Spire PolarStream Heatsink Review - May Hardware Award
Posted: May 19th, 2004, 12:04 am
Reviewer: Neo-Tebow2000 (Tebo, William M.)
Manufacturer: Spire Coolers
Product: Spire PolarStream CPU Heatsink
Price: $26 USD
Score: 9.5/10 (May Hardware Award)
SP445B15-F PolarStream
Company Background
Founded in 1991, Spire has become a global provider of cooling devices that have changed everyone’s prospective on “How far can I OC”. With the latest technology incorporated into their devices Spire has managed to stay on top with other cooling device competitors. Also, with offices worldwide (Including USA, U.K., Germany, France, Taiwan, Japan and Brazil), Spire technical support is also top level. With today’s faster processors that output an enormous amount of heat, Spire has been able to disable this heat from a processor to outstanding temperatures that pass the minimal requirements to run a CPU. Not only do Spire products have top quality heat protection, they are not to heavy on the wallet and are fashionable, making them perfect for modders that need a top quality heatsink that will look good with their system. If you are looking for a cooling solution to support your overclocking needs, the Spire PolarStream is the heatsink for you.
Introduction
The Spire PolarStream is the leader in its class. Spire known for their top quality cooling devices, have done it again with this product. This ball-bearing product can speed up to 4200 RPM, making an average temperature of a Intel Northwood 3.0 GHz processor as low as 40 degrees Celsius. Also, the PolarStream heatsink is very fashionable, with its outstanding blue transparent color, making it a great heatsink not just for quality, but for the looks too. This WOULD be a heatsink I would recommend if you are doing a medium amount of overclocking.
Product Specs
SP445B15-F
90.5×81×63.5 mm
12VDC Fan: 70x70x25 mm
Ball bearing
2500~4200 RPM +/-10%
0.96~3.60 W
23.5~34.5 dBA
19.7 CFM @ 2500 RPM 24.1 CFM @4200
0.08~0.30 A
50,000 Life Hours
3 pin mainboard connector
4200 RPM, 0.29 °C/W
T725 & thermal grease
Celeron ~ 2.8 GHz
Pentium 4 ~ 3.4 GHz (Willaette / HT NW)
Pentium 4 ~ 3.4 GHz (Prescott)
Features:
- Low Profile all copper radial cooler
- PCI Slot Fan Speed Controller
This medium weight heatsink (light enough to meet the Intel suggested standards which is 450g) heatsink is designed for motherboard that support socket 478 Pentium 4 and Intel Celeron processors. The well designed 80mm transparent blue fan makes this heatsink even more attractive. This product also comes with a fan guard to protect you from having the urge up putting your fingers into the heatsink fan to stop it. Good job Spire!
The Package
The package consists of 4 different items. The heatsink itself, thermal paste (T725), instructions on how to install the heatsink, and a Spire cloth. Each of these products were used somehow during the installation of this heatsink. When I first opened the box, I found a little, attractive, eye capturing blue box. I must give credit to Spire for this well developed box and I am sure that it will make people take a second look at this product. The heatsink itself is a normal sized heatsink. The 80mm fan is a transparent blue color that makes this heatsink perfect for any computer modders out there. On top of the fan is an attractive fan guard designed by Spire with the Spire symbol in the middle. The three pin connector that connects to the motherboard is not only the perfect length, but has meshed wiring which is also essential for computer modders and computer wire management. Another item in this box is the thermal paste. This paste comes in a very small tube, which if used properly when putting the thermal paste on, can be used up to 2-3 times. Produced by Fanner, this heatsink compound is 10% silver, which helps your CPU conduct heat, keeping it cooler and avoids CPU burnouts.
Installation
The installation went very smoothly. The first thing I did was I applied a (THIN) layer of the thermal compound provided by Spire. Please take notice on how I emphasized a THIN LAYER. Then, I carefully place the heatsink right onto the motherboard(I had trouble doing this because the heatsink dimensions are a little to big for the standard motherboard mounting area, but I managed with it by tapping the two right hinges in a little more so that could grasp hold of the motherboard heatsink holder). I was very impressed because I found one thing in this product that I haven’t found on any other of my heatsinks. The heatsink clips that hook the heatsink to the motherboard heatsink holder had a lever, which made this installation one of the easier than any other heatsink installation I have done before. Then, I plug the three pin adapter to the motherboard (It should be labeled CPUFAN1 on your motherboard.) After this, I turned the computer on, and it fired up with a tremendous start.
Performance
What this product was tested on
CPU Intel Pentium 4(Northwood) 2.4C @ 3.2
Motherboard ABIT AI7
Power Supply Powmax ATX 400W
Honestly, this product preformed 100x better than I thought it would perform. With the amazing fan speeds up to 4200 RPM at temperatures as low as 30c, I would recommend this heatsink to anyone who would like to overclock their CPU with a stable temperature and the insurance that your CPU is in good hands.
Pros:
- Light weight
- Copper Based
- Fan Guard
- Low Tempatures
- High Speeds
- Good looks(For Modders)
- Quiet
Cons:
- Large(Went over mounting spot)
Conclusion
In conclusion, I found this heatsink to be one of the best ones I have reviewed yet. I would recommend this product to anyone who is in the process of overclocking, or is making a fancy computer that is in need of a fancy heatsink that can take care of their CPU heat problems while still looking stylish. The only problem I had with this heatsink is that the base foundation of it is a little to large for the average motherboard heatsink mount. I have awarded this heatsink the May hardware review award for its spectacular design.
Manufacturer: Spire Coolers
Product: Spire PolarStream CPU Heatsink
Price: $26 USD
Score: 9.5/10 (May Hardware Award)
SP445B15-F PolarStream
Company Background
Founded in 1991, Spire has become a global provider of cooling devices that have changed everyone’s prospective on “How far can I OC”. With the latest technology incorporated into their devices Spire has managed to stay on top with other cooling device competitors. Also, with offices worldwide (Including USA, U.K., Germany, France, Taiwan, Japan and Brazil), Spire technical support is also top level. With today’s faster processors that output an enormous amount of heat, Spire has been able to disable this heat from a processor to outstanding temperatures that pass the minimal requirements to run a CPU. Not only do Spire products have top quality heat protection, they are not to heavy on the wallet and are fashionable, making them perfect for modders that need a top quality heatsink that will look good with their system. If you are looking for a cooling solution to support your overclocking needs, the Spire PolarStream is the heatsink for you.
Introduction
The Spire PolarStream is the leader in its class. Spire known for their top quality cooling devices, have done it again with this product. This ball-bearing product can speed up to 4200 RPM, making an average temperature of a Intel Northwood 3.0 GHz processor as low as 40 degrees Celsius. Also, the PolarStream heatsink is very fashionable, with its outstanding blue transparent color, making it a great heatsink not just for quality, but for the looks too. This WOULD be a heatsink I would recommend if you are doing a medium amount of overclocking.
Product Specs
SP445B15-F
90.5×81×63.5 mm
12VDC Fan: 70x70x25 mm
Ball bearing
2500~4200 RPM +/-10%
0.96~3.60 W
23.5~34.5 dBA
19.7 CFM @ 2500 RPM 24.1 CFM @4200
0.08~0.30 A
50,000 Life Hours
3 pin mainboard connector
4200 RPM, 0.29 °C/W
T725 & thermal grease
Celeron ~ 2.8 GHz
Pentium 4 ~ 3.4 GHz (Willaette / HT NW)
Pentium 4 ~ 3.4 GHz (Prescott)
Features:
- Low Profile all copper radial cooler
- PCI Slot Fan Speed Controller
This medium weight heatsink (light enough to meet the Intel suggested standards which is 450g) heatsink is designed for motherboard that support socket 478 Pentium 4 and Intel Celeron processors. The well designed 80mm transparent blue fan makes this heatsink even more attractive. This product also comes with a fan guard to protect you from having the urge up putting your fingers into the heatsink fan to stop it. Good job Spire!
The Package
The package consists of 4 different items. The heatsink itself, thermal paste (T725), instructions on how to install the heatsink, and a Spire cloth. Each of these products were used somehow during the installation of this heatsink. When I first opened the box, I found a little, attractive, eye capturing blue box. I must give credit to Spire for this well developed box and I am sure that it will make people take a second look at this product. The heatsink itself is a normal sized heatsink. The 80mm fan is a transparent blue color that makes this heatsink perfect for any computer modders out there. On top of the fan is an attractive fan guard designed by Spire with the Spire symbol in the middle. The three pin connector that connects to the motherboard is not only the perfect length, but has meshed wiring which is also essential for computer modders and computer wire management. Another item in this box is the thermal paste. This paste comes in a very small tube, which if used properly when putting the thermal paste on, can be used up to 2-3 times. Produced by Fanner, this heatsink compound is 10% silver, which helps your CPU conduct heat, keeping it cooler and avoids CPU burnouts.
Installation
The installation went very smoothly. The first thing I did was I applied a (THIN) layer of the thermal compound provided by Spire. Please take notice on how I emphasized a THIN LAYER. Then, I carefully place the heatsink right onto the motherboard(I had trouble doing this because the heatsink dimensions are a little to big for the standard motherboard mounting area, but I managed with it by tapping the two right hinges in a little more so that could grasp hold of the motherboard heatsink holder). I was very impressed because I found one thing in this product that I haven’t found on any other of my heatsinks. The heatsink clips that hook the heatsink to the motherboard heatsink holder had a lever, which made this installation one of the easier than any other heatsink installation I have done before. Then, I plug the three pin adapter to the motherboard (It should be labeled CPUFAN1 on your motherboard.) After this, I turned the computer on, and it fired up with a tremendous start.
Performance
What this product was tested on
CPU Intel Pentium 4(Northwood) 2.4C @ 3.2
Motherboard ABIT AI7
Power Supply Powmax ATX 400W
Honestly, this product preformed 100x better than I thought it would perform. With the amazing fan speeds up to 4200 RPM at temperatures as low as 30c, I would recommend this heatsink to anyone who would like to overclock their CPU with a stable temperature and the insurance that your CPU is in good hands.
Pros:
- Light weight
- Copper Based
- Fan Guard
- Low Tempatures
- High Speeds
- Good looks(For Modders)
- Quiet
Cons:
- Large(Went over mounting spot)
Conclusion
In conclusion, I found this heatsink to be one of the best ones I have reviewed yet. I would recommend this product to anyone who is in the process of overclocking, or is making a fancy computer that is in need of a fancy heatsink that can take care of their CPU heat problems while still looking stylish. The only problem I had with this heatsink is that the base foundation of it is a little to large for the average motherboard heatsink mount. I have awarded this heatsink the May hardware review award for its spectacular design.