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We decided to use an Intel Core i7-3770K combined with a Biostar TZ77XE4 motherboard to test the Be Quiet! Shadow Rock TopFlow. We overclocked the CPU to 4.7 GHz with a core voltage of 1.25V.
Test System
- Processor: Intel Core i7-3770K
- Motherboard: Biostar TZ77XE4
- Memory: 4 GB (2x 2GB) G.Skill RipjawsX DDR3 1600MHz
- Thermal Paste: Arctic Cooling MX-3
- Graphics Card: AMD Radeon HD 6950
- Graphics Card (noise tests): HIS Radeon HD 5550 Silence
- Chassis: Fractal Design Define XL
For our temperature tests we set of the both fans to maximum and loaded the system for 15 minutes using Prime 95. We then restarted the system and left it idling at the desktop for 15 minutes before recording temperatures. Room temperature was maintained at 19 degrees Celsius for the duration of the tests.
The Be Quiet! Shadow Rock TopFlow held its own against the Phanteks PH-TC14PE with the system at stock settings but the overclocked temperatures were 5c higher under load. The temperatures achieved by the Shadow Rock TopFlow should still be fine for a permanent overclock, though.
In our noise level tests we switched off all the case fans so we are just taking into account the noise generated by the fans themselves.
We observed the noise level of our test system with the Be Quiet! Shadow Rock TopFlow cooling the CPU and it was below the minimum 30 dBA sensitivity of our sound level meter. We do have to consider that the sound isolation of the Fractal Design Define XL is extremely good but, even with the side panel of the case removed, the cooler was inaudible.
