Introduction

One inclined users looking can not complain currently after a suitable processor cooler – about lack of choice. Seldom before the market on potent retrofit processor coolers was so diverse, as is currently the case. In the process, provide a head-to-head to the best company to newbies or career changer in addition to the established brands and bring the customer into the comfortable situation to be able to make hardly a mistake due to the high power density in the selection. Also the Taiwanese peripheral and cooler silicate Akasa, the, it has become most recently very quiet in the high end cooling segment, would like to sign up again with a top cooler back and presents a 120-mm tower with 8 mm heatpipes, special series fan and HDT heat absorption with the “Nero-S”. We look at whether the Nero-S against the extensive competition claim can.

Scope of delivery

In delivery of Akasa Nero S a special 120-mm series fan (Akasa DFS122512L) with PWM support located fixing materials for AMD (clip) and Intel (rear plate fitting), a concise guide with German language section, and a small injection of heat-conducting paste (AK-455, 2.4 W / mK), which is enough for several applications in addition to the heat sink with pre-installed rubber fan bracket.

Technical key points

• Akasa Nero S-120-mm-Tower-CPU cooler
• Fan dimensions: 120 x 87 x 160 mm (L x W x H)
• Weight with fan mail: approximately 726 grams
• 4-8-Mm-heatpipes (Ø) in U-Aufbiegung
• Nickel plated aluminum slats and heat pipes
• Heatpipe direct touch base
• 52 Strips, distance approx. 1.5 mm
• 120 mm series fan (Akasa DFS122512L)
  • Special S-flow-fan blade design
  • Nine fan blades
  • 600 to 1,600 rpm
  • Maximum 119.3 m /h
  • 4-Pin connector with PWM function
• Installation compatibility
  • Intel LGA 775, 1156, and 1366 via direct connection and rear panel
  • AMD 939, AM2, AM2 +, AM3 by 2-point bracket on the retention module
• Manufacturer’s website
• Sales: e.g. Caseking (44.90 euro)

Cooler in detail

Akasa trusts in the new edition of the hotel’s own Nero cooler series on a tried and tested basic design and created a hybrid Tower cooler in the 120-mm format. This one relies on a sweeping lines and a relatively wide radiator. A total of 52 aluminium lamellas in 1, 5 mm distance form a heat exchanger with a size of about 120 x 120 x 60 millimeters. Light side Anwinkeln of lamellas generates also a relative unity of the body of the fin, and thus a kind of air tunnel.

As a basis for the heat transport, the manufacturer at the Nero-S relies on four 8 mm heatpipes in U-Aufbiegung. Thus, the Akasa product from the nominal heat facilities located at the bottom of the high end cooler competition. To compensate for this, you omitted the Nero-S on a closed base and instead relies on a heat-pipe direct touch heat absorption. They are located on the ground Kapillarrohe directly on the surface of the processor and can directly transfer so the energy without unnecessary material transitions. This technique has already established itself in some competitors and was implemented at Akasa very clean.

A total of Akasa Nero S leaves a very good impression. The qualitative vote from material and workmanship meets a luxury product and hence the high selling price. The HDT base presents itself precisely and uniformly flat polished, the fins give despite their low thickness ordinary robustness and the overall perceived based acts on nickel-plated metal and the sweeping fin forming very harmoniously designed.

The Nero-S is designed for individual ventilation. This, the fixation of the fan is achieved using four rubber holder, which are drawn on the one hand by the frame holes of the fan, inserted in corresponding recesses of aluminium lamellas of the heatsink on the other hand. Often such rubber mounts which reduce mechanical vibration of the fan and thus effectively reduce the noise, at repeated / installation of the fan to the tearing tend. The Akasa counterparts seem something posits here fortunately on one and more flexible rubber compound to be based, they left in the test taken in several fan change without defect about yourself. However, we would welcome a further Gummistring to replace the included.

The 120 mm series fan of Nero-S also comes from the House of Akasa and the name of DFS122512L. The model works with maximum 1,600 rpm, PWM support and an about 30 cm long connection cable with network unit. Special feature of the robust fan with very pleasant Laufcharaktersitik, however, is the special design of the nine fan blades (“S-flow”). According to the manufacturer, the fan when compared to conventional designs due to this design supports up to 30 percent more air at same speed – our measurements at least partially underscore what.

Mounting features

The Akasa Nero S comes from with relatively few Assembly parts. Yet all current Intel (775, 1156, 1366) and AMD socket are supported (939, AM2, AM3) as standard. While a 90 ° solvent-free orientation of the heat sink is possible for the Intel platforms based on the square ordered socket holes in conjunction with the offered back plates-Union, AMD users must install unfortunately the Nero-S based on the 2-point mounting bracket according to the given socket or retention module rotation on the motherboard. An ideal adaptation to the housing air stream (usually orientation of the cooler with wind direction to the housing rear panel) is not always possible in the case of AMD.

The extension of a motherboard is only necessary for Intel users. First of all, the two stops at the bottom of the cooler are fixed and the rear panel to the lighter Assembly appropriately aligned with the help of the already installed adhesive foil from the bottom to the motherboard attached. He can be then simply placed fanless Nero S CPU prepared with thermal compound and fixed with the help of four spring bolts and a matching screwdriver mutually from above. This creates a rich, uniform contact pressure which is absolutely necessary as a basis for a good heat transfer.

With its height of 160 millimeters, the Akasa Nero S in very narrow cases could lead to compatibility problems. Before purchasing, it should therefore be recalculate whether the chassis in width provides plenty of space for a tower cooler of this height.

Test system

Clock of our current, real measurement platform is Intel’s core i7 920 “Bloomfield”. The popular quad-core CPU generated in standard mode (2.66 GHz, 1.2 volts V-core) according to the data sheet 130 Watts at full capacity and is the Intel Core at the level of our predecessor processor, 2 extreme minimum “Kentsfield” (2.66 GHZ, 1.35 volts V-core). Motherboard Intel’s DX58SO ‘Smackover’ used, we have also already presented in the report on the Intel Core i7 comes to fit.

As a suitable housing for the test mix in the closed, the ATX system Caseking with the Silverstone TJ-09S provides a spatially lush dimensioned base us. In addition to the generous space available, in particular the position of the power supply on the base is critical for fair test conditions, because of the fans of our 650 Watts strong Lian-Li-silent-force power supply there can have no with belüftende effect on the CPU cooler. To operate as single case fan with the scythe S-Flex 800 a silent 120 mm model back ausblasend and the CPU cooling in active and semi passiven test modes.

Thus, the most important cornerstones of the system, which presents itself as follows in the General Survey, are initially defined:

• Intel Core i7 920 “Bloomfield” (4 x 2.66 GHz)
• Intel DX58SO motherboard “Smackover”
• 3 x 2 GB DDR3-1066 OCZ Platinum XTC
• ASUS ATI Radeon X 850 XT (cooled by Zalman VF-900Cu)
• Lian Li silent force 650 power supply (with 140-mm ventilation)
• Silverstone TemJin SST TJ09S case (case fans: Scythe S-Flex 800)
• Samsung SpinPoint F1 HD322HJ HDD
• Thermal paste: Arctic Cooling MX-2
• Ambient temperature: 23 ° C

Respect! The temperature measurement results are sometimes quite strongly linked to the used test platform and can differ significantly depending on the configuration. You should only as orientation and rough tendency, not however be considered absolutely.

The volume measured in stand-alone mode, but of the respective cooler (the fan is powered by a passive adapter) in the 40-cm distance with a Voltcraft-320-sound level meter, which interprets the noise after the well-known A-rating curves in a range of 30 to 130 decibels. The basic volume of the measuring chamber with subjectively felt silence is 30.4 dB(A). Above this threshold, the sound emitted by the radiator can no longer resolve the gauge. Up to about 35 dB(A) can be assumed depending on the sensitivity of the user and frequency character of the sound that the fan noise when closed housing not or hardly to perceive are. From 40 dB(A) of our scale are to hear the very disturbing range starts from 50 dB(A) the noise significantly up very clearly.

In addition, we measured the wind speed produced by the fan with an anemometer and the maximum rate as an indicator of the volume flow rate specified. Information about the volume of air support generated by the fan can be gained from this value.

Test system and modes

To get a most meaningful picture of the cooling properties of subjects, we test the respective cooler in different CPU modes that address varied tasks to the respective products due to different clock rates and working voltages and Gehäusebelüftungsintensitäten. While the demands on a Retailkühler are relatively acceptable, for example, in “Standard mode”, just a few top cooler is able to withstand the requirements in the “performance”mode at low speed of active. The overview is supplemented by the “semi passive test”, which is the CPU fan disabled and only the ventilation help ensure that the single case fan at different speeds. The individual test modes are as follows:

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Apart from, based in analogy to our processor tests, to the utilization of the CPU on prime95, which continually leads in eight instances of the SmallFFT test to the highest heating load of the core i7 test CPU. Doing a warm-up period of 45 minutes is preceded to the thermal balance each approximately half-hour test run. In these the system temperatures are documented Everest by the diagnostic tool, which is used to evaluate the way of the core temperature maxima of the entire run.

The represented consumption indicated refer to the entire test system. The respective differences between CPU-load and-Leerlauf suggest it on the processor performance. Accordingly, the claim on the cooler in the performance mode to the part is immense.

Fans and volume

Akasa has designed a special fan design itself for the Nero-S with which you hoped for advantages in terms of air flow at equal speed. So, nine blades used, which due to its s-shaped silhouette appear less like a scoop and serve its name for the Nero-S are used in the used 120 mm pedant. Fundamentally works the fan maximum 1,600 rpm (our test specimens with 1,400 to 1,500 depending on location) and has a relatively pleasant, deep, slightly brummiges drive noise. Already at maximum speed copies is in our however some grinding noises, which still step up in speed throttling when vertical. The Akasa fan with largely verschwindendem air handling noise can score less than 1,000 rpm with a nearly-free output run in horizontal position. It is gratifying that the PWM-capable fan already starts at 330 rpm, and can take his service thus almost inaudible.

Metrologically the output situation and the relatively high air handling at speed affects over 1,000 rpm not very positive, so that the Akasa development compared to the sound pressure at same speed is rather one of the fair series fans.

For this, but also the generated air velocities and thus also the airflow in reference to the previous test box are relatively high. The promised 30 percent are not achieved, but there are slight advantages over many production models.

On the basis of the air speed of air flow per hour depending on the speed can be estimated. Of the 120 mm Akasa fans with an outer radius of 5.8 cm and a rotor radius of 2.2 cm has a through-air area of approximately 90.5 cm square. As a result of our test model at maximum speed of free-standing approximately 1,400 rpm and the measured 11.9 km/h air velocity (assumed it was homogeneous across the cross section area) an abgeschätzter airflow of 107.7 m³/h (manufacturer: 119.3 m³/h at 1,600 rpm).

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Inaccuracies in the charts of this page result, in addition to the normal measurement tolerances, primarily from not precisely adjustable fan speeds (tolerance +/-30 R/min).

Performance comparison

Traditionally, we use our test subjects in different performance classes reference fan performance assessment, to make the raw performance of the cooler in comparable conditions and vents to. Following three reference fan are used for CPU coolers in the 120-mm format.

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Reference ventilation 120 mm

That the Akasa Nero S can start an attack on the peaks, was foreseeable because the conventional structure and restrictions on four heatpipes. Away of which reflected the Akasa addition in the field of the best CPU cooler but very wacker and offers in all walks of life at the cutting edge cooling performance. This one falls a prominently about on par with a scythe Mugen 2 or a Noctua NH-U12P.

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The temperature values of this page make the arithmetic mean of the four processor core temperatures under full load is.

Semi passive operation

The performance of the Nero S semi passiven operation, i.e. without directly mounted fan, is at best average due to the large radiators and the lamella spacing then too small for chosen. Life to keep the CPU idle or while surfing on the Internet, it should be enough in most cases however. When higher thermal stress should be avoided but not the active component.

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The temperature values of this page make the arithmetic mean of the four processor core temperatures under full load is.

Series ventilation course

At same speed can make to the competition good no ground of Nero-S by his series fan in comparison. He cools at default clock sovereign until absolutely silent, stronger overclocking and lower-speed steam is based somewhat him. Also the use of only four heatpipes may be responsible for this.

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The temperature values of this page make the arithmetic mean of the four processor core temperatures under full load is.

Conclusion

With the Nero S Akasa ranks succeeded in the well occupied high competition, as expected without seriously jeopardizing the Spitzenplatzierten. While waiting the cooler with an ordinary active power maneuver processors with standard clock or easier overclocking easily and cool through the daily life can be. The traditional manufacturer on a solid Tower design in the 120-mm format, which dynamically, somewhat playful acts by the dealt with multiple waveforms and closes the bow to the naming trusts without greater creative risks. Qualitatively, developing fully nickel-plated Akasa is among the better representatives on the market and need not shy away from comparisons with the premium competition.

The special series ventilation scores with its support for PWM, their wide speed window and their incredibly low start-up speed of approximately 330 RPM. An absolute recommendation as silent fan but playful the model by its position-dependent output character largely defined drive loops in the lower speed range by high air cover in the upper as well as striking (this characteristic may vary from model to model and should be seen therefore as a sample data).

The Assembly compatibility is ensured with a few components on all relevant platforms. Intel owners can look forward over a secure back plates-Union, AMD users will miss a free alignment capability for their systems.

Overall, the Akasa Nero S as a total package leaves a good, solid figure. At a street price of just under 45 euros, which is due to the quality standards and the implementation still within fair, it will have the Nero-S in the face of strong competition, but not easy.

Useful links

• Current price in the price
• Akasa company home page
• Computer base radiator test system presented

Other recommendations

• Tower cooler
  • Scythe Mugen 2 (high performance, versatile, very large)
  • Noctua NH-U12P (high performance, super package, quiet, somewhat pricey)
  • Thermolab Baram (high cooling performance, flexible, on AMD Sockets “correctly” can be mounted)
  • EKL Alpine foehn north face (for high speed operation, on AMD Sockets “correctly” can be mounted)
  • Noctua NH-D14 (active and passive performance, very good overall package, expensive and large)
  • Prolimatech Megahalems (active and passive performance, fanless, quite expensive)
  • Coolink Corator DS (active and passive performance, twin tower with good overall package)
  • Scythe Yasya (very high performance active, Tower cooler with good overall package)
  • Prolimatech Armageddon (delivered 120 and 140 mm fan, class quality, without fan)
• Top-to-blow cooler
  • Thermalright AXP-140 (low-profile for HTPCs suitable for 120 and 140 mm fan)
  • Noctua NH-C12P (high performance as a top-to-blow cooler, super package, somewhat pricey)