The Enermax ETS-N30 is a small single-tower cooler that provides a quieter and better-performing option to AMD's and Intel's stock heatsink and fan. As such, it offers solid performance per dollar spent, and at $24,99, the ETS-N30 is truly affordable. Its small size limits its cooling performance, but makes it compatible with a larger number of cases on today's market. The sleeved fan cable is a welcome addition considering the price. In addition, Enermax used above-average packaging to protect their entry level product, which is always nice to see. This plain yet attractive cooler is a solid option for those wanting better-than-stock cooling performance.

That said, the ETS-N30 has its share of issues. First up was its terrible performance in the overclocked FPU test where the system started to thermal throttle, which proves this particular cooler is not meant for overclocked systems. As such it is simply a replacement for AMD and Intel stock heatsink and fans. Another issue is that it blocks one out four DIMM slots on the motherboard. While standard-height memory is not an issue, taller memory won't fit into that particular slot. This does not impact those only using two DIMMs. Still, for a cooler of this size, offsetting it slightly to offer better memory compatibility would have been a great selling point and a nice feature as well. At 50 dBA, this cooler also hits the barrier were noise starts to become very unpleasant.

Overall, the ETS-N30 is a solid alternative to stock coolers. It should prove far quieter while providing better performance in most situations. Just don't expect it to do well when compared to the more expensive competition. That said, with options like the Scythe Katana 4, which is a better performer, and the Raijintek Aidos, which costs less when it can be found, the ETS-N30 has some serious competition to contend against. While it is perfectly adequate as a stock cooler replacement, it is not intended for those looking to overclock. Keeping that in mind, it is a solid option for a HTPC or low-power system.

The ETS-N30 by Enermax is a solid option for those who want better and quieter performance for their stock system.