Thermolab Micro and Nano Silencer CPU Coolers

Micro Silencer Results

I started the testing with the Micro Silencer. When I first fired up the test system every thing seemed to be fine, as the system booted into windows, I noticed that the fan got extremely quiet. Thinking to my self wow, now that is a quiet fan, then I looked at it and noticed that the fan was not even spinning. Just as I was reaching for the power button to shut the system down the fan started to twitch, then went to 100% for a few seconds, then off again. So I started up Core Temp to see what the system temp was. The Q6600 was running with an average of 71.5*C, at 75*C the fan would kick on. Now this was with the system at idle, so since the cooler was system controlled I started to check all the settings. All the settings were at Intel default setting of 65*C for the system call for 100% cooling. Since I have had no issues in the past with PWM controlled fans not working properly, I moved forward with testing with the assumption/understanding this is how the fan works.

So against my better judgment I moved ahead with load testing and putting my faith that the PWM controls would keep the CPU from getting to extremely hot for the test. I was happy to see that the controls did there job and made the fan run, but I was not happy as it was not running at 100%, but only running at speeds 0-700 RPM at most. As the CPU temp approached 70*C the fan would slow, sometimes almost stopping. This was the constant back and forth for the entire testing. Since this was the first fan that I have seen in a desktop function like this I didnt know what to think. I have seen coolers slow way down, but never completely stop. So I decided to attach one of my fan controllers I have laying around to force the cooler to constantly run.

With the fan running at 900 RPM the cooler came to life and to my surprise was doing a very nice job compared to the previous readings and the Q6600 was idling at a cool 42.3*C, almost 3*C under stock

Under load, the temps shot back up to the high 60s, with the fan running at 900 RPM the Q6600 was setting at 67.5*C, 2*C over stock.

With the fan controller on High and the fan running at 2,200 RPM the Micro Silencer started to perk up. The Q6600 was idling at 37.8*C, 7.3*C under stock. With the fan running at almost its rated full speed the fan was much quieter than the stock Intel heatsink, but the fans 34dBA rating may be a bit loud for an HTPC.

With the system under load the Q6600 was running at 59.5*C, 6.3*C under stock.

Now let’s see how the Nano Silencer handles the Q6600 quad core.