Cooler Master V8 GTS Review

Up Close:  The Cooler

As we’ll see later when we strip it down the V8 GTS is comprised of three fin stacks.  The whole of the top of the cooler is covered in a plastic fascia, and although this may garner performance benefits by better ducting the air it’s primary role is undoubtedly an aesthetic one, it’s inspiration we guess being taken from the top of a V8 engine block. 

     

 

The cooler is actually wider than it is deep, but by elevating both sets of outer fin stacks Cooler Master have helped improve RAM compatibility.  After all, if you’re buying into the V8 lifestyle you’re not really likely to have subtle low profile RAM are you?

     

 

With the fascia giving near 100% coverage, looking down on the V8 GTS from the top almost nothing of the fin stack and and only the tops of the fans can be seen.  What can’t be seen however is any evidence of the multitude of Red LEDs, as the upper ones are hidden beneath the central cowling structure and the lower ones are on the under surfaces of the fans.

     

 

The eight 6mm heat pipes are split 3 ways, with four entering the central stack and two each entering the smaller end stacks.  The general level of finish is good as you would expect from Cooler Master, however there was evidence of fingerprint discolouration of some of the underside.  In the pictures below we also get a better view of the LEDs glued into the lower portions of the fans.  Any modders out there interested in changing the colour of the LEDs will be pleased to know they are held in place by heat gun glue which is easily cut away.  The wiring is also relatively easy to access.

      

 

Rather than being a solid copper block the contact plate is actually a cleverly designed horizontal vapour chamber.  Look carefully and you can actually see the sealing point to the right of the plate.  The idea here is that heat will be dissipated more evenly to the 8x6mm heat pipes, which if allied to a conventional contact plate would all have trouble fitting into the footprint provided.   Although not mirror smooth by any means, the contact plate is flat and devoid of discolouration and imperfections.