Cooler Master V8 CPU Cooler Review

Installation
Installation is pretty simple, especially if you’ve ever installed a Cooler Master cooler before. The V8 is compatible with all of the latest socket types, yes even the i7. The installation process is pretty simple by first applying the thermal grease.

Cooler Master V8 CPU Cooler Cooler Master V8 CPU Cooler

For this installation we’ll be using the LGA 775 Socket hardware. First you’ll want to grab the two mounting brackets for the 775 installation and attach the four double threaded screws to them. I’ve you’ve read my other Cooler Master reviews you’ll know how to do this step, but if you haven’t it’s not what you may think. It’s not difficult, but rather far from the norm. You just simply have to tighten the screws to the left, rather than the typical right fastening.

Cooler Master V8 CPU Cooler Cooler Master V8 CPU Cooler

Once you’ve attached the double threaded screws you can now attach the two brackets to the base of the V8, making sure to point the screws facing away from the cooler. Then you’ll need to attach four anti-vibration rubber pads to the underside of the brackets, with the underside having the rough edge.

Cooler Master V8 CPU Cooler Cooler Master V8 CPU Cooler

Then you’ll want to attach the V8 with mountain brackets to the motherboard and flip the motherboard over. Now you want to make sure you have the cooler facing the correct way, according to the illustrations in the installation guide you need to face the V8 logo so it would be easily read from the top of the motherboard. Once you have it aligned you have two options to attach it to the motherboard. You can either use the provided backplate or you can just fasten it with four nuts and washers. I chose to go the four nuts and washer route because I won’t need the support of the backplate as I quite often change out my CPU cooler.

Cooler Master V8 CPU Cooler Cooler Master V8 CPU Cooler

I would recommend using the backplate for added support.

Cooler Master V8 CPU Cooler

You’ll notice that my first installation of the V8 was incorrect, according to the installation guide, by having the V8 being easily read from the bottom of the motherboard. I realized this after getting my motherboard completely back installed into the case, so you probably want to double check before you do what I did.

Cooler Master V8 CPU Cooler Cooler Master V8 CPU Cooler

I’m not really sure why Cooler Master designed it to face this way as I think looking at this through a windowed case would be silly having the V8 upside down. I suppose this could be easily fixed by switching the fan around if you really care that much. The only reason it’s installed that way is to get a proper stream of airflow through typical case design with air entering from the right side, going through the fins and then exiting out the left side and out of the rear of the case.

Cooler Master V8 CPU Cooler Cooler Master V8 CPU Cooler

Since the V8 is mainly a vertical cooler it does make it quite tall, almost hitting the side panel of my case.

Cooler Master V8 CPU Cooler Cooler Master V8 CPU Cooler

The V8 also comes with a VR fan controller and even includes its own PCI bracket. Attaching the one I received to the bracket wasn’t possible and therefore useless mainly because of the locking pin, which would prevent the controller from spinning and not adjusting the speed, which did not fit into the PCI bracket. It just needed to be a few millimeters longer in order for it to work properly, but this could have been only a defective piece or it just broke off somewhere along the line. The red LEDs give off a nice glow and can be very bright if viewed at the right angle.

Cooler Master V8 CPU Cooler Cooler Master V8 CPU Cooler

The red LEDs give off a nice glow and can be very bright if viewed at the right angle.