AMD Begins Offering Wraith Max Cooler Through Retail Channels - $59

[Raevenlord]

AMD has announced full and immediate retail availability of their Wraith Max cooler through retail channels. The 140 W TDP Wraith Max cooler was previously only available through a bundle with AMD's top of the line Ryzen 7 1700X and 1800X. However, through popular demand, AMD have decided to make that cooler available solo. Ease of installation through AMD's Spring-Screw mechanism, jolly good looks, LED lighting, relatively silent performance (38 dBa) and respectable performance seem to have been enough to convince AMD users.

The Wraith Max cooler is compatible with AMD AM4, AM3+, and FM2 motherboards. The RGB ring's color can be customized through a myriad of RGB control apps from various manufacturers, such as Asus' Aura Sync, Gigabyte's RGB Fusion, MSI's Mystic Light, Biostar's Vivid LED DJ, and ASRock's RGB LED tools. AMD also offers the AMD Wraith Max RGB lighting control software (powered by Cooler Master) as a free download. The Wraith Max comes with both a USB header cable and an RGB LED header to control the lighting feature. A copper base plate and heatpipes, along with pre-applied thermal paste and a 92mm Cooler Master fan. The down-blowing fan also provides an extra bit of cooling for the socket area and VRMs. Perhaps the $59 price-tag will turn some prospective buyers off, but still, this remains the best stock cooler option in the market, and for someone who wants to keep an AMD cooling identity, is the best available option.



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[R00kie]

Is it really that much better than a Hyper 212 that it goes for a fraction of the price more? I mean it's low profile and all, but come on, seriously?

 

[ASOT]

No gdallsk,is just fancy and minor improvements over the years,the 8370 come with wraith is just not rgb flash

Hyper 212 is much superior ..120 mm fan and whole design make it better.

 

[noname00]

I don't understand one thing: why is the Wraith Max (the best one) using the plastic mounting bracket that comes with the motherboard, but Stealth and Spire are screwed in?
Basically the best CPU cooler from AMD uses the worst mounting system.

 

[ShurikN]

Hyper 212 is much superior ..120 mm fan and whole design make it better.

Don't know the pricing of the 212, but performance wise it's not superior in any way.
http://www.relaxedtech.com/reviews/amd/wraith-max-and-wraith-spire-cooler/2

 

[silentbogo]

this remains the best stock cooler option in the market

... while firmly taking the spot of the worst aftermarket cooling option on the market.

$59? You can buy a decent AIO for that kind of money...
I doubt that a slightly better fan and few LEDs are worth this much premium.

I'd rather spend $5-8 on an unused AMD FX box HSF and waste the remaining cash on hookers (ugly and fat ones, but it's still a better application for $50).

Don't know the pricing of the 212, but performance wise it's not superior in any way.
http://www.relaxedtech.com/reviews/amd/wraith-max-and-wraith-spire-cooler/2

Your linked review shows that Wraith max is almost on par with CM212EVO, which costs half as much($35MSRP, as low as $25 in retail). So, with CM212EVO you are not losing anything, and you can afford at least one fat hooker!

 

[ASOT]

Excuse me But IF u think is equal or better then might all get one in pc's,plug&play crap

 

[ASOT]

... while firmly taking the spot of the worst aftermarket cooling option on the market.

$59? You can buy a decent AIO for that kind of money...
I doubt that a slightly better fan and few LEDs are worth this much premium.

I'd rather spend $5-8 on an unused AMD FX box HSF and waste the remaining cash on hookers (ugly and fat ones, but it's still a better application for $50).

+10 True indeed

 

[bogami]

The first one is in the $ 10 class and this is far too much for this cooling element, the next $ 15 max is also prey and 140TPD. A lie! The model is not worth $ 20. There are cheaper and better cooling elements on the market! 140TPD would not be able to cool the EPYC .

 

[Fouquin]

I don't understand one thing: why is the Wraith Max (the best one) using the plastic mounting bracket that comes with the motherboard, but Stealth and Spire are screwed in?
Basically the best CPU cooler from AMD uses the worst mounting system.

That mounting method has worked fine for over 15 years. I don't see why it could suddenly be a problem.

 

[silentbogo]

That mounting method has worked fine for over 15 years. I don't see why it could suddenly be a problem.

Only one reason: cheaper less durable plastic. Mounting method is absolutely fine.
I've seen more than a dozen of AM3+/FM2 boards with this problem (from cheap A55 boards to beefy 990FX). Even my supplier of dead/defective motherboards and parts (one of the largest service centers in my country) keeps most of their AMD retention brackets specifically for these occasions (unless the board has to go back to the manufacturer).

 

[natr0n]

You can get a $20 tower cooler that bests that one.

 

[okidna]

Oh wow, it's even more expensive than my Cryorig H5

 

[Fouquin]

Only one reason: cheaper less durable plastic. Mounting method is absolutely fine.
I've seen more than a dozen of AM3+/FM2 boards with this problem (from cheap A55 boards to beefy 990FX). Even my supplier of dead/defective motherboards and parts (one of the largest service centers in my country) keeps most of their AMD retention brackets specifically for these occasions (unless the board has to go back to the manufacturer).

I have worked in recycling and resale for about 6 years and have never seen a broken AMD retention bracket from standard use. Sure, if they bounce around in a gaylord and get smashed to shit then the brackets could break on you but as they come out of the mold? Highly doubtful. I would expect (and have seen) the PCB or socket to begin cracking under that kind of pressure.

Perhaps I'm the exception and have just never been in the right place at the right time to experience a bracket failure.

 

[AsRock]

... while firmly taking the spot of the worst aftermarket cooling option on the market.

$59? You can buy a decent AIO for that kind of money...
I doubt that a slightly better fan and few LEDs are worth this much premium.

I'd rather spend $5-8 on an unused AMD FX box HSF and waste the remaining cash on hookers (ugly and fat ones, but it's still a better application for $50).


Your linked review shows that Wraith max is almost on par with CM212EVO, which costs half as much($35MSRP, as low as $25 in retail). So, with CM212EVO you are not losing anything, and you can afford at least one fat hooker!

True, but the the AMD cooler should be fine for those building HTPC style too.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

The first one is in the $ 10 class and this is far too much for this cooling element, the next $ 15 max is also prey and 140TPD. A lie! The model is not worth $ 20. There are cheaper and better cooling elements on the market! 140TPD would not be able to cool the EPYC .

First its TDP, not TPD.
2. its not meant for the EPYC chips. EPYC is a server/mainframe chip, obvious you dont know what your talking about here.

...

AMD might be trying to cash in on the RGB crayz, and TBH its a better looking cooler than the 212EVO. I would pay a premium for looks even if performance is not the same as other similarly priced coolers.

... while firmly taking the spot of the worst aftermarket cooling option on the market.

$59? You can buy a decent AIO for that kind of money...
I doubt that a slightly better fan and few LEDs are worth this much premium.

I'd rather spend $5-8 on an unused AMD FX box HSF and waste the remaining cash on hookers (ugly and fat ones, but it's still a better application for $50).


Your linked review shows that Wraith max is almost on par with CM212EVO, which costs half as much($35MSRP, as low as $25 in retail). So, with CM212EVO you are not losing anything, and you can afford at least one fat hooker!

that comparison is within less than 5%, but what you and the review, left out was the fan size, 92mm vs 120mm. That could mean a noticeable difference in noise levels too.

So I'd say Wraith max is superior in this one case.

 

[silentbogo]

True, but the the AMD cooler should be fine for those building HTPC style too.

Definitely, but only if it's free in the box. E.g. Wraith max will be perfect for ryzen R7, but not if it costs $60 extra.

140TPD would not be able to cool the EPYC

It's AM4 heatsink. Even the older Wraith cooling did fine for >125W AMD FX CPUs, so why not 65-95W Ryzen?

 

[Gasaraki]

What are you talking about "jolly good looks"? That thing is ugly.

 

[Deleted member 67555]

Isn't this the same cooler they've been using since the phenom 2's now with RGB lighting?
If so they are definitely good up to 140w...
And these things are fantastic for HTPC use or even for gaming with a decent but not great OC.

 

[Assimilator]

I was going to bash AMD for jumping on the LED bandwagon, but then I remembered that a fool and his money are soon parted. And if you fork out 60 bucks for this POS, you're a fool, and I have no problem with anyone taking your money.

 

[ironwolf]

I remember a Youtube video months ago that was showing this cooler. They mentioned the 4-pin connector and a USB connector. At the time I didn't understand the use of that USB connector. Now it makes sense.

 

[bencrutz]

I remember a Youtube video months ago that was showing this cooler. They mentioned the 4-pin connector and a USB connector. At the time I didn't understand the use of that USB connector. Now it makes sense.

it's a RGB connector though, not USB

 

[rtwjunkie]

Is it really that much better than a Hyper 212 that it goes for a fraction of the price more? I mean it's low profile and all, but come on, seriously?

The 212 is long past it's day. There continue to be new coolers within it's price range that beat it. Add to that it is a pain in the a$$ to install without 3.5 hands, and it is definitely not a go-to anymore.

 

[Hood]

AMD money grab, cashing in on their recent rise in popularity, by ripping off fanboys who can't do math...same price as Corsair H45/H55 (120mm rad). Like most AMD products, the market will dictate the price of these, probably around $30 in a month or two.

 

[AsRock]

AMD money grab, cashing in on their recent rise in popularity, by ripping off fanboys who can't do math...same price as Corsair H45/H55 (120mm rad). Like most AMD products, the market will dictate the price of these, probably around $30 in a month or two.

Maybe if Intel stop their BS and the crap they been putting AMD with there BS lie's and crap of about 30 years AMD would not have to, they need to keep trying to make money any way they see possible.

Sure it's a little expensive but still a good idea and after a little time i would not be surprised if the price dropped.

And anyways you get the CPU pretty dam cheap to begin with.