To see how well the both systems cooled we started by running our stress-test programs with the processor at stock speed. We ran out first test checking idle temperature and load tyemperatures for both water cooling systems. One of the tests we used is French stress-testing program OCCT (Ocbase et OCCT - L'union des overclockers - OCCT Official Website) which works in conjunction with Speedfan to record the minimum and maximum temperature recorded over a 30-minute time period while continually subjecting the system to a constant 97% to 100% load. We also ran a copy of Ultra-X Winstress as well to but the maximum load possible on the systems.
OS related Software
Windows Vista Business Edition
DirectX 9.0c End User Runtime October update
ATI Catalyst 8.3
Stock Idle
Stock Load
OC'd Idle
OC'd Load
CM Aquagate Max
29
34
32
40
TT Bigwater 760i (high)
30
35
33
44
TT Bigwater 760i (low)
31
36
34
47
Noctua NH-U9
34
44
36
52
Intel Stock Cooler
35
47
41
68
Conclusion
I realize that by the time you finish this review you will have been subjected to great deal of information, but bear with me a few more minutes as we decide which of the water cooling kits we feel offers the best bang for the buck and which one is the best performer. What we are going to do is use a 10-point system to grade the two water cooling systems, the one with the most points at the end wins.
Cooler Master Aquamate Max
Thermaltake Bigwater 760i
Overall Quality of parts
10
10
Ease of Assembly
10
10
Will fit in a standard Case
0
10
Has 2-fan radiator
10
0
Quietness
10
9
Overall Cooling
10
8
Total Score
50
47
Using our unofficial test grading we came up with the same result as our temperature test did and that was that the Cooler Master Aquagate Max was the winner, and that is not much of a surprise to many I am quite sure. By have a radiatoing that is 1/2 again as big as the one used on the Bigwater 760i it is no surprise that the result came out the way they did. If you have no plans to overclock your system the Bigwater 760i will work fine, but if you are in the mode to get the last bit of power out of that new processor then invest in the Cooler Master Aquagate Max and rest assured that it will cool just about anything you toss at it.
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