[section_title title=”Test Setup”]
Test Setup
CPU: Intel Core i7 4770k
Motherboard:Â MSI Z97I Gaming AC
Memory: 16GB (2x8GB) Team Group 1800MHz
Graphics: MSI Gaming G1 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti
Cooler:Â Arctic Liquid Freezer 120
Thermal Paste:Â Noctua NT-H1
Storage:Â Sandisk Ultra IIÂ 240GB
PSU:Â XFX XTR 850
Installation
Installation and testing were carried out on a test bench rather than inside a conventional case. While this has the benefit of being easier to physically install as there is not as much stretching as well as easier access to motherboard jumpers and sockets it has the disadvantage of not having any reduction in sound.
Thermal performance
Thermal performance is judged on four factors overall; the idle temperature at stock and overclocked speeds, as well as the loaded temperatures at stock and loaded speeds. During the testing, the system is either at idle or full load for a duration of five minutes before any readings is taken. The average temperature across all four cores is then noted down and used to get an average temperature across them all. Room temperature is recorded beforehand as well as during the test to ensure that the delta temperature is as accurate as possible.
