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Case, Power Supply, Fan Reviews
  Product:     Spire SPB601B3 VertiCool II HSF Cooler  
  Price:     $41 (CDN) / $36 (U.S)
  Supplied By:     Spire Cooling Solutions
  Author:     Mars
  Date:     April 16th, 2006
  Rating:     star star star star star star star star star

MODTHEBOX would like to thank Rolf from Spire Cooling Solutions for sending the Spire SPB601B3 VertiCool II HSF Cooler for review.

Fanner Tech

Introduction:

As Intel and AMD slug it out for CPU supremacy, what lie in their wake is faster and more powerful processors that generate more heat, and a greater need to keep them cool. One manufacturer that is battling the performance to noise ratio is a company called Spire Cooling Solutions. Today in the MTB Labs, we will be evaluating their latest offering called the SPB601B3 VertiCool II.

Specifications:

The VertiCool II is an all copper heatsink with dual copper heatpipes leading up to fourty five aluminum micro-fins providing the optimal cooling configuration. Here are some specifications taken directly from the Spire Cooling Solutions website:

Model
Spire SPB601B3 VertiCool II HSF Cooler
Dimensions

95mm (L) × 65mm (W) × 100mm (H)

Application Intel

Celeron D ~ 2.93 GHz (340J), Pentium 4 ~ 3.73 GHz (775 Prescott), Pentium D ~ 3.4 GHz (775 Dual-Core) and Pentium EE ~ 3.73 GHz (775 Dual-Core)
Application AMD

Athlon 64 ~ 4800+ (K8), Athlon 64 FX-51 (K8), Athlon 64 FX-53 (K8), Athlon 64 FX-55 (K8), Athlon 64 FX-60 (K8), Opteron ~ 2.6 (K8) and Sempron ~ 3300+ (K8)

Bearing

Ball Bearing

Rated Speed

2300 RPM +/-10%

Rated Power

1.56W

Noise Level

19.0 dBA
Air Flow

25.78 CFM at 2,300 RPM

Current

0.13 A
Life Hours

50,000

Features

- Supports all new Intel & AMD micro-processors

- All new UV-reactant 80mm Spider-Fan design
- Amazingly silent at just 19.0 dBA
- 2 Thermally improved heat-pipes
- All copper base
- 45 stamped Aluminum Micro-Fin's
- Dual-Core ready for both Intel & AMD!
Thermal Resistance

0.21 (AMD) & 0.23 (INTEL) °C/W

Spire SPB601B3 VertiCool II HSF Cooler
Click image for larger view
Spire SPB601B3 VertiCool II HSF Cooler
Click image for larger view
 

The Spire SPB601B3 cooler comes in a colorful retail box with printed text and pictures on all sides.

Spire SPB601B3 VertiCool II HSF Cooler
Click image for larger view
Spire SPB601B3 VertiCool II HSF Cooler
Click image for larger view
 

Inside you will find the cooler; the installation instructions, the various mounting hardware for Intel socket 775, AMD socket 754, 939, 940, and a small tube of thermal compound.

Spire SPB601B3 VertiCool II HSF Cooler
Click image for larger view
Spire SPB601B3 VertiCool II HSF Cooler
Click image for larger view
 
My initial impression of the Spire VertiCool II was a neutral, but optimistic one. I am not easily impressed with CPU cooler manufacturers claims of a quiet, high performance solution based on looks alone. At least this cooler is not grossly oversized, or incorporating a non-replaceable proprietary fan like some products I have seen in the past. According to Spire, the U.V reactive 80mm Spider style fan allows air to enter the sides as well as the rear; claiming a quieter fan due to less turbulence of the incoming air.

Testing:

I will be testing the Spire VertiCool II using SysTool V1.0 Build 649 and monitor temperatures in an idle and load scenario at both at stock and mildly overclocked CPU speeds and compare the results with the stock AMD CPU cooler.

Our test platform is as follows:

  • AMD Athlon 64 3200 (Venice)
  • DFI NF4-Ultra D motherboard
  • OCZ PC4000VX 2X512 DC Kit

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