|
Product:
|
Cooler Master Aero 7+ CPU Cooler |
|
Price:
|
$45 (CAN) / $34 (U.S)
|
|
Supplied By:
|
Cooler Master
|
|
Author:
|
BigDaddy
|
|
Date:
|
June 13th, 2003
|
|
Rating:
|
|
MODTHEBOX would like to thank Tony from Cooler Master
for providing the Aero 7+ CPU Cooler for review.
Introduction:
Necessity is the mother of invention, or so they say. Never is this more the case than in aftermarket
computer components. With huge technological leaps in very short time frames, companies have to strive
to use the best tools at their disposal to excel in an environment that can change with the flip of a
hat. This is all the more so the case in CPU cooling, where newer processors are continually pushing
the thermal limits. In the past, we’ve seen new technologies deployed to combat heat in better, quieter
and more efficient means. We’ve seen the introduction of heat pipes and "flower coolers", silver
plating and skived fins. Cooler Master has always been an innovator in cooling. Today in the MTB Labs,
we evaluate a new design in CPU cooling, with their Aero 7+ CPU Cooler.
Specifications:
The ASB-V73-U2 or Aero 7+, is an all-copper heatsink solution that incorporates a blower instead of the
traditional axial fan. The unit is compatible with socket 7, 370, 462 and Socket A configurations. The
unit features an adjustable fan setting which can be manually modified via a 3.5 inch drive cover
bracket or a PCI slot cover. Here are some of the specifications taken directly from the Cooler Master
website:
|
Cooler Master Aero 7+ CPU Cooler - Key Specifications:
|
| Cooler Master Aero 7+ CPU Cooler: Manufactured by Cooler Master |
| Heatsink Dimension: 80mm x 80mm x 51mm |
| Fan Dimension: 80mm x 80mm x 70mm |
| Rated Speed: 1900-3500 RPM |
| Air Flow: 10.9-20.0 CFM |
| Rated Voltage: 7-13.8 V |
| Form Factors: Standard ATX Motherboard |
| Heatsink Type: Copper Skived Fin |
| Air Pressure: 2.9-10.7 mm H20 |
|
Cooler Master Aero 7+ CPU Cooler - Key Features:
|
| Blower’s newest design let the cooler able to blow towards the center of the heatsink |
| More powerful blowers produce larger air pressure than traditional axial fans |
| External fan speed adjustment on PCI and 3 ½ inch bracket allows user to set the desire fan rpm (1900~3500) without opening up the chassis |
| Aero 7 is for Socket A, 370, 462, 7 and it uses copper stacked fin design |
| Multilingual Installation Guide included |
| Aero 7+ is an improved version of Aero 7 |
| Improved thumb clip to avoid blocking with PSU or RAM modules |
| Available in 70mm and 80mm Aero fan versions |
|
Click image for larger view
|
Click image for larger view
|
|
The Cooler Master Aero 7+ CPU Cooler ships a clear Perspex pack which folds at the top where it is heat
sealed. Inside, the components are tightly packed in a second formed Perspex bubble. The bulk of the
unit has an unobstructed display, with only a small panel for the Cooler Master logo, the product name,
and a few features. A cardboard backing provides a full list of specifications on the rear of the
package.
Included with the cooler is a multilingual installation guide, a 3.5" mounting bracket with four
mounting screws, a pre-drilled PCI mounting plate, a plastic control knob, an ample supply of silicon
grease, and a Cooler Master case badge. With the exception of the case badge and the larger volume of
thermal grease, the contents are identical to those included with the Cooler Master X-Dream SE CPU
Cooler.
|
|
Click image for larger view
|
Aero 7+ blower fan
|
|
My initial impressions of the cooler were quite positive. Reviewing heatsinks can sometimes be a tedious
process, but it is always exciting to see new and innovative ideas brought forward. This is especially
the case when a product is re-released to address some issues identified during the original review
process. Obviously, the key feature of the cooler is the large aqua blower mounted on top of the heatsink.
The color scheme is identical to that of the original X-Dream.
The theory behind using a blower instead of a traditional axial fan is that a blower doesn’t suffer from
a "dead zone" at the center of the fan. Since an axial fan is centered on the heatsink, the "dead zone"
is a vital area which generates the most heat. By incorporating a blower, the hottest part of the heatsink
gets the air flow required for proper cooling. Additionally, a blower will typically deliver more static
pressure compared to an equivalently sized axial fan. Since heatsinks typically perform better with
higher static pressure, this should also result in more efficient cooling. The blower mounted to the
Aero 7+ is 80mm x 80mm x 70mm and is has an RPM rating between 1900 and 3500 RPM. Using a potentiometer
wired to the blower, a user can manually adjust the fan’s voltage from 7 to 12 volts. The resulting
adjustments can alter the amount of air the unit displaces from as low as 10.9 CFM to as high as 20 CFM.
|
|
