Thermaltake Safari BX-01 BTX CPU Cooler Review :: Performance

While I would have loved to introduce new methods for this new world (so to speak), a lack of heatsinks across the market, and uber-scientific goodies has kept me down to the good old fashioned method. On the Pico-BTX motherboard that Gigabyte Sent, I run 3 sets of tests, then let the system idle, to judge the temperature and noise levels. These three levels are Prime 95 (Low), Super Pi (Medium), and S&M (Brutal). Without any further Adieu, then, let's lay out the test bed, and toss out my first ever set of BTX thermal scores (which will be now considered "Reference")

• Intel Pentium 4 530J @ Stock (Unfortunately)
• Gigabyte GA 8I-915G-ZFD Motherboard
• 1x512MB Stick of DDR1 Ballisix 4000 @ 533MHz (Thanks to a Bios Bug)
• Ultra Products V-Series 400W PSU W/ extended leads
• Thermaltake Safari BX-01 heatsink.

Idle:

Thermaltake Safari BX-01 (Ref): 28 [Very Quiet, a low rumble]

Load 1 (Prime 95):

Thermaltake Safari BX-01 (Ref): 37 [Fan speeds shift a lot, but not too discernable]

Load 2 (Super Pi):

Thermaltake Safari BX-01 (Ref): 38 [Similar To Load 1 Stage]

Load 3 (S&M):

Thermaltake Safari BX-01 (Ref): 42 [This test not only tortured the processor, but my eardrums too]

Overall, these are some very nice numbers for a basic (so to speak) heatsink. Now, if only I was able to maintain this kind of performance with lower noise, it would be grand. On a side note, the north and south bridges kept cool along with the memory all throughout testing - which was nice, especially when I'm used to having to toss 40mm fans on them to cool them down.