GlacialTech Siberia CPU Cooler

The installation flat out stinks.  Again, like the Alaska, GlacialTech designed this to test my patience.  The instructions are provided to you on a piece of paper smaller than an letter sized document, printed in grey scale and details the steps in pictures that are so small you can’t really see what is going on. Luckily, the steps involved aren’t complicated. If you need a good laugh, read them.

Step 1: Print thermal grease on the copper base
Step 2: Use M3 screws to fix all Intel and AMD clips.
Step 3: Please the 4 fasteners at the 4 holes of motherboard.
Step 4: Connect the fan cable connector to the motherboard CPU fan header.

Enough laughing, installing the Siberia will test your patience, coordination, dexterity, and your relationship.  I had to wake my Fiance up to hold the AMD back plate in place so I can get the heat sink mounted… she was annoyed. The design of the Siberia will make it very difficult for you to place and tighten the provided mounting screws.  Luckily, this time around all the screws kept their heads attached to them (read the Alaska review).

Before we get too far along, let’s define what our bench rig is:

• Gigabyte 880GA-UD3H
• AMD Phenom II X4 965
• 2x2GB Patriot Sector 5 PC3-12800
• Seagate 500GB ST3500630AS
• BitFenix Colossus (click to read our review)
• BFG LS-450
• Windows 7 Professional 64-bit

For idle readings, room temperature is maintained at a cozy 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) and the computer is running for an hour before CPU temperatures are logged.  Full load is achieved with Prime95 set for In-Place Large FFTs (maximum heat, power consumption, some RAM tested).  The TIM is applied and at least 100 hours have passed before the readings are recorded.  Temps are recorded every 5 seconds for 45 minutes, then averaged omitting the highest and lowest temperatures recorded.