Test System Specifications
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Motherboard: ASRock X870E Taichi Lite
- Memory: 32GB (2 x 16GB Modules) Kingston Fury DDR5-6000
- Graphics card: Gigabyte RTX 4070 Gaming OC
- Storage: 1TB Corsair MP600 Elite PCIe Gen4x4 NVME M.2 SSD
- Power Supply: Seasonic Prime TX-1600
- Chassis: Open Test Bench
- Thermal Compound: Arctic MX-6
- O/S: Windows 11 Version 24H2
Testing Methodology:
We are primarily focusing on the performance of each cooler at 100% fan speed and also when locked to 40dBA noise output. We will focus on cooling performance using a manual overclock with all-core frequency and VCORE locked to 5.2GHz/1.3v (AMD) and 5.5GHz/1.3v (Intel) and Precision Boost Overdrive performance.
- The test data is logged using HWINFO and the final 10 minutes of the data is calculated to find the average CPU temperature and CPU clock multiplier (AMD PBO Test) and then plotted in the charts.
- For testing, we use a 30-minute looped run of Cinebench R23 and record the steady-state CPU temperature at the end of the test. This ensures that the CPU has had ample time to warm up and reach a steady state under all of the coolers.
- The ambient is maintained at 19-21 degrees Celsius. Where there is variation beyond this temperature range, we add extra repeated tests to ensure consistency. However, this is well controlled now with A/C.
- We also test each cooler with at least two fresh installs (typically three) to mitigate the likelihood of poor mounting spoiling results.
- Ambient temperature and humidity are controlled via a mini split air conditioning system inside the test room. Ambient temperature is maintained between 19-20C, Temperature delta figures are shown in the charts (ambient temperature is deducted from the measured component temperature).
Test Results:
Acoustics
In terms of noise output, the better choice of the two coolers on test today is the Assassin IV VC Vision, as it is running 3 dBA quieter than the AK620 Digital Pro at max fan speed. Neither cooler can match the ultra-low noise output of the be quiet! Dark Rock 5 though, but this only uses a single fan so it has the advantage here.
Thermal Performance: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
Straight away we can see the advantage in terms of raw thermal performance that the Assassin IV VC has over the competition, with fans maxed out the Assassin IV VC Vision is 4°C cooler than the next best competitor, the AK620 Digital Pro, which is excellent considering the Assassin IV VC Vision is the quieter of the two at max fan speed.
However, reducing noise to 40dBA to hit the noise normalised target, the AK620 Digital claws back some performance and is only 1°C off the Assassin IV VC Vision. But still, both can only equal the be quiet! Dark Rock 5 which is only a single tower single fan cooler and is considerably cheaper than the Assassin IV VC Vision.
In the PBO test both the Assassin IV VC Vision and the AK620 Digital Pro perform very well. They both manage a clock multiplier of 51.5x which is the highest we have recorded on the Ryzen 7 9800X3D so far, narrowly beating the Sudokoo SK700V. So with either of these coolers you will get great AMD PBO performance, but the better value comes from the AK620 Digital Pro.