TEST BED

TESTING METHODOLOGY

   Since these tests were not performed in our lab we didn't have many CPU Coolers to test the 3770k with (we had tested the stock Intel HSF, Antec Kuhler 920 and the Noctua NH-L9i in the past) but we did manage to keep the room temperature to around 21-23 degrees (not really hard this time of the year but unfortunately not as accurate as in our lab) and as always to successfully record the load temperatures we used the latest OCCT application (this time for around 6-10 minutes) to push the processor to its limits and after that was done and the temperatures were recorded we waited for about 10-20 minutes for the CPU to cool down and record the idle temperatures. This is done to allow time for the thermal conductive material to achieve the optimal performance level. Same procedure was then repeated with the Passmark BurnIn Test as a failsafe just in case the OCCT results were off. This procedure takes a lot more time than the usual peltier/thermometer tests but this way not only can we deliver real world results to our readers based on real CPUs but we can also triple check the results using a variety of programs. Last but not least the temperatures were recorded using both the latest versions of AIDA64 and RealTemp while the noise level tests were performed using a high precision ExTech HD600 Decibel Meter placed about 10-15cm above the CPU Cooler.