Quiet fan

Cons

• Low quality thermal paste
• Failed the overclocked test