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Cooler Master V8
| Caractéristiques | |||
| Type | heatsink and fan | ||
| Compatibility | 775 / AM2 / 939 / 754 (1366 en option) | ||
| Material | copper and aluminium | ||
| Fan size | |||
| PWM | yes | ||
 Show all specifications
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| Dimensions | 120 x 128 x 161 mm |
| Weight | |
 Hide specifications | |
Régis Jehl
Test date: February 13, 2009
Test date: February 13, 2009
Compatibility, installation and accessories
The Cooler Master V8 supports good compatibility: 775, AM2, 939, 940 and 754. You need to get another system for the 1366 socket. Although installation is fairly cheap, it does take a while as you have to fix the fastening system to the heatsink, place a plate behind the motherboard (which must first be removed) and screw both parts together.
In the box, apart from the fastenings, you'll find a tube of thermal grease, a fan speed adjustor to put on the back of the PC (on a bracket) and a manual. It gives clear instructions on how to assemble everything.
The V8 is a fairly unusual heatsink. It is not a simple model in a tower design, but rather four towers with fin arrays sandwiched around a central fan. On either side of the fan are two classic towers with fin arrays placed horizontally. Two of the other towers are then placed around the block. Their fins are however placed vertically. It is all covered with a plastic case (giving it the look of a car engine), that also has 8 heatpipes (which is where it gets its name from).
The fan used is the same as on the GeminII S. A 120 mm PWM type fan, it has nine fine curved blades. If it doesn't suit you, you can easily change it for another one.
Compare performances in our heatsink product face-off
Very good performance but noisy
Unfortunately the fan is not necessarily a plus point. Although at low speeds it is very quiet, it becomes much louder at mid-speeds and very loud indeed at maximum speeds. Cooling performances are however very good indeed. The V8 then, can handle almost any type of processor, even those that heat up enormously. Thus at mid-speeds it is slightly preferable to the Noctua NH-U12P and Thermalright IFX-14 which give a similar level of performance but with higher noise levels.
Pluses
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Handles the heat well
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Very quiet at low speeds
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Supplied with fan speed adjustment
Minuses
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Becomes noisy as of mid-speeds
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Very large
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You have to remove the motherboard to install it (but it is well fastened)
A very good heatsink for those who are looking for cooling performance. However, if you are looking for quiet, better to go for another model.
