CPU Air Cooling Temperature Comparisons - Alpenfohn Black Ridge v2 vs Noctua L12S
Components:
- CPU
- Intel i5 9600K
- 4.6Ghz All Core Overclock at 1.175v
- AVX offset - 2
- LLC - 1
- Long duration power limit - 95w
- Short duration power limit - 135w
- GPU
- EVGA RTX 2070 XC Gaming
- +110 boost clock
- +850 memory clock
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- Alpenfohn Black Ridge v2 w/ two fans
- 92mm Fan: Noctua NF-A9
- 120mm Fan: Noctua NF-A12x15
Idle Temps - 32-36 C
- RealBench 15min Stress Test:
- CPU Max temperature - 74 C
- GPU Max temperature - 61 C
- Cinebench R20 5 Pass Loop (2:05 per loop):
- CPU Max temperature - 71 C
- GPU Max temperature - 33 C
- 1 hour+ Hunt Showdown Gaming:
- CPU Max temperature - 71 C
- GPU Max temperature - 76 C
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- Noctua L12S
- 120mm Fan: Noctua NF-A12x15
Idle Temps - 28-31 C
- RealBench 15min Stress Test:
- CPU Max temperature - 68 C
- GPU Max temperature - 56 C
- Cinebench R20 5 Pass Loop (2:05 per loop):
- CPU Max temperature - 66 C
- GPU Max temperature - 29 C
- 1 hour+ Hunt Showdown Gaming:
- CPU Max temperature - 64 C
- GPU Max temperature - 73 C
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Conclusion:
I'm impressed with how well BRv2 holds up against the larger Noctua L12S in my temperature comparison, but there is a major difference that I unfortunately don't have the proper tools to measure, and that's noise levels. Using only my ears, I can say the L12S is noticeably quieter than BRv2, and I can only assume that has all to do with how close the fan is to the mesh perforations with BRv2. I didn't pay close enough attention to the fan RPMs when BRv2 was installed, but my CPU fan didn't break 1050 RPM on the L12S during the Cinebench R20 run, which blows my mind. For anyone with Noctua fans in their systems, you know that's practically silent.
Another major pro for the L12S is the installation process. Noctua has made that a very easy and satisfying experience, whereas installing the BRv2 is the opposite of that. Beginners need to take a lot of care when installing BRv2, as there are no preventative measures in place to prevent tightening the mounting screws to the point of snapping your motherboard in half.
I know my CPU OC can't be described as anything other than mild, and the 9600K isn't that hot of a chip to begin with, but hopefully these results help future builders in the FormD T1. Thanks for reading, and I look forward to seeing more T1 builds!
