(03-17-2014, 02:01 AM)Theron Wrote: [ -> ]Seems like a you can either have peak performance with high temps and noise or lower performance with lower temps and noise. I hope once Skylake arrives, we will be able to get both in these small packages. Maybe even Pico-ITX sized boxes would be possible.
You're right. Ideally, it would be best to wait for Skylake. It should be the best of both worlds.
Forgot to add that the heatsink had a terrible finish. Gigabyte should do better.
Changed the power plan from high performance to the optimized plan and temps are a bit lower.
(03-19-2014, 11:32 AM)Theron Wrote: [ -> ]Changed the power plan from high performance to the optimized plan and temps are a bit lower.
How much lower? 5C or more? Did the frame rates drop for Dolphin? If so, by how much?
I'll report back after more testing, but I doubt temps will be any different during emulation. I just think idle temps and casual use temps will be slightly lower.
I saw two different reviews saying the idle temps were 57C and 41C. That's a big difference. Mine were between that on the high performance plan, worth the cores ranging from 44C to 54C.
EDIT - No frame loss during emulation, and temps are consistent across plans. During maintenance and at idle, the temps seem to be a couple of degrees cooler. Not really any benefit to using the optimized plan except for power savings and theoretical increased CPU longevity.
I think I'm done tweaking and being anal about it. I'm just going to enjoy it. I don't think temperature and noise will be an issue as long as I keep the airways and fan clean, and I think the CPU will be fine running in the low 90s occasionally. It just needs to last until Skylake.
Repasted the CPU and saw lower temps after boot during idle, but still the same behavior of only cooling to the upper 60s once the system has been pushed. I think the BIOS kicks the fan down to 1000rpm too easily. It's still very quiet approaching 2000rpm, so I wish it would run there until temps were below 55C or lower. Average temps during Dolphin and Intel stress tests seemed to be a few degrees cooler. I also added an old 60GB PS3 2.5" HDD and saw an unfortunate increase in m-SATA SSD temps. I will keep an eye on it and see if I can find a definite pattern. I think with a BIOS update that allowed fan tweaking, I could make everything perfect. I'm also looking into adding a 20mm fan to force a lot more air through the case since there appears to be an extra header.
The F4 BIOS has a performance fan curve that cools the CPU down a little further before it settles to idle speed, but still no manual fan control AFAIK. No difference in noise levels with the new fan curve.
We appreciate your information. There is no such item in BIOS now. Your valuable feedback is the motivation for us to improve and serve you better. This mail has been forward to relevant department, possible improvement will be made under a comprehensive evaluation. If there is overheat issue with your product, we suggest you make sure your system is in good air flow environment.
Regards,
GIGABYTE
Maybe full fan control in the future.
Fox5 - I'm try to remember to do it someday and report back.