Alpenfohn Black Ridge

Verdict

Overall, the Alpenfohn Black Ridge is a good performing cooler with a great build quality, but it has limitations due to its peculiar shape and mounting system. It is best suited for small ITX systems housed in a Dan SFX case, and requires a compatible motherboard with smaller VR heatsinks and a riser cable for the graphics card. It has been found to perform better than taller options and is comparable to Noctua's NH-L12S. However, early V2 models require some modification and the combination AM3/AM4 mounting bracket interferes with some B550/X570 motherboards. Custom unsleeved silicon cables and silicon gaskets for the fan can be helpful in managing the cooler. It pairs well with the Dan A4 case and is a good option for cooling in height-restricted layouts.