NesteQ SilentFreezer1200 & SilentFreezer900 (English Version)

[Linos801442169065]

REVIEW : Nesteq SilentFreezer900 & SilentFreezer1200

REVIEWERS : Linos80 and Throttler. Photos by Lowbss.

PROVIDED BY: NesteQ

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24873&stc=1&d=1242044793.jpg

INTRO

When we first made contact with NesteQ, the name didn’t ring a bell. After a small research, we found out it’s a Germany based company that mainly manufactures Power Supply units and lately, has extended their activities to the CPU Cooling and other accessories such as HDD Cases, Fan Controllers etc

Today we get to see a close view on one of their latest creations in the CPU cooling, with the code names SilentFreezer900 και SilentFreezer1200. You can easily understand the smaller model is equipped with a 90mm fan and the larger with a 120mm fan from where the code names come up.

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24828&stc=1&d=1241982522.jpg

We have the opportunity to examine and compare in detail their similarities and differences and conclude on their suitability depending on our needs.

Next page is packaging.

PACKAGING

PACKAGING

From the very first sight the quality and appearance earned our respect. They tend to give a high-end sense, presented in much more expensive price range as they are carefully packed and presented.

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24830&stc=1&d=1241982522.jpghttp://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24834&stc=1&d=1241982522.jpg

The front plastic artistic window design presents us with a glimpse of the coolers, while the (DTHPT) Direct Touch Heat-Pipe Technology used is made clearly obvious in the front.

On the down left side there’s a picture to make it more obvious where the heat pipes are presented. Without any need to read more, the pictures make it clear that SilentFreezer1200 uses 4 heat pipes while SilentFreezer900 uses 3. More details later on.

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24831&stc=1&d=1241983114.jpghttp://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24835&stc=1&d=1241983114.jpg

What we found different than the site is a black sticker that covers the info that a fan controller is included, instead, on SilentFreezer900 there’s a red round PWM (Pulse Width Modulaton) Compatible indication, on SilentFreezer1200 a PWM and a LGA1366 socket meaning there’s a compatible Intel Core I7 bracket.

We found the original packages in the following links: http://www.nesteq.net/assets/img/products/cooler/sf1200/sf1200_p1_lpic.jpg

http://www.nesteq.net/assets/img/products/cooler/sf900/sf900_p1_lpic.jpg

Possibly the original version was different, as indeed a fan controller was not included even though the manual mentions it. This did confuse as a bit and NesteQ should have updated their site and manual.

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24829&stc=1&d=1241983114.jpgIn the rear side of the package as well as on the sides, you may find technical specifications and data written in English and German

Tech specs will be presented later on the review.

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24832&stc=1&d=1241983114.jpghttp://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24833&stc=1&d=1241983114.jpghttp://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24836&stc=1&d=1241983114.jpghttp://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24837&stc=1&d=1241983114.jpgLet’s have a look on the inside:

CONTENTS

CONTENTS

Let’s have a look on the inside:

Excluding the absence of the fan controller these packages are full. As you can see they include the heat sink, the appropriate fan, two metallic mountings for the fan, a thermal paste tube and a plastic motherboard mounting kit with four plastic security nails. The 775 socket doesn’t need motherboard removal. ΑΜ2, 754, 930, 940 sockets need no mounting kit.

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24838&stc=1&d=1241983516.jpghttp://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24839&stc=1&d=1241983516.jpgIn addition for the Silentfreezer 1200 there’s the extra mounting kit with a backplate, screws and a plastic mounting for LGA 1366 socket.

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24840&stc=1&d=1241983516.jpghttp://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24841&stc=1&d=1241983516.jpgBefore we get a close view here are the specs.

TECHNICAL SPECS

TECHNICAL SPECS

Before we get a close view here are the specs.

SilentFreezer900

• 44 precision-punched aluminum-slabs

• 3 heat-pipes [O 8 mm]

• Conductivity in direct touch with

the heat-pipes

• 92 mm fan with Hydraumatic-bearing

• Easy assembly and installation

• Great cooling performance

Dimensions (Μ x Π x Υ): 102 mm x 88 mm x 125 mm

Materials: Aluminum and copper

Weight: ~ 460 g

Fan size, color: 92 mm x 92 mm x 25 mm, black

Bearing type / Lagerart Hydraumatic

Voltage: 5 ~ 12 V

Current input: Max. 0.30 mA

Air flow: 35.3 ~ 53.5 CFM

RPM: ~1,000 RPM ± 10% [max. 2,000 RPM]

Noise level: 13 ~ 17 dB(A) ± 10%

SilentFreezer1200

• 57 precision-punched aluminum-slabs

• 4 heat-pipes [O 8 mm]

• Conductivity in direct touch with

the heat-pipes

• 120 mm fan with Hydraumatic-bearing

• Easy assembly and installation

• Great cooling performance

Dimensions (Μ x Π x Υ): 125 mm x 104 mm x 155 mm

Materials: Aluminum and copper

Weight: ~ 731 g

Fan size, color: 120 mm x 120 mm x 25 mm, black

Bearing type: Hydraumatic-bearing / -Lager

Voltage: 5 ~ 12 V

Current input: Max. 0.38 mA

Air flow: 50.6 ~ 68.3 CFM

RPM: ~ 800 RPM [max. 1,600 RPM] ± 10%

Noise level: 13 dB(A)

Time for a closer look

THE COOLERS

THE COOLERS

Notice the differences in shape.None of the coolers can accept a second fan since the second side is curved out, so there is no push pull installation available.

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24842&stc=1&d=1241983516.jpgThere’s an obvious height and size difference, the architecture however remains the same.

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24843&stc=1&d=1241983516.jpgSideways, the larger SilentFreezer1200 height, width and volume characteristics make SilentFreezer900 look small while in fact it’s a quite large one.

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24844&stc=1&d=1241983516.jpgThe only impact difference in architecture is the 4 versus 3 heat pipes.

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24845&stc=1&d=1241983516.jpgBoth models have the same mounting clips.

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24846&stc=1&d=1241983516.jpgThe build quality overcomes the issue of much higher priced models that need lapping for their touch surface. NesteQ deservers a well done.

The accompanied fans are a 120mm and a 90mm fan respectively. On the front side of the black fans there’s the NesteQ logo. None of the packaging specs are mentioned on the back of the fans.

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24847&stc=1&d=1241983516.jpghttp://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24848&stc=1&d=1241983516.jpghttp://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24850&stc=1&d=1241983516.jpghttp://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24849&stc=1&d=1241983516.jpg As far as mounting the fans on the coolers, it's very easy and they use metal clips. The clips attach on the cooler fins.

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24851&stc=1&d=1241983516.jpghttp://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24852&stc=1&d=1241983516.jpghttp://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24862&stc=1&d=1241983516.jpghttp://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24863&stc=1&d=1241983516.jpgA nice addition would be a rubber fan cover or rubber screws to minimize vibration that can be caused over time.

Coming up, the test system.

TEST SYSTEM

TEST SYSTEM

The test system used for the review:

CPU: Intel E8200 (default & overclocked FSB and Voltage)

MOBO: Asus P5Q (Thermalright HR-09 mosfet cooled)

RAM: 2x2GB OCZ Reaper HPC PC2 8500 (Thermalright HR-07DUOL cooled)

PSU: Thermaltake Toughpower 700W

CASE: Chieftech BA-01B-B-B (completely fanless)

Measurement software used:

CPU-Z (voltage and frequency measurement)

REAL TEMP 3.00 (cpu core temperature measurement)

CORE TEMP 0.99.4 (cpu core temperature measurement confirmation)

PRIME95 (100% cpu usage software)

ASUS PCPROBE (to display the measurement difference to Real Temp & Core Temp)

ASUS FAN XPERT (to view the fan calibration 20-100% load)

INSTALLATION

Unfortunatelly it wasn't the easiest installation. As you can see the mounting plate is almost in touch with the default motherboard northbridge heatsink. It was impossible to mount the heatsink after the mounting platform installation.The only solution to install the heatsink vertically was to mount the kit and heatsink together.

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24853&stc=1&d=1241983516.jpghttp://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24854&stc=1&d=1241983516.jpghttp://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24855&stc=1&d=1241983516.jpghttp://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24856&stc=1&d=1241983516.jpg It's woth mentioning there is no installation problem with the aftermarket Thermalright products installed.

The SilentFreezer900 installed:

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24857&stc=1&d=1241983516.jpg and the SilentFreezer1200 installed:

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24858&stc=1&d=1241983516.jpghttp://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24859&stc=1&d=1241983516.jpgNext are the test results, with the default NesteQ thermal paste used.

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24860&stc=1&d=1241983516.jpg

This is the best way to apply thermal paste on DHT coolers as this is the only way to cover the most of the cpu with a thin layer of paste as you can see in the follwing picture after installing.

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24861&stc=1&d=1241983516.jpgTEST RESULTS SilentFreezer900

TEST RESULTS SILENTFREEZER900

The test results took place in default timings overclocked timings, with or without load. We also tested the differences in low and high fan speed as well as NO fan in case of passive cooling.

Starting SilentFreezer900:

Default cpu, low fan, no load

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24864&stc=1&d=1241986191.jpgDefault cpu, low fan, full load

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24804&stc=1&d=1241977611.jpgDefault cpu, high fan, no load

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24805&stc=1&d=1241977712.jpgDefault cpu, high fan, full load

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24806&stc=1&d=1241977764.jpgOverclocked cpu (8x444FSB), low fan, no load

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24807&stc=1&d=1241977827.jpgOverclocked cpu (8x444FSB), low fan, full load

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24808&stc=1&d=1241977884.jpgOverclocked cpu (8x444FSB), high fan, no load

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24809&stc=1&d=1241977933.jpgOverclocked cpu (8x444FSB), high fan, full load

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24810&stc=1&d=1241978010.jpgOverclocked cpu (8x444FSB), NO fan, full load

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24811&stc=1&d=1241978058.jpg

Fan Xpert results:

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24865&stc=1&d=1241988989.jpg

All the above temperatures are shown in the charts that follow:

Default CPU

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24886&stc=1&d=1242154342.jpg

Overclocked CPU

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24887&stc=1&d=1242154356.jpg

Additionally, here are the sound samples recorded at contact with the fans. The samples are at lowest and highest RPMs. For the most realistic results, set the volume so that the starting ambient level is just barely audible, then don't change the volume setting again.The low rpms was measured at 18 dB and the hi rpm at 20db for SilentFreezer 900.

Low fan

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24877&stc=1&d=1242074307.mp3

High fan

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24878&stc=1&d=1242074338.mp3

TEST RESULTS Silentfreezer 1200

TEST RESULTS SILENTFREEZER1200

Default cpu, low fan, no load

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24812&stc=1&d=1241978329.jpgDefault cpu, low fan, full load

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24813&stc=1&d=1241978389.jpgDefault cpu, high fan, no load

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24814&stc=1&d=1241978444.jpgDefault cpu, high fan, full load

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24815&stc=1&d=1241978481.jpgOverclocked cpu (8x444FSB), low fan, no load

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24816&stc=1&d=1241978549.jpgOverclocked cpu (8x444FSB), low fan, full load

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24817&stc=1&d=1241978614.jpgOverclocked cpu (8x444FSB), high fan, full load

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24818&stc=1&d=1241978774.jpgOverclocked cpu (8x444FSB), high fan, full load

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24819&stc=1&d=1241978838.jpg Overclocked cpu (8x444FSB), NO fan, full load

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24820&stc=1&d=1241978907.jpg

Fan Xpert results:

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24866&stc=1&d=1241989218.jpg

All the above temperatures are shown in the charts that follow:

Default CPU

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24888&stc=1&d=1242154374.jpg

Overclocked CPU

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24889&stc=1&d=1242154382.jpg

Here are the sound samples recorded at contact with the fans. The samples are at lowest & highest RPMs. For the most realistic results, set the volume so that the starting ambient level is just barely audible, then don't change the volume setting again.

The low rpms was measured at 20 dB and the hi rpm at 32db for SilentFreezer1200. The high RPMs were audible and not as quiet as SilentFreezer900.

Low fan

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24875&stc=1&d=1242073850.mp3

High fan

http://www.pctechnology.gr/vbull/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=24876&stc=1&d=1242073850.mp3

CONCLUSIONS

CONCLUSIONS

The results took place with a room temperature 24C and no other case fan in a closed type case, we can conclude that the smaller Silentfreezer900 as well as Silentfreezer1200 can be used with more than satisfactory results in any way we choose.

Both are capable for both mainstream and overclocking users, seeking maximum performance over time.

These coolers can keep alive an overclocked systems even with NO fan at all (passive mode), especially the Silentfreezer1200. However it needs your attention as the temperatures went high. These coolers can guarantee an absolute quiet default system, with no problems at all.

If these coolers hit the Greek market with the same price as the rest of Europe, (approximately 26.5 euro for SilentFreezer900 and 36 euro for SilentFreezer1200), they will be highly competitive for even the high end coolers.