Cooler Master V8 CPU Cooler Review

Installation

It seems that Cooler Master has streamlined their installation procedure and equipment for the entire V line as the V8 has the exact same installation procedure as the V10. As with the V10, we recommend you remove the motherboard from your case, even if you have a case which has a backplate cut-out.


To start the installation procedure you first have to prep the V8 and install the proper brackets for the right system. If you are using a 775 system: use the 775 brackets, if you have an i7….you guess it: use the i7 brackets. After you have selected the proper brackets you then install the double threaded screws. As with the V10, the part which attached the screws to the bracket is a Bastard Thread and thus screws in backwards. In other words you tighten it down just like you would to remove a normal thread.

When this task is completed, you then mount the brackets to the base of the V8. Each bracket uses two small screws to hold it in place and it should only take a second or two per screw to tighten the lil’ fellers into place. When this is accomplished and all four screws are tightened down and the mounting brackets are secure, you then peel the paper off four of the rubber bumper pads included and stick one per screw unto the V8. These bumpers slip over the shaft of each screw and stick to the bracket itself. It may take a little coaxing to get them properly positioned as the ends of the bracket are properly sized to help keep the pads in place via friction as well as the glue.


What we recommend (and as the pamphlet describes) is to lay the V8 on its head and for all intents and purposes mount the motherboard to it. That means right before you remove the motherboard from the loving embrace of the case you will need to prep the CPU area and then apply a small amount of TIM to it. When it is in place and all four screws are sticking up through their proper holes, you quickly place the appropriate bracket over them and spin the four little nuts into place. When they are all hand tightened you then dig out the small socket which Cooler Master includes and crank all the nuts down.


While this may be a large cooler it has been designed in such a way as to minimize interference with your motherboard parts. On both our i7 and 775 systems nothing came into contact (or even that close to coming into contact for that matter) with the V8. While we would not say there was an over abundance of room, neither the ram nor heatsinks were in any danger.


All in all this is a quirky, yet fairly easy installation. Overall, it will take you longer than it would to install a pushpin cooler, but we think the extra effort is worth it, as it does make for a very secure mount. It will be interesting to see how effective the proper mounting pressure will help during the performance phase….and whether it can overcome the limitations of this cooler’s design and underpowered fan.