Heatsink testing methodology* - Each heatsink test consists of two parts, Real Test and Synthetic Test.
- Real Testing is performed in a real system, while Synthetic is done using methods that simulate thermal loads.
- Stable thermal loads are used in order to have accurate results, more specifically thermal load is produced by power resistors.
- The thermal load wattage is 30,60,90,120,150,180,210 watts. This covers a really wide range of processors and also overclocked states at wattages of 180 and 210 watts.
- Temp readings are taken from a sensor inside a copper plate that is the exact size of the processor tested in order to simulate the cpu with the best way.
- For reading the temperature I am using a high sensitivity digital multimeter.
- Thermal paste used in each test is Noctua NT-H1 because it has very quick break-in time.
- The copper piece that simulates the processor is not perfectly sanded, because the actual processor heatspreaders are never mirror polished.This happens again to have as accurate results as possible.
- Sound pressure levels are measured with a high sensitivity digital sound pressure meter, from 20cm away of the cooler inside a sound proof box to eliminate any external noise of echo.
- Also please be informed that the installation procedure of each cpu cooler is shown in a dummy board without an actual cpu, just to take the photos and show the procedure.
*Testing methodology was different before,this one applies for reviews made after 5/5/2009.
Power supply testing methodology - Each psu test consists of two parts, Real Test(with a real system) and Synthetic Test(simulate loads).
- For Synthetic testing of power supplies I am using a homemade tester that consists of multiple power resistors and amperometers.
- This allows me to control with pin point accuracy the exact load at each rail
- One more reason to test psu's with this method is that high power power supplies(800+ watts) are very difficult to be tested with a normal system.With the tester I am using I can achieve loads of up to 1800 watts.
- Readings are taken with a high sensitivity digital multimeter, and if required a voltage drop diagram is made.
- In order for a test to be considered successful the psu has to be able to perform it for 2 hours.
- Noise levels are recorded from 10cm away from the back of the psu(air exhaust)
Thermal paste testing methodology - For testing pastes, I use a 230w peltier in order to have a high thermal load and make the differences bigger and noticeable.(plz note that actual thermal load produced is ~180w because the rated 230w is with 15.6v and I am using 12v)
- Room temp is at 24 dergees always
- Coolermaster V8 with Nanoxia 12cm fan@1800rpm is used
- Temps are taken from a copper plate between peltier and cooler(simulating a cpu heatspreader)
- Temps are taken with a digital IR thermometer for accuracy
- Before every new paste everything is cleaned with alcohol
- For every paste I do the break-in time as is specified by the manufacturer
- Each reading is taken 5 times to ensure accuracy, if anything abnormal is noticed the test is done from the beginning.
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 16 December 2009 19:48 |