Testing

The usual testing methods were applied here. Now whilst have thoughtfully provided some thermal paste with the Aero7, I won't be using it. To be honest I look at the white paste and instantly think cheap and nasty (that said, some companies, don't include any paste at all) so like the majority of you will do, I've used something a bit pricier, Artic Silver II, the same as I've used with all my HSF reviews bar one (the Silver Mountain 2Q which came with Shinetsu thermal pads.) The test system is as follows:-

AthlonXP 1900+ (supplied by ) @ XP2000 1.75v 166FSB
Abit AT7 Max
Skyhawk Midtower with 2x Intake, 1x Exhaust, with all fans including the PSU fans set to low.
Windows XP (SP1)

As the Aero7 features an adjustable speed fan, I've tested the fan at 3 different speeds, basically low, medium and high. As a comparison, I've used the Coolermaster X-Dream and the Swiftech MCX462 with a 3000 rpm Coolermaster Fan. For idle settings, Windows was booted up and left for 15 minutes and a reading taken. For load settings Folding@Home was left running for at least an hour and readings taken. This was done 3 times and the average temperature taken for each. Room temperature was maintained at 26C and the case side was left off.

Well, I think the table above speaks for itself. The temperature difference compared to the others is something that I wasn't expecting at all. Both the X-Dream and the Swiftech, with fans at full speed (constant in the case of the Swifty) are idling at 45C. The Aero7 quite literally blows them away with a 4 degree difference, dropping to just 41C. The last time I was this surprised with a HSF was when I upgraded my Thermalright SK7 and Delta assembly to the Swiftech, which not only dropped the noise significantly but also the temperature. Now at this point both the X-Dream and the Aero7's fans are at full speed, which is pretty noisy. The Swiftech however remains pretty much silent. When we drop the fan speed to 2000rpm on the Aero7 the noise level drops to below that of the Swiftech setup and the temperatures are on par with one another in regards to load. Noise wise, you simply cannot hear the Aero7 at its lowest speed. At 2700rpm, you can hear the fan for the first time, that's to say that at 2700 rpm it's at the threshold of when you can and can't distinguish it from the other fans and the PSU. At 3750 rpm it's a pleasant hum. It's not the same kind of hum you would expect from a fan of this size, sounding more like a 120mm axial fan, rather than the 70mm it actually is. So is this HSF's performance thanks to the fan design or is it the 'sink itself? The only way to really tell is to swap the fan out for a traditional axial fan. Now this 'sink is 70mm, and I don't have any other 70mm fans.

So in true DIY fashion, I've rigged up an 80mm fan to the 'sink which is being held on by the same clips that used to hold on the fan to my Thermalright HSF. The 80mm fan in question is the same fan I used on the Swiftech, and I've run both at 3000rpm. This puts the output of the 80mm fan at around 28CFM, with the output of the Aero7 fan at just under 18CFM. With that in mind, make what you will of the next set of results.

The 80mm fan covers the entire heatsink with air, including a slight overlap at the edges. However the 'deadzone' found in centre of the fan would seem to hurt performance by 2C when compared to the Aero7 fan. Using the Aero7 radial fan covers more of the heatsink with air, negating the 'deadzone' dead centre as well as the few millimetres in the 4 corners. Bear in mind the CFM difference of the 2 fans as well, the 80mm pushes a lot more air, yet it would seem from my testing that because the air isn't covering the entire heatsink, efficiency is decreased.

An impressive turn out for this new design from Coolermaster.

Final Words

In my time as a reviewer here at VL, it's been rare that I've come across anything really bad, with the majority of products I've seen being of decent quality. It would seem that I've once again been lucky in looking at the Aero7 which has quite frankly exceeded any expectations I had about its performance. I never for one second actually thought it would best the current line up of heatsinks I have on hand but it has, with temperature differing by 4C less at both idle and load compared to the X-Dream, which was no slouch in my opinion. This is not to say there isn't better performing setups out there, because there is, but looking at the overall product, it's noise compared to performance, it is impressive in its own right.

I did expect it to be a rather ugly setup, and whilst I wouldn't call it a work of art, it is far from being aesthetically unpleasing to see in person. The copper heatsink has good solid feel to it, and isn't overly heavy to make me worry about weight on a ZIF Socket. I'm pleased to see that have once again used the very easy idea of a thumb lever on the clip, making for a quick install. The unit attaches solidly to the socket thanks to the 6 lug clip approach.

The fan being of the radial design, whilst not a new idea (the Noise Control Silverado comes to mind), works very well negating the deadzone in the centre of the heatsink found in traditional axial fan setups and allowing the air to circulate the entire 'sink. I like the frosted clear look of the fan assembly plastic, and my instant reaction was it would look pretty good with a few blue LED's thrown into it. I'll certainly be on the look out for any pictures anyone has of this if someone does do this. As introduced with the X-Dream, the Aero7 also has adjustable fan speeds, allowing you to dial in your preference of performance and noise. I for one am glad to see that Coolermaster saw fit to include not only a PCI slot to mount the speed dial onto, but also a 3 ½ inch bay cover as well (of the brushed aluminium variety of course), allowing you to take control of the fan speed from either the rear or the front of the case as the end user see's fit.

The combination of the skived copper, the radial fan assembly and the best of both worlds approach to fan speeds (and noise) make for a great product overall, and in my testing this combination seems to have paid off. This is one of those reviews where I have basically installed it, took the first few readings and said to myself " &. That can't be right &..". I had to go back and make doubly sure of the readings in comparison with the other HSF's just to make sure in my own mind that the results were infact correct. The only downside I can see to this is that the radial fan makes the entire unit quite tall, just over an inch taller than your average HSF.

If you're looking to put this into a cramped case such as a desktop, you will most likely have to look elsewhere, but as bad points go that's it, and even then that is something that won't affect a lot of users. Thanks to for letting us look at the Aero7 HSF.

Pros
Interesting Radial Fan design negates the 'deadzone'
All copper, skived approach
Great performance
Adjustable fan speed
PCI slot and 3 ½ inch bay mount for dial included
Overall solid and quality feel

Cons
It's an inch taller than your average setup

Bottom Line
If you're looking for a great performing HSF with an interesting twist that'll make your friends say "what the &." then take a look at this one. A very nice combination of features that provides the end user with a quality product.

If you got any comments, be sure to hit us up in our forums.

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