Cooler Master V8

The Cooler Master VS is a large CPU cooler. How large, you ask? Think the this is a knife" scene from "'Crocodile Dundee." Its 158mm height may make it
difficult to fit into your system, but we found that the V8 has plenty to offer those looking to overclock their processor with air cooling.

Under the VS's hood, which is des- igned to resemble an engine cover, are eight copper heatpipes and four sets of aluminum fins. A 120mm fan sandwiched in the middle of the V8 blowscool air through the fins. There's also a fan speed controller to let you adjust the fan from 80Orpm to 1,8OOrpm. When operating at 880Orpm, the V8 was nearly silent, and the 1,80Orpm setting wasn't too much louder.

The VS includes mounting brackets for Intel Socket 775 and AMD 940/AM2/AM2+ sockets. To install the V8, you'll need to remove the motherboard from your case,
place the appropriate plate on the back of your motherboard, and screw the CPU cooler to the plate. Although we would have appreciated an easier installation process, we were certain the V8 was securely held in place.

We tested the V8 with an Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 and a Gigabyte GA-EP45T Extreme motherboard. We also note the case featured a large wire mesh
vent on the side panel. At the processor's stock 3Gliz speed, the processor temperature was 35 degrees Celsius at idle and 42 C during Prime 95's stress test. When we ramped up the QX9650 to 3.9GHz, idle temps ran at a cool 37 C and an impressive 50 C average (55 (Thigh) during our overclocked Prime 95 stress test.

Considering the nearly 1GHz overciock. the V8's results are noteworthy. The only downside to the V8 is its large size, so make sure you have room in your case before purchase.

by Nathan Lake




V8
$69.99
Cooler Master
www.coolermaster.com


Computer Power User January 2009