FrostyTech Mk.III Synthetic Thermal Heatsink Test Results Intel Core i7, Extreme Edition class heatsinks tested at a 200W heat load. Results based on readings from a 38x38mm copper interface die with 200W heat load on the Intel version of the Mk.III Test Platform. Temperature results listed for each heatsink were calculated by determining the rise over ambient temperatures at time of test. Information on Frostytech's test methodology is available here. Socket LGA2011/1366 compatible CPU heatsinks
manufacturer:	model no.:	*fan speed:	200w thermal test (°c)	noise level (dba)
Coolermaster	Seidon 240M	high	13.4	55.6
Silverstone	Tundra TD02	high	13.6	53.0
Coolermaster	Glacer 240L	high	14.1	52.5
NZXT	Kraken X60	high	14.5	60.7
Noctua	NH-U14S		17.0	47.3
Coolermaster	Seidon 120V	high	17.5	54.3
NZXT	Kraken X40	high	18.2	59.4
Silverstone	Tundra TD03	high	18.7	58.1
Noctua	NH-U12S (+2nd fan)		18.8	49.8
Silverstone	Argon AR01	high	18.8	53.0
Coolermaster	Eisberg 240L	high	19.1	50.5
Raijintek	Themis	high	19.7	52.8
Coolermaster	V8 GTS	high	20.0	59.7
Corsair	Hydro H80i	high	21.1	64.0
Noctua	NH-U12S		21.1	46.2
Raijintek	Ereboss	high	21.4	49.7
Zalman	Reserator 3 Max	high	21.6	58.9
Scythe	Mugen 4	high	21.7	41.9
Zalman	LQ315	high	21.9	50.8
Silverstone	NT06-P	high	22.1	51.6
Raijintek	Aidos	high	23.0	55.6
Zalman	LQ310	high	23.8	52.7
Zalman	LQ320	high	25.5	50.2
Coolermaster	Seidon 120V	low	35.1	32.4
Silverstone	NT01-Pro	high	35.8	40.4
			200w thermal test (°c)	noise level (dba)
*heatsinks are ranked according to the 125w thermal test results column (rise over ambient temp.). low temperatures with low noise levels are considered best. for reference heatsinks with variable-speed fans, only the high speed (12v) fan test result is included in the comparison sheet; more detailed results reside in each specific heatsink review.

Frostytech's socket LGA2011 Intel synthetic thermal test platform stresses socket LGA2011/1366 compatible heatsinks with a 200W heat load. Keep in mind that the AMD Integrated Heat Spreader and Intel LGA2011 Integrated Heat Spreader both measure ~38x38mm, so these test results can be extrapolated to AMD processor scenario's as well.

With a 200W heat load applied by the Intel LGA2011/1366 version of FrostyTech's synthetic thermal test platform, the Coolermaster Seidon 120V self-contained liquid cooling heatsink yielded a very good temperature test result of 17.5°C over ambient at stock fan speed.

Reducing the speed of the Seidon 120V's single 120mm PWM fan from 2400RPM to a quieter 600RPM caused a large increase in test temperatures, to 35.1°C over ambient to be specific.

When searching out the right self-contained liquid cooling system for your processor there are two key factors to consider. The first is "will it fit my PC case", the second is cost and thermal performance. Large heat exchangers are great, but the cost an arm and a leg and if your case won't support a 280mm long radiator the point is moot...

Coolermaster's Seidon 120V is a compact entry level system which aims to appeal to budget enthusiasts while offering tempting thermal performance. As you've seen, at full fan speed it does performs very well on each of the three thermal test platforms, however it doesn't do so very quietly. In other words, if you can stand a bit of noise the Seidon 120V is excellent value for money, competitive with high end air cooled heatsinks on price and performance.

If quiet liquid cooling is what you seek, the Coolermaster Seidon is not the best option. An air cooled heatsink like the Noctua NH-U14S or NH-C14 will offer similar thermal performance with a lot less noise. Running the Seidon 120V at reduced fan speeds will cut down on noise output, but the heat exchanger will also starve for air and temperatures will increase.

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