Results: Audibility threshold (31 dBA)
The database of results of inexpensive low-profile CPU coolers is slowly growing. We tested the largest of the top-flow models from Akasa on the Intel LGA 1700 platform.Given the claimed TDP of 125 W, it looks like this might not only be a replacement for the Laminar RM1 and RS1 that come with more economical processors, but also a solution for open multiplier models that don’t come with a cooler.
A simple cooler with complicated designation. The Akasa AK-CC6606BP01 is from a similar category to the previously tested Laminar coolers (RM1 and RS1), the Arctic Alpine 17 CO or the Akasa AK-CC6603EP01. The AK-CC6606BP01, which we will analyze in detail in this article, promises the highest cooling performance.
Akasa AK-CC6606BP01 in detail
The design is reminiscent of Intel’s coolers from the old Core i7-2700K (Sandy Bridge) and 3770K (Ivy Bridge) packages. After these generations, only coolers with significantly lower heatsinks were produced. In this case though (on the Akasa AK-CC6606BP01) the heatsink is quite tall and together with the fan the Akasa cooler outgrows the Intel Laminar RM1 by 16 mm.
The 90 mm diameter axial fan has only a very low frame, on the bottom. Thus, it does not fulfill the function of a tunnel, which would increase the pressure of the rotor, very much. Considering that the lower Akasa model has a tunnel at rotor height, this is rather odd. What these fans have in common, however, is that they use a standardized hole spacing – 71.5 × 71.5 mm. This makes it relatively easy to replace the fan in the event of a failure with the 80 or 90 mm fans that are commonly sold.
Unlike the cheaper AK-CC6603EP01 (with a TDP of 77 W), this cooler doesn’t have a fan that makes a whirring noise and has more durable ball bearings.
The fins of the heatsink are arranged in a circle with a fork at the end (this is to achieve a larger contact area with the circulating air). Also circular is the large base, which is in contact with the entire surface area of the processors’ heat spreader, which is not usual (usually only the area above the silicon core is covered, and the corners of the IHS are already off-axis).
However, the cross-section of the copper core is smaller across the body and it is actually a core without a filler. Above the processor there is a roughly 10 mm layer, but the thickness of the side wall is already between 1–1.5 mm. Even so, the overall weight of the cooler is 19 % (412 g) higher compared to the Intel Laminar RM1 (with a full core across the height of the heatsink). But that’s mainly due to the larger volume of the aluminum fins.
Some more details you might be looking for answers to: the thermal paste is pre-applied to the base, the accessory does not include a second-use pouch. Installation is via push-pins, the screwdriver release locks have a handy hourglass-shaped pattern. The power cable is quite short (14 cm), but it always reaches the CPU_fan connector and at least the excess doesn’t dangle anywhere. The connector is 4-pin, with support for PWM control.
Methodology
The coolers are tested at maximum output and at lower speeds corresponding to fixed noise levels of 45, 42, 39, 36, 33 and 31 dBA. Noise levels are measured with a Reed R8080 noise meter (with a parabolic collar to increase sensitivity) at a distance of 15 centimetres from the sound source (fan).
Measurements are done traditionally in our wind tunnel, with two 500-rpm Noctua NF-S12A PWM fans at the intake and an equal number of these fans at the exhaust. The intake air temperature (21-21.1 °C) is constant, properly controlled throughout the testing. The tests run on an Intel Core i5-12400 with stepping H0 (i.e., a variant with the smaller core, which Core i3s, Pentiums, and Celerons also have). This, without power-limits (average CPU power draw is then around 93 W) and with PL2 limited to the TDP level (65 W). We simulate the load in Cinebench R23, the test motherboard is MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk WiFi DDR4.In addition to CPU temperatures, we also pull the MOS and CPU socket sensor temperatures from the log into the graphs. So the results also show how the fan, in addition to the heatsink, also cools the surrounding area of the socket with components that heat up to critical values.
The database of results of inexpensive low-profile CPU coolers is slowly growing. We tested the largest of the top-flow models from Akasa on the Intel LGA 1700 platform.Given the claimed TDP of 125 W, it looks like this might not only be a replacement for the Laminar RM1 and RS1 that come with more economical processors, but also a solution for open multiplier models that don’t come with a cooler.
Results: Maximum performance
The database of results of inexpensive low-profile CPU coolers is slowly growing. We tested the largest of the top-flow models from Akasa on the Intel LGA 1700 platform.Given the claimed TDP of 125 W, it looks like this might not only be a replacement for the Laminar RM1 and RS1 that come with more economical processors, but also a solution for open multiplier models that don’t come with a cooler.
Results: Higher performance (45 dBA)
The database of results of inexpensive low-profile CPU coolers is slowly growing. We tested the largest of the top-flow models from Akasa on the Intel LGA 1700 platform.Given the claimed TDP of 125 W, it looks like this might not only be a replacement for the Laminar RM1 and RS1 that come with more economical processors, but also a solution for open multiplier models that don’t come with a cooler.
Results: Medium performance (42 dBA)
The database of results of inexpensive low-profile CPU coolers is slowly growing. We tested the largest of the top-flow models from Akasa on the Intel LGA 1700 platform.Given the claimed TDP of 125 W, it looks like this might not only be a replacement for the Laminar RM1 and RS1 that come with more economical processors, but also a solution for open multiplier models that don’t come with a cooler.
Results: Lower noise level (39 dBA)
The database of results of inexpensive low-profile CPU coolers is slowly growing. We tested the largest of the top-flow models from Akasa on the Intel LGA 1700 platform.Given the claimed TDP of 125 W, it looks like this might not only be a replacement for the Laminar RM1 and RS1 that come with more economical processors, but also a solution for open multiplier models that don’t come with a cooler.
Results: Low noise level (36 dBA)
The database of results of inexpensive low-profile CPU coolers is slowly growing. We tested the largest of the top-flow models from Akasa on the Intel LGA 1700 platform.Given the claimed TDP of 125 W, it looks like this might not only be a replacement for the Laminar RM1 and RS1 that come with more economical processors, but also a solution for open multiplier models that don’t come with a cooler.
Results: Very low noise level (33 dBA)
The database of results of inexpensive low-profile CPU coolers is slowly growing. We tested the largest of the top-flow models from Akasa on the Intel LGA 1700 platform.Given the claimed TDP of 125 W, it looks like this might not only be a replacement for the Laminar RM1 and RS1 that come with more economical processors, but also a solution for open multiplier models that don’t come with a cooler.
Results: Audibility threshold (31 dBA)
The database of results of inexpensive low-profile CPU coolers is slowly growing. We tested the largest of the top-flow models from Akasa on the Intel LGA 1700 platform.Given the claimed TDP of 125 W, it looks like this might not only be a replacement for the Laminar RM1 and RS1 that come with more economical processors, but also a solution for open multiplier models that don’t come with a cooler.
Conclusion
The Akasa cooler beats the competition (including the Alpine 17 CO) for a faster and noisier fan as well. The most significant improvement over the Intel Laminar RM1 is thus when comparing peak performance, at which the Akasa holds a three-degree Celsius advantage over the Core i5-12400 (~93W) without power limits. But this comes at the price of significantly higher noise levels. However, the fan has a wide operating range and can be comfortably slowed down to very low speeds.
The cooling performance of 125 W refers to the maximum speed, and Akasa expects higher temperatures, which the Alder Lake K processors can withstand without compromising performance.
After a significant reduction in speed, the cooler only passed the tests with the TDP-aligned power draw of the test processor (65 W). At medium speeds, the Akasa cooler still holds the lead over the Laminar RM1, although it loses it at lower speeds due to the lower-capacity core. However, the contribution of the copper component is still significant – the cooling performance of the AK-CC6606BP01 doesn’t plummet as steeply as the aluminium monolith Arctic Alpine 17 (CO) with decreasing airflow.
The advantage of the Akasa cooler over the Laminar RM1 and RS1 coolers is always in more effective cooling of the socket. This is a common feature with the overall weaker AK-CC6603EP01. If you were under the impression in its tests that better heat dissipation from the VRM area had anything to do with the tunnel around the rotor, it doesn’t. The AK-CC6606BP01 does not have it, while it achieves similar results in this regard. More effective cooling around the socket will therefore be a good interplay between the profile of the heatsink and the rotor.
The difference in CPU cooling between the Akasa coolers (AK-CC6606BP01 and AK-CC6603EP01) is most pronounced at maximum speeds combined with higher power draw (typical for a Core i5-class processor with no power limits), it’s up to around 7.5 °C there. When aligned to lower noise levels, the more expensive model has as little as 1.5–3 °C of advantage, so it can be a little quieter at the same temperature. From this point of view, the AK-CC6606BP01 is worth the extra price just for the mechanically quieter motor operation. It does not whirr as much as on the AK-CC6603EP01.
However, the retail price of the AK-CC6606BP01 is significantly higher, even compared to the Arctic Alpine 17 CO. Arctic’s cooler always lags a bit behind in efficiency, and it’s also taller, which makes it less compatible with cases, but it sells for less than half the price. On the other hand, the AK-CC6606BP01 is still priced well below more complex heatpipe coolers. There is relatively little competition and if we are talking about the most powerful LGA 1700 cooler under 30 euros with a height under 70 mm, there aren’t many better options than the AK-CC6606BP01 at the moment.
English translation and edit by Jozef Dudáš
| Akasa AK-CC6606BP01 |
| + Decent replacement for Laminar RM1 and RS1 box coolers... |
| + ...can handle processors with TDP 125 W (with PL limitation), but at higher noise level |
| + Above-standard performance at higher speeds |
| + More effective VRM cooling than competing top-flow coolers |
| + Quick and easy installation |
| + Fan with standardized mounting, so you can easily replace it if needed |
| + Ball bearings, high life expectancy |
| - Higher price, compared to the competing Arctic Alpine 17 CO significantly |
| - Weaker price/performance ratio |
| Approximate retail price: 24 EUR |