The Basics:

In the below left image we see the top of the bare cooler where six chrome knobs from the three U-shaped heatpipes poke through the uniquely shaped aluminum fins. Each aluminum fin is dimpled to create turbulence and increase the transfer of heat to the air, and they are also slightly U-shaped to provide a little extra surface area.


The fan attaches without tools by installing the rubber mounts in the channels found toward one side of the cooler.


You simply pop the mount into the channel and twist it so the shaft faces the fan. Then slide the shaft from each mount into the four holes on the cooling fan and pull them through until they pop into place. This arrangement holds the fan securely in place while eliminating the transmission of vibrations from the fan to the cooler.


While some assembly is required, it doesn't take much time at all. Once you understand how to get the fan on, it takes less than a minute, and then all you have to do is install the appropriate clips for your motherboard. The AMD clip doesn't require any tools, but the Intel clip (shown installed in the images above and below) requires the use of the two included screws.


In the images above we see the heatpipes which will come in direct contact with the processor. One significant difference I have noticed between this cooler and the similar Kingwin unit is that the pipes on the OCZ Vendetta have a larger diameter. Hopefully this translates into better cooling!