Cooler Master Hyper 6 (KHC-V81-U1)

Author: Jani 'Japala' Pönkkö Published: 21.04.2004 Manufacturer: Cooler Master Product group: Cooler

The fan

Ratings

I wasn't able to find any CFM values for the fan so we can't really compare it against other models. Noise and RPM range seems to indicate that the fan is ment to be more silent so the amount of air pushed with it will not be that huge. It would still be interesting to see these numbers in future products so hopefully Cooler Master starts to add them to the product specs.

Connectors and a pot

While the fan is ment to be used as a CPU fan it is only equipped with a 4-pin molex power connector. Like in all other models from Cooler Master, this fan includes pass thought connetor so you don't eat up those all important Molexes coming from the power supply. 3-pin connector is there to provide RPM information for the BIOS, Motherboard Monitor and similar programs.

Potentiometer is used to adjust the speed of the fan. User can select it anywhere between 1800 to 3000 rpms. On the highest setting the fan is very noisy but I doubt many of us will be needing that setting for todays CPUs.

Fan mounted

Fan cage allows the fan to be mounted on the either side. It is possible to make it either suck air from the heatsink or blow cool air inside it. Only problem is that the bundled fan is designed to push air inside the heatsink. While the fan cage allows this, it is worth noting that holes for the screws in the fan are made so that you can't mount the fan "other way around". Screws are too short to reach the fan cage for mounting. Replace the screws and you don't have this problem any more but I would have liked to see the fan similar on both sides. From benchmarks you will find out if there is any gain on making the fan suck air from the cooler in the first place.

This is also a place that causes some noise for the cooler. I mentioned those heat pipes that stick through the fan cage earlier. If the fan isn't balanced 100% accuratelly it will vibrate the cage and generate more noise. It would have been great to see some rubber washers or pins separating the fan from the cage as well as those heat pipes. Hopefully engineers at Cooler Master will take these things in account in the future.

Mounting

Mounting

While Cooler Master bundled a new retention module with the heatsink you don't necessarily need to replace your old P4 retention module. The weight of the unit will stress the stock retention module quite a bit and if you want to be on the safe side, do change it. Installation of the heatsink after you have sorted out the retention module business, is really easy and fast. Just apply some thermal grease to the CPU, place the heatsink on top of it all and install the two bundled spring clips. Same operation for both P4 and K8.

Clearance

No capasitors in the way, just a corner of passive chipset heatsink. I had to mod the chipset heatsink a bit by cutting one fin shorter. I doubt this being a major problem in other motherboards though. Just something that you might keep in mind when shopping around for this cooler.

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