Model:  KHC-L91-U1

Manufacturer:  Coolermaster

Provider:  Coolermaster

Reviewed By:  Tom

Review Date:  12/06/04

  As I mentioned in another review previously, I really do have a short list of companies that I actually enjoy working with…Cooler Master is definitely on that list! Today I have the enviable pleasure of reviewing their newest heatpipe cooler, the Hyper 48. The 48 refers to this model’s compatibility with both Socket 775/478 Pentium 4 and the AMD K8 platforms. Cooler Master’s last venture, although a powerful solution did have a few small places for improvement. On the surface, the Hyper48 appears to keep all the strong points of the Hyper 6 while working on the few – and I do stress the word “few” – problems that the Hyper 6 has. With Cooler Master’s past track record to look at, I was positive that this heatsink would be an outstanding performer…but I think we will withhold judgment until the end of the review!

Packaging & Contents

My review sample arrived in excellent condition. The packaging seems to be in a new direction for what I usually see from Cooler Master. The Hyper 48 was prominently on display in a clear plastic container within the usual purple packaging.

The contents were exactly what I expected, including two separate mounting systems, manual, thermal grease, and a bag of hardware.

Although not quite as hefty as the Hyper 6, the Hyper 48 is certainly no slouch. The Hyper 6 weighed in at just over a kilogram with its single fan installed. The Hyper 48 weighs in at 864 grams total. The four large heatpipes are prominently displayed, arching around from the contact plate to the underside of the massive 92mm Delta fan. Delta? Yup…that Delta! This is not one of the Delta models you’re probably familiar with, as it features some unique fan blades and gaps around the edges. Given that Delta has earned much notoriety for the speed and noise of most of their fans, I was certainly intrigued to hear this one in action…So I plugged it in right then and there! It is actually very quiet and was almost imperceptible a mere six inches away with a full 12 volts.

The bottom of the Hyper 48 reveals a very polished circular contact plate, as well as the four screw holes that would be used with the socket 775 mounting system. The 478 system replaces the entire clip on the motherboard, and adds a backplate to provide the motherboard some relief from the Hyper 48’s weight. The catch with both of these mounting solutions is that you probably will have to remove your motherboard in order to install or remove the Hyper 48.

Specifications

Next: Installation & Performance