CoolerMaster Masterair MA612 Stealth CPU Cooler Review

How Much Does it Cost?

Although pending confirmation from independent retailers, we have been told that the Masterair MA612 Stealth will have an MSRP from Coolermaster of £79.99. So, getting one elephant out of the room very quickly, this isn’t cheap when compared to many other air cooler designs. Given the exceptionally great level of performance this provides, however, I can’t help but feel that this still gives consumers some truly excellent value for money.

Overview

In terms of aesthetics, CPU cooling performance, and acoustic output, the Masterair MA612 Stealth is undoubtedly one of the best air coolers I have encountered recently. And no, that’s not hyperbole either. You only have to look at the results provided in our testing to see that this truly is a high-performance design and offers you practically everything you could want with a sleek no-nonsense design. I mean, the only thing potentially missing here for some consumers is ARGB lighting effects, but given that there is a version of that cooler available (albeit, for £10 more), that option is available to you!

Even in terms of the installation, this cooler is remarkably easy to live with.

Should I Buy One?

If the CoolerMaster Masterair MA612 Stealth possibly has one Achilles heel, it’s the fact that many consumers (based on the packaging and presentation) may possibly dismiss this as appearing to be a somewhat forgettable ‘mid-tier’ product. Good, but not good enough to really compete with the ‘bigger’ or ‘better-known’ models (at least on appearances). And that’s entirely based on the box work and presentation which, quite frankly, is awful. This cooler deserves better!

The bottom line though is that despite this possibly not getting the push or marketing it truly deserves, the Masterair MA612 Stealth is a fantastic option for practically every consumer. In fact, as far as our test results go, it’s quite possibly the best performing air cooler we’ve ever encountered (and that includes the exceptionally bulky Noctua NH-D15!). It’s excellent at keeping those CPU temperatures down, provides exceptionally minimal noise output, and does so while looking more than a little slick. I mean, the fact that it performs as well (if not better) than most 240mm/360mm AIO coolers while being notably less noisy really emphasizes just how well CoolerMaster has done here!

The Masterair MA612 Stealth is truly, and in every respect, a high-end cooling solution, but sadly, I don’t think enough people are ever going to discover this fact! For those of you who do choose this cooler, however, I promise you that you won’t be disappointed!

Pros

• Strong CPU temperature control
• Amazingly low noise output
• Strong and sleek aesthetics
• Easy to install – Suitable for beginners or enthusiast users!
• Definitely a viable cooling option for moderate overclocks
• A definite ‘high-performance’ design at an (arguably) mid-tier price point
• Possibly the best air cooler (in terms of performance – aesthetics are always in the eye of the beholder) currently available!

Cons

• None

Neutral

• I only wish CoolerMaster had pushed the boat out a little more in terms of the packaging and marketing/branding for the Masterair MA612 Stealth. Given its rather ‘bland’ initial appearance (in terms of the box work), this cooler definitely deserves better!