Thermalright Spitfire 6 GPU Heatsink for Radeon HD 5850/5870 Unboxing & First Look Linus Tech Tips

The video opens with Linus Tech Tips introducing the Thermalright Spitfire 6 GPU heatsink and the accompanying VRM cooling accessory, the VRM-R5. He shows the plain brown Thermalright packaging and explains that the company emphasizes the product inside over the box art. The unboxing sequence then dives into the VRM-R5 accessory, with a quick exploded view that demonstrates how it clips onto the Radeon 5870's voltage regulator area and pairs with a simple backplate and mounting system. Linus notes that the VRM cooler is compact yet purpose built for cooling the voltage regulators, a crucial component on modern GPUs, and discusses how it routes airflow through the case to exhaust via the fins. After briefly addressing the VRM accessory, he moves to the main Spitfire cooler itself, highlighting its substantial size, nickel-plated fins, and copper heat pipes. The camera then focuses on the assembly contents, including thumb screws, washers, thermal pads, and the mounting hardware, while Linus explains the rationale behind the brace and support bars that help secure the heavy cooler to the graphics card or the chassis. He emphasizes the practical engineering behind the product, noting that the six heat pipes terminate at a solid base and that the design keeps the GPU and memory well cooled without compromising the surrounding components. The Spitfire is described as a CPU‑cooler‑sized unit and is shown with foam spacers removed to reveal the intricate fin-to-pipe arrangement. Linus discusses the possibility of mounting the cooler in different orientations and the implications for case airflow, and he points out the adjustable support bars that can brace the heatsink against the motherboard standoffs to prevent movement during transport. He also mentions that Thermalright recommends a specific 140 mm fan and hints at a future installation video to compare temperature improvements on a Radeon HD 5870 or similar cards. In closing, Linus thanks Thermalright for the sample and teases a follow-up video to demonstrate installation and real-world performance once a compatible GPU is available for testing.

Topics · technology · hardware · unboxing · gpu_cooling · computer_components