Page 3 – Testing and Conclusion
I have tested the Deepcool Multi Core X8 on the Lenovo Ideapad Y470 with the following specs:
- Intel Core i3-2310M @ 2.10Ghz
- 14.1” LCD @ 1366 x 768
- Seagate 500 GB 7200RPM SATA
- Nvidia GeForce GT 550M 1GB DDR3
- Samsung 2x2GB PC3-10700 @ 9-9-9-24
- Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Using Prime95 64-bit with four worker threads, I stress-tested the CPU on an average wooden desk, in comparison to when my laptop was placed on the Deepcool Multi Core X8. I chose CPU results, because it was the easiest to measure and best reflects the practical cooling ability of the X8. In all three environments, the CPU temperature was measured before the test and was then given sufficient time to heat up over the course of ten minutes. The fan speed on the X8 was set to the front two fans being on, then the back two fans, and finally all the fans to test the cooler's capabilities at all capable outputs.
The results were obtained and plotted on the line graph above with a one minute polling rate. Oddly enough, the results between having only two fans (Regardless of which two fans) turned on versus having all the fans on produced similar results, varying at a maximum of just 0.5 degrees -- so I decided to combine all the results together. For reference, the temperature measurements from the Deepcool M6 are also displayed. Temperature differences between the X8 and the wood table were already obvious from the get-go. The laptop on the cooler started at a lower idle temperature of 39 degrees, compared to 41 degrees on the wood table. When the stress test began, the average temperature difference between the cooler and desk was approximately five degrees. Of course, the Deepcool Multi Core X8 cools mainly the bottom of the laptop and not just the processor, so please do keep that in mind as you interpret our graph.
There was something worth noting that I have found during the testing. While the bottom two fans seemed to actually emit air away from the laptop, I did not notice the same effect with the back two fans. Rather than feeling air come away from the base, it seemed to draw more air in. This is due to the fact that all the fans are spinning in the same direction. This means that the bottom two fans are actually dispersing air away from the laptop, while the top two fans are dispersing air underneath the laptop. While this may be intended, because of the way my laptop is designed to release air out the back left side, the fan may actually be drawing in my laptop’s exhaust, which would be counter-intuitive. But this did not actually affect the CPU temperatures, so I cannot say if this is a problem or not.
On a scale from 0.0 to 10.0 where 0.0 is silent and 10.0 is the loudest, the fans being all on would come in at approximately 4.5. The fans when only two are on would come in at approximately 3.0. Here at APH Networks, we like to crowd ourselves around silent and unspoken rigs. While the math may not purely add up, when all the fans are on, the actual sound produced by the Multi Core X8 is not double the loudness as only two fans being on. Nevertheless, the X8 does still produce a fair bit of whirring about when operating.
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What a tool. And not in the demeaning sense; this is a great device. The Deepcool Multi Core X8 is not a Swiss Army Knife; it is a hammer, a screwdriver, or a pair of pliers. By utilizing four fans, the cooler is able to target the entire base of the laptop. The final result is that this cooler performs, producing an actual effect on measured CPU temperature during testing. Looking at the Deepcool Multi Core X8, I can say that it is built leagues better than the last Deepcool product I have reviewed. I keep going back to it, but the simple design is really the winning key. The clean edges, cool-to-the-touch aluminum top, and overall solid build quality really make the X8 great. Of course, like every product produced, there are a few drawbacks. Firstly, the extended feet on the bottom of the cooler are not coated with a rubber-like footing, which makes the cooler slide around slightly. The lack of ability to open the cooler is also a disadvantage, as smaller objects may get lodged in the fan area. As well, reducing the fan noise produced during operation would provide much more favorable results. But the rest of my issues are mostly preferential. In the next Multi Core, they should add extra USB ports on the side to help the already lacking number of ports on most laptops. Additional colors, even the original blue found in the X4, or a full white version would also help. Extra LEDs would be nice to either differentiate which fan modes are being used, or just for some neat effects. Commanding a a retail price tag of approximately $35 USD (According to a conversion from Rupees... yay Russia), Deepcool delivered on a solid product that deserves acclamation because it sticks to the basics.
Deepcool provided this product to APH Networks for the purpose of evaluation.
APH Review Focus Summary:
7/10 means Great product with many advantages and certain insignificant drawbacks; but should be considered before purchasing.
-- Final APH Numeric Rating is 7.0/10
Please note that the APH Numeric Rating system is based off our proprietary guidelines in the Review Focus, and should not be compared to other sites.
There is extraordinary in the ordinary, and Deepcool has proved it with the Multi Core X8.
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Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. A Closer Look, Usage
3. Testing and Conclusion
