LGA 1366 CPU Cooler Group Test

More Results Analysis

While the V8 and Noctua both had their plus points, the Asus Triton 81 and Zalman 9900 were both pretty underwhealming we have to admit. While performance isn’t too far off of the leaders, especially in the case of the Zalman, both are only able to achieve these results by using horribly noisy high CFM fans.

They’re by far the noisiest CPU coolers we’ve tested in the last twelve months and the lack of any sort of fan controller to tame the incessant whining from both coolers' fans is a major oversight, especially in the case of the Zalman as the Zalman fan-mate has become almost a standard feature of Zalman coolers in the last few years.

Our testing also found the exact opposite to Zalman's advice regarding the cooler's plastic shroud. Removing the platsic collar upped load temperatures by a good 5°C. We were so surprised by these results we retested them multiple times, but every time came to the same conclusion - that the cooler works better with the shroud left on.

Both are pretty expensive too, coming in at £46 for the Triton and £56 for the 9900 respectively. While the performance is certainly there, competition is always tough and in comparison to what else is on offer, both fall short.

Asus Triton 81

• Features
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• -
• -
• 7/10

• Performance
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• -
• -
• -
• 6/10

• Build Quality
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• -
• 8/10

• Ease of Use
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• -
• -
• -
• 6/10

• Value
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• -
• -
• -
• 6/10

• Overall
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• -
• -
• -
• 6/10

Zalman CNPS 9900

• Features
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• -
• -
• -
• 6/10

• Performance
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• -
• -
• -
• 6/10

• Build Quality
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• -
• -
• 7/10

• Ease of Use
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• -
• -
• -
• -
• 5/10

• Value
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• -
• -
• -
• -
• 5/10

• Overall
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• -
• -
• -
• 6/10

While we’ve raved about the continuing dominance of the TRUE and the silence of the Noctua, the real winner here is the Akasa Nero. We first saw this cooler last August and it’s fantastic to see that Akasa has been able to deliver such a brilliant cooler without compromising on any level. While its cooling performance might not be king of the hill it’s still a good 24°C cooler than the Intel reference HSF, and is also very well behaved acoustically.

We’re a little baffled at Akasa listing the fan’s noise level at 24.6 dB(A) at full speed because it was one of the quietest we tested, comfortably in reach of the premium Noctua fans. Of course the sleeve bearing fan bundled with the Nero isn’t as high quality, but we can’t help but think Akasa has sold itself a little short here – it really is strikingly quiet considering the solid thermal performance.

But the most impressive thing about the Nero is its fantastically low price, which comes in at less than half that of almost every other cooler we’ve tested today. The cost saving direct contact cooling method has worked wonders, resulting in a cooler that’s cool, quiet and most importantly affordably priced. It really is a remarkable bit of kit and the best thing is it also ships with LGA 775 and AM2 mounting brackets, so those of us with older CPUs can still take advantage.

Akasa Nero

• Features
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• -
• 8/10

• Performance
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• 9/10

• Build Quality
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• 9/10

• Ease of Use
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• -
• 8/10

• Value
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• 10/10

• Overall
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• 9/10

Final Thoughts

So given the option, which would we choose? Well, as always it comes down to the specifics of what you’re after. If silence is golden to you, then we’d point you firmly in the direction of the Noctua NH-U12P. It’s practically silent if you use the voltage step down adapters, yet packs excellent cooling into the bargain, although you do pay a premium for what is a deservingly premium product.

If you’re after pure performance and lower temperatures, then the Thermalright Ultra eXtreme 120 is still the undisputed champion of air cooling. Knocking a full 5°C off the next closest competition, it’s still a fantastic cooler, and even more attractive now you can pick up a kit including a LGA 1366 mount and bundled 120mm cooling for a little over £50. If you absolutely must get the absolute maximum cooling from your CPU then the TRUE is still the cooler to get.

But the best cooler on test is undoubtedly the Akasa Nero. Cool, quiet and most importantly reasonably priced, it’s the only cooler we tested today that doesn’t charge the earth for cooling LGA 1366, or any other recent CPU for that matter, very well indeed. It’s easily one of the best value CPU coolers on the market today, and comes very highly recommended - If we were spending our own money, the Nero is the heatsink we’d get.

Score Guide