Overall I'd have to say I'm pleased with the OCZ Tempest. The quality and finish on this heatsink are what we have come to expect from OCZ, the aesthetics are outstanding and the inclusion of an LED fan is a nice touch. There is a multitude of hardware to allow greater compatibility between systems and the installation is straight-forward with easy to follow instructions. As for cooling, the Tempest performed admirably, right on par with a competing model, and a big improvement over the stock heatsink and fan that comes with the retail CPU.

I can't help but feel a bit let down however. For a copper base, copper heatpipe cooler, I thought performance could have been a bit better. The oversight on the fan mounting is a bit surprising considering OCZ's reputation, and the vibration, whether caused by the iffy mounting or just a poorly balanced fan, was definitely not expected. The included fan pushes 44cfm at only 33dB, so aside from the vibration-induced rattle, it does run fairly quietly. And the mount has threaded holes that allow installation of standard 80 or 92mm fans in case you're looking for something with a bit more airflow.

I was unable to find a reseller who carries the Tempest at the time of this review, however I have gleaned from other sources that the suggested retail price is right around $50 or about what you would expect to pay for a name-brand copper heatsink. Undoubtedly the street price will be much less once the cooler becomes more readily available.

Pros

Good Looks
Low Noise
Wide Compatibility

Cons

Noticeable Vibration From Fan
Awkward Fan Mounting


OCIA.net has awarded the OCZ Tempest our seal of approval.



Thanks to OCZ for providing the Tempest for review.