CoolerMaster Masterair MA612 Stealth CPU Cooler Review

Installation

Starting off with what I consider to be one of the most important factors in a coolers installation, the manual CoolerMaster provides you with is truly excellent. While there is no written instructions (likely to ensure worldwide localization) the information provided within is detailed with many good quality diagrams ensuring you shouldn’t go wrong as long as you’re paying attention!

If that wasn’t enough though, in something that gets another thumbs up from me, CoolerMaster has also gone to the trouble of putting together a video showing you how to install the Masterair MA612 Stealth. I really like this and, quite frankly, I wish more manufacturers did something similar!

Mounting

CoolerMaster has (thankfully) not attempted to reinvent the wheel here by sticking with a mounting system that, by and large, most people with any sort of experience will be familiar with. As such, for new or experienced hands, this shouldn’t provide any difficulties!

In addition, as mentioned earlier in this review, thanks to the simple method of removing the fans from the radiator, you’re not having to deal with any notably fiddly or tricky aspects. Put simply, this is about as straightforward as it gets! – If there is one slight grumble we could make, however, it’s that (as far as we could tell) there was no clear indicators on the fans as to which way the airflow going. We were, of course, able to determine this because we’re exceptionally familiar with fan design, but for the casual observer, if you are going to install this in a ‘non-standard’ direction (the default position based on the logo placement is to the ‘rear’), some careful attention will be necessary.

Overall Thoughts

From out of the box and onto our test bench, the CoolerMaster Masterair MA612 Stealth took roughly 8 minutes to install which, by air cooler standards of this size and specification, is certainly quicker than usual. This is, however, all entirely thanks to CoolerMaster sticking with what works with its simplistic installation method.

When installed, while there is no ARGB lighting to grab your attention, the aesthetics are certainly exceptionally pleasant and, more so, we found absolutely no issues regarding RAM compatibility. It should also be noted that you are entirely free to install this in practically any 90 degree direction you like. We just did it below to show that, even in this direction, the memory wasn’t in the way!