The Results:
Without further ado, here are the test results. The average values are calculated out of all three test runs per fan per configuration.
Average Idle/ Load Temperatures for the 2.8 GHz setup
The Xigmatek GAIA shows good load and idle temperature results at stock speeds. The idle is clearly below 40C degrees and under load breaks into the 50′s.
Average Idle/ Load Temperatures for the 3.6 GHz setup
The GAIA continues to remain in a good temperature area at our medium OC @ 3.6 GHz. At idle, the GAIA can keep the CPU in the low 40′s. The GAIA also passes the load test, but temperatures rise into the 70′s. Only the SanAce can barely hold it below 70c degrees. This is a very acceptable result and it keeps the CPU from thermal throttling.
Average Idle/ Load Temperatures for the 4.0 GHz setup
With a 4.0 GHz overclock and a heavily loaded i7 930, the GAIA is struggling a bit to beat the heat. All fans pass the test though. The GAIA can keep temperatures comfortably below 100C degrees. The SA fan can even retain a 4 degree temperature advantage, and hovers in the mid 80′s. This cooler supports a 2nd fan and we believe that the cooling performance could be further enhanced with the use of one.
Average Test Temp @ 2.8 GHz
The temperature remains within 20c degrees between idle and load.
Average Test Temp @ 3.6 GHz
There is a 30 degree gap between idle and load while at 3.6 GHz. This is still a pretty decent result.
Average Test Temp @ 4.0 GHz
The gap opens up at 4.0 GHz configuration. Here we can see a 45 – 50 degree gap. That is quite significant, though it didn’t bump up against the 100C threshold that triggers CPU throttling.
Delta T / Temp over Ambient @ 2.8 GHz
The GAIA hovers 10-15c degrees effectively over ambient temperature at idle but jumps to 30c degrees at load.
Delta T / Temp over Ambient @ 3.6 GHz
The GAIA remains below 20c degrees over ambient at idle, but there is a noticeable rise under load.
Delta T / Temp over Ambient @ 4.0 GHz
At the 4.0 GHz configuration, the GAIA breaks even at 20c degrees over ambient at idle.
CPU Throttle Summary
Our throttle tests were all positive, and there were no signs of CPU throttling at all. Given the temperatures observed, this was to be expected.
It is pretty clear and no surprise that the GAIA fairs best with the SanAce fan. The cooling body of the GAIA has room to grow but nears its single-fan limits during our testing.


















6 Comments
i am glad you like Budo and hope the review helped
I just installed the Gaia into my 1090T-on-MSI 870A Fuzion build, packed into a Xigmatek Asgard case. Everything fits and works perfectly. The fan just clears the RAM horizontally, doesn’t obstruct the PSU fan at all, and fits inside the case by the smallest of margins. The rubber nubs that hold the fan are a bit of a pain to install, but work. Performance so far is great.
this is good and valuable information Andei. Thanks for the contribution.
Hello,
I have bought this cooler to mount it on a AM3+ motherboard, Asrock 880G Pro3.
Mounting it was a nightmare;
first they didn’t use in the fixing solution for Gaia the included AMD motherboard cooler bracket – questionable design decision;
then the holes in the motherboard are much larger than the diameter of the screw of the cooler and the alignment of the cooler was not possible.
Mixing the parts (cooler mounting and motherboard mounting) is not an option, either;
The solution was to 4 M3 plastic nut, one per hole in the motherboard. They could have included its in the selling kit.
The insulating washer has a comparable diameter with the motherboard hole, so unless you put the M3 plastic nut you risk insulating..nothing.
Now, as a final touch, try assembling the AM3+ motherboard and cooler in a case with limited top clearance like Thermaltake Commander MS-I
All the best,
Andrei
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