CONCLUSION

   Exactly like with the Scythe Mugen 5 ARGB Plus the CORSAIR A500 achieves excellent cooling efficiency by using two high-RPM (and high-pressure) fans which also produce high noise levels. Needless to say, that performance is also directly tied to the massive heatsink, the direct-touch copper heatpipes and even the top aluminum plate which holds air coming from the front fan in the heatsink but without those two fans performance just wouldn’t be the same. Performance and noise aside the slide-and-lock fan mount is very easy to use but you do need to keep in mind that the A500 is a tall CPU cooler and so by using that system it gets even taller (thus a combination of tall memory modules and the A500 may result in the latter being too tall to fit inside your case). As for installation largely thanks to the large hole in the middle of the heatsink and the bundled screwdriver the entire process of mounting it onto our LGA 2011 system didn’t take more than 3 minutes tops.

   Currently the A500 Dual-Fan CPU Cooler by CORSAIR retails for no less than USD99.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 99Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) a price tag which is actually well justified both by its performance and its high build quality. Unfortunately, the lack of RGB lighting is something which will probably disappoint quite a few potential buyers (not really a drawback in our book however) but people looking for the best possible performance should have no problem with that whatsoever. Overall the A500 is a great CPU Cooler yes, it’s certainly not perfect but it’s the highest performance model in our charts to date (out of 70 models that says a lot) and that’s enough for us to give it our Platinum Award.

PROS

- Very Good Build Quality
- Excellent Performance
- Zero Mainboard & RAM Clearance Issues (Slide & Lock Fan Mount System)
- Easy Installation
- Dual Fan Solution
- 5 Year Limited Warranty

CONS

- Size (For Some)
- Price (For Some)
- Noise Levels