Big Air: 14 LGA 2011-Compatible Coolers For Core i7-3000, Reviewed

Features
By published

Do Intel’s Core i7-3000-series CPUs really need closed-loop liquid cooling? Today we're testing fourteen different LGA 2011-compatible air coolers on an overclocked Core i7-3960X in order to determine whose is the most effective.

The Corator DS we received is an LGA 2011-specific model, containing nothing more than a set of nuts and standoffs to connect its universal-pattern Intel LGA brackets.

Standoffs screw into the LGA 2011 interface's included threads (foreground), and the cross brackets are then screwed onto them (background).

The Corator DS’ factory-mounted bracket then screws onto the cross brackets from the kit. What appear to be spring-loaded screws are actually threaded tubes, with a hexagonal cap and a #2 Phillips socket atop each.

The Corator DS’ single fan clips between its twin radiators, and plugging it into the motherboard power header completes the installation process.

Thomas Soderstrom
Thomas Soderstrom
Thomas Soderstrom is a Senior Staff Editor at Tom's Hardware US. He tests and reviews cases, cooling, memory and motherboards.