The CoolGate Content

Now that we have checked the box itself we can take a closer look at the items included in the Spire CoolGate package. Although it is a small box, much is included. The main part being the Spire CoolGate cooler itself with next to that the extra parts like metal mounting clips, some screws, thermal compound and an installation guide. On remarkable fact is that the CoolGate has the fan on the side, which means the air will be drawn sideways.

Spire put together an excellent package, with an easy and user friendly installation in mind. With its vertical dual heatpipe construction the CoolGate is designed for high performance applications and overclocking. The CoolGate uses heatpipe technology to transport heat away from the CPU to other parts of the heatsink where it can be cooled much more efficiently than a standard heatsink.

Included in the box is a small tube of thermal paste and the two mounting clips. This cooler connects the same way as the standard Intel fans do so you do not need to change the mounting bracket on the board, which means that we do not need to take out the whole mainboard to install the CoolGate CPU cooler. Just unclip the Intel one, then clip in the CoolGate.

The CoolGate seems very small in size. It is smaller than then most CPU cooling solutions and the stock Intel fan. The great things about this unique heatsink are the heatpipes. This heatpipe cooler stands out for us simply because of its compact size and low noise level. While heatpipe technology does not require high RPM fans, a suitable fan of some kind does help improve heat dissipation. There isn't anything more annoying than fans whining while you're trying to work. Heatpipe technology helps in this area due to the structure and design of heatpipes.

Specifications

• Socket 478 support:
  • Intel Celeron ~2.8GHz (FC-PGA2)
  • Intel Celeron D ~3.2GHz (345)
  • Intel Pentium 4 ~3.4GHz (Prescott)
  • Intel Pentium 4 ~3.8GHz (Willamette)
• Dimensions: 84 x 56 x 75 mm
• Noise Level: 29.7dBA
• Ball Bearing Fan: 70 x 70 x 15 mm
• Rated Speed: 3700 RPM +/-10%
• Air Flow: 28.0 CFM at 3700 RPM
• Current: 0.25A
• Life Hours: 50.000 (Ball Bearing)

The CoolGate is a hybrid design comprised of two all aluminum high fin density heatsinks, welded together at the sides, with their open sides facing each other. It certainly is different from the usual heatsink design, and is probably the reason for the narrow profile of the CoolGate. The dual heatpipes are copper, and extend from base to the top along one side of the cooler.

As mentioned, the Spire CoolGate CPU cooler is very compact, a very noticeable feature we like about this particular cooler. The cooler is dressed up in a translucent plastic shroud, which hides the unfinished appearance of the top heatsink. This gives added protection for the heatpipes running up the side of the heatsink. The plastic shroud does not interfere with any of the cooling features, either.