Thermaltake CPU Cooler SpinQ VT

Introduction

Powerful overclock-able processors require powerful cooling, that is a given. With Intel’s i7 and i5 being full force on the market the new sockets LGA1366 and LGA 1156 are the top priority for new CPU coolers. Thermaltake’s SpinQ VT has the answer for that. It is Thermaltakes new take on older SpinQ with slight differences in design. Let’s put the new version to the test.

Features

Universal Socket Compatibility & Easy Installation
– Supports latest Intel socket LGA 1366 & LGA 1156

Excellent Cooling Performance
– 3pcs U shape heat pipes ensure ultra high efficiency
– Classic cylinder heat sink and spiral aluminum fins
– 80mm blow fan with brilliant Red LED
– Premium thermal grease

Optimized Structure & Smart Airflow Design
– VR Fan allows the users to adjust the fan speed from 1000 to 1600 RPM
– Dissipating the heat with Multi-direction

Specifications

Compatibility	Intel® Latest 6-Core ProcessorsIntel® Core i7 Extreme (Socket LGA1366)Intel® Core i7 (Socket LGA1366 & LGA1156) Intel® Core i5 / i3 (Socket LGA1156) Intel® Core 2 Extreme / Quad / Duo  (Socket LGA775) Intel® Pentium D / 4 (Socket LGA775) Intel® Pentium (Socket LGA775) Intel® Celeron D (Socket LGA775) Intel® Celeron (Socket LGA775) AMD® Latest 6-Core Processors AMD® Phenom II X6 / X4 / X3 / X2 (Socket AM3/AM2+) AMD® Phenom X4 / X3 (Socket AM3/AM2+) AMD® Athlon II X4 / X3 / X2 (Socket AM3) AMD® Athlon 64 FX / X2 (Socket AM2/939) AMD® Athlon 64 (Socket AM2/939/754) AMD® Sempron (Socket AM2/939/754) * Supports All CPUs up to 130W TDP
Heatsink Dimension	120.1 (L) x 120.1 (W) x 159 (H) mm4.73 (L) x 4.73 (W) x 6.26 (H) inch
Heatsink Material	50 Copper Fins + Copper & Aluminum Base
Heatpipe	Ø 6mm x 6
Fan Dimension	Ø 80 x 85 mm
Fan Speed	1000 ~ 1600 RPM
Bearing Type	Sleeve
Noise Level	19 ~ 28 dBA
Max. Air Flow	86.5 CFM
Max. Air Pressure	2.22 mmH2O
LED Fan	Ruby LED Fan
Power Connector	3 Pin
Rated Voltage	12 V
Started Voltage	7 V
Rated Current	0.45 A
Power Input	5.4 W
MTBF	50,000 Hours
Weight	495 g

Differences to note here from the original SpinQ are the weight and material. Weight is 170g less than that of SpinQ, which is quite interesting since the 50 fins are now copper(heaver material) instead of aluminum. Perhaps the length of pipes and the material of the base plays a role in weight difference. Copper fins means that the fans efficiency will be better since copper transfers the heat faster than aluminum. However the pipes are made aluminum, perhaps this what made the weight advantage possible. Regardless, 50 copper fins is a good addition for heat conductivity for new SpinQ VT.

Package

The SpinQ VT comes in a neat and attractive box. After opening the package you’re greeted with a cardboard box that contains the hinges for the cooler, thermal paste, and couple of screws. The cooler itself is held tightly by a foam plastic that will definitely protect it during delivery.

Closer Look

First look is impressive, almost imposing. The cylindrical shape gives it a turbine look that would make any computer look more appealing. You can see in the pictures below a wire hanging from the side of the cooler. This is an interesting feature, it adjusts the speed of the fan from 1000RPM to 1600RPM. It’s not an essential feature for which you most likely will have to open up your case but it’s always all about options. At 1000RPM the fan performs noticeably quieter but as tests will show also increases CPU core temperature.

The 50 fins shaped in a spiral, unlike the common square or rectangular shapes, should provide an effective way of heat dissipation. Even though it may look like it but the fins themselves are not sharp and will not cut into your fingers or scratch you even if you try.

The mirror polished bottom is a must for today’s quality cooling. It’s a smooth surface that allows for the most contact to the processor, thus more cooling. In this case(but not a rule) mirror coating also implies a perfectly flat surface without a bulging center or other deformities. This cooler definitely shows signs of quality upon closer inspection.

Installation

Installation wasn’t hard thanks to easy to use push-pins. The brackets that have the push-pins must be installed on the cooler itself. The reason is that it has several different brackets because of wide coverage of processor sizes. After installing the brackets I applied the thermal paste that was included. I like to use the cross method which seems to spread the thermal paste more across the whole processor instead of a central circle.

The cooler itself did not overlap on any essential part on the motherboard. Unfortunately, it did overlap over the CPU Fan power supply that is on the motherboard at it was nearly impossible to plug it in. On the other hand the motherboards power supply for the fan did not provide enough power so I had to use PSU for it.

Testing

Test Rig:
Motherboard: Jetway BI-600 x58
CPU: Intel i7 920 (OC: 3.2GHz)
Video: ATi HD5870
Case: Element S with 120mm, 140mm, 230mm fans.
PSU: CoolerMaster SilentProM 600W

	SpinQ VT
	1000RPM	1600RPM
Boot	29°C	29°C
Idle	38°C	36°C
Bioshock 2	42°C	40°C
100%	48°C	45°C

Conclusion

Thermaltake’s SpinQ VT brought some differences to their original design. Different material and different structure. The tests show that it definitely can hold it’s own. With an overclocked CPU the temperature’s stayed in a low range. Considering that i7 920 is in a safe zone below 80°C  and a maximum temperature never crossed 50°C at 1000RPM, full load and overclocked CPU to 3.2GHz, I say the results are very good. To sum up, this is the type of cooler I’d be safe with when overclocking my CPU, it looks impressive but the price is in medium to high range it is pretty robust so you must see whether your motherboard has the right design for this cooler to fit properly.

Thermaltake SpinQ VT does everything it has to do, and does it well.