Test System |
DFI 865PE
Intel P4 - 2.8 GHz
1 GB Crucial DDR
Ultra 600 PSU
Logisys Phantom Case
Hitachi 7K250 SATA HD
NEC - ND3500A DVD/RW |
To create a simulated maximum load for the processor we will be using a copy
of
Sisoft's Burn-in Wizard along
with a copy of
Passmark's BurnInTest V4.0. Both
of these program can stress test various parts of your system including
memory, video, processor, network, but we will be mainly worried about
stressing the processing the processor and the memory of our system to
achieve the maximum heat transference to the heatsink.
The result were about in line with what I expected, I have yet to see a heatsink that really performs that well using a dual fan configuration and the FCS-50 was no different. The temperatures were somewhat better on the high speed setting
using two fans, but when we got down to the lower setting the difference was not noticeable.
As far as the single fan configuration went the FCS-50 performed admirably bringing the temperatures down on the 2.8 - P4 to a very acceptable level
using the high setting as well as the medium setting. The big
difference between the two settings is this - with the speed setting on
Maximum RPM you will not make any friends in you family at this setting,
especially if they are within 2 to 3 rooms of where the computer is -
because it's just plain LOUD
In the medium setting the
noise level is about in line to a normal heatsink, like those made by Speeze
- Dynatron and Cooljag, you know its operating but it is not loud enough to
bother you.
In the lowest setting the I was hearing my
Northbridge Cooler and 9600XT cooler over the sound of the levels of the
FCS-50.
Here is a shot of the FCS-50 installed and also a picture showing the one little quirk I ran into with the heatsink and this particular motherboard. Due to the extreme width of the heatsink the fan covers the first memory slot, leaving you three options as far as memory goes. 1 - uses the the other 2 banks for your memory stick and be limited to 2 GB, 2 - remove the heatsink to change your memory or 3 - remove the fan to change your first memory stick. For 95% of the people this is no big deal since they will install the memory and forget about it once it is in place. Checking the fit on DFI 875 PRO this problem was not encountered.
Do I like that Scythe's FCS-50 Heatlane CPU Cooler and would I recommend you to purchase this heatsink. Yes I do like the product and I as I stated at the beginning of the review I am a big fan of the Heatlane Technology simply because it works. If I owned this product though the first thing I would do is swap the fan that is on if for a slightly quieter fan like a Panaflo FBA08A12L1A or Delta like we were using, then its just a simple matter of hooking a speed controller to the fan to adjust the speed.
In short it's well built and can be soft and gentle
or get down and dirty if the need arises the FCS-50
is sort of like getting 3 different heatsinks in one
package. If you want to try something entirely
new that works amazingly well then the FCS-50 is the
perfect choice for you.
A special thanks to our friends at Scythe USA for their continued support and also for providing us with great items to review.
If you're interested in this item or any other item that Scythe USA offers first check out their web site HERE, then head to these fine retailers when you're ready to make your purchase.
