Thermaltake Frio OCK Cooler Review – better than Noctua D14?

1. Introduction2. Frio OCK (Bundle)3. Frio OCK (The Cooler)4. Frio OCK (Installation)5. Performance Testing6. Acoustics Performance7. Closing Thoughts8. View All Pages

Today we are using the latest Intel Core i7 990x Extreme Edition processor which we reviewed a short while ago. This is the current mainstream flagship processor from Intel.

While we could use an open test bench, we like to try and mirror more ‘realistic’ conditions, so we have built the system inside an Antec Twelve Hundred chassis. Room ambient temperatures are maintained at a steady 20c throughout testing. We use diodes to measure core temperatures.

Intel System:
Processor: Intel Core i7 990x
Motherboard: Asus Rampage III Black Edition
Thermal Paste: Noctua NT H1
Power Supply: Corsair TX850W
Chassis: Antec Twelve Hundred
Memory: GSkill RipJaws DDR3 2000mhz 6GB 7-8-7
Graphics Card: Sapphire HD5670 Ultimate Edition

Comparison coolers:
Corsair H50
Corsair H70
Coolit ECO A.L.C.
Coolit Vantage A.L.C.
Noctua NH D14
Prolimatech Genesis
Thermaltake Frio

All other coolers, unless noted were set to their default fan speeds for this section of the review. We are using high quality 120mm and 140mm Noctua fans on the Genesis cooler.

At high speeds, the Frio OCK is only a fraction behind the Noctua NH D14, but these coolers can't really be properly tested at reference voltages. Time to crank the 990x to 5ghz at 1.5 volts.

The Thermaltake Frio OCK at high fan settings is only a little behind the Noctua NH D14. The Frio OCK is painfully loud however.

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