Thermaltake Big Typhoon VX Cooler Review

Final Thoughts and Conclusions

Nathan Kirsch’s Thoughts in First Person:

The Thermaltake Big Typhoon VX is the best air cooled cooling solution for Intel core 2 duo processors that I have reviewed in recent weeks. The Big Typhoon VX improved on the original Big Typhoon and the result was a heat sink that is easier to install and performs better thanks to the new fan variable speed fan. The cooling fins and heat pipes remain the same and the size heat pipes seem to carry away heat better then the other two and four heat pipe coolers that I have looked at in previous articles.

When it came to the using the Thermaltake Big Typhoon VX I didn’t notice any real problems with the installation on a number of motherboards that I used it on. Getting it on was easy and only on a couple boards did I have to turn the heat sink 180 degrees to make sure the heat pipes didn’t come in contact with passive cooling components on the motherboard. Getting the heat sink off was a little tricky as the retention clips are actually under the heat sink fins, so small fingers and a little patience are required.

The Thermaltake Big Typhoon VX comes priced at around $60.00 shipped, which makes it the most expensive air cooler that we have reviewed for our Core 2 Duo test system. Luckily it was also the best performing air cooler and from my point of view it even beats out the Monsoon II CLT-M21 Active TEC cooler that costs $149.99 plus shipping. The Corsair Nautilus 500 water cooler still take the top spot and if quad-core processors are in your future we highly suggest water cooling as it will be needed for overclocking. For dual-core processors the Thermaltake Big Typhoon VX will take all you can give it and beg for more.

If you can’t already tell I really like this heat sink. I think Thermaltake did wonders on their update on the Big Typhoon and for those that don’t own a Big Typhoon you are lucky because the Big Typhoon VX made a great heat sink even better. If air cooled overclocking is in your future or if you are tired of a noisy system the variable speed Thermaltake Big Typhoon VX fits the bill for all and deserves the first heat sink Editor’s Choice award that I have given out in years.

Legit Bottom Line: The Thermaltake Big Typhoon VX can easily handle the heat produced by Intel’s Core 2 Duo processors and can even handle Intel Core 2 Quad processors meaning this heat sink will last more than one upgrade.