For many years video cards didn't really require anything special when it came to cooling. These days things have definitely changed. While some video cards are still able to operate with passive heat sinks, most high end cards require active cooling. Although some manufacturers have stepped up and now include a cooler fit for the performance level of their cards, some still include a somewhat cheap, generic cooler. While the stock design may keep the GPU within safe operating temperatures for most applications, they may not provide optimum results for those who try to squeeze every last drop of performance out of their equipment.

Many companies offer aftermarket coolers for various models of video cards, but selecting the right one can be confusing and may require you to change your GPU cooler when you upgrade. Vantec has a solution to this; a universal VGA cooler called the Iceberq 6. It is compatible with almost all AGP and many PCI-Express video cards, and it also has an added benefit of expelling the hot air out of your computer's case.


Before taking a look at the cooler provided for review, let's look at some published data on the Iceberq 6 from the Vantec USA website...

Features:

� Compatible with virtually all VGA cards
� Long life Silent Ball Bearing fans
� Excellent heat dissipating copper heat sink
� Special designed wind tunnel �for �efficient airflow
� Easy installation

Specifications:

� Dimension: 203.5 x 90.2 x 33.4 mm
� Heatsink Material: Full Copper
� Fan Dimension: 45 x 15 mm
� Bearing Type: Ball Bearing
� Fan Speed: 2700 RPM
� Noise: 20.9dBA
� Weight: 456g
� Power Consumption: 1.56W

Vantec offers a PDF list of compatible video cards, so check it out if you are wondering exactly how true the statement "virtually all VGA cards" is.

Packaging:

In the first picture you can see the front side of the Iceberq 6 packaging. Packaged in a sturdy plastic blister pack, the front provides very little information. However it does give you a good view of the cooler. Turning the packaging over, you can see the back side. Here you will find plenty of information that will tell the user what to expect. The features and specifications listed above are listed here. In addition you will get a listing of the components included in the package. Finally, you will see the RAM heatsinks.