Cooler Master GeminII SF524 Low Profile CPU Cooler Review

Producing and even reviewing a top-down CPU cooler designed for a specific target audience can be awkward. It isn’t meant to be the next breakthrough in cooling performance, but it is meant to push the cooling boundaries of space-constrained machines.

In terms of cooling performance against other CPU coolers, Cooler Master’s GeminII SF524 isn’t able to keep pace. It bottoms both the stock and overclocked results chart even getting beaten by Gelid’s relatively cheap, low-noise orientated Tranquillo Rev. 2. Taking a second look at the cooling performance with the top-down style of the cooler in mind, the results look a bit more impressive. It may not have an abundance of cooling potential on offer but it does manage to unlock the potential for some high voltage overclocks while being squeezed into its low-profile form factor.

Acoustic performance of the GeminII SF524 is excellent. Chart-topping performance proves that Cooler Master chose wisely when coupling the heatsink with their 120mm, 1300 RPM fan. The supplied low-noise adapter can constrain fan speed to 900 RPM, a speed which should allow ample cooling performance with even quieter operation. Seeing as the fan is clearly geared for low-noise operation, the use of a 3-pin connector instead of the more convenient 4-pin PWM connector is a slightly frustrating choice. Hopefully Cooler Master will change this decision in the future and realise that even when something operates quietly, even quieter operation is far better.

Simple installation is a pleasing trait of the GeminII SF524. The procedure was very quick and didn’t have us screaming for a third hand like some of Cooler Master’s other coolers have. The supplied 120mm fan was pre-applied, resulting in saved time. For those of you wanting to install a 140mm fan instead, the procedure is little more than removing the 120mm and attaching your preferred 140mm fan.

Perhaps the most important element of the GeminII SF524 cooler is its design. The top-down style eliminates the requirement for a wide, mid-tower or full-tower chassis. High positioning of the main cooling tower opens up clearance for RAM modules around 47mm tall. 3 user-defined orientations also help create a minimal interference approach. The top-down style also offers extra cooling for motherboard components such as VRM, northbridge and RAM, a trait which is of questionable value to the target audience.

At  £36/€39,90, Cooler Master have an effective cooler which is priced competitively in a specific but ever-growing market. It is good to see an enthusiast brand like Cooler Master expanding their product line with innovative designs.  The GeminII SF524 isn’t the best performing CPU cooler, but it does offer low-noise operation and a low-profile design. For a small form factor computer user looking to expand their CPU’s cooing potential, Cooler Master’s top-down style GeminII SF524 is a cooler which is most certainly worthy of consideration.