Testing
The following system was used to test the cooler:
– Processor: Intel i7 13700K @ 5.4GHz
– Motherboard: Biostar Z790 Valkyrie
– RAM: Neo Forza MDK5 DDR5 96GB 6000MHz
– Graphics Card: MSI GeForce RTX 3090 Suprim X
– SSD: NeoForza NFP075 2TB
– PSU: Seasonic Prime TX-1000
– Case: be quiet! Silent Base 802 White
– OS: Windows 10 64-Bit (After April Update)
Software used for testing the cooler:
– AIDA64 Extreme Version: 7.60.7300
– Intel Burn Test v2.54
– Prime95 29.1
The cooler was tested with the CPU at the default turbo frequency of 5.40 GHz.
Also, the included fans have been used at their maximum speed.
The room temperature was approximately 26°C (78°F), with 2°C margin of error.
The settings of the software used are the following:
Intel Burn Test v2.54 – Stress level: Maximum
Prime95 29.1- small FFT
AIDA64 Extreme Version – FPU Benchmark & Temperature monitoring.
Each test was conducted for 40 minutes.
CPU Temperature – Heat Load: 150W
CPU Temperature – Heat Load: 250W
The noise level was measured at three different distances from the fans (10cm, 20cm, 30cm.) the noise was measured with a margin of error of ± 2 db.
The SuperFlower ST4 ARGB has a great RAM clearance as it uses a small heatsink and the front fan does not even reach the RAM slots of the motherboard.
The graphics card clearance with the SuperFlower ST4 ARGB installed is adequate. With 35mm of space between the sides of the heatsink and the top of the graphics card. Just enough space to service the main M.2 socket of the motherboard.
Final thoughts
The SuperFlower ST4 ARGB is a budget air CPU cooler that looks great and offers a good alternative to the already saturated market of cheap air CPU coolers. However, while the performance of this cooler is decent, there are issues that need to be addressed first.
For starters, this CPU cooler does not have a user manual included in the package, nor can you find the user manual on the manufacturer’s website. While the mounting system is simple and you don’t need instructions to figure the installation process, a user manual is mandatory for a CPU cooler.
Another issue with the SuperFlower ST4 ARGB is the fact that it is not available in many locations and even when it’s available, not all retailers carry it. This will be addressed in time, but so far, this cooler can only be found in some select places and online retailers.
Apart from these shortcomings, the SuperFlower ST4 ARGB is a decent air CPU cooler that has its good points. The design of this CPU cooler s great, especially the white variant but the all-black model is good too. Of course, the centerpiece design wise with this cooler is the ARGB ring at the front of the fan. The LEDs can be easily controlled through your motherboard’s RGB system.
In terms of the performance, there isn’t much to expect from such a small CPU cooler that only has four heatpipes. Yet, this cooler can handle 150W worth of CPU load, even though it will not be quiet, with a noise output of 45db. Pushing the i7 13700K CPU to its full 250W of power draw results in immediate thermal throttle, as the SuperFlower ST4 ARGB is too small to handle such a heat source.
The build quality is adequate to say the least, there are a few rough spots here and there, mostly within the surface of the paint, but nothing to be concerned about.
In conclusion, the SuperFlower ST4 ARGB is a good air CPU cooler for a small, powered PC or gaming system. No overclocking should be attempted with this cooler, as it’s far too small to handle a large heat source. For its 35 USD price tag, this CPU cooler is good value, especially in a budget-oriented gaming PC. However, there are small issues that need to be addressed first, such as the user manual, otherwise, this cooler will not have a chance at standing out as a good option for buyers.
