Raijintek Pallas CPU Cooler LGA 775/1150/1155/1156/1366/2011/ FM2+/FM2/FM1/AM3+/AM3/AM2+/AM2

Comment:
First of all this is an amazing CPU cooler for it's low profile size. I've used many coolers on my current CPU including the Intel stock cooler which was just horrible, Noctua NH-L9i which was a touch better, the SilverStone NT06-PRO which much better than stock and now the Raijintek Pallas CPU Cooler which is the best to date in this mITX caseMy old CPU cooler was the SilverStone NT06-PRO is nearly identical to this cooler. The differences are that this cooler is about 15mm lower height for those tight spaces. However it is also a bit bigger at nearly 15mm longer and much closer to the socket area and ram.To install this cooler was quite the task, first problem I ran into is the install bracket to hold the CPU was too long due to the layout of my Motherboard Asrock Z77E-ITX preventing install without trimming or bending of the bracket that would be used to hold the cooler on. Next issue was the ram heat spreaders were in the way and required the removal of the heat spreaders.Installing this unit went something like this... removed ram heat spreaders, kept existing SilverStone NT06-PRO mount system (threads are not compatible with this coolers hardware). Bend some fins on cooler, push in small tabs on NT06-pro mount bracket and forced it between the very small gap between the foot of the cooler... I do not recommend this install method, it was a challenge.NOTE: This CPU cooler requires a new back plate meaning removal of motherboard from case if already installed\removal of factory back plate... Which I avoided by using hardware from previous cooler.Only reason I gave this cooler 3 out of 5 stars is because it did not fit my system without requiring modifications. CPU fan clips are a bit of a pain to install as well. If I had the right motherboard and ran without slightly raised heat spreaders I would certainly give this cooler about 4-4.5 stars and not 5 due to being a bit difficult to install which some other web reviews will also point out.My CPU is the Intel I7 3770K, maxes out at about 61C in a room temp of 20C. Factory Intel cooler would hit 83C+. Yes the temp is a bit high but keep in mind that the I7 3770K has heat issues.

Comment:
Great coller, just know that the footprint is pretty big. I needed to remove a side fan in the Fractal Node 605 to fit it in. It quiet though, and really low profile. I would certainly buy it again.