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<\/a>The dual cooling fans move a lot of air<\/p><\/div>\n
For this overclocking section of our review, we will be cooling Q9550S with the newly released Cooler Master Hyper N520<\/em> as well as our old Thermalright CPU cooler we use as a standard, since we have many months of overclocking experience with it. We are going to give your our method and notes as we installed this cooler and tested it to see what Intel’s Q9550s will overclock stably to at no more than Intel’s recommended maximum voltage.\u00a0 We use the very latest version of Core Temp<\/a> to compare temperatures for all of our testing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Test Configuration<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Featured Hardware<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Cooler Master Hyper N520 installed and cooling Q9550S<\/p><\/div>\n Intel Q9550S right at home<\/p><\/div>\n Test Configuration \u2013 Software<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Test Configuration \u2013 Settings<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Setting Q9550S overclock with Cooler Master Hyper n520<\/strong><\/p>\n -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. \u00a0 We set everything to “Auto” in our ASUS P5e’s BIOS.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 It is well worth the approximately $100 premium that Intel charges for the “S” Q9550.\u00a0 But how about for gamers?\u00a0 Is it worth the extra $100 over the ‘non-S’ version and does it overclock better?\u00a0 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?\u00a0 We think we will be able to answer these questions for you as we proceed through our “quad vs. dual core gaming” series.<\/p>\n The solid copper base conducts the heat away from the CPU with 5 copper heatpipes<\/p><\/div>\n 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.\u00a0\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n Here are the Hyper N520 product specifications as found on Cooler Master’s own site:<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.coolermaster.com\/products\/product.php?language=en&act=detail&tbcate=1&id=5983<\/a><\/p>\n CPU Socket : Dimensions : 122.35 x 102.5 x 141 mm ( L x W x H ) Those are very nice specifications on paper.\u00a0 We found after installing it, Cooler Master Hyper N520 is not only quiet, but moves a lot of air at fairly low RPMs.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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<\/em> 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.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n Not much room with this one<\/p><\/div>\n From the next picture, we can see the two coolers compared, as to size.\u00a0 The Cooler Master has a much smaller footprint and would fit into more cases.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Despite the fact it has two fans, they are conveniently cabled and sleeved together into one connector.\u00a0 Note the rubber washers installed on the mounting screws.\u00a0\u00a0 There is no apparent vibration with Hyper N520 in action.<\/p>\n Note Cooler Master Hyper n520's smaller footprint (Pictured on the left-side)<\/p><\/div>\n So we really like what we see, so far.\u00a0 Let’s install it and see how it cools Q9550S.<\/p>\n Setting Q9550S overclock with Cooler Master Hyper N520<\/strong><\/p>\n -Opening the box and instructions to install Cooler Master’s Hyper N520 comes in a nice box that is well-designed for shipping and we really like their instructions which are quite detailed and clear in several languages.\u00a0 I do not believe even a beginning builder would have trouble understanding how to install it from the enclosed instructions.\u00a0 If he or she has questions, a PC builder can visit Cooler Master’s own site for further help. Excellent packing for shipping, easy-to-follow instructions, Hyper N520 has everything you need<\/p><\/div>\n Sufficient hardware is supplied for every platform including for Core i7 CPUs and all you really need is your eyeglasses and a philips or even a regular flat-head screwdriver.\u00a0 Make sure that you keep all the parts in one place – there are no spare parts included if you lose one!<\/p>\n There are clear instructions and everything is supplied. <\/p><\/div>\n There are just two things we did not like, one very minor.\u00a0 Cooler Master’s thermal compound as supplied is more like a clay than a paste and it is very difficult to apply thinly, without caking. It is a minor nitpick perhaps and it can be looked at as a courtesy if you do not already have quality thermal paste.\u00a0 They also supplied a lot of thermal compound, enough for several applications, which was also unnecessary.\u00a0 We did not test with their supplied compound but used one that is easy to apply and one whose characteristics are very well-known to us.\u00a0 There is just one other design issue with Hyper N520 that we have that would keep it from us recommending Cooler Master Hyper N520 as the perfect reasonably-priced CPU cooler for enthusiasts.\u00a0 Each time you remove it, you must remove your motherboard.\u00a0 It would be no issue for the regular user that may never change his CPU once installed – or perhaps once every couple of years.\u00a0 But for those of us who need to remove the CPU cooler very often, it may be a deal-breaker and I would recommend modifying your motherboard tray to get easy access to the fasteners if you plan to buy it.<\/p>\n The backplate is installed first on the motherboard<\/p><\/div>\n After the backplate is quickly and easily installed on the motherboard against its backside, the Cooler Master Hyper N520 is installed and the nuts – as pictured – are tightened with a supplied tool that prevents over-tightening, yet it gives the perfect amount of tension to hold the cooler base plate against the Q9550s for excellent cooling.\u00a0 Cooler Master has very thoughtfully designed anti-vibration cushions and washers into the Hyper n520 where it contacts the mounting areas, so we could detect no vibration after it was installed whatsoever!<\/p>\n After that, all you do is place your motherboard back into your case, make sure all connections are secure – and in our case – now connected the second CPU power cable to the motherboard to supply stable voltage to all four cores of our Q9550S, our PC was back up and running, as pictured below.<\/p>\n Here is is installed in our PC, a painless and easy first installation.<\/p><\/div>\n The first thing we note are the Q9550S low stock temperatures and Cooler Master Hyper N520’s lack of noise.\u00a0 We are relieved that the twin 92 mm dual fan solution is quieter than our single Scythe120 mm cooling fan and it is most appreciated when we are running with a quiet video card.\u00a0 It easily passes our noise test with flying colors!\u00a0 It is so quiet in fact, I wish there were adjustments provided to raise the fan’s RPMs a bit as 1800 RPMs seems a little low to me.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Setting Q9550S overclock with Cooler Master Hyper N520<\/strong><\/p>\n -The Overclock and Conclusions First of all, the airflow is excellent.\u00a0 You can of course install Cooler Master’s Hyper N520 to pull air from the back of your case or from the front.<\/p>\n The fans work together to cool your CPU<\/p><\/div>\n As noted before, the fans are quiet and the hum is not annoying and is barely heard over my quiet PS fan – never mind my GTX280 which is more noticeable audibly.\u00a0 Of course, I have my case open and it is still not a problem.\u00a0 Temperatures are excellent.\u00a0 At stock, they are in the very lowest 30s C in my very warm room.\u00a0 It is important to take into consideration the ambient temperatures of the room where the testing took place – especially for air-cooling.\u00a0 Here in the Southern California high desert, we have had only had only a little taste of Winter and temperatures for the past week have been in the 70sF outside and quite warm in the test room.\u00a0 There is a lot of difference, for example, with the extremes of an overclocker in Hawaii contrasted to one in an ice igloo in Alaska.<\/p>\n At any rate, temperatures of Q9550S at stock clocks and voltage were quite cool with Cooler Master Hyper N520 and totally comparable to the more expensive Thermalright\/Scythe CPU cooler which is just keeping our CPU the next notch cooler.\u00a0 There were no big temperature spikes, even alt+tab’ing out of games in intense firefights.\u00a0 This is a testament both to Intel’s new cooler-running, more energy-efficient Q9550S and Cooler Master’s Hyper n520 to keep a quad core CPU so cool.\u00a0 So let’s start overclocking Q9550S with our new CPU cooler.\u00a0 We are just going to give you the shortened “cliff’s notes” condensed version of our many hours of setting and testing overclocks.<\/p>\n Basically, we were able to overclock Q9550S from 2.83 Ghz at stock to FSB 400 – where DDR800 is rated for at stock speeds – to 3.4Ghz without moving any other setting in BIOS except RAM:CPU dividers from “Auto” !\u00a0 And there were almost imperceptable temperature rises with Coolermaster Hyper n520 at idle and barely significant when fully loaded.\u00a0 Both Intel’s Q9550S and Cooler Master’s Hyper N520 easily pass at 3.4 Ghz.\u00a0 Notching up to 425 FSB – 3.62 Ghz – is where we are first required to go to manual and set the voltage so that it is no longer “auto”.\u00a0 We recommend doing this as “auto” will sometimes oversupply the CPU with voltage in an overclocked situation.\u00a0 However, when Intel gives a range up to<\/em><\/strong> 1.3625v, they really do not intend that you run it there 24\/7.\u00a0 So you really need to stay on top of your temperatures when you start to approach the 45nm CPU’s VID maximum specified voltage if you do not want premature CPU failure.\u00a0 We also ran tests with our HD4870 with Q9550S at 2.83 Ghz and 3.6 Ghz and our GTX280 with Q9550s at 2.83 Ghz, 3.4 Ghz and 4.0 Ghz its maximum final stable overclock at maximum specified voltage.<\/p>\n In each case, our Cooler Master Hyper N520 was completely up to the task of cooling Intel’s Q9550S at 4.0 Ghz even under extreme load.\u00a0 We found that quite impressive for a basic cooler that a budget-minded enthusiast would like.\u00a0 It was still slightly warmer than the more expensive Thermalright\/Scythe120 combination but well within the safety range of 70C temperature spikes.\u00a0 We never saw any big spikes in temperatures as measured by Core Temp that was anywhere near Intel’s maximum T-Junction of 100C – or even 80C, depending on how it is measured.\u00a0 If you are not an extreme overclocker and do not swap out your CPUs or remove your CPU cooler regularly, then Cooler Master’s Hyper N520 deserves serious consideration for a place in your case. This editor awards it 4\/5 Stars – recommended<\/em> as an excellently-priced basic universal CPU cooler to even keep your quad core CPU cool at a solid overclock.\u00a0 Did we mention it was really quiet?<\/p>\n Summary: 4\/5 stars for Cooler Master Hyper n520 Universal CPU cooler The Pros:<\/strong><\/p>\n The Cons: <\/strong><\/p>\n Cooler Master Hyper N520 is Best in Class and Highly Recommended overall<\/p><\/div>\n Cooler Master Hyper N520 gets AlienBabelTech.com’s “Highly Recommended” for its class if our minor cons do not specifically apply to your situation.\u00a0 After having spent ten days testing both Intel’s Q9550S and Cooler Master’s Hyper N520 we feel we can make these recommendations and ratings for you.\u00a0 Of course, this Part I<\/em> is only the brief introduction to Q9550S vs. E8600<\/em>, so we will have much opportunity to demonstrate the whys and how we came to our conclusions as presented here now.<\/p>\n Summary: 4.5\/5 stars for Intel Q9550S Core 2 Quad CPU The Pros:<\/strong><\/p>\n The Cons: <\/strong><\/p>\n Q9550S has earned 4-1\/2 stars out of 5 - "A" grade . . . Very Highly Recommended!<\/p><\/div>\n Intel’s Q9550S gets our “Editor’s choice” and is “highly recommended” for all Penryn platforms.<\/p>\n Future Testing of Q9550S<\/strong> We are certainly not done with Q9550S nor with using Cooler Master’s Hyper N520 to cool it.\u00a0 In fact, we at ABT have just begun to scratch the surface in examining quad core gaming vs. dual core using overclocked Q9550S vs. E8600.\u00a0\u00a0 All the testing is done already for Part II<\/em> which is going to be quite detailed as we first examine our mini-suite of 2 single video cards – GTX280 and HD4870 – coupled with 8 intensive benchmarks which feature 6 very new PC games.\u00a0 Part III<\/em> takes it even a step futher by adding multi-GPU to the mix as we use our full 15-game benchmarking suite to finally settle the question: “Is quad core necessary<\/em> for today’s PC games?” as we set quad core head-to-head with dual core.<\/p>\n Here is a tease from our next upcoming article that you can expect this week; just one example from 3DMark06<\/strong>‘s <\/strong>stock benchmark using Q9550S with 2 powerful single-GPU video cards, GTX280 and HD4870-1GB:<\/p>\n We note the scaling with Q9550S and especially GTX280’s increased score is impressive just moving to 3.40 Ghz from its stock clock of 2.83 Ghz; yet not so much moving from 3.4Ghz to 4.0 Ghz.\u00a0 Does this mean anything?\u00a0 Can we expect similar scaling in actually playing PC games?\u00a0 Well, no – and, no.\u00a0 Stay tuned for answers in the rest of this series featuring Intel’s Core 2 Quad Q9550S.\u00a0 Expect it this week.\u00a0 In the meantime, we are still<\/em> testing Q9550S against E8600.\u00a0 If there is something you would like to see us explore further for testing and later publication, let us know in the comments below or feel free to join AlienBabelTech forums here<\/a>. Mark Poppin<\/p>\n ABT editor<\/p>\n<\/a>
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\n Test Configuration – Hardware<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n
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\n Intel Socket (LGA1366 \/ LGA775)
\n Socket (LGA 771 Skulltrail only)
\n AMD Socket (AM2+ \/ AM2 \/ 940 \/ 939 \/ 754)<\/p>\n
\n CPU Support :<\/strong>
\n Intel Core i7 \/ Core 2 Extreme \/ Core 2 Quad \/ Core 2 Duo \/ Pentium 4 \/ Pentium D \/ Celeron \/ Celeron D
\n AMD Phenom X4 Quad Core \/ Phenom X3 Triple Core \/ Athlon 64 x2 Dual Core \/ Athlon 64 FX \/ Athlon 64 \/ Sempron<\/p>\n
\n Weight : 688g
\n Heat Sink Dimensions : 115 x 62.3 x 141 mm
\n Material : Cu base, AI fin, 5 heatpipes
\n Heat Pipes Dimensions : \u00d86 mm
\n Fan Dimension (W \/ H \/ D) : 92 x 92 x 25 mm
\n Fan Speed : 1800 R.P.M.
\n Fan Airflow : 43.8 CFM (Total)
\n Air pressure (mmH2O) : 3.24 mmH2O (Total)
\n Bearing Type :Sleeve
\n Fan Life Expectancy : 70,000 hours
\n Fan Noise Level (dB-A) : 19 dBA
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