Test System and Temperature Results

Test System

Testing Procedure

All testing is done at a room temperature of 23°C (73°F), with a 1°C margin of error. The coolers are tested with Turbo, EIST, and C1E enabled, which will allow the CPU to clock down to a low 1.6 GHz while idle, or clock up to proper speeds under stock and overclocked conditions. The retail Intel Core i7-4770K I use for testing at stock is set to load-optimized defaults with the CPU's voltage at a static 1.15 V. Overclocked, the processor is running at 4.2 GHz on the CPU and 3.9 GHz on cache, with respective voltages set to 1.20 V and 1.15 V. During all these tests, fans are set to run at 100% in the BIOS, with temperatures being recorded by AIDA64.

The idle test will consist of the CPU sitting idle at the desktop for 15 minutes. This will allow for a stable temperature reading that will be recorded at the end of those 15 minutes.

Wprime's and AIDA64's CPU test represent typical multi-threaded loads. Both offer consistent results, with one being a benchmarking application and the other a stability test. Both are run for 15 minutes before the peak reading during the test is recorded and taken as the result. This test lets enthusiasts know what temperatures they can expect to see with games and applications. Wprime is set to eight threads while AIDA64 is configured to stress the CPU, FPU, cache, and system memory.

AIDA64 offers maximum heat generation when set to stress just the FPU in the stability test, which will really push the CPU. This test represents extreme loads much like LinX, Prime95, and other extreme stress tests many users are familiar with.

Idle Temperatures

It is no surprise that Thermalright's Macho Rev.B aces the Idle test. It may not top the chart, but falls in line with expectations, so there is nothing to worry about here.

Typical Load Temperatures

Using Wprime as a typical multi-core work load, the Macho Rev.B does well by placing just 1°C behind the Noctua NH-D15 at both stock and overclocked settings.


Pushing a heavier workload with AIDA64's CPU stability test again has the Thermalright cooler putting up an impressive showing by tying the Noctua NH-D15 at stock. However, with the CPU overclocked, the Macho Rev.B falls behind Noctua's top-of-the-line cooler by 2°C.

Max Load Temperatures

Using AIDA64's FPU stability test to push CPU load levels to their maximum, the Macho Rev.B stays 2°C behind the Noctua NH-D15 at stock, which is rather impressive. With the CPU overclocked, Thermalright's offering falls back, but for a single-fan, single-tower design to provide cooling similar to the Phanteks PH-TC14PE is still impressive. However, it does prove that a premium heatsink can still offer you more. Regardless, placing a mere 4°C behind the Noctua NH-D15, the Macho Rev.B remains a solid contender for its price.