COOLER MASTER GeminII S524 120mm Long Life Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible with Intel 2011/1366/1155/775 and AMD FM1/FM2/AM3+

Pros: Used this on FX-6100 OC'd at 3.9. This cooler kept my CPU under 45C at 100% with Prime 95. Only did it for a few hours. I used the thermal paste that came with cooler. I had no problem with clearance on the memory. It is tight trying to install any memory with the cooler already on, but it can be done. I have seven fans running on the case so I don't hear this one at all above the other ones so I can't really testify for the noise. I like the construction. It's sturdy and solid.

Cons: Instructions were a little confusing but was able to figure it out.

Other Thoughts: This is the best bang for the buck around, specially if you get it on sale. If you want to keep your CPU cooler you than this, you would need to go liquid cooled.

Pros: STURDY
On a q8200s idle 32C Ae realistic load (couple renders) 38C
I would use this in an HTPC box
Option to 14cm fan

Cons: Thought I was going to snap my mobo putting it on
Check mem clearance of course used team elite 1333 DDR3

Other Thoughts: Couldve made it a tad taller in addition to coming with a 14cm fan

Pros: - VERY easy mounting solution compared to other Coolermaster systems. When I first looked at it I thought it would be difficult but was actually quite easy.
- Quite capable for a top->down cooler. Kept temperatures within 5°c of my Hyper 212+
- Tall enough to allow for memory with taller heatspreaders to fit underneath

Cons: - Instructions were a bit difficult to understand but with some extra time studying them I figured them out. Coolermaster's instructions could use some work as Heatsinks are such an important part of any system.
- Doesn't come bundled with a 140mm fan. It has mounting holes for both a 120mm and 140mm fan but would benefit from being bundled with a 140mm for efficiency and acoustics.
- Can be difficult to find a working orientation
- if you orient the cooler over the memory banks you get efficient cooling of your memory, but you need to remove the heatsink to swap or change memory modules...extra steps can be frustrating

Other Thoughts: Used this for my Girlfriend's computer. It gave a nice little bit of flash for her system without being over the top. It keeps a heavily overclocked FX-4170 (4.8GHz) under 50°c and within 5°c of what my hyper 212+ was able to keep the processor at when I was using it. It is a very capable cooler that would benefit from minor reworks (similar to the 212+ -> 212evo) and bundling improvements, but as is, is an extremely good value for anyone looking for some more robust full system (memory, MB, and CPU) cooling.

Pros: Installation was a bit tricky but think a little a your going to get it. Helps to install it before putting the motherboard in the case. Three to four positions to in stall it in in case you have tall corsair RAM like I do. that was handy. Keeping system cool through Crysis 3 and Bioshock infinite as well as my person fave dragon age II. Temps never climb above 60c on an FX-8350 in a HAF x case

Cons: Just a little trick to install. other than that it will save you money on buying that expensive water cooler system.

Other Thoughts: nervous about water cooling and since I only mildly overclock I felt this should do the trick. Guess it did. I have yet to see 70c under load.

Pros: below $50, 120mm fan, quiet, decent cooling

Cons: none.

Pros: Excellent heat dissipation. Love the fact that the fan hardly needs to run to keep my rig in mid 30's. Loved the fact that it would only have to spin up to barely anything to keep me cool while rocking out Crysis 2 and whatnot. Loved the fact that it has a specifically shaped heatsink designed for clearing RAM. Loved the price, and just love Cooler Master in general. I personally know their products are decent quality and price.

Cons: A few flaws. First, and foremost, the reduction of one egg for the unnecessary amount of fin width. I understand heat dissipation and how cool this thing was, but dropping 2 or 4 fins total [one or two from each side] would've made this thing fit a whole lot better. I use a Biostar TZ77XE3 motherboard, and this would partially block the top PCIE slot due to it's unecessary width. I was forced to put my card in the 2nd slot, which runs at 8X. That was my problem, and it may seem nitpickish, but there's a point where performance meets utility, and this one has too much in the former.

Other Thoughts: Now, don't you think i'm being an idiot and not going into this without doing my research. I always do. Always. Other than it being slightly too fat [even if the 120mm hung over by a cm on each side, my card would've fit], it's perfect for cooling. Either have a board with two x16 slots, or go different. I shouldn't have to sacrifice gaming ability for cooling, and vice versa.

Also, had to RMA that motherboard [still having the same problem with the new one, biostar has iffy customer support.], and forgot to take off my gaskets off the board. Those little rubber rings are absolutely critical to keeping your board in decent shape, and I can't put it on without it. I already ordered a new cooler, but still wish it came with the extras to compensate my error. No, i don't want my hand held, but extra parts are -always- nice.

Pros: Looks freakin awesome!
Keeps my i5 @ 4.0 very cool
Fits my z77n-Wifi board perfect!

Cons: Yes, it is different to install in that it does not screw to the backplate on your mobo. The bolts they give you go on the bottom side of your mobo.

The instructions were useless but it took me all of 2 minutes to figure it out so no big deal.

Corsair Vengeance Ram will not work in a "regular" setup.

Other Thoughts: Sorry NewEgg, I bought it locally in case it did not fit.

1. Ok, so I put this on my z77n-wifi. The pipes that come up the back are facing my video card. I have G.Skill in the left slot for Ram and I am verifying that I have Corsair Vengeance in the right slot.

2. I was using cpuid but I find it inconsistent with other programs. Using the Gigabyte sofware paired with Everest Ultimate I idle in the mid 20's, browse and other tasks in the 30's and game/video convert in the low 40's never topping 45. The CPUID was giving me temps 20 degrees higher both idle and load. I figured since the other two matched exactly, I'd drop CPUID.

3. The stock fan was cool but I put a Cougar 140mm on there. Stock fan would sit around 750-900rpm and would indeed ramp up to 1700+ but it was too loud for me.

4. I have this in a BitFenix Prodigy case. The front top fan is the stock 120mm case fan blowing down. The back top fan is a Cougar 120mm blowing down directly on top of this cooler. A front 200mm (off my Cooler Master) and a back 120mm Cougar blowing out.

5. If you can get past the install, you won't regret it!

Pros: I have had this heatsink since November when I built a new rig. I am thoroughly impressed with the efficiency of this item. The noise is absolutely negligible and under heavy load my 3930k (@ stock) doesn't ever go higher than 60 C. I have been running my computer constantly since then and I've only shut it down twice (once to dust it out, the other to go out of town). Right now the highest core temp I am reading is 31 C which is essentially idle (I'm temping this with CPUID Hardware Monitor). It's amazing that at 100% load, this thing won't go any higher. I was always under the impression that liquid cooling was required for this kind of performance.

All of this is in a home that does not have air conditioning.

Cons: This thing is rather large. I actually have a HAF 932 by Cooler Master which has a large space above the motherboard mounting area to install a secondary power supply (you can easily install dual PSU in this case). If I didn't have this case, you can bet that it would have been blocking off the first PCIe slot on the board as I would have had to install it a different direction.

Installing the RAM would have been a nightmare as well, but I had the foresight to buy some stuff with low heat spreaders.

Installing this heatsink to the motherboard may be a serious pain if the board is already installed (unless you have very small hands.) Even with my spacious case I couldn't do it. I had to pull the board out and do it outside of the case. (luckily the CPU was the first thing I installed)

Not really cons. But I'm sure that it's important to some people and thus it is noteworthy.

Other Thoughts: Cooler Master has not let me down yet. Keep in mind that I do have an optical drive bay fan installed to better feed air to this heatsink.

My build.

Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit
Gigabyte X79 UP4 LGA 2011 Motherboard
Intel i7 3930k (3.2GHz six-core) LGA 2011 Processor
32GB G. Skill Ares series @1866mhz (in quad-channel)
180GB Intel 520 SSD
500GB WD Extra HDD
800w Corsair Gaming PSU
Cooler Master HAF 932 Blue Edition Case
Triple ASUS 24" HD Displays
ASUS Matrix 7970GHz 3GB 384-bit graphics card
Logitech 5.1 Surround

Pros: Shiny! Impressive size. FM2 compatible. Takes 120mm and 140 mm fans. Drop proof and well built...don't ask lol! Lots of screws and nuts. Thermal paste. Wrench and ratchet device included. Mirror like finish on cpu bottom plate. Looks awesome if u replace bland stock fan with aftermarket LED fan.

Cons: WORTHLESS instructions. Fan nuts only fit 120 mm stock fan. See other thoughts.

Other Thoughts: Stock fan is bland. Replaced with 140 mm orange LED fan from New Egg. Looks really blingy now! Be warned if you decide to replace the stock fan with another. The screws for the fan ONLY FIT the stock fan. You'll be searching ur local hardware store like I had to to find the appropriate screws to fit, esp if you go for a 140 mm fan like i did. I also want to comment on the really poor directions for mounting the heatsink..they are a disaster...essentially worthless. Box I got didn't mark it as being FM2 compatible nor did the instructions. Bad choice on Cooler Master, that left me with deep fear when I got it, but IS FM2 compatible.

Pros: Great for smaller cases where room is tight, especially height-wise. Does the job.

Cons: Fan is defective; spins below 500 rpm. This is not a bios issue, it is the defective fan.

Other Thoughts: Replaced the defective fan (at my cost) with a 140mm fan which helps cool the CPU.