Test Results Of The Corsair H50 @ 4.0 GHz (Stock and Push / Pull)

[4hams]

Hey folks as some of you know I have had a Corsair H50 sitting here waiting to be tested since last January.

Why the long wait, well I have been using my Domino ALC from CoolIT Systems which has worked flawlessly for me with my i7 920 overclocked @ 4.0 GHz. I tried to do some testing with the Domino by adding a shroud but it did nothing to the cooling ability of the unit. I wanted to test the Domino in a Push / Pull configuration but the Domino cannot fit a second fan on the other side of the rad due to the control panel attached to the unit.

But the H50 will allow you to add fans to both sides of the rad so I thought it was time to test this unit out for myself.

I am running an i7 920 overclocked @ 4.0 GHz 24/7. The Domino ALC and the Corsair H50 had almost identical temps during my testing. Both units were configured as intake units using the stock fans that came with the units. The fans were attached to the back of the radiators and attached to the back of the computer case thus drawing cool ambient air into the rad from outside of the case.

If you plan a setup like this please be sure to have an additional fan somewhere in the case to exhaust warm air from the case. I use a CoolerMaster Storm Sniper case which has awesome airflow so intake and exhaust is not an issue with my case.

The first screenshot is of the computer temps idling @ 4.0 GHz when using the H50 as an intake the way Corsair suggests it to be setup.



The next screenshot is of the computer temps when the system is being stressed to 100% with Intel burn test.



During this test the CPU reached 72 - 73 degrees and kept switching back and forth. The first and second core temps were well into the 80's. Personally I think that is great cooling for a 4.0 GHz overclock especially when the H50 can be purchased for anywhere between $50.00 to $70.00 CDN.

Now to test the H50 with dual fans in a Push / pull intake setup.

The fan that comes with the H50 is a 1500 RPM 50 CFM 120X120X25mm fan. When setting up a push / pull configuration it is suggested to use 2 fans of the same specifications for best results.
The closest I could find for matching fans were 2 SCYTHE S-FLEX 1600 RPM 63.7 CFM fans. The screenshots show that the System fans being monitored by Everest show the fans not exceeding 1442 rpm therefore the CFM would be very close to that of the stock fan for the H50.

The first screenshot here is of the computer idling @ 4.0 GHz.



As you can see the temps are about 1 degree cooler at idle using a push / pull intake setup. Are ya ready to see what happens when we test the system at 100% load? Have a look at the next screenshot.



The CPU temp reported by Everest never rose above 64 degrees. That is a 9 degree cooler reading when using a push / pull configuration on the H50 unit! That in my opinion was an awesome gain in cooling performance for the price of 2 120mm fans.

Corsair has just recently released there update to the H50, the H70 which has a thicker 120X120mm radiator dual fans and a shorter pump waterblock which should allow for the addition of shrouds to the fans if you wanted to try that setup.

I have used push / pull setups on tradional air cooling units in the past and never had results like these.

I would highly recommend to anyone who owns an H50 to mod it to a push / pull configuration for the extra cooling ability at high overclocks and at high system loads.

[Lil' ½ Dead]

Awesome review! Intel processors put out a lot of heat! I've been at 4.0GHz on my 955. The temps were in the high 50s using H50. Since AMD max safe temps are 62c.. I reached the H50 upper limits

[smduff]

Great stuff Joel thanks for sharing

[Drdeath]

If I am reading the voltages correctly, those temps are not great.... They are high IMO for that cooling solution.... with push and pull...... What are ambients??

There are people getting those temps on air and H50 with 1.3-1.35V........... and your 1.232V.....

[Doctor_Death]

Deton should be publishing the H70 review sometime this month.

[4hams]

Awesome review! Intel processors put out a lot of heat! I've been at 4.0GHz on my 955. The temps were in the high 50s using H50. Since AMD max safe temps are 62c.. I reached the H50 upper limits

Kevin, you should think about doing this mod as it is very easy to complete. Takes about 5 minutes.

[4hams]

If I am reading the voltages correctly, those temps are not great.... They are high IMO for that cooling solution.... with push and pull...... What are ambients??

There are people getting those temps on air and H50 with 1.3-1.35V........... and your 1.232V.....

Ambient would be 22-24C. The voltage is actually set at 1.25 and increases with load therefore with 100% load the voltage is much higher. 1.232V is what everest shows probably due to Vdroop.

[4hams]

Deton should be publishing the H70 review sometime this month.

Can't wait to see that review!

[Deton]

Deton should be publishing the H70 review sometime this month.

Yup it's coming!

Kevin, you should think about doing this mod as it is very easy to complete. Takes about 5 minutes.

H50 owner should do this mini mod instead of upgrading to H70 because it's cheaper.

Can't wait to see that review!

H70 beats H50

@drdeath comments; don't forget this is self-contained unit with 1/4" tubing and small rad here.

BTW, the temps are in line with my data.
Like 4hams said; if you have good case exhaust fans, they're definitely help to keep the system cooler.

[4hams]

It will be interesting to see how much better the H70 is? The rad looks to be about 15mm thicker on the H70?

Deton, do you have the specs of the Fans used on the H70?

Ok I just found this on the H70. The fans are 100 to 500 rpm faster than those used on the H50.

[smduff]

Bah no interest in the closed loop stuff anymore, I can't wait for my stuff to show up so I can build this sucker it's killin me all the waiting, dam holidays.

[Steve]

Yes, the waiting continues.......................

[Doctor_Death]

Deton has a lot of reviews right now, including 4-5 GTX480 water blocks, 6GB h20 and 12GB h20 kits, and the CoolIt Omni HD5870 and GTX480 so give the man a break lol

[4hams]

Thats why i miss the good old days before internet shopping. Everything ya wanted was on the stores shelf. Now the stores advertise it but stock nothing on the shelves so ya pretty much have to order everything nowdays...

[4hams]

Deton has a lot of reviews right now, including 4-5 GTX480 water blocks, 6GB h20 and 12GB h20 kits, and the CoolIt Omni HD5870 and GTX480 so give the man a break lol

What's that old saying? Oh ya. No rest for the wicked. LOL

[Doctor_Death]

You hear that Deton lol