The base is relatively smooth, but not a mirror finish. It looks machined well and our experience these days is mirror finishes don’t always make a good cooler, just as finishes like the Justice RC-1204 makes for a bad one.
If you rub thermal paste into the base plate before mounting, this will fill a number of scratches or imperfections that may cause performance issues. It will also help to uniformly layer the thermal paste when applying it before mounting.
Test Setup
We tested the Justice RC-1204 CPU Cooler for sound and cooling performance using an i7 LGA2011-v3 set up. We tested two configurations, stock and overclock both with turbo.
- Operating System: Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
- Processor: Intel i7-5820K
- Motherboard: Asus Rampage V Extreme
- Graphics: MSI GTX 970 GAMING Twin Frozr V
- Memory: 16GB Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 2666Mhz
- Drives: Crucial BX100 500Gb SSD
- PSU: Corsair HX1000i
- Chassis: MicroCool Banchetto 101
Software used for load tests and temperature capture;
- HWiNFO64
- AIDA64 Engineer
We ran the AIDA64 Engineer stability test in 30 minute batches and recorded the results. We used the Core Max result as there was typically a variance across the cores of a couple of degrees. We only selected the cache, FPU and CPU tests, so no other component would generate impacting heat during the tests. We always “run in” our CPU cooler installations, essential to maximizing the performance of the cooler before testing begins.
BIOS Setting
We used the default PWM setting for the testing.
Sound Level Testing
We used a standard generic digital sound level meter at 15 inches. It is important to note we used the MicroCool Banchetto 101 Chassis for testing which is an open chassis. This means you are hearing the CPU coolers fan unobstructed.
Thermal Paste
We use Arctic MX-2 for all heatsink cooler tests and in fact we use it for all builds, test or otherwise. We run the AIDA64 Engineer stability test as our burn in programme for thermal paste, which allows the paste to spread out and share the love across the mating surfaces. It is worth doing, we always notice a drop in temperatures after 30 minutes of burn in.
Reeven Justice RC-1204 CPU Cooler Review
Package - 7.5
Performance - 8
Price - 8
Consumer Experience - 8
7.9
If you are looking for a good looking solid performing cooler, that's slightly smaller than your average tower cooler, you need to consider the Reeven Justice RC-1204. If you want evidence, the sound performance is all you need. A good BIOS fan profile set up will give you something well worth the money.
