Installation
To begin the installation of the HPL-815, we must first choose the correct bracket assembly with regards to our specific motherboard socket as per the installation guide. Once we have done that, we simply install said brackets with the set of four included screws to the bottom of the heat sink. Notice how there are six available holes in order to adjust the location of the cooler in the event that there is inadequate spacing next to the graphics card for example. Next we take the motherboard spacers and washers and attach those into the brackets that we have just installed.
Just as you normally would, thoroughly clean and prepare your processor and add the appropriate amount of thermal paste. Now we are ready to install the HPL-815 by aligning the spacers with the motherboards mounting holes. Once secured it is time to remount the fan and plug the power cable into the motherboard’s CPU fan header.
Finished Looks
Test Setup & Testing Methodology
Our testing system for desktop CPU coolers is custom-built of course, with the components and specs as listed in the table below. All of the coolers included in this review were used in conjunction with the Arctic MX-4 thermal paste for continuity sake. For the overclocked results, we simply ramped up the voltage and clock speed to 1.25v and 4.2GHz respectively. To ensure consistent results, all chassis fans were disabled and the motherboard BIOS CPU fan profile was set to normal. The ambient temperature was kept at 24 degrees Celsius +/- 1 degree. The idle temperatures were recorded after 15 minutes of idle time on the desktop and the maximum load temperatures were recorded after a run of the System Stability test built in to the AIDA64 software. The monitoring software used was HWMonitor courtesy of CPUID.
Now that we have the specifications and testing parameters, let us move on to the performance results.
Performance
With the desktop sitting in idle mode, the HPL-815 managed to pace within five degrees Celsius of the V8 GTS with the CPU at stock voltage and clock speed settings. The difference in idle temperatures at overclocked settings tells a different story however, with the HPL-815 idling at a warm 75 degrees Celsius.
During our load testing with the AIDA64 System Stability test, the HPL-815 manages to compete within twelve degrees of the much larger V8 GTS. The HPL-815 unfortunately failed the tests with overclocked settings in place as the CPU began to throttle at ninety degrees Celsius.
The peak noise levels were obtained during the System Stability test built-in to the AIDA64 software. Our findings show that the HPL-815 hit its peak fan speed and noise level of 55dBa under load conditions for both stock and overclocked settings. To sum up those results of for you, at idle conditions the cooler is relatively quiet, however under load conditions it is a bit on the noisy side.
And there we have it readers! Let us review some points and final thoughts in the conclusion of our review.
