Update: Performance results for the original C7 have been added.

Much like the original C7, CRYORIG's C7 Cu is just a tiny cooler that will fit pretty much anywhere. The only real difference between the two is the all-copper design that has been used in this offering. The mounting hardware, overall design, etc., remained the same for both. In terms of build quality, the C7 Cu is exceptionally well made. I would like the base to get a bit more attention, but otherwise, everything is fine. The fan cable is nicely sleeved, the fit and finish are great, and I had no bent fins or other problems to report on. They didn't change the install procedure either, which means the C7 Cu is just as easy to install as its aluminium sibling.

When it comes to performance, well, it is a mixed bag; the C7 Cu is obviously not going to beat out tower coolers or all-in-one liquid coolers. However, it does manage to perform exceptionally well given the size at both 3.7 GHz and 4.3 GHz. Even at 4.3 GHz, it manages to pass the FPU torture test with room to spare, hitting a max temp of 83°C. The little cooler just couldn't handle the fully overclocked tests. With the CPU set to 4.8 GHz, the C7 Cu falls flat, thermal throttling almost immediately. Granted, that is to be expected given the 115 W TDP, but its worth mentioning nonetheless that while it does handle stock perfectly fine and should handle the Intel i7 8700k at default settings and boost clocks, pushing beyond that will likely prove to be too much.

All that said, there are still areas for improvement. Obviously, thermal throttling is unavoidable in the overclocked tests; however, performance could likely be improved with a thicker fan. CRYORIG certainly doesn't need to include one as the included fan is fine, but for anyone looking to replace it, they will need to create a DIY solution. The ability to mount a 92 mm x 25 mm fan to the heatsink would be a nice bonus the currently used fan-and-mounting method does not allow for. This is because the fan is proprietary to the C7 Cu. Obviously, this is not a huge deal for most, but I feel it's still worth mentioning as it would allow for similar performance with likely a better overall noise profile. The fan at lower RPMs is extremely quiet, but gets a bit loud at 47 dBA once running at full tilt. That said, it is quieter than the SilverStone AR11 by 2 dBA.

The biggest issue however, is the simple fact that better alternatives for the price exist. CRYORIG's own C7 is $20 less. Meanwhile, SilverStone's Argon AR11 offers similar performance for far less as well. That said, it does look pretty and in my opinion, the lack of RGB LEDs is a bit refreshing, so there is that as an upside I suppose. Still, when you break it all down, there are obviously far better options available if size isn't a concern. The C7 Cu really only makes sense in very limited situations. This is even more true when you look at price to performance as the C7 is available for $30 compared to the $50 of the C7 Cu. Meaning, if you are running a smaller, less power-hungry CPU, like an i5 8400, then you very well may not need the extra performance the C7 Cu can provide in certain situations. At least in this case, CRYORIG has a more price effective offering in the same segment. Still, if you want a premium Mini-ITX cooler, the C7 Cu does provide that without question.

With perfect memory clearance, exceptional build quality, and good performance for the size, the CRYORIG C7 Cu is a solid option for ultra-small form factor systems.