Testing and Performance

Test Setup:

• Case:  Danger Den Water Box Plus

• Motherboard: DFI LanParty nF4 Ultra-D

• CPU: Opteron 170 @ 2.75GHz, 1.51V

• RAM: 2x1GB OCZ EL Platinum @ DDR500, 3-3-2-8

• GPU: OCZ 8800GTX

• PSU: Corsair 620HX

• Drives: 2x36GB WD Raptors, 1x500GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10, 1x Lite-On SH-16A7S DVD Burner

Test Methodology:

     Testing is done using Orthos with large FFTs. Each run is started at idle for a few minutes until temps stabilize, and then approximately 15 minutes under load.  All readings are captured and graphed using SpeedFan.  Ambient temps remained around 25C.

Test results:

     At stock speeds of 2.0GHz, the Gladiator idles at CPU/PWM/Chipset temps of 32/32/46.  When load is applied, the temps max out at 43/38/47.

     For the heck of it, I wanted to see what kind of effect the pump had on cooling performance, so I unplugged it for this test.  As you can see from the chart above, the effect is not small.  Without the pump, load temperatures near 60C.  As soon as the pump is reconnected, temps drop back towards normal.  What is the lesson here, kids?  The water cooling is more than a gimmick, it actually works. 

     The final test is to see if the Gladiator can handle the max stable overclock on this CPU.  Unfortunately, after ten minutes, CPU temps hit 60C before Orthos failed. 

Conclusion

     Writing the conclusion here is a tough call.  The Gladiator has some definite pros, and some definite cons, and it is going to be up to the end user to decide what is most important.

Pros:

      First of all, the Gladiator is a proof of concept.  I have not seen many of this type of water/air hybrid on the market, and I do think that it can work well, if some changes are made to the design.  Secondly, the Gladiator has a very unique look to it.  While it may not tickle everyone’s fancy, it is sure to attract case modders.

Cons:

     Despite the unique concept, actual performance was worse than other heatsinks currently in the same price range, which includes the CoolerMaster GeminII, the Thermalright SI-128, and the Arctic Freezer 64 Pro.  I have a feeling that the rough interface surface and the less than stellar mounting pressure contribute to the lackluster performance.  The fan at full speed is also fairly loud, but not atrocious.  The sheer size also presented a problem for the Water Box Plus, as the height was taller than the case sides, making it impossible to put the top back on. 

Innovation:	8.5 out of 10
Performance:	7.0 out of 10
Quality:	7.0 out of 10
Stability:	N/A
Overclocking:	N/A
Software/Drivers Pack:	N/A
Value:	7.0 out of 10
Overall Rating 7.5
Project Skill Level (10 being most difficult)	4 out of 10