Overclocking Intel’s Q9550s with Cooler Master Hyper N520 . . . Part One of “Quad Core vs Dual Core” Shootout

Setting Q9550S overclock with Cooler Master Hyper n520

-The introduction and specifications

This brief Part One, quad vs. dual core gaming, logically first looks at Q9550s at stock VID and we keep an eye on core temperature which is in the very low 30s C with both our Thermalright CPU cooler and Cooler Master Hyper N520.   We set everything to “Auto” in our ASUS P5e’s BIOS.  Using our new Q9550S, we note there are no temperature spikes but rather uniform increases as we alt+tab in and out of demanding 3-D games.  The Q9550S is “idling” at 2.83 Ghz and to this reviewer its superb performance in mundane day-to-day tasks such as web surfing or using Microsoft Office 2007 are no different than E8600 at it’s stock clock of 3.33 Ghz.  But we are most interested in maximum gaming performance, so we press on in our efforts to hit 4 Ghz with Q9550S to match our standard E8600’s overclock.  All we can say is that Q9550S is an awesome, stable and relatively cool-running CPU whose much lower TDP – 65 watts vs. the ‘non-S’ Q9550 specified 95 watts – will make it a very attractive CPU for OEM builders that specialize in rack-mounted server builds.  It is well worth the approximately $100 premium that Intel charges for the “S” Q9550.  But how about for gamers?  Is it worth the extra $100 over the ‘non-S’ version and does it overclock better?  Even perhaps more importantly, does it matter if you do not quite get 4Ghz but have to “settle” for 3.6 Ghz or even 3.4 Ghz?  We think we will be able to answer these questions for you as we proceed through our “quad vs. dual core gaming” series.

The solid copper base conducts the heat away from the CPU with 5 copper heatpipes

Note the mirror-like solid copper base as Cooler Master Hyper N520 sports 5 copper heats pipes to remove the heat from the CPU, as pictured above.   Three of the five are completely “U”-shaped and travel up both sides of the cooler while the other two are “L”-shaped and travel up only one side.  Although the base appears very well-machined, it is very (very) slightly convex and could use a bit of further lapping or polishing if you are a perfectionist.  Its dual fans 92mm fans are slightly offset to each other and are working together in synergy – to create a “wind tunnel” effect through the very dense aluminum fins at a relatively low 1800 RPMs so as to draw a significant amount of cooling air through its radiator.  The fans are not identical but very similar and it is apparent they were designed to push-pull air through the cooling fins with a minimum of noise.  We especially like the idea of the universal mounting hardware supplied in Hyper N520 box to fit most platforms and its dual fans; yet we still wondered about the actual cooling and its potential noise.

Here are the Hyper N520 product specifications as found on Cooler Master’s own site:

http://www.coolermaster.com/products/product.php?language=en&act=detail&tbcate=1&id=5983

CPU Socket :
Intel Socket (LGA1366 / LGA775)
Socket (LGA 771 Skulltrail only)
AMD Socket (AM2+ / AM2 / 940 / 939 / 754)

CPU Support :
Intel Core i7 / Core 2 Extreme / Core 2 Quad / Core 2 Duo / Pentium 4 / Pentium D / Celeron / Celeron D
AMD Phenom X4 Quad Core / Phenom X3 Triple Core / Athlon 64 x2 Dual Core / Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64 / Sempron

Dimensions : 122.35 x 102.5 x 141 mm ( L x W x H )
Weight : 688g
Heat Sink Dimensions : 115 x 62.3 x 141 mm
Material : Cu base, AI fin, 5 heatpipes
Heat Pipes Dimensions : Ø6 mm
Fan Dimension (W / H / D) : 92 x 92 x 25 mm
Fan Speed : 1800 R.P.M.
Fan Airflow : 43.8 CFM (Total)
Air pressure (mmH2O) : 3.24 mmH2O (Total)
Bearing Type :Sleeve
Fan Life Expectancy : 70,000 hours
Fan Noise Level (dB-A) : 19 dBA
Connector 3-pin

Those are very nice specifications on paper.  We found after installing it, Cooler Master Hyper N520 is not only quiet, but moves a lot of air at fairly low RPMs.  This is very good for a budget-priced quad-core cooler as its MSRP is only $49.99 and we have seen it for as low as $40.00 at e-tailers.  My own Thermalright cooler can also use two fans and it is priced similarly for just the CPU cooler alone – but mine shipped with no fans at all; they are optional and something I had to choose for myself, settling on a single slightly nosier Scythe 12omm which added well over $20 to its $50 actual base cost.  It would be closer to double the price of Cooler Master’s Hyper N520 if I chose two fans and it would also be a lot more noise to put up with.

Not much room with this one

From the next picture, we can see the two coolers compared, as to size.  The Cooler Master has a much smaller footprint and would fit into more cases.  Also, the Hyper N520 features true “universal” mounting – to cool just about any modern CPU in almost any motherboard as long as you have the room to fit it in properly.  Despite the fact it has two fans, they are conveniently cabled and sleeved together into one connector.  Note the rubber washers installed on the mounting screws.   There is no apparent vibration with Hyper N520 in action.

Note Cooler Master Hyper n520's smaller footprint (Pictured on the left-side)

So we really like what we see, so far.  Let’s install it and see how it cools Q9550S.