SilverStone Argon V140 ARGB CPU Cooler Review

The SilverStone Argon V140 is designed for Intel Socket LGA 2066 / 2011 / 1700 / 1200 / 1156 / 1155 / 1150 and all modern AMD processors including AM5 / AM4.

Here is an overview of the system and testing methodology

Z790 Aorus Elite X WiFi 7 – Z790 Chipset
Intel Core i7 12700k (3.2Ghz) Sixteen Core 12+12 32KB L2 Cache 9+9 x 1.25MB L3 Cache 25MB 

Coolers
SilverStone Argon V140
DeepCool Assassin 4S (High Speed / Low Speed)

The CPUID System Monitor was used to obtain and record system temperature data and being that this is a quad core processor we need something that will work across all of the cores at once.  For this task we're using a new version of Prime95 (p95v255a) that will allow you to spawn (n) instances to test with.

Editors note: Even though the Windows 11 task manager reported 100% processor usage we could never attain a 100% of the rated heat output as documented by Intel when using Prime95 as a basis for that heat production. Knowing this we ran the stress test until the maximum temperature was attainted and stabilized.

Other things to consider when judging software induced heat output.

a) Clock throttling by the processor at high temperatures.
b) Normal software isn't designed to produce maximum heat output.
c) Variances of cooling temperature.
d) Variances in CPU load.
e) Inaccuracies in thermal diode readouts.
Of course the list goes on..

Our testing methodology is aimed to provide a real world look into this heatsink given the test system provided.

A C/W rating can quickly be calculated using this formula.

C/W = (CPU temp - Ambient temp)/(Variance(%) * CPU Watts)
Allowed variance for this test = 85%
CPU Watts = 125W (or 172W due to turbo clock)

0.31 C/W = (69C - 23C)/(.85(172W))

For this next test the CPU speed was cranked up to 5.1Ghz Sync across all performance cores and the test was re-run.

To calculate a new C/W rating for this test we will need to factor in the increased processor wattage.  However, given that the overclock is within the range of the max turbo frequency we will simply use the Max Turbo TDP

The variance still applies for our C/W calculation
Allowed variance for this test = 85%
ocC/W = dCPU Watts * (ocMhz / dMhz) * (ocVcore / dVcore)2
ocMhz = 5100
dMhz = 4300
ocVcore = 1.4
dVcore = 1.2
The variance still applies for our C/W calculation
Allowed variance for this test = 85%
CPU Watts = 278W

0.32 C/W = (99C - 23C)/(.85(278W))

In our heatsink and waterblock tests we don't really focus on overall load temperatures but rather how well the product can remove heat given a specified heat load. Since this is a real-world testing method, we need to take into consideration real world variables and estimate tolerances. This is why we normally only apply 85% of the total wattage output to our heat calculations.

The resulting C/W number is used to rate how efficient a heatsink or waterblock is based on the given heat load. These numbers can be used to determine heat capacity, the larger the difference the less efficient the heatsink is. (aka not good for overclocking)

Given that Alder Lake is a hybrid CPU the thermal calculations are difficult to figure.  We have a total of 16 Cores with 8 Cores running a much higher frequency.  Collectively, the entire package contributes to the total TDP and yet my CPU has yet to hit the Max Turbo Frequency without me forcing it in the UEFI.

I’m using a performance fan curve in the Gigabyte UEFI that will ramp the fan speed up to match the CPU temperature and activity.  That is one reason why the C/W numbers will be closely aligned and usually running 100% under the overclocking loads.

99c is the absolute limit when it comes to cooling temperature on Intel CPUs, any higher than that and the system will begin to throttle back in an attempt to lower the load temperature.  You can see this happen if you watch the CPU clocks in CPUz and happens in a very predictable way with the Argon V140.  When the overclocked benchmarking session starts the temperature spikes to around 95c then slowly rises to 99c about 5 seconds after.  This is when the clocks start dropping by up to 300Mhz across various cores until the test stops. 

The lag between the initial load and sustained load is the thermal capacity I mentioned early in this review.  On coolers with more mass around the coldplate the time between the two thermal values will be almost instant and it will take longer for the system to cool down.  With the Argon V140 the sustained load temp came in slower because it was pulling more heat away faster until the heatsink became saturated.  Ultimately, this will keep you system cooler and quieter provided you don’t over extend the cooler.

 Keep in mind these calculations are provided for demonstration purposes only and may not reflect the actual lab tested C/W rating, but we're pretty close.