Test Methodology
I first install the cooler into a hemi-anechoic chamber, and with the help of a highly sophisticated sound analyzer, I take all necessary noise measurements required for the testing. Afterward, I install the system inside a giant climate chamber, where the ambient temperature remains steady at 25 degrees Celsius; this way, I don’t have to take the delta difference into account anymore since I can evaluate all coolers under precisely the same ambient temperature. I used to believe that taking the delta difference between the measured temperature of the CPU and the ambient temperature provided accurate results. Still, after testing with the climate chamber, I soon realized this was not the case.
- Manufacturer: Giant Force
- Model Number: GTH-800-20-CP-AR
- Temp Range: -20โ ~ +100โ
- Humidity Range: 20% ~ 98% RH
- Temp/humidity Constancy: ยฑ0.2โ; ยฑ2.5%RH
- Temp/humidity Uniformity at center: ยฑ0.5โ; ยฑ4%RH
- Indication Resolution:
- Internal Dimensions (WHD): 100 x 100 x 80 cm
- External Dimensions (WHD): 145 x 190 x 135 cm
- Net Weight (approx): 450 kgs
- Heat-up Time (No load, no linear): (from 20ยฐC to +100ยฐC) 30min
- Pull-down Time (No load, no linear): (from 20ยฐC to -20ยฐC) 50min
- Cooling System: Airtight compressor + evaporator fins + air-cooling condenser
- Power Source: 3ฮฆ AC 380V ยฑ5%, 50Hzยฑ1% 10KW
- Based on Standards: ISO 5801-2007, AMCA 210-0, ASHRAE 51-2007, IEC 61591-2005, GB/T 1236-200
Besides the Giant Force climate chamber, I also use the following equipment.
- Noise Test Environment: Hemi-Anechoic Chamber with 6 dB(A) noise floor
- Conditions: 25 (+-2) degrees Celsius, 40-50% humidity
- Sound Analyzer: Bruel & Kjaer 2270-S G4
- Microphone: Bruel & Kjaer Type 4955-A
- Mic Calibrator:ย Bruel & Kjaer Type 4231
- Data Logger: Picoscope TC-08
For evaluating the coolers, I use a super power-hungry Intel i9-13900K. This beast is reaching 360W of sustained load, which I measure accurately using a Powenetics v2 system. All parts of the CPU cooling station test system are shown below. The thermal paste I use is the Arctic Cooling MX-4. I run at least two test sessions and take the average results.
| Test System Specs | ||||
| Mainboard | Asus Prime Z690-A | |||
| CPU | Intel 13900K Package Power Limit (PL1, PL2) set to 250W | |||
| GPU | NVIDIA 1070 Ti | |||
| NVMe | XPG GAMMIX S50 Lite 1TB | |||
| RAM | XPG Lancer DDR5 (2 x 16GB) 6000MHz | |||
| Power Supply | Seasonic Vertex 1200W (Cybenetics Platinum) |
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| CPU Cooler | What is under test! | |||
| Case | DimasTech Bench | |||
| Ambient Temperature | 25ยฐC ยฑ0.5ยฐC | |||
| Humidity | 50% ยฑ4%RH | |||
The load application is no other but Prime95 (small FFTs), which applies a tremendous load to the processor. I run each test for 20 minutes, allowing for a 10-minute cool period between each test. The whole procedure is fully automated thanks to a particular application that I made for this purpose.
The critical point in my methodology for coolers is that I consider the CPU’s average frequency during testing because it doesn’t remain steady throughout the tests. It constantly changes according to the load and the operating temperatures. Moreover, I have the Powenetics system to continually measure the CPU’s power consumption, which is way more accurate and faster than using a software solution like HWinfo.
– Hope you’ll test “EK-Nucleus Lux CR360 D-RGB AIO” too (there’s also non-RGB (Dark version) and White version will be there soon as well…)
– It’s the best AIO in 2023 (according to many reviewers, such as Kitguru, OC3D, Robeytech and others…)
– Tech-Notice even showed it beats 420mm Arctic Liquid Freezer a bit when paired with 13900K… and some people commented that it’s just a couple degrees difference then with their Custom-loop cooling…
– And the AIO is finally in stock again (it wasn’t in stock for a long time, I guess people are buying like crazy haha – I also bought it, hope it will arrive soon :))
I just saw a review of “Phanteks Glacier One T30 Gen 2 D-RGB AIO (360mm)” and it’s 1 degree better then Nucleus Lux (on full load) – so you can test this one too ๐
I am trying to find this AIO but I don’t have any contacts to Phanteks, unfortunately.
oh, that’s very unfortunate but what about EK-Nucleus? Could you review that one instead (while they are still in stock)? haha ๐
Will ask EK if they have any to send ๐
Awesome ๐
There’s also new “Asus ROG Ryujin III 360” cooler that’s even better then these 2 coolers… but the pump noise is frustrating according to “OC3D”, and the price is also insane ๐
I will try to get that.
This AIO is the most suitable – especially in new generations of INTEL and AMD which are literally heaters.
Very good and tested by me on 13600K and 5900X.
I don’t like the desing of the PUMP that much, but that’s subjective.
As far as the noise is concerned, it is not one of the most silent when I tested it with the Arctic Freezer II 360 with 6 120mm fans, but also with the 2 processors the difference was an average of -4C compared to the Arctic Freezer II 360 with MX6 thermal paste.
The fans are very strong and DeepCool shows again in recent years that it wants to go 2 steps higher.
The DeepCool cases need radical renewal and redesign.
I should mention as far as the Fan Controller you mentioned (Corsair) is concerned, you can buy 10 seats from Arctic for โฌ7 if you want to add another 3 for a push/pull arrangement and connect other fans.
Also, DeepCool, for someone who wants to change thermal pads on the GPU, etc., provides very high-quality mm pads in many dimensions.
Aris, goodevening! – We love you so much and we support you!
Bless UP! my friend
Thank you!!!
Awesome review. If you could test Arctic Liquid Freezer II 360 for reference. Another interesting cooler is Phanteks Glacier one 360 t30 gen 2. It uses the new asetek gen 8 pump , has a 30mm thick radiator with 20ppi and it includes the best fans you have ever tested (t30).
Excellent review. I’m thinking about buying this water cooler but in white. The problem I will have will be adjusting the fans in reverse to comply with the case manufacturer’s recommendation: a Lian Li o11 Vision. About this, what I’m thinking (and please don’t judge me) is to put some nice (and not very efficient) reverse fans, with lots of LED effects on the front (intake fans) and on the back I’ll keep the ones that come with the AIO (pushing from behind), making a push-pull configuration. It makes sense? Thanks again for the review. Obrigado
To be frank, I didn’t quite understand what you want to do with the reverse fans, but in any case if you want to get something good, look at the Lian Li UNI fans which have reverse models and RGB.