Overall Performance (AMD)
To calculate each cooler’s overall performance, I take into account three factors, the CPU’s temperature, wattage, and frequency, by using the following equation:
(Wattage / Temperature) x Frequency
Each chart shows the cooler under test as 100% and every other product’s performance as relative to it.
Although it loses in the Intel platform, the Thermalright cooler takes the lead by a notable margin in the AMD system from the Mugen 6. The cooler’s performance is way better in the AMD system, beating even the D15 G2 at 25 and 30 dBA. A note: Noctua’s cooler uses offset mounting, boosting AMD system performance. Only the D15 G2 LBC achieves higher performance in all noise levels from the Thermalright cooler, but should I remind you of its $150 price tag?
Performance Per Price (AMD)
The performance per price ratio is sky-high!
I think the low cost is because of the location of the company and of their manufacturing site. They can afford to undercut the competition (as any company based in most parts of E/SE Asia should be able to do), especially with China keeping the value of their currency artificially low to keep companies there.
It’s great to have your review since so many people blindly point to the PA120 nowadays for Intel, instead of remembering that it’s not the top Intel air cooler.
Honestly, after so many decades of heatsinks, I think the science is already out there as to optimal fin density, materials, etc. Asking for a ton of money, like Noctua always does after ripping off TR designs all those years ago, is a combination of the high cost of having a German-based company, and greed. It’s like when Linus justified the cost of his screwdriver with 2 years of research when there are better products out there are a fraction of the cost.
I think the only thing that is missing is results from overclocking and/or very hot CPUs. I suspect that the PA120 will not handle the hottest CPUs as well as they did in this test.