This is a really great, high-powered cooler at a terrific price (mine was 40). That said: there are things to take into account when buying. They aren't necessarily cons, but they need to be accounted for:
1) It's really powerful. I tested mine in the middle of a heatwave (room temperature 85°+F/30°+C) and the result after 20 minutes of Prime95 v26.6 Small-Fets test was only 60°C. That's great for a 40 dollar cooler. Using Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut probably helped. Using a second fan probably helped. Using my solution to #4 probably didn't. That I got those temps despite my solution to #4 is amazing.
2) It's really big. Not a con, because It's in the specs andyou should know what you're buying, but it's like the saying goes: Measure twice, cut once.
3) There have been some very differing reviews of it's performance that I believe are due to an under-discussed aspect of CPU cooling: the part of the processor that heats up is smaller the the metal cover. As a result all direct-heatpipe-contact coolers are most efficient when they are oriented so as to maximize the number of heatpipes in contact with the hotspot. In my case (using an Intel 1150 socket) that means the cooler is substantially more powerful when oriented with fans pointing upwards.
4) This one is a con: it's really heavy. Like: almost two pounds heavy. A sturdy MSI motherboard will probably be fine. A less substantial board (like my ASRock z97 Killer) may begin to bend under the weight. My solution is pictured below, but some metal wires hanging from the top of the case would probably do more to help airflow.
| Brand | FSP |
|---|---|
| Voltage | 12 Volts |
| Cooling Method | Fan |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop |
| Noise Level | 32 dB |
| Material | Aluminum, Rubber |
| Maximum Rotational Speed | 1500 deg/sec |
| Item model number | AC401 |
| Item Weight | 1.04 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 4.8 x 3.3 x 6.2 inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 4.8 x 3.3 x 6.2 inches |
| Manufacturer | FSP Group U.S.A. Corporation |
| ASIN | B0713S6R8Y |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | April 24, 2017 |
