Argon one V2 Vs ice tower cooler Test. Part 1

[@frecko]

Love all the Content, I have the Argon One with built in SSD , just love it for its neat and tidy footprint I run Twister and never looked back 👍

[@leepspvideo]

The explanation is in tomorrow’s video. 👍🏻

[@circleofowls]

Very interesting results, I can't wait for Part 2. Also props to @LilRedDog for the donation towards more testing.

[@italianbasegard]

I was immediately thinking it must be either the CPU clock or the proportion of video resources allocated from the CPU in the raspi config. Either way - thanks for being amazing and taking the time out of your day to run these tests for all of us!!

[@gene4390]

While you are doing tests something important you should check! About a year ago I posted about a flaw in the Argon case that got overlooked. The Argon has great passive cooling. However there is a design flaw in when the magnetic lid is on it creates a "low air pressure" zone under the lid. This causes the the fan to literally suck back in the hot air it is blowing out into a loop! If the magnetic lid is off then most of the heat escapes as it rises and no low pressure develops to pull the heated air back into the unit. With the lid off I could max overclock fine for emulation. But with the magnetic lid on my Argon it always overheated after a long run when the who case heated up over time! I did notify the Argon builders. But they did not think it was an issue at the time.

[@bmanske1]

My first suspect would be the Python script that controls the Argon One fan. I think it is using a different control algorithm than the ice tower cooler. I think there is hysteresis built into the Ice Tower cooling control. If you keep using the Argon One Script I'd go to the custom option and put in the temperatures and speeds that you really want. Ideally you could use the same fan software on both systems.

[@leepspvideo]

The explanation is in tomorrow’s video. 👍🏻

[@minigpracing3068]

@@leepspvideo I was going to question this too, but now I'll just wait for the new video. The fit and finish of the Argon One is just fantastic, I've had mine for around a year, just the plain base not the ssd base though.

[@KaffeDad]

That’s the same reason why I stopped using the Argon One cases and changed to an open case. Whenever it got too hot it would slow down to a crawl and if I set the minimum frequency to the stock 1500 it would crash the Pi. My Overclock settings are arm_freq=2100 arm_freq_min=1500 over_voltage=6 Using argon one m.2

[@Colin_Ames]

Interesting. Waiting for part 2

[@MarcusPHagen]

Possible reasons for different timings: - processor type B vs. type C - differences in the storage drives & linkages - possible overhead from the Argon fan control software, if it uses one of the four cores, leaving only three to run the stress tests.

[@leepspvideo]

Thanks, explanation in part 2 later today. 👍🏻

[@Mr.Smith101]

Idk if the Argon one case trounces on all other cases but I doubt I will ever replace mine. They did a great job with the size and design.

[@markfgns1265]

Hi Lee, I'm wondering if the differnces you are seeing is to do with the way the Pi's are powered. The Argon case supplies power to the Pi via the GPIO pins at a constant rate, via the 5v pin. Whereas the other pi is plugged dricetly into your power outlet, and is able to pull what it needs straight from the wall.

[@leepspvideo]

The explanation is in tomorrow’s video. 👍🏻

[@stevesweb]

I would think to compare cooling, I would leave the fan on constantly.

[@roli8754]

When I'm using my argon one, it always takes quite awhile for that hunk of metal to get up to temperature so I think thats something to look out for. It may be the pi's running cold now but that's cause it hasent heated up yet. But if its not running full 2100, i can see it staying cool

[@YeOldeTraveller]

Looking forward to the answer. I would swap the Pis leaving everything else the same as my first test. Swapping the SSDs would be the next test, but the images also need to be swapped, so the only difference is the device. Candidate issues are in CPU governor policy, and interaction between the fan control software and the other activity. That difference in the frequency and power is likely caused by the source of the difference in performance and, therefore, heat. Another interesting test would be to see what happens with the fans present, but disconnected (or just with no control configured). This will give you some idea of the thermal inertia available.

[@leepspvideo]

Results later today. 👍🏻

[@srvuk]

Begin with swapping what is different, starting with the SSD's, which seem to be the one common difference between the testing. It is such a shame that since the introduction of the Pi4, so many videos have had to deal with the lack of cooling in the fist place, something that Ebon Upton failed to mention was a necessary thing for most.

[@spuds7677]

Force_Turbo=1 to force the 2100 MHz all the time on both machines. I think it may point you in the right direction. I think it's the SSD causing the Pi to throttle down to the 600 MHz. But, it's hard to say with out more testing.

[@leepspvideo]

It’s explained in tomorrows video. 👍🏻

[@MosheMiParis]

Hello, I think that the Argon driver for the fan regulation is modifying the PI speed. Disabling it for the comparison could be interesting.

[@leepspvideo]

Part 2 has the answer, available later today. 👍🏻

[@Nobe_Oddy]

The Argon Pi is using about 50MB more ram.... so is there something running and taking up CPU on it that you may have disabled on the other? ALSO you should be running the OS on IDENTICAL drives... so maybe you want to use SD Cards that are the same for your OS.... and do fresh installs :)

[@Nobe_Oddy]

PLUS unplug all accessories from the USB that aren't needed... if one keyboard is wired and the other isn't then that will take more power too.... I think you're gonna have to make EVERYTHING the same so you don't draw more power on one of them.... switching everything around will show you if it makes a difference so good thinking.... but you should REALLY start by doing fresh installs onto identical SD cards (I would think you of all people have 2 of the same SD cards lol) - there just might be something different in config file too, so thats why you do a fresh install... it's gonna take a bit of time but you just have to do it this way :/ I'm perplexed with this one too.... and about the 50MB ram difference.... I couldn't see the 'system tray' on the Argon pi because the monitor was blocking it, so I couldn't see if there was something extra running on that one.... so the only way to eliminate any difference is a fresh install for both of them and do your best to make all the plugged in things (keyboard, mouse, etc) as close to identical as you can.. but doing the tests twice with switch the accessories between them is a great idea

[@leepspvideo]

Thanks, video already done for tomorrow with an explanation. I have used identical Samsung bars in previous tests. I was more just hoping to test temperatures when I started.

[@bones549]

I'd just love to find one on stock

[@stephenhookings1985]

Fan failed on my Argon 2 - darned hard to get a reply from the company. I wasn't asking for a replacement- just advice on compatible model. I had to cut wires on a replacement because it had different connector. Darned thing runs continuously.

[@anon_y_mousse]

I usually see Terry somewhere in your comments. I wonder if he skipped this one because it's Part 1.

[@MRPtech]

A while back i had Argon case for my Raspberry Pi Docker server. End up selling due to that fan was noticable when it was ON and yes, it was keeping Pi Cool but same time all the case end up being warm. Argon was more like a giant heatsink instead of using a fan to keep it cool. Now i am using 52pi NAS kit which works like magic (so far)

[@Steven_VE9SY]

During the summer, mine would sit at 64c at idle then hit the 70's with just light use. It's cooling off an the east coast of Canada and just now at idle its at 58-59c at idle. I set me Turbo at 1850. Any thing higher I'd hit 80-90C just web browsing during the summer. I can not remember what I have my fan set at for starting????

[@dakshrokadia_MTB]

I think the argon is for a non tinkerer whereas the open cooler is for someone who does more os swapped and gpio etc

[@scottamero7909]

It’s a newer version case as that why so card is available now , it never used to as I have the original one

[@willgilliam9053]

I wonder if you have one of the first 8GB pi's with a older SoC. I vagely remember some of the first pi4's having a memory access bug?

[@leepspvideo]

Definitely an early one Released 28th www.raspberrypi.com/news/8gb-raspberry-pi-4-on-sale-now-at-75/ mine was delivered on the 31st NEW 8GB Raspberry Pi 4. Browser tabs test 64bit Raspberry Pi OS Vs 32 bit Raspbian Twist. OS kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5yxmYyarc9npbM

[@xelemorf]

Use the same rPi and same SSD, swap the cooling instead and do the tests in sequence, take a cooldown time. Also monitor ambient temps. Place devices to the same spot.

[@leepspvideo]

The explanation is in tomorrow’s video. 👍🏻

[@mmhotdog]

First I love your content.

[@zyghom]

so I have 4 raspberry pi servers in my room in Argon M2 cases and set up to start fans at 50C. During the hot times in the summer I could hear the fans spinning. 10 months out of 12 they are never on - Pi is below 50C. Btw I wanted to replace the fan with Noctua - unfortunately they don't make 30mm fans ;-( Your case is newer then mines: I don't have access to microSD cards ;-(

[@virtuallifeform]

I bet the SSD is making a huge difference, where the 600MHz bits are while it's waiting on I/O.

[@spuds7677]

That was my first thoughts too and it may be the cause of the issue... But, if it is slowing down to 600 MHz, then his Force_ Turbo is off and for a test like this, it should be on. I would force the Turbo and retest. It it's still slower, it could be the Pi itself or the SSD.

[@leepspvideo]

It’s something else, explanation in tomorrows video 👍🏻

[@clarkboyd9605]

I really like Berryboot for switching to different OS. Have you tried it?

[@leepspvideo]

I have, I have many Berryboot videos on my channel BerryConverter. Convert images for Berryboot. Raspberry Pi 4. Multi OS Launcher. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJ7VgIyGhp1-pas BerryBoot Raspberry Pi 400. Multi OS launcher. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJzPZ2p6n7OchM0 Pinn os is also great Pinn OS Gets Android 10. USB Multiboot Lineage OS Raspberry Pi 4. kzbin.info/www/bejne/an7InH-tisiIbdE Super easy Multi boot. Setup a Raspberry Pi with almost any device. Pinn Website. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6bOeKx4adiHadE

[@muddyexport5639]

Switching the Pi systems and holding everything else static -- like to see the results. the Argon One V2 might have some firmware coming into play read only or erasable read only.

[@berner]

Do you think the situation could be related to the "silicon lottery"?

[@leepspvideo]

Not in this case. I have a part 2 and 3 that reveals all

[@Mister-Gee-9999]

My argon case nearly always overheats when running longterm for K0DI and RetroPie. Had it replaced, tried different pads etc. not that impressed.

[@FibroFantastic]

silicon lottery? Maybe try swapping cases and see if the results follow the board rather then cooler?

[@leepspvideo]

The explanation is in part 2 available in 15 minutes. 👍🏻

[@Marctron]

As much as I love the argon case it’s given me a handful of issues that ultimately relegated it to server duty. As a media pc with the m.2 adaptor it killed the Wi-Fi range to an unusable 3 or so feet meaning I had to use a usb extender with a Wi-Fi/BT dongle to have any controller or keyboard support. The second thing was power draw in which the setup could not be powered solely by my nexdock which was a bummer. Both of these were and still are a non issue on my pi with the ice tower in a open air case like yours. All that being said…… I think it’s a voltage supply issue and look forward to tomorrows video to see if my suspicion is right.

[@LilRedDog]

The Argon comes with its proprietary PS. I have, now, gone conspiracy theory with the bash used to set the fan speeds: if Leep discovers that software also affects clock speed I'm going to trash Argon in a review at Amazon.

[@MrJaz8088]

I use a custom script for the Argon One and Neo case, been using a custom script since i got one of the first 3B+ Argon case being a backer, and no code to control it, Also the case is a Passive Cooler

[@Richardj410]

Maybe that little bit of software for the fan in the argon is messing with things. I used heat sink compound on the argon case and it works fine.

[@leepspvideo]

The explanation is in tomorrow’s video. 👍🏻

[@TBMartin]

Should have just swapped the SSD over. Run the OS and the test on the argon case, then take the SSD out and run the OS and test on the other pi with the ice cooler.

[@leepspvideo]

Loads more testing and an answer in part 2 tomorrow. 👍🏻

[@TBMartin]

@@leepspvideo Ah, should have not doubted you master lol Will as always watch. Hope all is well your end.

[@pXnEmerica]

As for the encoding, encode to ramdisk instead of back to the ssd. mount tmpfs. Should be a more fair test if the ram chips are similar. Someone more knowing of a how a PI throttles CPU will know more there, but it sure doesn't appear to be heat. I'd have to guess power or configuration/bug. The force suggestion below sounds like a good idea, but it's also a bandaid to step over the problem, not understand/fix it. Kudo's the case supplier, generous.

[@leepspvideo]

The answer is in part 2 later today. 👍🏻

[@MiddleB0ss]

Nice video!

[@paulsanders5909]

on the ice tower cooler does the fan blow down onto the pi board

[@leepspvideo]

Down, but it could be reversed

[@OrhanKarsligil]

Maybe Argon limits voltage with that daughter board and that causes power related throttling rather than temperature related throttling.

[@spuds7677]

Use a better Power adapter. I have no voltage issues with mine overclocked to 2300 Mhz

[@leepspvideo]

Part 2 tomorrow with the answer 👍🏼

[@dakshrokadia_MTB]

Question: if I use a 5volt charger to the pi does that mean i can over voltage it to 8 volt

[@leepspvideo]

Only use a 5V power supply with a Pi 4. It’s important to have enough Amps. I did this video a long time ago Raspberry Pi 4 Raspbian OS first look. Running with 2.4A power adaptor kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z36sc2ysYrmphNk If you over volt and plug devices in that need more power the Pi needs more watts. If the adapter is only 1A or 1.5A you will likely get errors or failed boots. I suggest the official Pi usb C adapter linked in all my videos. 5.1V 3A = 15.3 Watts Put in your Amps and volts to see how many watts your adapter has www.rapidtables.com/calc/electric/watt-volt-amp-calculator.html Overclock at you own risk

[@christopherleadholm6677]

I've got the argon 40 case, just not the m.2 version. I use a sata ssd via usb3... The argonone case is VERY finicky about rebooting after its installed. You need to do a fresh install of an OS then after apt update/grade, reboot, install the argonone case script, then reboot again before doing ANYTHING. It NEEDS to be rebooted after installing the case script. I've done it 100,000 times. 😉

[@leepspvideo]

The explanation is in tomorrow’s video. 👍🏻. I suspect your issue could be the usb sata cable. Some are problematic on a Pi 4 kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3m5ZXZmgdGeqs0 kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZWui2V6jbd2maM kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4vZl4WNnb55hpY

[@patslee1394]

fantastic video as usual. i was thinking at 13min Argon have sneakily downgrade something when you install the fan control software to downgrade the cpu use and keep it cooler. perhaps if you chose option 3 customise behaviour you can change the temp settings etc. i look forward to part 2.

[@virtuallifeform]

I didn't see that on mine when I was running Raspberry Pi OS (o/c to 2100). I'm running Manjaro-XFCE now, though (still at 2100).

[@michelvandoorn8190]

used same eee[rom ?

[@leepspvideo]

I would expect both to be up to date. Part 2 has the answer later today. 👍🏻

[@SmithyScotland]

Different SSD to usb adapters?

[@leepspvideo]

All explained tomorrow in part 2. 👍🏻

[@grammuses]

Swap the power supplies and try again?

[@leepspvideo]

Explanation in part 2 tomorrow 👍🏻

[@grammuses]

Oh you tease 😂

[@iam.jasonhoward]

The real temperature test is here in the comments.

[@elberttanner6189]

Swap SD cards? Or manufacturer defect?

[@cuplesey]

He is using SSD's not SD cards.

[@leepspvideo]

Explanation in part 2 tomorrow 👍🏻

[@Henkie0011]

Great video. Look at uasp maybe. I changed my argon for the pi52 Nas. Temperature changed aboutminus 4 or 5 degrees average. The M.2 cools a little bit better in the pi52. Waiting for answers 😝

[@leepspvideo]

Explanation tomorrow 👍🏻

[@dronepilotflyby9481]

First thing is swap the drives and see if you get the same results.

[@leepspvideo]

I did that in part 2 amongst other things. I did manage to get an explanation. Video up later today. 👍🏻

[@dronepilotflyby9481]

@@leepspvideo Thanks, We'll be looking forward to it. I have had the Argon One M2 for quite a while for my 8gb Pi but have never run a speed test on it. It doesn't appear to drop frames that mush with you YT test video

[@mattivirta]

how if run video 2 hour or longtime more, i think argon case store all heat to case and ewening have all case wery hot. if start run morning what have ewening temp, all day looking videos and play. i think ice tower can cooling long period better. u need test how much temp have after cpu run hard 8-10 hour. important if play or looking movies netflix etc.

[@mattivirta]

today come in post ice cooler slim version and all day has test, before has flirc and argon case no can owerlock, temp has alltime full day working and looking videos and play games hot 76-84C temp, but fight argon case to trash and use now ice tower slim version cooler and temp have 31-41C about all day, lot lot better than old argon case or old flirc case whit fan.and have owerlocked now 2ghz speed. lot better use now. best shopping my raspi now have lot better.

[@itsmetimmee]

antici…pation

[@oldtimeengineer26]

swap the drives and there cables

[@leepspvideo]

The explanation is in tomorrow’s video. 👍🏻

[@paulcottingham241]

Now if one could just find a Raspberry Pi to cool. Why is there still so much interest in a device that is more rare than a unicorn?

[@leepspvideo]

There were 13.2 million Pi 3B models sold. I couldn’t find out how many Pi 4B models have sold so far. Where are they? www.tomshardware.com/news/raspberry-pi-9th-birthday

[@paulcottingham241]

@@leepspvideo Good question! But its for sure that none are available now and none have been for months.

[@MiddleB0ss]

I have 99% sure if Raspberry team release "PRO" version of Rasp4 with M2 slot, will have a lot of market... I don't know, sometimes seems like they need to be more greed.

[@leepspvideo]

I would love a premium Pi

[@lee99bay]

🙋

[@Chexsum]

maybe never overvolt has been set

[@leepspvideo]

The explanation is in tomorrow’s video. 👍🏻

[@mattivirta]

i looking this video test and just orden ice tower because argon case not have good,nice, and store heat lot. ice tower not store heat fan blow all heat to out good better than argon if use pi4 24hour/day7.

[@zeroworldcraft]

Winner: CooliPi

[@leepspvideo]

Tomorrows video has proper results.

[@michelvandoorn8190]

eeeprom updaten

[@DanielTheRat]

Second

[@cherrymountains72]

Dude, with this kind of differences you can't get away with using "similar" setups, you need to make sure both setups are 100% identical. And you shouldn't have released this video but the one with 100% identical setups, sorry. This makes me question any test you've done until now because did you use similar setups or identical setups? Not good, your credibility is at stake here and I'm sure that's not what you want at all.

[@leepspvideo]

Its why there is a part 2. All will become clear tomorrow.