The GX-7 is the first CPU cooler in GELID's 'Gamer' product line, the same line which the DarkForce mid-tower we recently covered belongs to. It is however only their second tower cooler, the Tranquillo occupying the 'Silent' product family along with a handful of compact and low profile coolers. Though we generally enjoyed GELID's maiden chassis voyage, the GX-7 is relates more to the company's cooling roots, and we're looking forward to seeing how their newest cooler performs.
| Specifications |
| Air Flow (CFM/CMH): | 75.6 / 128.6 |
| Bearing: | Nanoflux Bearing |
| Cable Length (mm): | 500 |
| Current (A): | 0.45 |
| DC Voltage (V): | 12 |
| Fan Dimensions (mm) | 120 (l) x 120 (w) x 25 (h) |
| Fan Speed (RPM): | 600 - 1800 |
| Heat Sink Dimensions (mm): | 130(l) x 65 (w) x 159 (h) |
| LED Color: | Blue |
| Life time MTTF at 40C (h): | 100'000 |
| Noise Level (dBA): | 10 - 26.8 |
| Number of LED: | 4 |
| Static Pressure (mmAq): | 2.66 |
| Warranty (years): | 3 |
| Weight (g): | 720 (heatsink and fan) |
Packaging
The GX-7 comes packaged in a portrait-style box complete with carrying handle, the exterior color scheme mimicking that of the cooler inside. Plenty of information can be found turning the box from side to side. Inside, the cooler rests in a plastic crimp home with accessories box lying on top. Inside, you will the Intel and AMD mounting clips, back bracket, thermal compound, four fan clips, mounting screws and spring nuts, and finally a case badge.
Our Test Rig
Intel i7-3960X
Asus Rampage IV X79 Motherboard
Seagate Constellation 2tb Hard drive
Cooler Master Gold Series 1200 Watt PSU
http://www.highspeedpc.com/ Test Bench
Kingston 1600Mhz DDR3 Quad Channel Ram
Kingston Hyper X 120 SSD’s in Raid 0
Installation
The socket brackets are fairly typical: the two ellipses mounting clips supporting the Intel 775, 1366, 1155, 1156, and AMD AM2/AM2+/AM3/AM3+/FM1 sockets are covered by a the typical H-type clip. Either set fastens to a back plate universal to both manufacturers. Attaching the clip set typically consists of securing the clips on the edges of the copper base of the heat sink. The back plate is then aligned and the stand-offs inserted from the rear side of the board. Thermal compound is next, followed by the heat sink itself, securing it in place with spring nuts.
This is a very standard installation method and can be completed fairly painlessly using a straight Phillips screw driver, given fins are recessed to allow access to the nut heads.
The fan can be attached using the clips which catch screw holes of the fan and snap into a vertical rivet, held in place with pressure. The direction in which the clip holds the fan can be a little confusing, I found myself successfully attaching the fan but with the ‘V’ that is intended to dip in protruding outwards. A second set of clips are included for the option an additional fan.
Performance
Continuing with the fan discussion, though any 120mm fan can be used GELID has included a Wing 12 PL (Blue LED). The Wing 12 PL was one of the first items we reviewed from GELID, an 1800RPM PWM-equipped fan with a few color options (GX-7 only offers blue). The fan MSRP is around the $20.00 mark, which is a nice value package. This fan runs at a rated 12 to 25 dBA, which can be significantly quieter than other 120mm fans.
GELID has opted for a plastic cap on the GX-7 that hides the top of the heat pipes which gives it a nice, finished look but makes it hard to see their unique arrangement. The heat produced by the processor is emitted in circular fashion, with a concentration of heat in the center and spreading roundly. This creates a problem when trying to utilize any more than five heat pipes in the cooling solution. For example, one of the older arrangements involved seven heat pipes in a horizontal line, the outer pipes largely ineffective since the radius of the heat hardly reaches them to benefit from any cooling. Typically we see manufacturers decrease the number of heat pipes they use. GELID has arranged the heat pipes in the GX-7 in a pentagonal shape, two pipes atop a line of five so that all seven are exposed to sufficient surface area to cool.
GELID has a logical concept, but how does it translate into real-world testing?
Running Prime95 and measuring with RealTemp, the GX-7 finishes a little behind fellow LGA 2011 heat sinks. However, keep in mind that it is pretty consistent with the TPC 812 and has an MSRP a few dollars less. The NH-D14, for instance, retails for about $25.00 more.
The base has a nice mirror finish, which guarantees a uniform surface for better heat transfer with compound.
Overall
The GX-7 tackles cooling with good intentions and reasonable battle plan and in practice finishes on average with other 2011 coolers neighboring its price point. GELID has included some nice value equipping the cooler with one of their Wing 12 PL PMW fans, and looks great in a windowed case. Installation goes smooth, and the option to add an additional fan to bring down temps more efficiently is there.
