The SilverStone Permafrost PF120, PF240, and PF360 ARGB AIO Coolers Review
by E. Fylladitakis on June 17, 2020 10:00 AM ESTThermal Resistance VS Sound Pressure Level
During our thermal resistance vs. sound pressure level test, we maintain a steady 100W thermal load and assess the overall performance of the coolers by taking multiple temperature and sound pressure level readings within the operating range of the stock cooling fans. The result is a graph that depicts the absolute thermal resistance of the cooler in comparison to the noise generated. For both the sound pressure level and absolute thermal resistance readings, lower figures are better.
In these graphs, we can see where SilverStone’s new Permafrost coolers really stand out. Although the PF 240 and PF 360 do not break any thermal performance records directly, it can be seen that they can offer the same level of thermal performance at a significantly lower level of noise. The PF 360 in particular is almost unaffected by the speed of its fans while these spin above 1200 RPM, with any increase in speed resulting in minuscule thermal performance gains, meaning that the massive cooler can retain most of its performance even if its fans are rotating at half speed. The PF 120 is very different compared to its larger siblings, being unable to match them in terms of performance no matter how quickly the single 120 mm fan spins, but it also cannot ever get too loud, maxing just above 36 dB(A) with the fan at maximum speed.
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drexnx - Wednesday, June 17, 2020 - link
wish we'd get a teardown of the pumpblock, seems like after many years of asetek stagnation we're finally seeing performance move forward again in AIOswarrenk81 - Wednesday, June 17, 2020 - link
page 2 typo: "The bottom of the main block assembly reveals a sizable, square cooper block."eastcoast_pete - Wednesday, June 17, 2020 - link
Maybe my information is outdated, but isn't there a small, but significant difference in the overall shape (slightly concave vs. slightly convex) of AMD's vs. Intel's heat spreaders that can really affect cooling performance? I may have missed it, but are the copper blocks "fitted" to the respective CPU type? If not, some of that cooling potential is likely being wasted.Also, with current "enthusiast" kind Intel CPUs reaching over 250 W TDP at peak use, any chance of showing results with a steady 250 or 200 W load?
PeachNCream - Wednesday, June 17, 2020 - link
I'm seeing a drop down menu option to select various wattage from 60W up 340W including the 200W and 250W options you would like.eastcoast_pete - Wednesday, June 17, 2020 - link
Yeah, I should have been clearer; that comment/request was in regard to the last graph, which doesn't have the drop-down selection, and is for 100W only.Interestingly, no response by anyone yet on the question about the shape of the copper block; I didn't think it'd matter, until I read some tests that showed a pretty significant difference depending on how true the heatsink matches the heat spreader's shape
p1esk - Wednesday, June 17, 2020 - link
"the contact plate is not large enough to cover Ryzen Threadripper processors"OK thanks
Arbie - Wednesday, June 17, 2020 - link
For those interested, the Noctua NH-D15 is close to the Fractal Design S36 here, except that there's no data on Noctua above 38 dBA:https://www.anandtech.com/show/14621/the-noctua-nh...
Beaver M. - Saturday, June 20, 2020 - link
And thats with 2 fans.Plus you always have the option to sound-insulate your case, which helps a lot on air coolers, while the pumps of AIOs are pretty impossible to get silent due to their vibration.
edwardav54 - Wednesday, June 17, 2020 - link
No RGB please.AdditionalPylons - Thursday, June 18, 2020 - link
If my colleague working with permafrost research would be into stationary PCs I'd buy this for him at once. =)That said, I may consider this in a mITX build for myself at some point.
(I've only had one AIO - an Asetek for LGA775, years ago. Wasn't bothered with the relatively minor pump noise. Have since used Noctua air coolers and been happy with that.)