3RSystem iCEAGE: A New Cooling Company Tackles the Heatpipe Tower
by Wesley Fink on June 21, 2007 12:02 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Overclocking
As cooling solutions do a better job of keeping the CPU at a lower temperature, it is reasonable to expect the overclocking capabilities of the CPU will increase. In each test of a cooler we measure the highest stable overclock of a standard X6800 processor under the following conditions:
CPU Multiplier: 14x (Stock 11x)
CPU voltage: 1.5875V
FSB Voltage: 1.30V
Memory Voltage: 2.20V
nForce SPP Voltage: 1.35V
nForce MCP Voltage: 1.7V
HT nForce SPP <-> MCP: Auto
Memory is set to Auto timings on the 680i and memory speed is linked to the FSB for the overclocking tests. This removes memory as any kind of impediment to the maximum stable overclock. Linked settings on the 680i are a 1066FSB to a DDR2 memory speed of DDR2-800. As the FSB is raised the linked memory speed increases in proportion. The same processor is used in all cooling tests to ensure comparable results.
The 3RSystem iCEAGE reached a stable 3.87 GHz, which is similar to other second tier heatpipe towers. This is better than any down-facing cooler and just below the 3.90GHz to 3.94GHz of the top performing heatpipe towers. This is comparable to several other heatpipe towers tested with just one fan. The performance is competent but doesn't lead the pack with the top heatpipe towers reaching 3.90 to 3.94GHz with the same CPU on the same test bed.
As cooling solutions do a better job of keeping the CPU at a lower temperature, it is reasonable to expect the overclocking capabilities of the CPU will increase. In each test of a cooler we measure the highest stable overclock of a standard X6800 processor under the following conditions:
CPU Multiplier: 14x (Stock 11x)
CPU voltage: 1.5875V
FSB Voltage: 1.30V
Memory Voltage: 2.20V
nForce SPP Voltage: 1.35V
nForce MCP Voltage: 1.7V
HT nForce SPP <-> MCP: Auto
Memory is set to Auto timings on the 680i and memory speed is linked to the FSB for the overclocking tests. This removes memory as any kind of impediment to the maximum stable overclock. Linked settings on the 680i are a 1066FSB to a DDR2 memory speed of DDR2-800. As the FSB is raised the linked memory speed increases in proportion. The same processor is used in all cooling tests to ensure comparable results.
The 3RSystem iCEAGE reached a stable 3.87 GHz, which is similar to other second tier heatpipe towers. This is better than any down-facing cooler and just below the 3.90GHz to 3.94GHz of the top performing heatpipe towers. This is comparable to several other heatpipe towers tested with just one fan. The performance is competent but doesn't lead the pack with the top heatpipe towers reaching 3.90 to 3.94GHz with the same CPU on the same test bed.
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strikeback03 - Friday, June 22, 2007 - link
I often get an error if it has taken me a while to type a response. My solution is to copy the post, then try and post. If/when it throws the error, close the comments page and reopen, has always let me post after that.I had assumed serrated meant that the fins were bent up and down in plane, allowing more surface area for the overall width. Looking back at the pictures that appears to not be the case though. Maybe the cuts on the fins are to quiet down some noise caused by tip vortices or something.
Wesley Fink - Thursday, June 21, 2007 - link
On p. 3 CPU Test Configuration - we state "Room temperature is measured before beginning the cooler tests and is maintained in the 20 to 22C (68 to 72F) range for all testing." According to my test notes ambinet temp was just below 71F at the start of these tests. The lab is air conditioned, but we do have to set the system off to keep fans off during the few munutes it takes for noise measuremtns.brian_riendeau - Thursday, June 21, 2007 - link
Cliff notes:-$50
-Another decent tower cooler
-Nothing special or mind blowing
+8 pages of "content" to explain the 3 lines above
I am continually amazed at the length and number of cooler articles that keep coming out of AT. With 8 pages, you could easily cover the relevant information on 8 seperate coolers, with pics and performance numbers for each cooler.
brian_riendeau - Thursday, June 21, 2007 - link
Also from earlier..."With the vast number of heatsink tests done to date it's surprising the ACF7Pro has yet to be tested."
Not really. People would lose interest in this type of article if they all ended with something like "Too bad the ACF7Pro works as well (or better!) at less than half the cost". The coolers that keep getting tested have very high mark ups.
strikeback03 - Friday, June 22, 2007 - link
umm, right...
And despite how much of the article is cut-and-paste from previous reviews, it's amazing how many people will complain about aspects of the testing that have been mentioned each time.
strikeback03 - Thursday, June 21, 2007 - link
2nd page under Specifications - the box says Thermaltake MaxOrb Specifications.4th page right under the Idle graph - says the VX managed 29C.
yacoub - Thursday, June 21, 2007 - link
"The iCEAGE 120 should retail for around 45 to 50 USD"yacoub - Thursday, June 21, 2007 - link
I didn't see a $xx anywhere in the article.yacoub - Thursday, June 21, 2007 - link
Curious how much an improvement this offers over the AC Freezer 7 Pro, which a lot of overclockers run because it's cheap, easy to install, and performs decently well.If it's a significant enough improvemnt to warrant the purchase, that would be important to know. With the vast number of heatsink tests done to date it's surprising the ACF7Pro has yet to be tested.
Duraz0rz - Thursday, June 21, 2007 - link
I want to see this cooler tested as well...I've had their A64 version for a while, and I loved it. I want to know how well the Freezer 7 Pro does with the Core 2 Duo, as I'm running the stock cooler right now, and the Freezer 7 Pro is freely avaliable and cheaper than the Scythe Mine Rev B I wanted to buy.Love how you guys are doing your cooler reviews here...keep it up! :)