The Test
So we've
discussed the heatsink and accesories that we are going to test. I decided
to use the Soltek SL-75DRV motherboard for this test as it features not only
onboard CPU temp monitoring but also a connection for a thermistor that can
be mounted between the CPU and heatsink.
Expect a review of that board any day now. Testing was conducted inside the
Addtronics
7896A full tower case. I have to mention that this is easily the hottest
running CPU that I have come across as the numbers will show. I may have received
a fluke unit but I would be very wary of running any 266 MHz FSB Athlon with
an inferior HSF. Both units were tested at idle and also after a continuous
loop of Quake III arena was allowed to run for 30 mins. To be even more sinister
I allowed the room temperature to reach 85 degrees F. I was forced to report
the temps from the onboard temperature probe as having the copper spacer in
place makes it impossible to mount a thermistor between the CPU and HSF.
|
Big
MoFoHo
|
Idle
117 degrees F
|
Load
124 degrees F
|
|
Socket
AHO
|
Idle
124 degrees F
|
Load
143 degrees F
|
We expected good things
from the Big MoFoHO and it certainly delivered. With only a 7 degree difference
between idle and load temps we can see the efficiency of the heatsink. The
Socket AHO was released when SocketA CPUs were under 1 GHz in speed. Have
a Duron 600 or Athlon 700? That cooler is plenty good for that purpose. It
is quite obvious that it isn't designed for the massive heat output of the
new 266 FSB Athlons and that is very evident by its 19 degree temperature
spread between idle and load. Another thing I found interesting was the fact
the the smaller Socket AHO's idle temp was the same as the load temp for the
Big MoFoHo.
Conclusions
So sometimes bigger is
better. The Big MoFoHo has a lot more going for it than size. Add the ultra
quiet fan and it makes for a very awsome cooler. The only thing that kept
this heatsink from being perfect in my eyes was that it may not fit every
motherboard out there. Perhaps with a little filing you could clear the capacitors
on your motherboard if the fit is too tight. At $27 the Big MoFoHo is an investment
that you can use again later when you move up to another CPU.
At $8 each I think everyone
running a SocketA CPU should pick up a Socket A Spacer and Arctic Silver II
compound. In my testing it is quite evident what a great combination these
two make with the Big MoFoHo.
Victor
Oshiro August 23,2001
