Twelve CPU Air Cooler Roundup
DeepCool Gamer Storm Assassin
Deep Cool is a new player in the US market. The Modders-Inc crew had a chance to meet up with them at CES. The DeepCool Gamer Storm Assassin is a dual tower 140mm CPU cooler that comes with two fans and is compatible with the majority of the available motherboards.
| MANUFACTURER: | Deepcool |
|---|---|
| MODEL | Gamer Storm Assassin |
| SOCKET SUPPORT: | Intel: LGA775, LGA1150, LGA1155, LGA1156, LGA1366, LGA2011 AMD: AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, FM1, FM2 |
| HEATSINK | Material: Aluminum (Fins) Copper (Heatpipes & Base) Dimensions: 144 x 154 x 160 mm Heatpipes: Ø6 mm – 8pcs Weight: 1378 g |
| FANS | Model: UF 120 Dimensions: 120 mm x 120 mm x 25 mm Fan Speed: 1200 RPM Fan Airflow: 52.35 CFM Fan Noise: 23.2 dBA Model: UF 140 Dimensions: 140 mm x 140 mm x 25 mm Fan Speed: 700 – 1400 RPM Fan Airflow: 80.28 CFM (max) Fan Noise: 18.2 – 32 dBA |
| FEATURES | Twin tower heatsink Shark teeth fin design Anti-vibration TPE fan frame cover Mirror finished copper base |
| WARRANTY | One years |
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The packaging for the GamerStorm Assassin is simple but effective. The 1/2 shiny assassins’ mask on a matte black background is eye catching to say the least. The back side of the box lists out the specifications and features of the GamerStorm Assassin CPU cooler.
Most motherboard installations are supported thanks to the installation kit. This CPU cooler can be installed on Intel motherboards all the way back to socket 775. Two fans are also included in the package.
Weighing in at just above 1300 g, the Gamer Storm Assassin is heavy. The CPU cooler features two 140mm towers that have eight 6mm heat pipes running through them.
According to Deep Cool, the Assassin’s fin layout has been designed for maximum airflow. As demonstrated by the picture above, we can see through the cooler.
Spacing between the two towers measures in at just over 26mm. Each tower measures in at 140x50mm.
One of the most unique things about the DeepCool Gamer Storm Assassin is the shape of the fin edges. This design is what Deep Cool calls Shark Teeth and is designed to improve airflow between the fins.
The base of the DeepCool Gamer Storm Assassin is highly polished nickel plated copper. As with the rest of the Assassin, the base is just massive.
There are many different schools of thought on if a polished base is better than a non-polished and so on. However, DeepCool has focused on the base of the cooler and has given it a mirror finish. The 1cm grid reflects perfectly with no distortion whatsoever.
The DeepCool Gamer Storm Assassin comes with two fans; a 140 mm and a 120 mm. The 140mm fan is pictured above. This is a PWM fan and is rated at 700-1400 RPM and 18.2-32 dBA while pushing 80.28 CFM max. The frame of the fan is a rubberized material designed to absorb vibration and noise.
The 120mm fan that is included with the DeepCool Gamer Storm is not a PWM fan, but the manufacture has included an adapter that limits the voltage to 7 volts. At the full 12 volts this fan is capable of 1200 RPM at 52.35 CFM with a noise level of 23.2 dBA.
DeepCool has made installation of the Gamer Storm Assassin very easy. The backplate lists out which slots to use for each type of motherboard. Each hole has the number that corresponds to the motherboard. We are installing this cooler on an Intel 1150 motherboard so, the holes marked with the roman numeral II will be used.
After placing each of the four bolts through the correct hole in the back plate, slide the rubber caps over the ends of the back plate and bolts as shown above.
The next step in the installation process is to install the assembled back plate onto the motherboard. Then slide the included plastic spacers onto the bolts.
The retention brackets come next. Again, we will be using the number II hole as this is the correct position for our motherboard. The CPU cooler can be installed in either direction, as in the fans facing top and bottom or front to back. I choose to install the CPU cooler front to back. The retention brackets need to be installed as show. Be careful not to install them upside down as this may cause damage to the CPU.
Finally, place the CPU retention clip on the top of the CPU cooler base. There are tangs on the bracket that will help with proper alignment. Tighten down each side a little at a time to ensure proper thermal paste spread.
Last thing that needs to be done is to attach the fans. According to every diagram in the instructions, the 140mm fan is installed in the middle and the 120 on the outside of the cooler. The CPU cooler clears the memory slots, albeit just barely. The 120mm fan however does not. There are many ways to mount the fan. I choose the push/push configuration shown above.
Here is the configuration that I chose to use. The CPU cooler is installed and ready to test.
Time to take a look at the Deep Cool Gamer Storm Lucifer.
