When it comes to Montech's Air Cooler 210, there are a few things to like, but in the end, it falls short. Overall performance is good for a stock replacement cooler; however, its price tag of $54.99 means it's priced out of that market segment. In general, its performance can be rivaled by far more affordable heatsinks, like the ID-Cooling SE-224-XT Basic. If you want similar performance at a lower noise output along with a premium feel, the Noctua NH-U12S has a proven track record if its colors and lack of ARGB don't turn you off. However, the biggest competitor I see to Montech's offering is the Scythe Fuma 2. The Fuma 2 offers a noticeable improvement in cooling performance with good socket clearance and is a full 9 dBA quieter while delivering better performance at a similar price. The only upside is the ARGB lighting on the Air Cooler 210—if something you desperately want.

In terms of the heatsink's design, there is a good base to work from here. The six heat pipes should transfer more heat; however, the wider fin spacing and fewer overall fins in the heatsink mean lower surface area. Some additional fins and improvements in the heat-pipe arrangement and spacing, along with further optimizations, would likely improve overall performance. Minor tweaks to the AM4 mounting hardware would also be beneficial. I have no problems with the AMD backplate included, with the motherboard being the default used by various companies. However, trying to hold it and the mounting bracket, screw, and spacer leaves much to be desired.

Overall, while I can see the direction Montech tried to take with this design, the Air Cooler 210 needs a great deal more refinement before it can dethrone more established competitors in the same price segment.