When CPUs were the most expensive component of a PC, the key to raise the performance, without spending money, was over clocking. A mere 5 ~ 20 MHz boost could make an obvious difference; after all, I am writing about the days, when the top systems were clocked around 233 MHz.

As the MHz rose, the relative importance of over clocking diminished. A "giant" boost of, for example, 50 MHz, isn't as important on a PC running a 1300 MHz CPU, than it is on a slower machine. That is obvious.

One thing that didn't become less relevant is CPU cooling. If back in the golden days of over clocking, an extra cooling was an absolute must, in order NOT to fry the processor, nowadays, with home machines racing over 2 GHz, there is also an obvious need for decent airflow and temperature dissipation, despite the hardware being built with much smaller electronics, that indeed run proportionally cooler, than older and higher micron hardware.

Consumers also changed. If yesterday "speed" was everything, now there is enough performance, even on the lower end computers, and the demand is for (much) higher operating stability. This means that over clocking is not smart. Running a system on the edge of a crash, by not following its specifications is really démodé.

But if in theory CPUs could be facing less stress, the truth is that the insides of your PC's are probably hotter than they were last year. This is because you probably have a faster HD - may be even a 15000 rpm beast - and because your VGA card is racing its GPU core at over 400 MHz... and may be because you are running plenty of gear, like having the whole IDE chain filled, the whole motherboard crammed with PCI cards, and a confusion of cables, fighting for the (small) available space.

More than ever, despite all the changes, you are in need of better cooling.

CPU cooling is still the "most wanted". ICEBERG sells popular CPU coolers. So does ORB; and so does COOL MASTER.

I tried them all, on my dual P3@1000 system.

ORB and ICEBERG were bought at "Microcaos" (Lisbon, Portugal); the COOL MASTER was bought at "Solbi" (UK and Portugal).

This is an easy review, and if you want the final results, I will just write that ICEBERG *sucks*, ORB has the potential, and that the COOL MASTER is the wisest choice, for most systems.

The ICEBERG, which looks lovely and costs a small fortune (~ 5000 PTE / ~ 20 USD / ~ 25 Euro) is a dangerous cooler. It is dangerous because it is the most expensive of the tested bunch, suggesting that it offers something extra; it is dangerous because it is far from impossible, for it to detach from the CPU, while operating (!), due to thermal expansion; and it is dangerous because some people go just for the looks... no matter how it works.

The ICEBERG is total crap. It attaches to the CPU, via a mechanical ring, that you turn clockwise to lock, and counter clockwise to unlock... It seems simple and it really doesn't require the muscle effort that a COOL MASTER does, but then, even when very firmly locked, the light metal ring easily "softens" with temperature. Despite the ICEBERG did never really fall from the CPU, to remove it, it sufficed to tap it, after some 2 days uptime. *IF* the ICEBERG had fell, the CPU would have burnt.
The CPU running the ICEBERG was an average of 10 Celsius degrees hotter, than the COLL MASTER's.

The ORB looks nearly as good as the ICEBERG, but it inserts much better and with total security, for life. In fact, to detach it will be hell :). Inserting the ORB is really very (very) easy - it has a great entering clamp. Its fan rotates at an average 5500 rpm (5000 for the COOL MASTER), but the helix is smaller and dissipates less air, per minute. The metal cylinder is cut in such a fashion, that (like the ICEBERG) temperature easily dissipates... to the sides. That is good news, if the case has a decent air flow, but might not be that good, in ordinary cases. The ORB costs slightly less than the ICEBERG, much is much more reliable, more silent, and quite good looking too.

The COOL MASTER looks "cheap", when compared to both the ORB and the ICEBERG. It consists of a *big* metal thing, where you screw in a plastic helix. If you screw too hard, the helix won't rotate; if you screw too lightly, the helix will have a vibrating margin. You'll have to find the right screwing... no problem.
It is inserting the COOL MASTER, that *is a problem*. Brand new COOL MASTERs have a monster strong steel clamp bar, bent in such a fashion, than when you press the extremity that is to join the motherboard's insertion plastic, the whole metal dissipater goes smashing and pressing the CPU's, with a mighty power. In fact, a child will NOT have the strength to push and bend the COOL MASTER's steel enough to lock to the motherboard. Unlocking is easier, but not "easy".
Once attached, the COOL MASTER won't release the CPU, on an earthquake! And it will eat its heat to the metal, to then vomit it up, as the helix sucks only in that direction.

The COOL MASTER runs at a very steady 5000 rpm, silently. This is slower than its rivals, but with higher efficiency, thanks to a bigger helix. Your CPU should be an average 10 Celsius cooler, than with the alternatives, all this for... half the price!

For CPU cooling, don't get fancy. Brute metal and a big helix are the right choice.

The ICEBERG is really miserable - I should go to "Microcaos" to claim my money back!

The ORB is good choice, if you have a case that provides dedicated airflow near the CPUs. It might be better than the COOL MASTER on those scenarios, as it sucks air to the sides. I own an Enlight case that does just that. My CPU #1 is running an ORB; my (more interior) CPU #2, runs a COOL MASTER.

Again, run away from the ICEBERG!