The fact that you are considering to put the theory into practice, and maybe find out other theories based on the real-life results makes me very happy, and I salute our decision.MikeC wrote:I'll have to set up an i7 system to see what those CPUs really pull at the 2x12V socket.
More experiments are in order. The gist of what I am trying to determine:
1) Does C/W of a heatsink/fan stay the same as CPU power is increased?
2) If not, how much more power is needed for C/W to change? Is there a consistency to that change? ie, for every +10W, C/W decreases (or increases) by 10%, or whatever pattern can be discerned.
3) Does the ranking of SPCR's top low-airflow coolers stay the same when a CPU of higher TDP is used?
4) Finally, if the decision is made to add a high power CPU test, what should that power level be?
But I must make some further observations regarding your questions...
1 + 2 - I see you are trying to find an accurate way to extrapolate what you've tested so far, but in my opinion you won't. I hope I'm wrong because if you do, then it would be a very interesting theory.
3. No, they won't in my opinion. Also, to answer your remark...
... I give you this link, where you'll find the test conditions for this table. Or you can look here and here, the test conditions are the same.MikeC wrote:Not a good example -- the CM Z600 will lose at low airflow against the TR HR-01+ with any CPU and neither will cool effectively enough w/o a fan on an i7.
So in my compatriot's tests, between CM Z600 and TR HR-01+ there is a 15c difference in fanless mode, and about 3.5c using a 800 rpm scythe slipstream fan. So YES, I think that CM Z600 is a VERY GOOD EXAMPLE. I don't consider Scythe Orochi an option because it's just HUGE.
Does the ranking of SPCR's top low-airflow coolers stay the same when a CPU of higher TDP is used? Well, since you don't consider CM Z600 a top-dog from your tests, probably they will remain unchanged.
4. if the decision is made to add a high power CPU test, what should that power level be?
I am deliberately not taking into account the power level notion to simplify the argument. So, in my opinion the answer to your question is the HOTTEST Intel CPU (or an overclocked Intel CPU) that the current best low-rpm cooler (CM Z600 with a 800 rpm fan - as later in time another one better will surely appear) can cool under load at ~ 75c at your given ambient temperature (or maybe ~ 10c below Tjunction Max of that INTEL processor).
But hell, I'm just a member of your forum, why should you listen to me? Please find out for yourself...