Thermaltake SpinQ CPU Cooler Review

Testing
The following system was used in testing:

Case: NZXT Tempest
Motherboard: XFX 680i LT SLI
CPU: Q6600 @ 2.4 GHz
Memory: 2x2GB OCZ SLI Ready DDR2 800 MHz
CPU cooling:
– Masscool 8W553
SilenX iXtrema IXC-120HA2
Thermaltake DuOrb
Titan Cool Idol
Cooler Master GeminII S
Cooler Master Sphere
Cooler Master Hyper 212
Zalman CNPS9300 AT
Vantec AeroFlow FX 92
Vantec AeroFlow FX 120
Xilence Xilent Blade Pro
Thermaltake MaxOrb EX
– Thermaltake Spinq
Video Card: XFX 9800 GTX Black Edition

Tests were conducted under idle and load states. The computer was left to sit after 30 minutes after being turned on to check the idle temperature. The load temperature was found by running the latest version of Prime95 which supports multi-core CPUs by default. Temperatures were obtained through SpeedFan.

CPU Cooler
Idle
Load
Masscool 8W553
46C
70C
SilenX iXtrema – Low
45C
69C
SilenX iXtrema – High
44C
66C
SilenX iXtrema – 2x Fans
44C
64C
Thermaltake DuOrb
47C
67C
Titan Cool Idol – Low
45C
62C
Titan Cool Idol – High
44C
59C
Cooler Master Sphere
46C
61C
Cooler Master Hyper 212
44C
54C
Zalman CNPS9300 AT
41C
55C
Vantec AeroFlow FX 92
46C
60C
Vantec AeroFlow FX 120
43C
58C
Xilence Xilent Blade Pro
47C
61C
Thermaltake MaxOrb EX – Low
45C
55C
Thermaltake MaxOrb EX – High
43C
53C
Thermaltake Spinq – Low
45C
58C
Thermaltake Spinq – High
43C
57C

With temperatures of 45C on low and 43C on high for idle states it seemed a little better for average performance, but when it came to the load states of 58C on low and 57C on high I was surprised. Compared to the MaxOrbEX that we just reviewed the performance was lacking. While it was still performing pretty well I just expected a little more for the price.

Conclusion
The Thermaltake SpinQ CPU cooler is certainly a different take onto CPU cooler design, which is why it has already won many awards for its design. While it looks pretty cool when it comes to design and aesthesis I just think it could do slightly better in the cooling area, at least for the price on Thermaltake’s website of $79.99. Doing a quick look online I was able to find it for $20-25 cheaper than that.

While I like the easy of install and custom fan adjustments, they just aren’t my biggest fans. If you’re looking for a sweet looking CPU cooler to show off and still have some decent performance then I think the SpinQ would be a good choice, but if you’re looking for extreme cooling for overclocking, this probably isn’t your best choice. Overall ThinkComputers awards the Thermaltake SpinQ an 8 out of 10 score.

rating8 10 small

Pros:
– Innovative design
– Full chrome color w/ blue LED
– Easy to install
– Great CPU cooler to show off
– Turbine fan design

Cons:
– No PWM fan
– Uses push-pin design, not as secure as back plate design
– Pricey MSRP for performance