Introduction and Features

Not only is the V8 visually a very impressive cooler, it delivers good performance and quiet operation with support for both Intel and AMD processors. Check out the review for all the details.
Cooler Master showed off three prototype CPU coolers at CES 2008 earlier this year, the V12, V10 and V8.  One of those monster coolers has made its way into production and we have the retail version of the Cooler Master V8 CPU cooler up for review.  The V8 is one of the most impressive looking coolers I have seen to date.  The build quality and fit-n-finish is excellent, which supports the automotive theme and is sure to appeal to enthusiasts and case modders alike.    

Cooler Master V8 CPU Cooler Review - Cases and Cooling 23
(Courtesy Cooler Master)
 
The Cooler Master V8 features eight heat pipes, four sets of modular aluminum fins, an integrated 120mm fan and is rated for dissipating up to 180W of CPU heat.  Another major strength is quiet operation and precise control of the fan thanks to the included PWM fan speed control and manual adjustment knob.  The V8 supports both Intel LGA775 and AMD 754/939/940/AM2/AM2+ processors.

Cooler Master V8 CPU Cooler Main Features:

•    Unique automotive theme for a custom look
•    180W Cooling solution
•    4 Sets of modular aluminum fins
•    8 Heat pipes to maximize heat transfer
•    Quiet 120mm center mounted fan optimizes airflow
•    Automatic PWM or manual fan speed control
•    Mirror finished copper base
•    Supports single, dual and quad core CPUs (Intel 775 and AM2+/AM2/754/939/940)

Heat Pipe Technology

The Cooler Master V8 CPU cooler uses eight heat pipes to transport heat away from the CPU up into four different arrays of aluminum fins.  A heat pipe is a highly efficient conductor of heat.  A properly constructed heat pipe has a very low thermal resistance, which is roughly independent of its length (unlike ordinary metal rods whose thermal resistance increases with length).  Heat pipes are commonly used to efficiently transport heat from one location to another.

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Heat pipes work on the principle of evaporation and condensation.  A working fluid (frequently distilled water) evaporates inside one end of the heat pipe (the hot-end) absorbing heat in the process.  A partial vacuum inside the heat pipe allows the water to evaporate at low temperatures.  Once formed, the water vapor diffuses from an area of high vapor pressure (where it is being generated) to the other end of the tube where the vapor pressure is lower.  The type of working fluid and the degree of vacuum will determine the heat pipe’s temperature range.

The vaporized fluid then condenses back to liquid (at the cold-end) and the heat is dissipated into the air from the metal cooling fins.  The working fluid returns to the hot end via capillary action thru an internal wicking structure (sintered metal coating, fine wire mesh, or grooves) so the heat pipe does not have to rely on gravity to recycle the working fluid.  The key to a heat pipe’s high efficiency is the latent heat of vaporization. 




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