MODTHEBOX.COM - Canada's Premier Case Modding Source - Reviews

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Included as part of the Tempest CPU Cooler design is an OCZ branded 92mm Quad LED cooling fan and mounting bracket. The 92mm cooling fan has a rated speed of 2500RPM ± 10% and can push approximately 44 CFM. The specifications for this fan state that it is a 2 ball bearing low noise unit although the OCZ website fails to provide the actual dBA rating. The mounting bracket is well designed and simply clips to the base of the heatsink from the left and right hand sides. On top of the mounting bracket are additional mounting holes for an 80mm fan allowing consumers the ability to customize this product for their own personal needs.

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Out of the box, the OCZ Tempest CPU Cooler looks very impressive rivaling the heavy heatsink construction of similar brand name coolers currently on the market. The Tempest measures approximately 95.25mm (L) x 87.62mm (W) x 51.24mm (H) and weighs in at 580 grams. The weight limit for this product is within the CPU socket specifications imposed by AMD and Intel. The Tempest can be considered a hybrid heatsink which combines the cooling properties of both aluminum and copper. The top portion consists of a series of bonded aluminum fins while the bottom utilizes a copper base plate that is titanium coated. The Tempest uses four heat pipes that are sandwiched between the aluminum fins and copper base plate.

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The bottom of the OCZ Tempest CPU Cooler is machined smooth and has a nice high level reflective finish which should assist with moving heat away from the CPU. Upon closer inspection, I did not notice any machine or nick marks along the outer edge and center of the copper base. OCZ has done an outstanding job in terms of providing one of the best finishes I have seen on a retail heatsink.