Thermalright AXP-100 MUSCLE CPU Heatsink for Intel LGA 1366-1156-1155-1150-775 & AMD Socket FM2-FM1-AM3 plus -AM3-AM2 plus -AM2

I defy you to do better in the size constraints this thing operates within. Positively phenomenal at what it does. Very low profile, low-enough noise, keeps a non-overclocked CPU very well cooled. If you have need of a very low-profile cooler, buy this one.

The AXP-100 is one of the best low profile air coolers for any moderately height restricted case. Just be warned...the best part about the AXP-100 for me was the adjustable fan mount and the Muscle is apparently a value model at a cheaper price point and does NOT include the adjustable fan mount, the cool end caps for the heat pipes, or the back plate that can help prevent warping the board in some situations. I assumed incorrectly that this new version was just being marketed with a different fan color scheme. The Thermalright dot com website even lists the Muscle under color options for the AXP-100. The Thermalright dot de site does have the correct information about the missing items in this value version but I usually check out the dot com site when looking for info.I also like the very similar Prolimatech Samuel 17 which does not mount with a back plate and even though it is over 100 grams heavier than the AXP-100 I have not yet had any major issues with warping due to the mounting mechanism. However, if a heatsink comes with a back plate and it fits the board, I still like to use it. I do like that all AXP-100 models can be mounted without the back plate but with the Muscle it is the only option.The fit and finish of all of the AXP-100 line is better than the Samuel 17 in my opinion. As I mentioned previously, the muscle also lacks the nice heat pipe end caps of the other AXP-100 models but the muscle is slightly more compact without them.One nice thing about all AXP-100 models mounted with or without the backplate is that after the initial mounting, the heatsink can be removed (if you just need access to the processor) without accessing the back side of the board. This is not the case with the Samuel 17 or the Scythe Kozuti which I also like for even smaller cases and processors with lower TDP. Unfortunately, like the Kozuti, the Muscle uses a pwm fan in a size that is hard to find separately. I could not find the TY-100 from any of the usual sources and Scythe still does not sell their low profile 100mm or 80mm pwm fans by themselves. At least with the other AXP-100 models you can choose to use any 120mm fan including some of the newer low profile models that are now available with pwm. Of course if you like constant speed or voltage control on your heatsink fans this is not an issue.Sorry if this review is more about what the Muscle doesn't have but I wanted to make sure everyone understands what they are missing if they choose this value model over the other AXP-100 options. If you understand what you are getting and it fits your board, don't hesitate to consider it.If anyone is wondering about the fit on an EVGA z87 stinger ( I have one in front of me), the AXP-100 does fit but only in one direction within the confines of the board itself. The end of the heatpipes are pointing towards the PCI-E slot. One RAM slot containing Vengeance LP RAM is mostly covered making removal impossible without removing the heatsink. Crucial VLP RAM might get in and out with the heatsink mounted but I did not try it.The Samuel 17 fits on the EVGA z87 Stinger in the same orientation without covering any RAM slots (think tall RAM heatsinks) and a 120mm fan can overhang the CPU VRM heatsink providing direct airflow. In fact, with Crucial sport VLP RAM, the Samuel 17 might fit in any orientation. I say might because the heatsink would hang over the edge of the board slightly in 2 of the orientations and one of my Samuel 17 heatsinks fit fine while the other one is 2mm too wide due to poor final dimension tolerances probably due to the heat pipe bends. This caused slight displacement of the first Vengeance LP RAM stick (the Crucial VLP were fine) in 2 of the orientations.This is one reason I say the fit and finish seems better on the Thermalright.Hope this helps.

Keeps my cpu cooler than the silver stone ar-06. Got the cooler quick thanks to prime!

Contrary to both Amazon and vendor's websites, this heatsink is not compatible with ITX form factor. It obstructs both A1 DIMM slot and M2 slot on my m/b (ASRock H170M-ITX/DL).I have to return it.Update on 01/02/2017: I got this CPU cooler (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0177GTV9U) and it is fully compatible with my ITX board.

great

There are much better coolers in the $40 price range than this $275 the seller is listing. I have seen many just like it on other sites like Aliexpress for $40. This cooler is ok and can cool a 65 watt chip but is not much better than a stock intel cooler.Check out the Skythe Shuriken 2 if you wish to have a similar fan that's great at cooling and won't break your bank account.