Products with ISO certified meant the manufacturers are the pro-active type in making sure the products are produced with consistency in both materials used and workmanship. I found this prestige marking on the package.



Introduction:

Arctic Cooling received thumbs up with VGA Silencer from every product review, and the product lines covering CPU, VGA coolers, fans and thermal pastes are distributed by SCYTHE world wide. We are taking a closer look at the Super Silent 4Pro L CPU cooler aimed at Socket 478 application. The all aluminum is rare for a new cooler as many have migrated into all copper or aluminum/copper hybrid.




The 4 individual spring loaded clips secured to the four corners of the HSF retention bracket with positive feel and no fuss installation.





The three position fan switch indicating High, Medium and Low settings and not so polished base finish


Dimensions and Specs:

Model Name: Super Silent 4Pro L
Manufacturer: arctic-cooling HK Ltd.
Compatibility:

All Intel Celeron

Intel Pentium 4 (socket 478) at the following fan speed:

Fan speed @ 3000 rpm: Up to 3.2GHz

Fan speed @ 2500 rpm: Up to 3.0GHz

Fan speed @ 2000 rpm: Up to 2.8GHz
Heatsink Dimensions: 94 x 76 x 40 mm
Fan Dimensions: 80 x 80 x 37 mm
Combined Dimensions: 97 x 115 x 78 mm
For the air flow important height: 56 mm
Fan Speed: 2000/2500/3000 rpm (with rheostat)
Air Flow: 42.7/54.8/65.9 m3/h
Power Consumption: 12 V, 0.28 Amp.
Fan Noise Level: 16/19/25 dB (2000rpm/2500rpm/3000rpm)
Weight: 415 g
Thermal Resistance: 0.17-0.21 -C/Watt



The Test Bed: Intel P4:

ABIT IC7

P4 2.8C

Lian-Li PC65B (2x80 mm intake, 1x80 mm rear exhaust, 1x80 mm top exhaust)

Micron 2x256 PC2700

Hitachi 80GB SATA HDD

3Com LAN

Asus 16X DVD

LiteOn 4X DVD Burner

Generic 450 Watts PSU

Visiontek Everything 64 MB video card

Win XP Pro Sp1

Room temp during test ~25.6 C

AS5 (Arctic Silver 5) – courtesy from Arctic Silver

Tests are done with side panel closed


Nice blue LED with factory white sleeved wirings





I know most readers will skip some of the detail MBM5 readings, and only the few meticulous minded will. So, here they are at default in High, Medium and Low fan settings:


P4 2.8C default High fan setting: 33C Idle 49C load



P4 2.8C default Medium fan setting: 34C idle 50C load



P4 2.8C default Low fan setting: 34C idle 53C load



Knowing the all aluminum heatsink with similar fin structure in size and design to Intel Stock, I figured over-clocking the processor will not go far. I did it anyway. Pushing the Vcore to 1.7V and 245 FSB like I did with the Samurai review, it peaked 61C and failed Prime95. I lowered the Vcore to 1.625 and FSB to 240, and this is what I got.



This time it passed Prime95, and proved to be quite capable being an all aluminum unit. The load temp peaked at 58C. Don’t forget the setting is generating over 100 Watts of heat dissipation which is higher than the 3.2 GHz Northwood at default.



Extra testing

This is such a NICE looking unit; I couldn’t help putting my favorite Chill Vent II onto the Pro4 L just to see what’d happened.




I reset the BIOS back to 245FSB and 1.7 Volt.




With Chill Vent II the 4Pro L passed Prime95 and gave a 5C reduction at 240FSB then without; it went further to 245FSB with no problem. But this is beyond the scope of this review. Let's compare its performance and noise levels ->

Comparison:

We compare Pro4 L to Intel newest copper base HSF with 70 mm fan running at ~3100 rpm. Intel HSF has built in temperature sensor. I had the experience last summer when the 70 mm fan could get up to over 4,200 rpm and made quite a howling.


P4 2.8C at default: Idle 32C and Load 50C

P4 2.8C at 240FSB and 1.625 v-core: Idle 35C and Load 59C







Noise Level:

4Pro L being marketed as Super Silent to meet the demand for users requiring the lowest possible noise emission; to evaluate this I used the CEM DT-8850 digital meter with 35 dBA to 100 dBA range. The lowest setting CPU fan would only be overcome the 4 higher RPM case fans inside the Lian-Li case. I took the readings based on the test system.



As you see there is hardly any audible difference with the fan settings, and in the QUEST for silence, I proceeded to disconnect all case fans, with only the PSU, CPU and NB fans running. As you can see from the results above this is awfully silent; if I lock myself inside a closet my digital meter still registers 37 dBA.


Conclusion:

Arctic Cooling Super Silent 4Pro L all aluminum is quite a unit. It comes with 3-speed fan controller, LED light and cushioned damping fan mount. When we must judge whether a product is good, okay or bad, we have to look at the monetary value together with features and performance and most importantly its intended purpose. 4Pro L is intended for users require low noise with acceptable thermal performance at default CPU speed. It delivers exactly that plus good look. I might do a lapping job afterward just to find out if it will lower another degree or two. To compare 4Pro L to the heavy copper hitters in best over clocking performance with high RPM fan would be inappropriate. Nevertheless, if you have the new copper base from your retail pack you are not gaining much in thermal management by acquiring the 4Pro L. What you do gain is a few dBA reductions, a LED fan and the very easy installation over Intel’s design. But, the copper base Intel HSF comes only with 3 GHz and higher processors.

PRO
MSRP at US$22, it is a high value product.
The clip design could be considered one of the best for ease of installation.
The LED fan is a bonus, and the blue is very pleasing.
It comes with thermal paste enough for several installations.
It provides very adequate performance even in mild over-clocking.
It provides 3-speed adjustment to tailor your environmental needs.

CON
It makes slight weird noise at low fan setting occasionally (may just be this particular unit).
Not much better than the free new Intel Stock Retail unit.


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