Page 3 - Test Results
Our test configuration is as follows:
CPU: Intel Core i5-6400 @ 2.7GHz (Stock settings)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H170-D3HP
RAM: Kingston HyperX Fury HX426C15FBK4/32 4x8GB
Chassis: SilverStone Precision PS14
Power: FSP Hydro PTM 750W
Storage: Western Digital Black SN750 NVMe SSD 500GB
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro x64
Compared hardware:
- SilverStone Permafrost PF240-ARGB
- Reeven Okeanos RC-1402
- Reeven Justice RC-1204
- Reeven Ouranos RC-1401
- Scythe Mugen 5
All tests were run in our custom-built computer to best reflect real life performance. The computer remained in the same place and room for all tests. The ambient temperature of the room was roughly 22 degrees Celsius. The thermal paste applied to each cooler was stock respective to their manufacturers to rate its performance. Sufficient time between testing was applied for the paste to settle. The fans on all heatsinks were connected to the same motherboard 4-pin connector. The test computer was turned on and idling for at least one hour for the idling tests. High CPU load results were obtained using the Prime95 in place large FFTs test with four worker threads for a minimum of fifteen minutes and recorded when the temperature was deemed stable. The SilverStone Permafrost PF240-ARGB was tested using the stock fans from the factory. The purpose of doing such tests was not for a performance competition, since they were fundamentally different in terms of design; it is only for relative performance comparison. The temperature results for each cooler was measured with CoreTemp, which reports the CPU's integrated digital thermal sensor for maximum accuracy. Each temperature result was calculated by taking the maximum value of the cores inside the CPU.
In the idle test, the four coolers had similar results. The PF240-ARGB stabilized at 20 degrees Celsius. It was a pretty good result, considering the ambient room temperature was around 22 degrees Celsius. The temperature at idle state of the PF240-ARGB was the same as the Okeanos RC-1402 and Ouranos RC-1401. At idle state, the PF240-ARGB outperformed the Justice RC-1204 with a single 120mm fan. The results suggest at idle state, the PF240-ARGB had great performance, without a doubt.
The real challenge happened when the CPU was under load. Along with the increased processing speed of the CPU, the fans spun at maximum RPM. After about half an hour, the SilverStone Permafrost PF240-ARGB kept the temperature constant at 37 degrees Celsius. Today’s review unit outperformed both the RC-1401 and the RC-1204 with a noticeable advantage. Both the RC-1401 and RC-1204 only utilize one cooling fan on the heatsink, compared to the two 120mm fans for the PF240-ARGB. However, the interesting thing was that, according to my testing results, the water-cooled PF240-ARGB performed one degree higher than the dual-fan air-cooled RC-1402. The Okeanos RC-1402 has one 120mm fan and one 140mm fan. The fact that the PF240-ARGB was bested by the RC-1402 in my test does not suggest the PF240-ARGB has worse cooling performance. In fact, due to the design of the SilverStone Precision PS14, the radiator can only be mounted in front of the case, leaving no space for the air-intake fans to be installed. With this in mind, the PF240-ARGB actually has great cooling performance when the CPU is at high load. In other words, if the PF240-ARGB was top mounted, and with proper air-intake fans mounted in the case, the test results might be improved.
I am the kind of person who really cares about the noise level of my computer. In this case, I had one water pump, two 120mm fans on the radiator, and one intake fan running inside the case. On a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 is totally silent and 10 is a jet taking off, I would rate the SilverStone Permafrost PF240-ARGB at 2.0/10 and 3.0/10 regarding noise emissions at idle and load, respectively. In fact, I hardly noticed any difference in terms of noise during the two CPU loads tests. I think there are two reasons. Firstly, the pump motor features three phase and six pole design for smooth and quiet operation. Secondly, the included Air Blazer 120R fans have really low noise thanks to the hydro bearing, the rubber padding, and the ribbed edge on the blades. After all the tests were done, I can say the SilverStone Permafrost PF240-ARGB is a well-designed and well-built water cooler with strong CPU cooling performance.
Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. Physical Look - Hardware; Installation
3. Test Results
4. Conclusion
