Cooler Master Hyper TX3
Feb 17th, 2010 | By JaredManufacturer:
Cooler Master is firing off a continual line of new products as we have recently had new cases, heatsinks and laptop coolers coming through the Overclockers Online desk.
Following on the heels of the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus, today we have another cooler from the Hyper line with the Hyper TX3. The Hyper TX series has always been aimed at mainstream CPU requirements and the Hyper TX3 boasts compatibility for the majority of major processor sockets. Read on as we put the Hyper TX3 through the paces and see how it performs.
The Hyper TX3 comes wrapped in a clear plastic package that features the familiar purple and white Cooler Master theme. Right off the bat we can see on the front that the TX3 is compatible with Core i5, i3 and AMD AM3 sockets.
The bottom of the package directs you to the Cooler Master website for more information.
Accessories include mounting hardware for latest AMD and Intel sockets except the Core i7. Installation instructions, warranty information and an extra set of fan clips round out the included accessories.
I grabbed the specifications straight from Cooler Master’s product page .
Features:
* Flexible mountings.
* Maximum compatible CPU wattage: over 130W TDP.
* 3 x Direct Contact heat-pipes with aluminum fins to provide excellent heat dissipation.
* Option for adding 2nd fan to increase cooling performance.
* 92mm PWM fan with wide RPM range and anti-vibration rubber pads.
* Silent CPU cooler at only17 dBA (at minimum speed).
* Easy swappable fan by clips (clips for 2nd fan included).
Specifications:
The hyper TX3 looks like your fairly standard tower type cooler sporting a 92mm PWM fan. There are three heatpipes that go up either side of the tower of fins.
From the side there is a better view of the heatpipes and you’ll notice the TX3 sports the same fan clips that we saw on the Hyper 212 Plus. I’m quite a fan of the clips as they are extremely easy to snap on and off unlike the wire clips we typically see. You’ll notice there are grooves on either side to mount a second fan in a push/pull configuration if you wanted.
As you can see the Hyper TX3 uses the same Direct Contact heatpipe design that we saw in the Hyper 212 Plus which is a good sign for this smaller cooler.
Here is the top of the cooler where you can see where the heatpipes terminate and the Hyper TX3 has the Cooler Master logo here as well.
So installation was fairly simple though handling the small screws to attach the socket 775 mounting hardware was a little difficult with my stubby fingers. I’m not a huge fan of these mounts, but it is simple and doesn’t require removal of the motherboard.
Much like the TX3′s bigger sibling, the Direct Contact heatpipes require a little different method for applying the TIM. You have to use a bit more to get a nice even coating.
The Hyper TX3′s size shouldn’t pose any clearance issues with nearby components thus making it a good fit for mid tower enclosures.
Now that we have the Hyper TX3 installed, let’s see how it performs.
The following system was installed and used to gather temperatures:
CPU: Intel E8400
MB: Biostar TPower I45
RAM: G.Skill PI Black PC6400
Video: XFX HD4890 1GB
PSU: Ultra X3 1000W
HD: WD 250GB SATA
DVD-Rom: Lite-On 18x DVD Burner – SATA
OS: Microsoft Windows 7
Ambient Temperature: 22-24C
Comparison Coolers:
Cooler Master Hyper TX3
Stock Intel HSF
Zalman CNPS9900LED
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus
For idle temperatures, the system was allowed to stand at idle for 3 hours before temperatures were taken. To achieve load temps, two instances of Orthos blend were run for three hours and the average peak temperature was recorded. Voltage readings were taken from the BIOS and temperature readings were taken using Everest Ultimate.
Under stock settings on the E8400, I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by the Hyper TX3′s performance. It was only behind the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus and Zalman CNPS9900LED by a few degrees.
Next I increased the voltage a little to 1.28v to see how the Hyper TX3 fares with a little more heat.
Results here are again a nice surprise, the two larger coolers separate themselves a little bit more, but the TX3 really does more than an adequate job.
All of the testing was done with the PWM fan set on high and I didn’t find the Hyper TX3 to be noticeable at all. Of course you can always swap in your favorite fan or adjust the PWM settings.
Like its larger sibling the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus, Cooler Master’s Hyper TX3 offers an exceptional value. Its smaller size should ensure no space issues in mid tower cases or nearby motherboard components. Installation is a breeze and makes for a quick cooling upgrade from the processors stock heatsink.
Once again the installation instructions are not that clear but can easily be figured out. There really isn’t anything to complain about with the Hyper TX3.
While Cooler Master’s Hyper TX3 is no cooling heavyweight, it is a simple drop in upgrade that will allow you to do some minor overclocking and still keep you CPU running cool.
- Advantages
- Good performance
- AMD and Intel Compatibility
- Brackets for second fan
- Disadvantages
- Instructions/installation not very clear
- More thermal grease used
Overclockers Online would like to thank Cooler Master for supplying the Hyper TX3 for review.