Celeron Cooler Guide

Testing methodology

To ensure accurate results, we used a compu nurse thermal probe. These results were then matched with the motherboard health monitor built into the Soyo 6BA+100. Results taken are after 2 hours of hardcore gaming action and benchmarks. Games used for testing are quake III arena and 4×4 Evolution. 3D Mark 2000 + 3D Mark 2001 were used and kept them running for 30 minutes each at 800 x 600. Remember this is a Celeron 333, so we there’s no point going above this resolution.

Test Setup

Performance under Overclocking

So how well does the FAB28 and the Cel-Rex perform under Overclocked conditions. Well our initial goal was to reach around 450MHz, so we upped the FSB rate to 90MHz, and reduced the AGP frequency to 60MHz. (Read our review of the 6BA+100 to find out why). Windows loaded with no problems at all, and a quick glance at the Thermal probe revealed the temperature at 33C. Then we ran some Quake III arena tests for around 30 minutes. Right throughout the temperature did not go beyond the 38-42C mark. At the peak the temperature remained around 41C, which is quite acceptable.

Thereafter we decided to check our luck by increasing the FSB to 95MHz, thus giving a 475MHz speed. Remember this was done after the CPU had fully cooled down after the tests carried out before. Here to we ran Quake III Arena and 4×4 evolution for around 1 hour with no break ups at all. Then 3D Mark 2000 + 3D Mark 2001 was run for another 1 hour and the system was stable. The temperature gathered at the end of the tests were; CPU Temperature : 49C and System Temperature : 45C

Please note that these results were equal to both the FAB28 and the Cel-Rex. So I guess the extra fans make no significant difference. Or does it? Well after reaching 475MHz we increased the FSB to 100MHz, giving a speed of 500MHz. First we checked it with the FAB28. At the Windows booting up screen the system halted. After attaching the Cel-Rex we tried our luck again. This time Windows booted with no problem and the temperature was at 35C with no processing at all. There after about 15 minutes of 3D Mark 2000 and the system halted. I guess these two coolers aren’t fully geared up for this kind of high overclocking. Nevertheless they certainly gave a good run indeed. Both were stable at 475MHz with no problems at all.

Thermal Pad Issue

Both these coolers come with a graphite thermal pad attached to them. If you plan on going beyond the 450MHz mark remember to scrape this thermal pad off, and apply some thermal grease instead. Arctic Silver II is preferred. For some the thermal pad might be a welcome factor if you can’t afford to spend more on some thermal grease. However if you plan on some serious overclocking this thermal pad is a major barrier. We weren’t able to go beyond the 450MHz mark while using this pad. Even at 450MHz the Temperature was around 45C, which means it has reached almost the CPU’s peek. Removing the thermal pad might be quite messy, get yourself some solid object to scrape it off. Finally we used a little bit of petroleum to clean the surface to remove all traces of the thermal pad. Then a slight application of Artic Silver II and we were ready for action.

Noise

As with any high-end cooler, there’s always the problem of the extra noise by the fans. The Cel-Rex was somewhat louder than the FAB28 since it sports two extra cooling fans. However overall the noise level was quite bearable.

Cel-Rex FAB28