What can I say? The CRYORIG M9i is a solid performer for its size. it won't "wow" you with top-of-the-line performance, but a cooler of its size shouldn't have to. Memory and general overall clearance around the socket are exceptional because CRYORIG stuck to Intel's and AMD's keep-out zone, and build quality is rather impressive. The Raijintek Aidos might be cheaper, and the Katana 4 is even more expensive, but both pale in comparison to the M9's build quality. Even more surprising is this product's extremely attractive price. This cooler is unlikely to break your piggy bank. The cooler is a solid option for first-time builders as well because it is easy to install and has a solid three-year warranty (six with registration) for some peace of mind. Overall, CRYORIG has solid entry level offerings in the M9i and M9a.

A few things could deter some buyers. I myself like the clean plain design; however, some may not like the fact that the cooler lacks some flair or bling. Socket support is limited, even more because the cooler is available in two versions, one for Intel and another for AMD. There is also the packaging; while colorful and bright, it lacks any real protection for the cooler, which, while not a huge deal considering how things are shipped nowadays, is a pet peeve of mine.

My only other thoughts are that while CRYORIG has a solid entry level option available in the M9, the H7 Universal is better as it comes with a similar feature set, the same exceptional clearance, and better performance. Granted, it's also priced at around $9 more, but offers everything the M9 offers without the limited socket support.

If you are in the market for a stock replacement cooler that offers better performance, low noise levels, and won't give you sticker shock, the CRYORIG M9i or M9a could be just what you are looking for.