Test results (BigTyp VP stock assemblies)

Another interesting issue, which needs to be mentioned -- how BigTyp VP performs with the bundled fan. According to additional tests, noise level of this fan in standard mode (12 V) is 36 dBA, which actually cancels expediency of its usage, if your target is ergonomic noise characteristics of BigTyp VP. Nevertheless, you can use a simple adapter to plug the fan to the 5 V line, so that its noise level is reduced to an acceptable level of 27 dBA. Let's see what BigTyp VP can achieve with the bundled fan in this very mode.

First of all, let's test an assembly with the accessory fan installed in the area with memory modules, titled at -45° to blow at the near-socket zone (the cooler is installed with its heap pipes going East-West, airflow from the accessory fan is directed perpendicular to interfin channels).

Chart 11. Temperature readings (CPU core temperature, Installation 1 with the accessory fan)

Chart 12. Temperature readings (temperature of near-socket components, Installation 1 with the accessory fan)

This assembly expectedly does not have a direct effect on cooler's results -- we registered only an insignificant drop in CPU temperature at 700 rpm, which, to all appearances, can be caused by direct ventilation of heat pipes by the accessory fan. At the same time, thermal conditions of near-socket components get noticeably better support, especially with a slow on-board ban. For example, temperature of PL26 (installed in the Northern area of the socket) drops by 14°C, and there are some climatic changes in the Western area of the socket. However, purely practical value of the accessory fan for this situation is still doubtful, even if we take into account additional ventilation of memory modules: by increasing the fan speed (from 700 rpm to 1200 rpm), you can significantly improve individual efficiency of BigTyp VP and ventilation of near-socket areas without any serious losses in noise ergonomics compared to the assembly with an accessory fan.

And now let's test an assembly with the accessory fan installed in the area of the chipset and expansion cards, also titled by -45° (the cooler is installed with its heap pipes going East-West again, airflow from the accessory fan is directed to interfin channels of the nearby fin-stack).

Chart 13. Temperature readings (CPU core temperature, Installation 2 with the accessory fan)

Chart 14. Temperature readings (temperature of near-socket components, Installation 2 with the accessory fan)

Now that's more interesting -- the accessory fan not only creates more comfortable thermal conditions for near-socket areas, but also directly affects efficiency of BigTyp VP, partially making up for the deficit ventilation of the fin-stack from the on-board fan. The most attractive mode here is 1200 rpm -- you won't have to make any ergonomic sacrifices, and you still get three ameliorants: CPU temperature reduction, VRM temperature reduction, and intensified ventilation of the chipset heat sink.

Thus, the accessory fan can really improve the technical image of BigTyp VP: depending on your preferences, it can be used for indirect ventilation of memory modules or chipset/graphics card, or to improve thermal efficiency of the cooler.

Conclusions

Well, on the whole, the new modifications of Big Typhoon and MaxOrb are successful products. Thermaltake BigTyp VP and MaxOrb EX demonstrate a good combination of properties, spiced up with competitive performance. Even though they still suffer from certain design flaws inherited from their parent products, innovations they feature are not diminished. MaxOrb EX is the most interesting product here -- it's practically a complete copy of the MaxOrb design, and it copes well with its direct responsibilities, demonstrating an attractive balance of thermal efficiency and noise ergonomics. The other today's contender, BigTyp VP, is not that good in combining thermal efficiency with an ergonomic noise level. However, it also has a highlight -- an accessory fan designed to intensify indirect cooling of system components (memory modules, chipset, graphics card). As a result, both coolers can be recommended for top quad-core processors (Intel LGA775 and AMD Socket AM2) -- MaxOrb EX will be a good choice, if you love quiet operation, and BigTyp VP will do fine, if your main priority is thermal efficiency regardless of noise.

Also, Thermaltake BigTyp VP gets our Original Design award.

We wish Thermaltake new achievements in designing and perfecting its High-End coolers. And we shall keep tabs on the situation in the high-end cooler segment.

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