The only faults we could find with the CH5-5K12 are with the size of its aluminum cooling fins. They could have easily been made a few millimeters wider on either side. The extra surface are giving an added edge of cooling prowess in an area where size would not have conflicted with any motherboard components.

Instead the conservative size of the fins may be a bit limiting but, regardless they do provided the cooling area necessary. While it isn't much of a criticism, the thermal pad that Coolermaster ships with this heatsink does more to increase temperature then it does toward providing a better thermal interface. Hence we advise removing it and using a good quality thermal compound instead. The copper base on our test sample was just about perfectly flat in the area where the core would sit.

While the Thermaltake Superorb may lay claim to the most "different looking heatsink" title, when it comes to pure cooling looks the CH5-5K12 absolutely triumphs.

With its' dual heatpiped, half-copper, half-aluminum frame the Coolermaster CH5-5K12 just looks.... cool! If you're an avid overclocker or someone just assembling the most high-tech computer you can, then this heatsink is definitely worth considering. While the clip is a bit stiff and has some peculiarities when attaching, it will hold that heatsink very, very, securely in place.

All in all the CH5-5K12 is a great heatsink using some cool techniques to provide significantly better performance then the average OEM heatsink, and average cooling when compared to a highend heatsink. Plus the best part is you also get bragging rights ;-)