I compared CPU fan cooling performance on the Thermalright AXP120-x67 CPU cooler.
For a more complete description of the cooler see my posting at: https://smallformfactor.net/forum/threads/thermalright-axp-120-x67-cooler-performance.17625/
This was installed on my MakerBeam open chassis without any additional fans using the RTX A2000 GPU.
See https://smallformfactor.net/forum/threads/maker-beam-itx-sff-pc-air-flow-proof-of-concept.17325/
for a description of the chassis.
I used an Aorus X570 motherboard instead of my usual Aorus B550 testing board as it currently has issues, so the sensor listing was updated to reflect how the X570 is noted in HWMonitor.
As HWMonitor does not currently report the RPM of the RTX A2000 GPU, I used TechPowerUp GPU-Z to note the GPU PWM % and RPM.
My personal fan noise observations:
The included Thermalright TL 120-12015 fan had a slight air noise at 100% PWM and provided excellent performance.
The 25mm thick TL-C12Pro-G fan moved considerately more air at 100% PWM with a slight reduction in temperatures with some additional air movement noise. The TL-C12Pro-G was also tested at a reduced 66% PWM 1412 RPM where it was virtually silent. Temperatures increased overall.
The Noctua A12x25 and the Arctic P12 fans were the quietest at 100% PWM. The P12’s does not perform quite as well as the included 15mm Thermalright fan. The Noctua A12x25 was very quiet but provided only a very slight reduction in temperatures.
The Noctua A12x15 was quiet but had the poorest cooling performance.
Only the Scythe Wonder Snail and the Phanteks T30 pushed enough air to prevent the X570 chipset fan from spinning up. The chipset fan did not produce noticeable noise at any RPM when activated.
The Wonder Snail has a pronounced resonance at 77% PWM – 1939 RPM. This begins at 75% PWM and disappears at 80% PWM. There is some noticeable air movement noise at 100% PWM – 2327 RPM but it is not bothersome. No other resonances were noted with the other fans.
The Phanteks T30 was used in performance mode with a maximum 1960 RPM. There was a slight edge to the fan noise at 100% PWM. The T30 was virtually silent at 70% PWM – 1365 RPM.
Overall, there is little reason not to simply use the included Thermalright 15mm fan.
MakerBeam Proof of Concept / Open Test Chassi
Aorus X570 ITX MB; Ryzen 7 4750G; 32 GB Corsair LPX 3200 RAM;
RTX A2000 Graphics Card – Self Regulated
Thermalright AXP120-x67 CPU Cooler
Noctua NT-H1 Thermal Paste
CPU-Z Stress Test & Unigine Valley Ultra Settings for 10 minutes
Room Temp 21C.
CPUID HWMonitor & Tech Power Up GPU-Z Readings:
For a more complete description of the cooler see my posting at: https://smallformfactor.net/forum/threads/thermalright-axp-120-x67-cooler-performance.17625/
This was installed on my MakerBeam open chassis without any additional fans using the RTX A2000 GPU.
See https://smallformfactor.net/forum/threads/maker-beam-itx-sff-pc-air-flow-proof-of-concept.17325/
for a description of the chassis.
I used an Aorus X570 motherboard instead of my usual Aorus B550 testing board as it currently has issues, so the sensor listing was updated to reflect how the X570 is noted in HWMonitor.
As HWMonitor does not currently report the RPM of the RTX A2000 GPU, I used TechPowerUp GPU-Z to note the GPU PWM % and RPM.
My personal fan noise observations:
The included Thermalright TL 120-12015 fan had a slight air noise at 100% PWM and provided excellent performance.
The 25mm thick TL-C12Pro-G fan moved considerately more air at 100% PWM with a slight reduction in temperatures with some additional air movement noise. The TL-C12Pro-G was also tested at a reduced 66% PWM 1412 RPM where it was virtually silent. Temperatures increased overall.
The Noctua A12x25 and the Arctic P12 fans were the quietest at 100% PWM. The P12’s does not perform quite as well as the included 15mm Thermalright fan. The Noctua A12x25 was very quiet but provided only a very slight reduction in temperatures.
The Noctua A12x15 was quiet but had the poorest cooling performance.
Only the Scythe Wonder Snail and the Phanteks T30 pushed enough air to prevent the X570 chipset fan from spinning up. The chipset fan did not produce noticeable noise at any RPM when activated.
The Wonder Snail has a pronounced resonance at 77% PWM – 1939 RPM. This begins at 75% PWM and disappears at 80% PWM. There is some noticeable air movement noise at 100% PWM – 2327 RPM but it is not bothersome. No other resonances were noted with the other fans.
The Phanteks T30 was used in performance mode with a maximum 1960 RPM. There was a slight edge to the fan noise at 100% PWM. The T30 was virtually silent at 70% PWM – 1365 RPM.
Overall, there is little reason not to simply use the included Thermalright 15mm fan.
MakerBeam Proof of Concept / Open Test Chassi
Aorus X570 ITX MB; Ryzen 7 4750G; 32 GB Corsair LPX 3200 RAM;
RTX A2000 Graphics Card – Self Regulated
Thermalright AXP120-x67 CPU Cooler
Noctua NT-H1 Thermal Paste
CPU-Z Stress Test & Unigine Valley Ultra Settings for 10 minutes
Room Temp 21C.
CPUID HWMonitor & Tech Power Up GPU-Z Readings:
CPU Cooler Fan | TL 120-12015 15mm | TL-C12Pro-G 25mm | TL-C12Pro-G @ 66% PWM | Noctua A12x25 | Noctua A12x15 15mm | Arctic P12 | Scythe Wonder Snail | Phanteks T30 |
TZ 10 Temp Sensor Max | 16.8 | 16.8 | 16.8 | 16.8 | 16.8 | 16.8 | 16.8 | 16.8 |
PC 10 Temp Sensor Max | 16.8 | 16.8 | 16.8 | 16.8 | 16.8 | 16.8 | 16.8 | 16.8 |
System 1 Max | 50 | 49 | 54 | 50 | 54 | 53 | 49 | 47 |
CPU Max | 72 | 71 | 73 | 72 | 74 | 73 | 71 | 70 |
PCIEX16 Max | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
VRM Max | 45 | 41 | 45 | 42 | 45 | 45 | 42 | 40 |
CPU Fan Max RPM | 1945 | 1880 | 1412 | 2045 | 1717 | 1849 | 2327 | 1967 |
Chipset Fan Max RPM | 3668 | 3461 | 4000 | 3609 | 4245 | 4115 | 0 | 0 |
CPU Pkg Max Temp | 72.4 | 71.3 | 73.8 | 72.3 | 74.8 | 73.3 | 71 | 70.3 |
CPU Pkg Max Wattage | 73.78 | 74.92 | 75.59 | 74.36 | 73.48 | 73.54 | 73.67 | 77.08 |
NVMe Top 980 Pro Temp | 47 | 47 | 51 | 48 | 50 | 49 | 47 | 46 |
GPU Max Temp | 75.5 | 74.2 | 75.8 | 74.9 | 76.3 | 75.7 | 75.3 | 73.1 |
GPU Hot Spot Max Temp | 81.6 | 80.3 | 81.7 | 81 | 82.3 | 81.7 | 81.4 | 79.3 |
GPU Max Wattage | 107.33% | 105.42% | 108.86% | 106.50% | 105.90% | 109.91% | 110.08% | 108.41% |
GPU Fan Max RPM | 47% 3860 | 46% 3785 | 48% 3904 | 46% 3819 | 48% 3900 | 48% 3885 | 48% 3885 | 44% 3720 |
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