If by vertical fins you mean fins which are oriented with the axis of the fins vertical and the closed end of the fins also vertical (the preferred orientation) then the answer is Yes. You could also orient a vertical array of fins with the closed end at the bottom and that would be less effective. Convective cooling uses the bouyancy (lower density) of the air heated in contact with the hot fins and fin base and gravity to induce a flow of air past the fins, with cool air entering from the bottom as the less dense hot air rises and exits the top. The preferred fin orientation provides a direct and unidirectional airflow path. Other orientations of the fins decouple the flow path through the fins from gravity, which is the prime mover in convection, and restrict the airflow as compared to the preferred orientation.
You just have to remember that heat rises
If the fins were horizontal they would tend to block air flow.
On most of my amps I use forced cooling using quiet PC fans.
Topic is natural convection, isn't it?
Best regards!
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