Raijintek Pallas Black CPU Cooler LGA 775/1150/1155/1156/1366/2011/ FM2+/FM2/FM1/AM3+/AM3/AM2+/AM2

Comment:
First of all this is an amazing CPU cooler for it's low profile size... If you can make it fit.My old CPU cooler was the SilverStone NT06-PRO which is nearly identical to this cooler.The differences are that this cooler is about 15mm lower height for those tight spaces. However it is also a bit bigger at nearly 15mm longer and much closer to the socket area and ram.To install this cooler was quite the task, first problem I ran into is the install bracket to hold the CPU was too long due to the layout of my Motherboard Asrock Z77E-ITX preventing install without modification of bracket that would be used to hold the cooler on. Next issue was the ram heat spreaders were in the way and required the removal of the heat spreaders.Installing this unit went something like this... removed ram heat spreaders, kept existing SilverStone NT06-PRO mount system (threads are not compatible with this coolers hardware). Bend some fins on cooler, push in small tabs on NT06-pro mount bracket and forced it between the very small gap between the foot of the cooler.I am sure install would have went smoother with included hardware only requiring some edge trimming/bending of the cooler mounting bracket. This CPU cooler requires a new back plate meaning removal of motherboard from case if already installedemoval of factory backplate... Which I avoided using hardware from previous cooler.Only reason I gave this cooler 3 out of 5 stars is because it did not fit my system without requiring modifications. CPU fan clips are a bit of a pain to install as well.This cooler is good for price performance. If you don't have much overhead space in an ITX case like myself this is the way to go for the best cooling. My CPU is the I7 3770K, maxes out at about 61C in a room temp of 20C. Factory Intel cooler would hit 83C+.If I had the right motherboard and ram without raised heat spreaders I would certainly give this cooler about 4-4.5 stars and not 5 due to being a bit difficult to install. With a standard ATX motherboard install and ram space even with large heat spreaders might not be an issue.Fan is average quality, would have preferred a more common fan mounting system for replacement purposes with a higher quality fan that is a little more silent or full profile (more common) with more air pressure. This review was modfied by poster @ 02-18-15 12:49 AM