The Results:
Without further ado, here are the test results. The average values are calculated out of all three test runs per fan and per configuration.
Average Idle/ Load Temperatures for the 2.8 GHz setup
Nothing unusual to see here, the cooler fairs well under stock conditions and handles well at load. LOKI gains 4 degrees on the Intel stock HSF at idle and a clear 10 degrees under load.
Average Idle/ Load Temperatures for the 3.6 GHz setup
Adding the medium OC to the mix for the first time for our reviews. The LOKI still does well. At idle the LOKI can keep the CPU under 50 degrees with ease. The LOKI also passes the load test but temperatures rise into the mid 80′s. Not an area of comfort but it keeps the CPU from thermal throttling.
Average Idle/ Load Temperatures for the 4.0 GHz setup
There was no holding this at bay, with a 4.0 GHz overclock and a heavily loaded i7 930, the LOKI has nothing to fend with. Since this cooler supports a 2nd fan it would be interesting to see if that would have made a difference.
Average Test Temp @ 2.8 GHz
The LOKI does not come with TIM pre-attached, so no results here. The results however show clearly that this cooler is worth considering over Intel stock offering.
Average Test Temp @ 3.6 GHz
The Intel stock HSF is tapping out while the LOKI is still going.
Average Test Temp @ 4.0 GHz
Time to call it a day.
Delta T / Temp over Ambient @ 2.8 GHz
Time to shine, the LOKI performs well and keeps the CPU well within save temperatures and almost 10 degrees ahead.
Delta T / Temp over Ambient @ 3.6 GHz
The LOKI reaches pretty high temperatures and is hovering near it’s limits but still can pass this test.
Delta T / Temp over Ambient @ 4.0 GHz
The flood gates are open and there is no holding for the LOKI under this scenario.
CPU Throttle Summery
Impressive, especially for a 92mm cooler. No throttling going on at all, even at 3.6 GHz.
Now here we can see the throttle. All 3 tests failed and it is clear that the Xigmatek LOKI has reached it’s limit.
6 Comments
I fitted this fan into a build for my partner. The Asus board P8Z68 V accepted it without problems, leaving enough side clearance at the nearest memory module. It keeps the CPU Intel i5 2400 LGA1155-at a steady 19/20c at idle.
I paid about £13.50 for it and it has proved to be an excellent cooler.
Highly recommended. 5/5
I would like to get another fan as supplied for it, but to date I have not been able to locate one.
[...] Xigmatek LOKI SD963 @ TechREACTION [...]
Thanks for that real world feedback. =)
Forgot….you should also lubricate the fan before using it. I opened it up and it looked bone dry so far as I could tell.
I installed this puppy today. Few observations. a) The base is polished but not perfectly smooth. There are very clear and machining marks, but they are very shallow. b) The base is completely flat on all axes compared against a razor blade. c) There is a gap between the copper heat pipe and the aluminum bits of the base.
Other than that it works much better than the stock AM3 cooler. Installation is pretty painless too.
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