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Testing: To test the V8, we are going to use the following test setup:
The test consists of 5 minutes of idle time on the Windows Vista desktop, and then 15 minutes of stress testing using Prime95. Prime95 runs on all cores simultaneously, using the Large FFTs setting. SpeedFan is used to log temperatures in 3 second increments, logging the temps for all cores and CPU case. All fan speeds are set to 100%. Also, because of the recent controversy surrounding TjMax values for Intel CPUs, we are going to confirm maximum and minimum temperature results with Real Temp. Stock:
Our first test is at stock speeds. We all know very well by now that the stock cooler for the Q6600 stinks. The V8 performed admirably well, with an idle temperature of 19-23C and a load of 35-38C according to Real Temp, and SpeedFan is reporting a CPU case idle temp of 28C and a load of 40C. We definitely have plenty of headroom here for overclocking. Overclocked:
After playing with some overclocks, we got the Q6600 up to about 3.2GHz before the limitations of the 650i became obvious. At this speed, the Q6600 barely budged in temperature, with an idle of 25-27C, and a load of 42-44C reported by RealTemp. Speedfan showed that the temps actually peaked early before settling down, with a CPU Case Idle temp of 32C and a Load of 44C. It is obvious, that even now, there is still tons of headroom for this cooler on the heat-dumping Q6600. Could you imagine what might be possible on a 45nm CPU? Conclusion: The Cooler Master V8 mixes a rare blend of aesthetics and performance that is often pined for but rarely achieved. Did the V8 succeed? I would say definitely so. The performance was superb for a chip notorious for pouring off heat. The aesthetics are unique and interesting without being over the top. Installation was easy, and flexible enough to accommodate the multitude of sockets available on the market. At $69, the V8 is placed in the top pricing tier of CPU heatsinks, in the same neighborhood as the TRUE and the Tuniq Tower, so that may be a bit of a turnoff to some users. Regardless, the V8 is a excellent heatsink by a trusted company making it worthy of the Club Overclocker Seal of Approval.
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