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Home » Thermalright AXP-100 CPU Cooler Review

Thermalright AXP-100 CPU Cooler Review

[nextpage title=”Introduction”]

The Thermalright AXP-100 is a low profile CPU cooler aimed at SFF (small form factor) computers and HTPCs. It has six heatpipes and a 100 mm fan, and is only 2.28 inches (58 mm) tall. Let’s see if it is a good option.

Figure 1 shows the box of the cooler.

Thermalright AXP-100Figure 1: Package

Figure 2 shows the contents of the box: heatsink, fan, a small syringe of thermal compound, a manual, a case sticker, and installation hardware.

Thermalright AXP-100Figure 2: Accessories

Figure 3 displays the AXP-100 heatsink.

Thermalright AXP-100Figure 3: The heatsink of the Thermalright AXP-100

This cooler is discussed in detail in the following pages.

[nextpage title=”The AXP-100″]

Figure 4 illustrates the front of the heatsink. You are able to see the tips of the heatpipes at the heatsink (protected by covers) and inside the base.

Thermalright AXP-100Figure 4: Front view

Figure 5 reveals the side of the cooler. Besides the heatsinks, there are to wires connecting the heatsink to the base, in order to prevent the heatpipes to bend.

Thermalright AXP-100Figure 5: Side view

Figure 6 shows a rear view of the cooler, where the curves of the heatpipes are visible.

Thermalright AXP-100Figure 6: Rear view

The top of the heatsink is visible in Figure 7.

Thermalright AXP-100Figure 7: Top view

[nextpage title=”The AXP-100 (Cont’d)”]

Figure 8 shows the base of the cooler. It is a nickel-plated copper plaque, with a perfectly mirrored finish.

Thermalright AXP-100Figure 8: Base

In Figure 9, you can see the TY-100 fan that comes with the AXP-100. It is a 100 mm PWM fan, with maximum speed of 2,500 rpm, 30 dBA, and 44.5 cfm. The cooler comes with an adapter that allows you to install a 120 mm or even a 140 mm fan.

Thermalright AXP-100Figure 9: Fan

Figure 10 presents the AXP-100 with the fan installed. There is no vibration absorbing system.

Thermalright AXP-100Figure 10: Fan installed

[nextpage title=”Installation”]

Figure 11 shows the backplate for use with AMD and Intel processors, with the screws inserted in the holes for use with socket LGA1155. The four white washers hold the screws in place and also keep a space between the backplate and the motherboard. As the backplate is fairly large and is not insulated, it may cause short circuits if your motherboard has big solder points on component leads near the CPU. If this is your case, the manufacturer recommends to install the CPU cooler without the backplate.

Thermalright AXP-100Figure 11: Backplate with screws

After inserting the screws from the solder side, hold them with four thumbnuts that also work as spacers. Then place the frame shown in Figure 12, holding them with four screws.

Thermalright AXP-100Figure 12: Metal frame installed

Then, install the cooler over the CPU, holding it with two screws.

Thermalright AXP-100Figure 13: Heatsink installed

The last step is to install the fan.

Thermalright AXP-100Figure 14: Installation finished

[nextpage title=”How we tested”]

We tested the cooler with a Core i5-2500K CPU (quad-core, 3.3 GHz), which is a socket LGA1155 processor with a 95 W TDP (Thermal Design Power). In order to get higher thermal dissipation, we overclocked it to 4.0 GHz (100 MHz base clock and x40 multiplier), with 1.3 V core voltage (Vcore). This CPU was able to reach 4.8 GHz with its default core voltage, but at this setting, the processor enters thermal throttling when using mainstream coolers, reducing the clock and thus the thermal dissipation. This could interfere with the temperature readings, so we chose to maintain a moderate overclocking.

We measured noise and temperature with the CPU under full load. In order to get 100% CPU usage in all cores, we ran Prime 95 25.11 with the “In-place Large FFTs” option. (In this version, the software uses all available threads.)

We compared the tested cooler to other coolers we already tested, and to the stock cooler that comes with the Core i5-2500K CPU. Note that the results cannot be compared to measures taken on a different hardware configuration, so we retested some “old” coolers with this new methodology. This means you can find different values in older reviews than the values you will read on the next page. Every cooler was tested with the thermal compound that comes with it.

Room temperature measurements were taken with a digital thermometer. The core temperature was read with the SpeedFan program (available from the CPU thermal sensors), using an arithmetic average of the core temperature readings.

During the tests, the panels of the computer case were closed. The front and rear case fans were spinning at minimum speed in order to simulate the “normal” cooler use on a well-ventilated case. We assume that is the common setup used by a cooling enthusiast or overclocker.

The sound pressure level (SPL) was measured with a digital noise meter, with its sensor placed near the top opening of the case. This measurement is only for comparison purposes, because a precise SPL measurement needs to be made inside an acoustically insulated room with no other noise sources, which is not the case here.

Hardware Configuration

  • Processor: Core i5-2500K
  • Motherboard: ASUS Maximus IV Extreme-Z
  • Memory: 16 GB G.Skill Sniper (DDR3-1600/PC3-12800), configured at 1,600 MHz
  • Hard disk: Seagate Barracuda XT 2 TB
  • Video card: MSI GeForce GT 210 1 GB
  • Video resolution: 1920×1080
  • Video monitor: Samsung SyncMaster P2470HN
  • Power supply: Seventeam ST-550P-AM
  • Case: Cooler Master HAF 922

Operating System Configuration

  • Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit SP1

Software Used

  • Prime95
  • SpeedFan

Error Margin

We adopted a 2°C error margin, meaning temperature differences below 2°C are considered irrelevant.

[nextpage title=”Our Tests”]

The table below presents the results of our measurements. We repeated the same test on all coolers listed below. Each measurement was taken with the CPU at full load. In the models with a fan supporting PWM, the motherboard controlled the fan speed according to core load and temperature. On coolers with an integrated fan controller, the fan was set at the full speed.

Cooler Room Temp. Noise Speed Core Temp. Temp. Diff.
Intel stock cooler 18 °C 41 dBA 2000 rpm 97 °C 79 °C
Cooler Master Hyper TX3 18 °C 50 dBA 2850 rpm 69 ºC 51 °C
Corsair A70 23 °C 51 dBA 2000 rpm 66 ºC 43 °C
Corsair H100 26 °C 62 dBA 2000 rpm 64 ºC 38 °C
EVGA Superclock 26 °C 57 dBA 2550 rpm 67 ºC 41 °C
NZXT HAVIK 140 20 °C 46 dBA 1250 rpm 65 ºC 45 °C
Thermalright True Spirit 120 26 °C 42 dBA 1500 rpm 82 °C 56 °C
Zalman CNPS12X 26 °C 43 dBA 1200 rpm 71 °C 45 °C
Zalman CNPS9900 Max 20 °C 51 dBA 1700 rpm 62 °C 42 °C
Titan Fenrir Siberia Edition 22 °C 50 dBA 2400 rpm 65 °C 43 °C
SilenX EFZ-120HA5 18 °C 44 dBA 1500 rpm 70 °C 52 °C
Noctua NH-L12 20 °C 44 dBA 1450 rpm 70 °C 50 °C
Zalman CNPS8900 Extreme 21 °C 53 dBA 2550 rpm 71 °C 50 °C
Gamer Storm Assassin 15 °C 48 dBA 1450 rpm 58 °C 43 °C
Deepcool Gammaxx 400 15 °C 44 dBA 1500 rpm 60 °C 45 °C
Cooler Master TPC 812 23 °C 51 dBA 2350 rpm 66 °C 43 °C
Deepcool Gammaxx 300 18 °C 43 dBA 1650 rpm 74 °C 56 °C
Intel stock cooler 18 °C 41 dBA 2000 rpm 97 °C 79 °C
Xigmatek Praeton 19 °C 52 dBA 2900 rpm 83 °C 64 °C
Noctua NH-U12P SE2 18 °C 42 dBA 1300 rpm 69 °C 51 °C
Deepcool Frostwin 24 °C 46 dBA 1650 rpm 78 °C 54 °C
Thermaltake Frio Advanced 13 °C 56 dBA 2000 rpm 62 °C 49 °C
Xigmatek Dark Knight Night Hawk Edition 9 °C 48 dBA 2100 rpm 53 °C 44 °C
Thermaltake Frio Extreme 21 °C 53 dBA 1750 rpm 59 °C 38 °C
Noctua NH-U9B SE2 12 °C 44 dBA 1700 rpm 64 °C 52 °C
Thermaltake WATER2.0 Pro 15 °C 54 dBA 2000 rpm 52 °C 37 °C
Deepcool Fiend Shark 18 °C 45 dBA 1500 rpm 74 °C 56 °C
Arctic Freezer i30 13 °C 42 dBA 1350 rpm 63 °C 50 °C
Spire TME III 8 °C 46 dBA 1700 rpm 70 °C 62 °C
Thermaltake WATER2.0 Performer 11 °C 54 dBA 2000 rpm 49 °C 38 °C
Arctic Alpine 11 PLUS 11 °C 45 dBA 2000 rpm 82 °C 71 °C
be quiet! Dark Rock 2 10 °C 41 dBA 1300 rpm 58 °C 48 °C
Phanteks PH-TC14CS 16 °C 47 dBA 1300 rpm 58 °C 42 °C
Phanteks PH-TC14PE 16 °C 48 dBA 1300 rpm 57 °C 41 °C
SilverStone HE01 (Q) 19 °C 44 dBA 1150 rpm 63 °C 44 °C
SilverStone HE01 (P) 20 °C 57 dBA 2050 rpm 62 °C 42 °C
Thermaltake WATER2.0 Extreme (S) 17 °C 44 dBA 1250 rpm 52 °C 35 °C
Thermaltake WATER2.0 Extreme (E) 17 °C 53 dBA 1900 rpm 50 °C 33 °C
Deepcool Neptwin 11 °C 46 dBA 1500 rpm 56 °C 45 °C
SilverStone HE02 19 °C 49 dBA 2000 rpm 64 °C 45 °C
Zalman CNPS9900DF 23 °C 45 dBA 1400 rpm 68 °C 45 °C
Deepcool ICE BLADE PRO V2.0 22 °C 43 dBA 1500 rpm 67 °C 45 °C
Phanteks PH-TC90LS 24 °C 47 dBA 2600 rpm 95 °C 71 °C
Rosewill AIOLOS 20 °C 40 dBA 1600 rpm 94 °C 74 °C
Corsair H60 20 °C 49 dBA 2000 rpm 64 °C 44 °C
Zalman LQ310 27 °C 51 dBA 2050 rpm 65 °C 38 °C
Noctua NH-L9i 24 °C 44 dBA 2500 rpm 95 °C 71 °C
NZXT Respire T40 20 °C 45 dBA 1850 rpm 76 °C 56 °C
NZXT Respire T20 21 °C 45 dBA 1900 rpm 77 °C 56 °C
Zalman LQ315 20 °C 52 dBA 1950 rpm 57 °C 37 °C
Corsair H80i (Quiet) 19 °C 44 dBA 1100 rpm 61 °C 42 °C
Corsair H80i (Maximum) 19 °C 57 dBA 2500 rpm 55 °C 36 °C
NZXT Kraken X40 (Silent) 25 °C 44 dBA 1050 rpm 66 °C 41 °C
NZXT Kraken X40 (Extreme) 25 °C 53 dBA 1650 rpm 62 °C 37 °C
Zalman LQ320 20 °C 52 dBA 2100 rpm 57 °C 37 °C
Corsair H100i (Quiet) 22 °C 45 dBA 1150 rpm 58 °C 36 °C
Corsair H100i (Maximum) 22 °C 61 dBA 2500 rpm 54 °C 32 °C
NZXT Kraken X60 (Silent) 26 °C 46 dBA 1000 rpm 62 °C 36 °C
NZXT Kraken X60 (Extreme) 26 °C 60 dBA 1650 rpm 60 °C 34 °C
Prolimatech Genesis Black Series 25 °C 46 dBA 1150 rpm 69 °C 44 °C
Phanteks PH-TC12DX 25 °C 51 dBA 1850 rpm 74 °C 49 °C
Corsair H90 23 °C 51 dBA 1550 rpm 61 °C 38 °C
Corsair H110 27 °C 58 dBA 1500 rpm 60 °C 33 °C
Evercool Venti 23 °C 49 dBA 2250 rpm 72 °C 49 °C
Thermalright Archon SB-E X2 22 °C 45 dBA 1400 rpm 68 °C 46 °C
Scythe Kabuto II 20 °C 41 dBA 1450 rpm 67 °C 47 °C
Prolimatech Megahalems Red Series 20 °C 51 dBA 1500 rpm 63 °C 43 °C
Zalman FX100 (fanless) 18 °C NA NA 98 °C 80 °C
Zalman FX100 (92 mm fan) 18 °C 50 dBA 2850 rpm 69 °C 51 °C
Gelid The Black Edition 21 °C 45 dBA 1650 rpm 66 °C 45 °C
Thermalright AXP-100 22 °C 42 dBA 2400 rpm 76 °C 54 °C

In the graph below, you can see how many degrees Celsius hotter the CPU core is than the air outside the case. The lower this difference, the better is the performance of the cooler.

Thermalright AXP-100

In the graph below, you can see how many decibels of noise each cooler makes.

Thermalright AXP-100

[nextpage title=”Main Specifications”]

The main specifications for the Thermalright AXP-100 CPU cooler include:

  • Application: Sockets AM2(+), AM3(+), FM1, FM2, LGA775, LGA1155, LGA1156, LGA1366, and LGA2011
  • Dimensions: 4.1 x 4.8 x 2.3 inches (105 x 121 x 58 mm) (W x L x H)
  • Fins: Aluminum
  • Base: Nickel-plated copper
  • Heat-pipes: Six 6 mm copper heatpipes
  • Fans: 100 mm
  • Nominal fan speed: 2,500 rpm
  • Fan air flow: 44.5 cfm
  • Power consumption: 3.0 W
  • Nominal noise level: 30 dBA
  • Weight: 11.29 oz (320 g)
  • More information: https://www.thermalright.com
  • Average price in the U.S.*: USD 70.00

* Researched at Amazon.com on the day we published this review.

[nextpage title=”Conclusions”]

The Thermalright AXP-100 performed exceptionally well for a low profile CPU cooler. Even being only 2.28 inches (58 mm) tall with its stock fan, it outperformed all the low profile coolers and even some big tower coolers we tested.

Besides that, the AXP-100 reached this excellent performance while keeping a low noise level, which is very important for HTPC applications.

If you are looking for a low profile CPU cooler, quiet and powerful, for building a computer in an SFF or HTPC case, the Thermalright AXP-100 is an excellent choice. It deserves our Golden Award.

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