Sub-$20 CPU Coolers: A Reader's Roundup

[MikeC]

http://www.silentpcreview.com/Sub-$20_C ... er_Roundup

[CA_Steve]

Nice article. Sound is a funny thing as shown by the difference between perceived loudness vs measured. Or taken another way, what's a few dB between friends.

[bastiaan]

This article was a very interesting read. It is somewhat surprising that an cooler named 'Arctic GT' performs worse than Intel's stock cooler in both the 'quiet' and 'max' profiles. Fortunately most of the cheap coolers do better.

Would you guys (SPCR) be interested in putting a selection (maybe the three winners according to Andrew) through the regular testing process so that we can see how they compare to the higher-priced models that are usually reviewed here?

[MikeC]

Would you guys (SPCR) be interested in putting a selection (maybe the three winners according to Andrew) through the regular testing process so that we can see how they compare to the higher-priced models that are usually reviewed here?

Good idea. I was wondering whether/how to run all these models through the SPCR test process... obviously no need to do them all!

btw, the stock cooler is actually better, imo, than Andrew thinks. Listen to the MP3s, then consider the high/low cooling performance. It's actually not bad.

[dragoth]

Hey, Mike! Thanks again for running with my crazy idea.

I think I may have an uncharacteristically bad sample of the stock cooler, as that's the only one of the dozen I didn't send you.

Although, after all that testing.... *That's* what's on my HTPC right now. Threw a resistor on it and it's just fine.

You're right, it really isn't that bad of a cooler, all things considered. But $20 *can* get you better, it turns out. Not best, but better.

[frenchie]

Very nice article !!
Thank you Andrew and Mike, very nice write-up.

[kevith]

Very nice article, thnx.

[BillyBuerger]

This was a good read even if there was no real surprises. A mix of another persons perspective with some SPCR goodness to top it off. I've used a handful of AC Pros over the years for simple and cheap replacements for the stock coolers and have been happy with them. So my experience fits with the results.

[nagi]

Hey there, just popped in to say nice review and good idea.

[loimlo]

Though too late, I'd like to express my appreciation to both of yours.

Btw, a few things for addendum.
1. SilenX Effizio's manufacturer is PCCooler in China. It's VERY popular in china. PCCooler made a HUGE variety of this design of downward air cooler(LED , No LED/Color, No Color/Fast, Slow FAN etc) .... PCCooler also made lots of inexpensive, side-blowing HDT tower coolers.

I got mine (2500RPM fan ver) at USD5 when I'm on a business travel in china. You can check below web-links for further information(in Chinese).

http://www.pccooler.cn/products/pc-1/cpu-2.html
http://www.pccooler.cn/products/pc/cpu/ ... 8%9F3.html

2. Deepcool, a local maker of air cooler, is second to PCCooler in china. It also made lots of inexpensive HDT tower coolers in china. I've had mediocre experience with their "high-end" air cooler in the past ........ Their low-end / budget offering is better in terms of price / performance.

[kuzzia]

It's great to here that my AC Pro does well in your test.

I have one myself, cooling an AMD Athlon X3 425 @stock and I can wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who needs a very quiet, budget cooler.