Tests

Testbed:

• Intel Xeon X3450 CPU
• Intel DP55KG motherboard
• Microsoft Windows 7
• Digital thermometer Aktakom ATT-2002 with a calibrated K-type thermocouple integrated into processor cover
• Victor VC86C multimeter with a calibrated K-type thermocouple

We tested the cooler under high heat load: 3.81GHz processor clock rate, V_CC = 1.4125V, V_TT = 1.2V, heat power emitted through CPU cover is 185W, the full power is about 210W.

Two more rigs were tested aside from the regular testbed: with the primary fan only and with the secondary fan only installed upside down (drives air away from the motherboard). The complete test method is here (in Russian).

CPU cover temperature, lowest possible noise

Thermal resistance, lowest possible noise

As you can see, Siberia's results are excellent. The cooler outperforms its counterpart, Alaska, and takes the third place after the traditional champions Noctua NH-D14 and Thermalright IFX-14. Well, such sandwich designs have already proven themselves, and Siberia is a kind of apogee of that: its two fans do not overweigh the cooler and improve performance, and the secondary fan noise is almost completely lost in the primary fan noise. The additional test rig with only the secondary fan also looks good, yielding just a bit to Scythe Mugen 2, a serious contender. The temperature, however, goes out of the safe range, although this can be said about most contenders (maybe except Noctua NH-D14). In order to provide reasonable cooling at 180W to 190W, you'll have to either increase fan speed up to 700 RPM or choose a more efficient solution.

CPU cover temperature, relatively noiseless domain (<24 dBA)

Thermal resistance, relatively noiseless domain (<24 dBA)

The results are similar. Except for being slightly outperformed by the Alaska, the Siberia remains among leaders, competing well with the powerful Thermaltake Frio and Corsair A70. This mode is probably optimal for the Siberia. It's 3-4 degrees short of becoming the champion, and processor temperatures are safe.

CPU cover temperature, low-noise domain (24 dBA to 30 dBA)

Thermal resistance, low-noise domain (24 dBA to 30 dBA)

And again the Siberia competes well with the popular Ice Hammer IH-4500 and Zalman CNPS10X Performa and outperforms the also popular Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus and Ice Hammer IH-4350B. This correlates with Siberia's concept (improved efficiency at low noise). However, the leaders begin to break away, mostly because of the limited heat exchange surface area. So higher-speed results may not be as good, too.

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