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1. Features, installation

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Manufacturer	Evercool
Model	HPFI7-10025 (Buffalo)
Price	$20
Category	Entry level users

The Evercool HPFI7-10025 is an old model that we have already tested in our labs, but today we test the version that supports Intel's LGA 1366 platform. While we won't get into many details about the cpu cooler itself, we remind you that in our previous LGA 775 platform tests, the cooler had performed very well offering great efficiency and low operation noise. Let's hope that the cooler will also be that good win the the Socket 1366 tests.

Let's take a look to the device. The retail package hasn't changed much, except from the top right logo indicating the LGA 1366 support:

The product uses a 92mm fan at the front, while the overall design leaves us with some questions about the cooling efficiency since air will "escape" from the side instead of going to the back of the cooler and therefore, dissipate heat. Well, we will see how the cpu cooler performs later on.

The base is made of copper and two U-shaped heatpipes are conducting the heat to the aluminum fins.

Installing the cooler will take you no more than a minute. The product uses Intel's standard mounting mechanism so it can be installed without any problems and doesn't require from you to remove the motherboard from your PC case.

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2. How we test

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For our tests we used an open air testbed with the following configuration:

• CPU: Intel Core7-920 Retail
• Case: Open Air testbed
• Motherboard: Asus P6T Deluxe Bios 1403
• Memory: 3x1GB Crucial PC3-1066
• PSU: OCZ 720W
• HDD: WD 80JB
• Operating system Windows XP with all the latest updates installed
• Software: OCCT v2.0.1 & CoreTemp 0.99.3
• Thermal Paste: Tuniq TX-2
• Idle time: ~30min
• Load time: ~30min
• The RPM speed controllable via SmartFan BIOS or via external hardware controller

We tried to produce the the highest possible temperature inside our test PC using the OCCT v2.0.1 software with a custom 30mins (mixed) operation.

We left both CPU cores running at full load for ~30 minutes. All temperatures were logged using the CoreTemp 0.99.3 and the software. We also followed two overclocking scenarios:

• Intel Core i7-920 @ 2.66GHz
• Vcore: 1.1000V
• Other BIOS values: Auto

• Intel Core i7-920 @ 3.60GHz
• Vcore: 1.26250V
• DDR3 Voltage: 1.64V
• Other BIOS values: Auto

We measured the produced noise with a Precision Gold N09AQ Environment Meter. All measurements were made at a distance of 30cm away from the cpu cooler running at full speed. For all the coolers we used the same thermal compound from Tuniq, the TX-2.

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3. Measurements

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Even under normal operation at stock voltages, the Intel Core i7-920 processor produces enough heat. The Intel stock cpu cooler kept the CPU temperature at 58 degrees Celsius under full load, while the Evercool Buffalo dropped the temperature 8 degrees C more down to 50 C. A very good performance:

We increased the CPU voltage and the Intel Core-i7 920 is now working at 3.60GHz. Here is a strong test that the Evercool Buffalo has to pass. The Intel stock cooler gave us around 90 degrees Celsius, while the Evercool Buffalo managed to get the cpu down to 73 C.

Operation noise is always important for everyone. The Intel stock CPU cooler is the quietest in the test at 37dB (30cm distance measurement). At full speed, the Evercool Buffalo produced 45dB. Setting the fan speed at the lowest allowed RPM made the cooler operate at around 40dB.

Lastly, lets look at the product's retail price compared with the other cpu coolers. The product can be found online at ~$20, which is a rather low price:

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4. Final thoughts

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Evercool has kept all the advantages of the already good Buffalo HPFI7-10025 cooler for the 775 socket and just added support for the LGA1366 platform and the demanding Core i7 series. In our last year's comparison, the Buffalo had shown good overall performance and hopefully the current Core i7-920 version continued to be quite competitive. This product will improve the cooling efficiency of your system, either in stock or overclocked modes. The cooler will retail (still no general availability) for as low as $20, which makes it look ever more appealing to our eyes. If we had to complain about something that would be about the installed fan. A better fan would blow even more air to the already efficient main body of the cooler (fins), further boosting the cooling efficiency.

Overall, the Evercool Buffalo is a recommended product for the LGA 1366 platform. It will drop the temperatures of your system and will keep low noise levels down..

Retail package
Design
Motherboard compatibility
Installation time
Copper Base quality

Pros:

+ Good retail package
+ Low retail price
+ Will lower the temperatures of your processor compared with the stock cooler
+ Low noise levels

Cons:

- Works only with LGA1366 platform