▷ Peltier cell vs heatsink: performance analysis
Table of contents:
In this article we will see how a Peltier Cell behaves vs a heatsink. Thermoelectric cooling using a Peltier plate is something that arouses the interest of many users. This type of cooling has some advantages over heatsinks, such as the fact that they do not include moving parts, and are therefore quieter.
We will shortly start with our impressions of how the Phononic HEX 2.0 heatsink with an integrated Peltier cell behaves, compared to conventional heatsinks. Let's start!
Index of contents
Peltier cell vs heatsink
Phononic HEX 2.0 is an air cooler that integrates a Peltier cell in its copper base, with the intention of increasing its performance, and offering excellent performance in a very compact cooler. This can make it ideal for Mini ITX and other compact systems, where there is no room for a large heatsink.
How does it work
The Phononic HEX 2.0 thermoelectric cooler needs a current of electricity to function, it includes a 6-pin PCI Express connector for the power supply. Since the HEX 2.0 comes with a management application, it also includes a USB connector for the motherboard. The cooler is specified to have a total height of 125mm, a width of 112mm, a weight of 810 grams and a depth of only 95mm. This heatsink also includes eight 6mm diameter heatpipes that wrap around under the towers and at the base. As for the fan, Phononic is using the Sans Ace 92, more specifically, the 9S0912P4F011 model. This is a 25mm thick fan that connects via 4-pin PWM. The Sans Ace is rated for top speeds of 2, 650 RPM, at 33 dB. This translates to generating a 44 CFM airflow with a staggering 3.1mmH2O static pressure. Its approximate price is $ 149.99, a very high figure, but it is what you have to pay for a heatsink with an integrated Peltier cell.
The Phononic HEX 2.0 heatsink has been tested with a 4770K processor processor, one of the hottest we've seen on the market. In the most conservative mode, temperatures were not great, but reasonable at 55.75 degrees. Standard mode gives a result of 53 degrees, and in full speed mode it gives a result of 50.75 degrees. This last figure puts it at the height of the Cryorig H5, one of the best heatsinks that we can find on the market.
Results
Once the processor is overclocked, the maximum silence mode does not offer great results with 77.5. However, when the heatsink is allowed to run at full power, the HEX 2.0 moves to the top with a temperature of just 71.75ºC at full power, at the level of Corsair H100i GTX liquid cooling and just behind the Enermax Liqtech 240. These are spectacular results for a heatsink as small as the Phononic HEX 2.0.
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Phononic HEX 2.0 |
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| Conservative mode | Standard mode | High performance mode | |
| Core i7 4770K stock | 55.75 ºC | 53 ºC | 50.75 ºC |
| Core i7 4770K OC | 77.5 ºC | 74.25 ºC | 71.75 ºC |
With a 7.5 volt voltage directed at the 92mm fan, you see speeds of 1200 RPM, and the noise level is only 23 dB. With the fans running at full power, speeds of 2600 RPM are seen and the noise level increases to 43 dB. This is not the quietest heatsink on the market, but this is the worst usage scenario. Most commendably, such a level of performance has been achieved in such a compact cooler.
Final words and conclusion about Phononic HEX 2.0
The Phononic HEX 2.0 is an impressive heatsink. This cooler not only competes with AIOs based on a single 120mm radiator, it also outperforms and catches up to AIOs based on 240mm radiators. Standard mode is what most will want to wear anytime, and even with a nearly three degree drop in performance when switching to this mode, it's still very impressive for its size.
In our opinion, a heatsink should fit any motherboard on the market, and the Phononic HEX 2.0 does the trick. The Phononic HEX 2.0 is an amazing heatsink for its size, but it's too expensive for most to want to adopt right now. Perhaps if the prices were in the range of 100-120 euros like most AIOs are at this point, the HEX 2.0 thermoelectric CPU cooler could be more popular.
We recommend reading the following guides:
- Small form factor High performance Integrated interchangeable and 92mm fan Supports TDP Power for more than clocking beyond 140W Low noise design (33dBA @ Max speed) Active / passive cooling (using our thermoelectric technology)
What do you think of this Phononic HEX 2.0 heatsink? Do you think it is an attractive option compared to traditional heatsinks and liquid AIOs?
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