Thermaltake CLP0598 92mm Contact 16 CPU Cooler

Pros: This is by far the most hardest cooler to install that i ever bought, trying to hold a back plate and the 2 pound cooler while trying to compress the 50 pound pressure springs on the screws that hold the cooler are almost impossible. Feels much like i am going to break my motherboard and half while trying to barely hold on to the motherboard to put the screws in. Stay away from this cooler spend another 5 dollars and get your self a cooler that actually works. This well be the last thermaltake cooler i ever buy!

Cons: don't buy move on

Pros: Initially purchased it for its lightness and has back plate, for cpu below 100 watts, good for my target i7-3770 at 77 watts. Back plate design better than the push pin retail Intel cpu cooler. Works for my ASUS ATX motherboard P8Z77-V. Does not work for my Gigabyte z77m-d3h-mvp MOTHERBOARD.

Cons: However the back plate design conflicts with my Gigabyte Z77M-D3H-MVP micro ATX motherboard. The back plate covers the motherboard's soldered wire ends sticking out from the bottom of the motherboard. So depending on the motherboard, you have to watch out for the bottom of the motherboard

Pros: Dirt cheap after rebate & CB and it did drop the temperatures significantly over the stock CPU cooler on a Phenom II x4 945.

Cons: I'm a fan of many Thermaltake products, but this one I would NOT recommend, there is a reason its so cheap. If you don't have a fairly large cutout on the back of the motherboard try, be aware the metal mounting plate extends about 0.25" off the motherboard. The spring screws require a HORRIFYING amount of force to install the cooler. Having installed a few of these, I would recommend removing the springs from 3 of the screws, start those 3 and then 1 by 1 put in the screws with the springs (while with the other hand keeping pressure of the opposite side of the heat sink plate to keep it from lifting), this will keep everything aligned. DO NOT SLIP with the screwdriver you most like will damage something on the motherboard.

Other Thoughts: The fan only has a 3-pin connector, meaning if you plug it into a 4-pin CPU fan controller it will run at the max 2,400 RPM speed, which is fairly loud, not a problem if you not worried about noise, but something to consider. The Contac 21 has a 4-pin CPU fan which would allow for the PWM fan speed control function, but at that price you might as well get a Hyper 212+ if you can fit it, which is a better cooler all around.

Pros: Good Size for the Price.

Cons: Requires Modification of the mobo for all installs, both AMD and Intel. You have to remove the existing heat sink connections and install the "special" ones that come with this heat sink.

Other Thoughts: I cannot say how it does under load as the mobo I was putting it on was DOA. However, the modifications needed to install it has made me decide to purchase a different heat sink for the new mobo.

Manufacturer Response:

Hi Thunderegg Computers,
We at Thermaltake apologize for the inconvenience this may have caused you. Please contact our customer service team for installations issue and RMA instructions.
Thermaltake USA Customer Service
email: ttsupport@thermaltakeusa.com
Toll free: 1-800-988-1088 M-F 9:00AM ~ 5:30PM (P.S.T)

Pros: Cheap, easy to install, worked for a while

Cons: I opened up my case before a recent move and I noticed that my heat sink was dangling off the CPU and not making any contact. It seems that the plastic clips that fixed the heat sink to the mobo have broken. I could not reattach the heat sink to the mother board so I must buy another one. It is kind of depressing to see a large part fail because of such a minor detail.

Other Thoughts: Basically, this is the first component of my 2-year-old computer to break, so I will not be buying Thermaltake again.

Pros: Easy install, can put on two fans if desired, Effective heatsink with a decently quiet fan.

Cons: Its not free.

Other Thoughts: Used this on my Phenom II. Went from 60C-65C at 100% with the stock fan, to 38C-42C. So a difference of over 20 degrees. I was not expecting such a big difference in temps. Would definitely buy again for low budget builds.

Pros: It was on sale for $19.95 when I ordered it.

Cons: Annoying to install, doesn't cool the best, and I should have got a Zalman.

Pros: Does exaxtly what it is intended to do.
Things are staying cool.
sturdy construction.

Cons: not really a "con" per se ... i knew it going into the purchase ... but please be aware that this unit does not come with a PWM controlled fan. i found that the fan is noticeable!!! Whoever says it "runs silent" is pulling your leg. (I am currently shopping for a 92mm PWM fan)
i also recommend that you buy some thermal paste along with cooler. The small amount of thermal paste provided is too "watery" in my opinion.

Other Thoughts: Assembly took 35 minutes. (I had to pull the motherboard because the cutaway on my Antec 300 and the location of my CPU do not line up.)
Also, you will have to remove the fan to access the screws during install.
One last thought. For an extra 5 bucks you can get the next model higher.(Thermaltake CLP0600 92mm Contact 21 CPU Cooler) It comes with a controlled fan and superior cooling.

Pros: It does cool better than the stock fan on a AMD Phenom II x4 955. Bought it since it was very cheap with the rebate and I'm not looking to OC.

Cons: Thanks for reject my rebate Thermaltake over silly reasons. Keep your 10$. You just lost profits on any future purchases by me.

Pros: Keeps the AMD 7750 Black cooler than stock

Cons: Not exactly the best quality, still higher than optimal temps of my liking

Other Thoughts: It does run alot cooler than stock coolers but for the price I cant complain