Performance
Performance has been tested on an Intel Skylake platform which contains i7 6700K processor and ASRock Z170 OC Formula motherboard. Processor in all tests was running at 4.2GHz/1.25V with disabled power saving options.
Maximum temperature has been checked after longer load in the latest Prime95 – small FTT test. Idle temperature is read at at minimum load ( near 0% ) which contains standard system operations without additional programs. Mixed load is based on PCMark 8 tests which are simulating daily work in various applications.
Let’s take a look at the test results.
Kabuto 3 is maybe not the best performing cooler in our comparison but it’s not designed to compete with the highest cooler series. There is clear difference in maximum temperature between Kabuto 3 and Ninja 4 – about 8 degrees. During normal work we haven’t seen any special difference between these two coolers and maximum temperature reported during PCMark 8 was 53 degrees. At the same time Kabuto 3 was really quiet and fan wasn’t spinning at much more than 800 RPM.
While playing the most demanding games you still shouldn’t see as high temperature as we’ve achieved in Prime95 test. Most games are balancing at about 50-70% processor load and are not using AVX/AES instructions. Simply prepare that Kabuto 3 will let you overclock CPU above 4.2GHz and at the same time will be still almost silent.
Below is graph with comparison. On the list are smaller and larger cooling solutions. There is also custom water kit which is based on 2x 360mm radiator and low flow pump to reduce noise.
At the end one more photo of Kabuto 3 cooler installed on MSI Z170I Gaming Pro AC motherboard in ITX format. Even on so small motherboards there are no issues to install Kabuto 3 and cooler orientation should help in cooling components in small PC cases.
