Sphere Packaging:

The packaging for the Sphere cooler is shown in the images below. Windows in the cardboard box provide a look at the actual cooler, and details found on the various sides cover all the features, specifications, and principals of the design.


As shown in a schematic on the back of the box, the unique 'sphere' shape and centrally located blower are intended to draw air in from above and below, while exhausting air from the sides. This will help cool the processor, as well as motherboard features, without dumping the hot air directly back onto any of the hot components.


Sphere Basics:

The Sphere and all of the included hardware are shown in the image below. I was expecting something larger I suppose, but I would say the Sphere is roughly the size of a softball or a grapefuit. The plastic bag includes everything needed to securely mount the cooler to a modern AMD or Intel motherboard, and the method of installation uses bolts that go through the board.


The entire cooler is constructed of Copper; from the base to the heatpipes to the cooling fins. The fan is also rather unique, and is actually more like a blower with dimensions of 66 x 68mm. The black plastic blades rotate in the hollow center of the cooler, and it is attached at the top via the translucent black shroud. The fan is wired up to a 3-pin power lead, which means that users will not be able to take advantage of the 4-pin PWM fan speed controls found in the BIOS of many modern motherboards.


The total weight is listed as 685g, and it actually seems light enough that I would imagine that Cooler Master could have gotten away with a push pin mounting system for LGA775 processors. Installation may take a little longer as is, but this design should provide greater peace of mind and greater cooling performance.

The base of the cooler is shown below. Cooler Master not only protects the base with the typical plastic film, but there is also a black plastic bracket clipped on. All of this must be removed prior to use, and what you are left with is the smooth and shiny surface shown in the below right image.


The heatpipes are sandwiched in between the copper plates by two screws, and the appropriate mounting hardware is attached to the four threaded holes shown in the corners. One difference with the bolt through design of this cooler is that there is no motherboard backplate included. The bolts will be fastened through the board with nuts and small plastic washers.