Alpenföhn's K2 CPU cooler is one of them big tower air coolers that will make you turn your head when you spot them. It's not alone by it's size that it manages to impress. It's overal design from the 8 massive heatpipes, the secure robust mounting system, to the trapezoidal pyramid like shaped fins. Included are two versions (12cm and 14cm) of the Wingboost fan series in white black theme. If you had to buy an air cooler, just for the looks of it, then it's hard to overlook Alpenföhns K2 masterpiece.

Performance wise it's a solid air cooler. Though comparing the sheer size of this beast, it leaves me with mixed feelings. I only have the Thermalright Venomous X to compare the K2 cooler with. And even though in the boxed version and hooked up to the PWM fan controller it manages to equal the VenomousX in performance (with low 1100RPM fans). If we allow the fans to spin up to max RPM (via disabling the PWM control)  it comes close to the dual fan 2000rpm VenomousX again. Going triple fan unleashes even a tiny bit more performance. So what's the issue then ? This coolers dissapation surface is far bigger then that of the VenomousX, so why isn't it outperforming the dwarf cooler ? Firstly the compromise Alpenföhn always makes is noise versus cooling performance. And there the K2 shines with it's two included fans. Under PWM control they are hardly audible. Letting them run maxed out, makes them a bit more audible, yet significantly improve the cooling performance. Don't worry about the generated noise, as usually your GPU or case fans will be louder. Secondly if you look at the bottom plate of the K2 versus the VenomousX you spot a huge difference in size. We have no idea if the two outer heatpipes are really effective as they have got no direct contact with the CPU.

There were two some small installation woes on my particular testbed. The Asus Rampage 3 Extreme board is running normally with the optional taller IOH chipset heatsink and small fan. Due to the K2 dimensions I had to replace the IOH cooler with the original smaller one. Increased chipset temps as a result. Secondly only low profile dimms can be used with this cooler. Which is a real setback in my opinion. To be able to use my Corsair Dominator kit I had to remove the top heatspreader part. This really should be corrected by Alpenföhn as it can be one of the differences to buy or not buy this cooler. Okay they put up a ram compatibility list, but that's not really cutting it.

Retailing at similar prices as other top end air cooler around the 75-80 euro mark. This K2 twin tower cooler might not be the best performing one, though it's looks can surely persuade many to give this one a go. If only the K2 had cooled better on the PWM setup, than the VenomousX cooler then a performance award would have been well deserved. Yet due to the high quality finish, solid mount, the two included great WingBoost fans and last but not least the good cooling performance versus noise ratio : we still award it with a high end label.

PROS :

• very good performance/noise ratio
• maximum socket compatibility, including LGA2011 (free upgrade)
• very solid fixation
• two included silent WingBoost fans
• If looks could kill...

CONS :

• ram compatibility

I wish to thank Vahid from CaseKing.de for the review sample.