Akasa AK862 CPU Cooler Review

[MikeC]

Steve Angelly's review of the Akasa AK862 CPU Cooler has been posted. The AK862 is designed for AMD Socket 754/939/940 CPUs and is compared to the retail Athlon 64 HSF.

http://www.nvnews.net/reviews/akasa_ak862/index.9.jpg

http://www.nvnews.net/reviews/akasa_ak862/index.shtml

[SsP45]

On the last page, the image that shows the results of the heatsink is missing. I just get a red 'x'.

[MikeC]

Thanks for pointing that out :)

[acrh2]

Thanks for the effort. But unless you compare it to another mainstream HS/F, such as Thermalright XP-90c, the results aren't that useful.

(Minor comment:
As far as I understand, to test cpu under load, the most common technique used is running two instances of prime95.
Also, it would probably be a good idea to run an Nvidia equivalent to ATI Tool in "scan for artifacts" mode to load the gpu as well at the same time)

[kmf]

Great review. :) I just have one question. Why is he not running that mem in dual channel mode? one of the pics shows 2 moduals in the first channel. unless gigabyte switched it.

[Clay]

Great review. :) I just have one question. Why is he not running that mem in dual channel mode? one of the pics shows 2 moduals in the first channel. unless gigabyte switched it.Steve is running his memory in dual channel mode. From page 15 of the Gigabyte K8NXP-SLI manual (PDF) (http://europe.giga-byte.com/MotherBoard/FileList/Manual/manual_k8nxpsli_e.pdf):
To enable Dual Channel mode with 2 memory modules (it is recommended to use memory modules of identical brand, size, chips, and speed), you must install them into DIMM sockets
of the same color.

...and...

NOTE: If two memory modules are to be used to achieve Dual Channel mode, we recommend installing them in DDR1 and DDR2 DIMM sockets.

[Clay]

Thanks for the effort. But unless you compare it to another mainstream HS/F, such as Thermalright XP-90c, the results aren't that useful.Thanks for your effort. :D Compare it to another mainstream HS/F? You mean one (in the XP-90C) that costs more than twice as much as this Akasa HSF? :confused: He compared it to something comprable in the stock AMD HSF. Reviews of a product do not require "comparisons" to other products. I suppose you smugly thank people for their "effort" if they don't compare an ATI 9200 to...oh, I don't know...an NVIDIA 6800? Ugh.(Minor comment:
As far as I understand, to test cpu under load, the most common technique used is running two instances of prime95.
Also, it would probably be a good idea to run an Nvidia equivalent to ATI Tool in "scan for artifacts" mode to load the gpu as well at the same time)Well, you're right about that, your comment was minor. Why stop with two instances of prime95? Wouldn't three instances be better? Why not run Prime95, RTHDRIBL, and Sandra's CPU test all at the same time?

[kmf]

Ah, i see. thanks Clay. :)

[Clay]

No problem. It threw me off going from my Gigabyte motherboard to the MSI motherboard that I have now. MSI's DIMMs for dual channel still require same color but the slots are colored in an alternating fashion unlike the way Gigabyte does it.

[Rytr]

Thanks Clay for fielding the questions.
I am on vacation and will return Monday.
I used Folding@Home to maintain a constant 100%. The test system used is a cool running system unlike the one I used in the Thermalright XP-90C review. So, the difference in hi and low temp readings will not be as wide. The stock cooler rarely ventured over 40C (mainly dependent on flucuations of ambient room temperatures) and I used this cooler 24/7 for over a month. As seen in the review, using the AK862 lowered the maximum temps by 13% which I would say is significant on an already cool running system.
I did not specifically use Prime95 in this review although I use the program occassionally in stability testing. I use F@H, 24/7, on at least one of my pc's. By using it extensively I can easily identify any heat flucuations and determine in relatively short order whether a particular cooling unit is performing and whether or not I can recommend its use. I can readily recommend the AK862 for replacment of the stock A64 unit as its use will give you a lowering in temperatures, even with moderate overclocking. Yes, the XP-90C will give you even lower temps but at twice the price.
When I return I will run some tests with Prime95 and see about including it in the upcoming Akasa EVO 33 review. This is Akasa high performance unit geared more toward the 'enthusiast' and 'overclocker'. This unit uses heat pipe technology although of different design from the XP-90 and XP-90C.

Thanks for the replies and comments!

[MUYA]

Ah the old boy still has it ;)

nice job Steve! :D