Lord Kryo - Part 2: 24 CPU Coolers in Review

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New Coolers For Extreme Tuning - Target: 2000 MHz

The highest bid is on the table; there are no higher offers. Six new candidates have arrived since the last CPU cooler comparison test , bringing the total to 24.

The newcomers include heavyweights such as the Swiftech M462 and the Silverado by Noise Control. Such coolers are a must for processors clocked at 1000 MHz or higher, as well as for fast AMD Athlons starting at 1300 MHz.

CPU cooling is no longer the trivial topic it was just half a year ago. As processors become faster, they require more efficient heat dissipation. Gone are the days when cheap and poor quality no-name products were built for no more than 3 dollars.

The following table shows AMD Athlon's heat output at different clocking speeds.

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CPU clock	CPU core voltage	Maximum Thermal Power	Typical Thermal Power	Maximum Die Temperature
650 MHz	1.75 volts	38 W	34 W	90°C
700 MHz	1.75 volts	40 W	36 W	90°C
750 MHz	1.75 volts	43 W	38 W	90°C
800 MHz	1.75 volts	45 W	40 W	90°C
850 MHz	1.75 volts	47 W	42 W	90°C
900 MHz	1.75 volts	50 W	44 W	90°C
950 MHz	1.75 volts	52 W	47 W	90°C
1000 MHz	1.75 volts	54 W	49 W	90°C
1100 MHz	1.75 volts	60 W	54 W	95°C
1133 MHz	1.75 volts	63 W	56 W	95°C
1200 MHz	1.75 volts	66 W	59 W	95°C
1266 MHz	1.75 volts	69 W	62 W	95°C
1300 MHz	1.75 volts	71 W	64 W	95°C
1333 MHz	1.75 volts	73 W	65 W	95°C
1400 MHz	1.75 volts	76 W	68 W	95°C
1466 MHz	1.75 volts	80 W	71 W	95°C
1533 MHz	1.75 volts	83 W	74 W	95°C

This table lists all Athlon processors planned by AMD, some of which are not yet available on the market. The Athlon 1333 will be introduced at the CeBIT 2001, additional models up to 1533 MHz will follow. Important: All CPUs are consistently operated with 1.75V.

Noticeably, the thermal output increases as the clock rate increases. For example, the AMD Athlon 1200 outputs a maximum of 66 watts of heat. To ensure the safety of the processor, this heat has to be dissipated quickly and continuously. Only a powerful cooler can handle such a task. Otherwise, electro-migration occurs in the CPU core, which can quickly destroy the processor.