Product Reviews

The 3D Rocket II is a huge cooler, measuring 175mm tall and weighing 640g. With blue plastic fins and blue LEDs, it's clearly aimed at enthusiasts. There are two fans: a 92mm one at the top and a smaller one at the bottom. They blow in opposite directions - the top one upwards and the bottom one downwards - to dissipate heat

ADVERTISEMENT

as effectively as possible. Four heatpipes take heat away from the copper base and scores of aluminium fins ensure that surface area is massive.

Installing the cooler on an LGA775 motherboard involves attaching a plastic base, which has to be screwed on from the back of the board, so install it before fitting the motherboard into your case. On AMD AM2 or Socket 939 motherboards, it's a simple case of using the existing clips. A 3in panel is included with a dial to alter the speed from 1,500-3,000rpm, but this can be mounted at the rear of your case if needed.

We tested using a Core 2 Duo E6300 (1.86GHz). Intel's reference cooler managed 41°C when idle and 45°C under load. At the minimum speed, the 3D Rocket II managed 35°C and 42°C respectively, and 33°C and 41°C at the full - and noisiest - speed.

If you can live with the looks, the 3D Rocket is good value.