tower cooler | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net KitGuru.net - Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards Thu, 30 Mar 2023 00:32:29 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.kitguru.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/cropped-KITGURU-Light-Background-SQUARE2-32x32.png tower cooler | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net 32 32 Cougar Aqua 240 AIO CPU Cooler Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/cougar-aqua-240-aio-cpu-cooler-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/cougar-aqua-240-aio-cpu-cooler-review/#respond Wed, 28 Oct 2020 09:40:35 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=489922 Today we look at one of the most affordable 240mm AIO coolers available, how well will it perform?

The post Cougar Aqua 240 AIO CPU Cooler Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
While Cougar may not be the most well-known or household name in the enthusiast computing scene, the company does offer some pretty good value gear. Currently the Cougar Aqua 240 all-in-one closed-loop CPU cooler is priced under £55 here in the UK, which sounds like amazing value for a 240mm closed-loop CPU cooling solution. But the question is, how does it stack up against the big boys in terms of performance and how much does that low price tag compromise the features and build quality? Let’s find out.

If the specifications are anything to go by, on paper the Aqua 240 should perform as well as any other 240mm AIO with its 27mm thick aluminium radiator, 3200 RPM pump and high speed 2000 RPM fans. The Aqua 240 also includes PWM fan speed control, reinforced rubber tubing with premium looking braided sleeving and a wide range of CPU socket support covering all mainstream desktop platforms from Intel and AMD.

The Cougar Aqua 240 also includes full addressable RGB lighting effects integrated into the pump/CPU block housing. The RGB lighting can be controlled in two ways, either directly connected to a 5V ARGB motherboard header and configured in sync with the motherboard software or by using the wireless remote controller Cougar has bundled inside the box. The Aqua 240 has all the features of a premium AIO but without the premium price tag, so how has Cougar managed this?

Cougar has remained tight-lipped about who is the OEM supplier for the Aqua 240 AIO series, a keen eye tells us that this is supplied by neither of the big players such as Asetek or CoolIT, so an educated guess would suggest that the OEM supplier for this cooler series is a lesser-known Chinese company which instantly could be a worry since the cooler only comes with a one year warranty.

Other manufacturers of all-in-one closed-loop coolers often provide up to a five-year warranty on their products these days, however, such coolers can cost anything up to four times the price of the Aqua 240 so should we really expect the same level of warranty? Perhaps not.

Cougar has equipped the Aqua AIO series with a 12V DC pump that operates at up to 3200RPM powered by a standard SATA power connector, which indicates that manual adjustment of pump speed is not possible. At the base of the CPU block is a copper thermal transfer plate with micro skived fins typical of all-in-one closed loops coolers these days.

RGB lighting features are reserved for the CPU block top cover only, the fans feature a subtle plain black colour scheme. RGB lighting can be connected directly to the motherboard 5V ARGB header or controlled using the wireless controller which doesn’t require any drivers or software installing to use, which in my opinion is another big plus point.

The Vortex WB 120 fans included with the Aqua 240 offer full PWM speed control via standard 4-pin motherboard connections so no proprietary connections with this AIO. The fans have a broad PWM speed range of 600-2000 RPM offering great scope to tune fan curves to suit the user’s preference. Vortex WB 120 fans are equipped with a Hydro-Dynamic type bearing, 87.1 CFM max airflow and high static pressure of 2.93 mm-H2O, perfect for use in conjunction with radiators.

In terms of CPU socket compatibility, the Cougar Aqua supports all current desktop platforms including Intel socket LGA 775 / 1155 / 1156 / 1151 / 1150 / 1366 / 1200 / 2011 / 2066 as well as AMD AM4/FM2 / FM1 / AM3+ / AM3 / AM2+AM2. Aqua 120 and 240 AIOs do not support AMD socket TR4, which is no great surprise at this price point, however, the 280mm and 360mm Aqua AIOs do offer TR4 compatibility.

Key Features

  • Low cost
  • Addressable RGB lighting
  • High-speed pump
  • PWM fan control
  • Wireless RGB controller

Specification

Water Block & Pump Dimensions 60 x 60 x 50 mm (WxDxH)
Cold Plate Material Copper
Pump Speed 3200 ± 10% R.P.M
Pump Rated Voltage 12 VDC
Pump Rated Current 0.39 A
Pump Power Consumption 322mm x 137mm x 27mm
Software Compatibility 4.68 W
Water Block Connector & Control SATA & 3-pin 5v RGB
Radiator Dimensions 274x120x27mm  (WxDxH)
Radiator Material Aluminium
Tubing Material Durable Rubber with Sleeves
Tubing Length 400mm
Fan Model Vortex WB 120
Fan Dimensions 120 x 120 x 25 mm (WxDxH)
Fan Speed 600-1800 ± 200 R.P.M
Fan Air Flow 87.1 CFM (Max.)
Fan Air Pressure 2.93 mm-H2O (Max.)
Acoustic Noise <40 dBA (Max.)
Fan Rated Current 0.32 A
Fan Rated Voltage 12 VDC
Fan Power Consumption 3.84 W
Fan Bearing Type Hydro-Dynamic Bearing
Fan Cable Length 600mm
Fan Connector & Control 4 Pin PWM
Socket Compatibility Intel Socket LGA 775 / 1155 / 1156 / 1151 / 1150 / 1366 / 1200 / 2011 / 2066
AMD AM4/FM2 / FM1 / AM3+ / AM3 / AM2+AM2 CPU / TR4 CPU*
*(AQUA 120/240 NOT compatible with TR4 socket)
Warranty One Year

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here

The post Cougar Aqua 240 AIO CPU Cooler Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/cougar-aqua-240-aio-cpu-cooler-review/feed/ 0
Corsair iCUE H115i Elite Capellix AIO CPU Cooler Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/corsair-icue-h115i-elite-capellix-aio-cpu-cooler-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/corsair-icue-h115i-elite-capellix-aio-cpu-cooler-review/#respond Tue, 15 Sep 2020 13:00:03 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=483119 The future of RGB is here! Corsair Elite Capellix AIO coolers.

The post Corsair iCUE H115i Elite Capellix AIO CPU Cooler Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Not a great deal has changed with the core design of AIO CPU coolers over the past few years, usually, a pump is mounted on top of the CPU block, tubes carry coolant to and from a radiator with two or more fans helping to dissipate the heat. Recently MSI tried to shake things up a little by revisiting the radiator mounted pump setup which wasn’t a great success, other than that, there is very little in the way of innovation when new AIO coolers are launched. At best, all we usually get are some new fans and RGB lighting features.

You could even say that designers of AIO coolers have become lazy, by just pumping out the same old stuff year on year with minor tweaks here and there to justify a new product launch. Asetek often makes minor adjustments to its pump design, the company is on to its 7th generation AIO pump solution now, but we don’t see a huge thermal performance increase from one generation to the next, improvements are more focused on acoustics, reliability and efficiency.

When Corsair invited the KitGuru staff to attend an online showcase of its new products for the second half of 2020, I was hoping that a new innovative AIO cooler would be on display, even though the company launched the RGB Pro XT series only a few months previous. Corsair did, in fact, announce a new AIO in the form of the iCUE Elite Capellix series, but to my initial disappointment, the Elite Capellix is based on the same core pump/radiator design as the outgoing RGB Platinum series, so any improvement in thermal performance will no doubt be minimal.

However, Corsair has added some improvements to the Elite Capellix series AIOs in the form of a minor redesign of the pump housing shape, but more noticeably is the brand new RGB lighting solution using the company's Capellix RGB LEDs (the names gives it away) but what exactly are Capellix LEDs I hear you ask?

According to Corsair, Capellix LEDs promise to be 60% brighter while using 40% less power compared with traditional SMD LEDs. Capellix LEDs are also much smaller than traditional SMD LEDs, with a volume of just 0.2mm³ versus the 2.8mm³ volume of SMD LEDs, which means that Capellix can fit in almost any piece of PC hardware. The power efficiency and tiny package of Capellix LEDs allow them to be used to great effect in devices such as wireless keyboards, memory modules and AIO coolers, therefore increasing the output and effects of the RGB embellishment.

As well as being illuminated by 33 ultra-bright Capellix LEDs, the Elite Capellix cooler series is sporting a new Corsair packaging design. The traditional Corsair yellow has a new shade, almost a fluorescent yellow like a hi-vis jacket and the corsair logo has changed to a simpler bold design. Corsair is also throwing in a Commander Core Smart RGB controller with the Elite Capellix coolers, allowing consumers to take full advantage of the new LEDs out of the box.

The Elite Capellix series is available in the usual three size variants, the H100i 240mm, H115i 280mm and the range-topping H150i with a 360mm radiator. Elite Capellix will become Corsair’s flagship AIO cooler by replacing the RGB Platinum series, however, the RGB Pro XT that was released earlier this year will still be available which offers users an alternative option with subtle RGB lighting found only on the CPU block.

As usual with the Corsair Hydro series coolers, the Elite Capellix comes equipped with Corsair ML series fans with a speed range of 400-2400RPM (120mm) or 400-2000RPM (140mm). 33 ultra-bright Capellix LEDs illuminate the pump head while the ML fans are equipped with 8 RGB LEDs per fan.

In terms of performance, we are not expecting any major leaps forward with the Elite Capellix series as it is based on the same CoolIT pump/radiator combination as seen in previous Corsair coolers (RGB platinum and RGB Pro XT) so this new generation is focusing on the new RGB technology as its selling point. But is this enough to pursued consumers to splash out their hard-earned cash in these uncertain times we are currently facing?

Key Features

  • Capellix RGB LED illumination
  • High-speed fans
  • Commander Core RGB controller included
  • Three sizes available
  • Zero RPM mode
  • Easy to install

Specification

Pump Noise <20.0 dBa @ 1m
Pump Harness 2x PWM Fan (4-Wire)
Pump RGB Features Multi-Zone CAPELLIX LED Pump Head (33 LEDs; 21 Zones)
Coldplate Material Micro-Skived Copper
Coldplate Dimensions 65mm
Radiator Dimensions 322mm x 137mm x 27mm
Software Compatibility CORSAIR iCUE Software
Fan Series ML140 RGB Series
Fan Bearing Magnetic Levitation Bearing
Fan RGB Features 8x Individually Addressable RGB LEDs per Fan
Fan Speed 400 – 2,000 RPM
Fan Static Pressure 3.0 mm- H20
Fan Noise Maximum 10 – 36 dBa
Fan Control Method PWM Controlled via Pump Harness
Socket Compatibility AMD AM4, sTR4, sTRX4
Intel 1200, 115x (1150, 1151, 1155, 1156)
Intel 20xx (2066, 2011-3, 2011)
Warranty Five Years

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here

The post Corsair iCUE H115i Elite Capellix AIO CPU Cooler Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/corsair-icue-h115i-elite-capellix-aio-cpu-cooler-review/feed/ 0
ID-COOLING announce a new mid-range single tower CPU cooler https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/id-cooling-announce-a-new-mid-range-single-tower-cpu-cooler/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/id-cooling-announce-a-new-mid-range-single-tower-cpu-cooler/#respond Sun, 02 Aug 2020 15:12:05 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=479812 ID-COOLING already has an extensive collection of CPU tower coolers and all-in-one liquid coolers ranging from compact low-profile air coolers to huge dual-tower designs and large multi fan AIOs. This week the company has added another mid-range cooler to its thermal solutions arsenal. The new ID-COOLING SE-914-XT Series CPU air cooler features a 130mm single …

The post ID-COOLING announce a new mid-range single tower CPU cooler first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
ID-COOLING already has an extensive collection of CPU tower coolers and all-in-one liquid coolers ranging from compact low-profile air coolers to huge dual-tower designs and large multi fan AIOs. This week the company has added another mid-range cooler to its thermal solutions arsenal.

The new ID-COOLING SE-914-XT Series CPU air cooler features a 130mm single tower heatsink design equipped with four direct touch copper heat pipes and a TDP rating of 150W. Two versions of the cooler are available, the basic model includes a regular 92mm fan while a slightly more expensive ARGB version is equipped with a 92mm fully addressable RGB fan.

Other subtle differences between the two models are found in the top cover, the ARGB version comes with a black top plate that covers the heat pipe ends and includes ARGB lighting effects. The basic model has a simple black sticker on top of the heatsink with the heat pipe tops exposed.

The 92mm fan on both coolers has a speed range of 600-2200 RPM with PWM support via a standard 4-pin PWM motherboard header cable. The fan features a 45.8CFM airflow rating at maximum RPM and there is an extra set of fan clips bundled in the box for users to run the cooler with a push-pull fan configuration for extra cooling performance.

ARGB lighting of the ID-COOLING SE-914-XT can be connected via a standard 3-pin 5v ARGB cable to motherboard headers for control of lighting colours and patterns, or simply synchronised with ARGB lighting of other system components. Also bundled with the cooler is ID-TG25 10.5 W/m-K thermal compound and the cooler supports all current mainstream desktop platforms including Intel LGA2066/2011/1200/1150/1151/1155/1156 and AMD AM4.

The ID-COOLING SE-914-XT series will be available in the U.S in August 2020 priced at $24.99 USD for the basic version or $34.99 for the ARGB model.

KitGuru says: It will be interesting to see how that 92mm fan handles both thermal performance and noise levels compared with other 120mm fan equipped coolers on the market. What do you guys think?

The post ID-COOLING announce a new mid-range single tower CPU cooler first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/id-cooling-announce-a-new-mid-range-single-tower-cpu-cooler/feed/ 0
MSI MAG CORELIQUID 360R AIO CPU Cooler Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/msi-mag-coreliquid-360r-aio-cpu-cooler-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/msi-mag-coreliquid-360r-aio-cpu-cooler-review/#respond Sun, 12 Jul 2020 12:04:26 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=476093 MSI has taken on a different approach with this AIO cooler design, but is it any good?

The post MSI MAG CORELIQUID 360R AIO CPU Cooler Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
MAG CoreLiquid is a brand new all-in-one closed-loop liquid CPU cooling solution from MSI. Unlike many of the alternative AIO liquid coolers on the market that mount the pump to the CPU block, MSI has chosen an entirely different approach with the MAG CoreLiquid series. MSI claims that its new radiator-mounted pump AIO will “drown the opposition”. Let’s find out if they are right.

/h4>
To say that this is a ‘revolution' in AIO closed-loop liquid cooler design would be inaccurate, but it does make you wonder why more companies do not go down this route and instead stick with the “trusty” Asetek and CoolIT CPU block mounted pump units. As far as I can remember, there is only one other mainstream manufacturer that has tried the rad-mounted pump design.

NZXT used this strategy for its M22 AIO CPU cooler series but have since switched back to Asetek as the company's closed-loop AIO supplier. MSI has moved in the completely opposite direction, by switching from an Asetek-style design with its previous Dragon 120mm AIO series, to the pump-in-radiator design of the new MAG CoreLiquid series.

The obvious and only reason I can think that MSI has taken this approach is to avoid any infringement of the Asetek patent of a CPU block mounted pump. Other companies have found ways around the Asetek patent while technically keeping the pump mounted on the CPU block, by designing a dual-chamber arrangement of the pump housing, which has proven to work well for them.

So, this is by no means a brand new design, neither is it one of MSI’s own ideas, in actual fact the CoreLiquid series is designed and manufactured by the same company that supplied NZXT with the M22. The company in question is Apalcool (Apaltek) who holds the patent for this design and manufactures various AIO liquid coolers for desktop systems as well as data centre and servers.

However, the MSI MAG CoreLiquid series does have a number of its own unique features. The CPU block is equipped with an MSI dragon logo which is illuminated by Addressable RGB lighting, as well as a top cover that can be rotated 270-degrees to ensure the MSI dragon is facing in the correct orientation no matter which position the CPU block is installed to the socket.

The RGB lighting of the MSI MAG CoreLiquid 360R extends to the fans, giving users two RGB lighting zones to configure and customise. RGB lighting effects can be synchronised and controlled either by motherboard manufacturer software such as MSI Mystic Light via a 3-pin 5v ARG header or by using an RGB HUB. However, a standalone RGB hub isn’t included with the MAG CoreLiquid, so if you plan to use this with an older motherboard without ARGB headers, then the RGB features will not work out of the box.

In terms of technical specifications, the MSI MAG CoreLiquid 360R is outfitted with a durable three-phase motor driving the pump with a maximum speed of 4200 PRM and low noise levels of 18 dBA, along with 120mm dual ball-bearing fans that have a speed range of 500-2000 RPM controlled by a 4-pin PWM connection and a maximum airflow rating of 78.73 CFM.

As is typical with AIO closed loop coolers, the CoreLiquid 360R features a 27mm thick aluminium radiator and low evaporation reinforced rubber tubing covered with a premium-looking braided sleeving. One noticeable and a rather unconventional feature of the MSI MAG CoreLiquid is a removable plug in the radiator that looks like it could be used to refill the system. Whether this is intended for the end-user to top up liquid or for initial factory filling hasn't been disclosed.

CPU socket support of the MSI MAG CoreLiquid 360R is extensive, all current mainstream desktop platforms from both Intel and AMD are covered, including the new Intel socket LGA1200 for 10th generation Core processors as well as AMD high-end desktop TR4/TRX40 Ryzen Threadripper platforms.

Key Features

  • Radiator mounted pump design
  • Rotating CPU block top cover
  • Two-zone ARGB lighting
  • Extensive CPU socket support

Specifications

Radiator Dimensions 394 x 120 x27mm
Radiator Material Aluminium
Tube length 400mm
Pump Speed 4200 RPM
Pump Noise 18 dB(A)
Pump Connector  3-pin
Pump Rated Voltage 12 VDC
Pump Load Current 0.34 A
Pump Power Consumption 4.08 W
Fan Dimensions 120 x 120 x 25 mm
Fan Speed Range 500 ~ 2000 RPM
Fan Noise Level 14.3 ~ 34.3 dBA
Fan Air Flow 21.63 ~ 78.73 CFM
Fan Connector 4-pin PWM
Bearing Type Two Ball Bearing
Fan Rated Voltage 12 VDC
Fan Rated Current 0.15 A
Fan Power Consumption 1.8 W
LED Type  Addressable RGB LED

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here

The post MSI MAG CORELIQUID 360R AIO CPU Cooler Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/msi-mag-coreliquid-360r-aio-cpu-cooler-review/feed/ 0
Deepcool Castle 280EX AIO CPU Cooler Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/deepcool-castle-280ex-aio-cpu-cooler-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/deepcool-castle-280ex-aio-cpu-cooler-review/#respond Tue, 07 Jul 2020 10:00:10 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=474299 Deepcool is back with a bigger version of the Castle EX AIO

The post Deepcool Castle 280EX AIO CPU Cooler Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
When the Deepcool Castle 280EX AIO landed on my doorstep for review, it was like meeting up with an old friend. The Castle 240EX was one of the first AIO coolers I reviewed for KitGuru and is still one of the best closed-loop coolers we have tested over the past 12 months or so. Since the Castle 280EX is equipped with a larger radiator and 140mm fans, we expect a performance improvement over the 240EX, but just how will the Castle 280EX stack up against some of the more recent AIOs we have tested? Let's find out.

Other than the new 280mm radiator, everything about the Deepcool Castle 280EX looks identical to its original 240mm and 360mm counterparts that were released last year. Deepcool’s patented Anti-Leak Technology is once again a feature of the Castle 280EX, inside the radiator is an EPDM pressure relief bag that contracts to create a void when pressure rises to relieve pressure inside the radiator and therefore, lowering the risk of a leak.

In keeping with the other two coolers of the Castle EX series, the 280EX is outfitted with Deepcool’s Tri-Phase motor that provides the pump with a rotational speed of 2550 RPM and an almost silent 17.8dBA noise output level, as well as a copper micro-channel cold plate for efficient transfer of heat and Deepcool TF-S series high static pressure fans, with a speed range of 400-1600 RPM.

Deepcool AIOs are designed in house, so they are not just another Asetek or CoolIT rebranded unit with a customised pump top like some other AIOs on the market. The company uses a split chamber pump/CPU block arrangement to avoid any Asetek patent infringement, a design that has proven to offer efficient heat transfer in previous coolers.

As typical with modern AIO coolers, the Castle 280EX uses reinforced rubber tubing, covered with a braided nylon sleeving for a premium appearance as well as an aluminium core radiator. However, unlike many of the current crop of AIOs in recent times, the RGB lighting of the Castle EX series is quite subtle. Only the CPU block is equipped with RGB lighting and the fans are an understated all-black design.

A rather unique feature of the Castle 280EX is the CPU block aesthetics, the top cover of the Castle EX CPU block is removable. Once the cover has been removed the GamerStorm logo can either be rotated to ensure the orientation is facing the correct way up or alternatively, the logo can be removed and replaced with a custom logo of your own via the blank that Deepcool includes inside the box.

In addition to the customisable logo, the top portion of the CPU block also includes RGB lighting effects. Beneath the two-way mirror top cover is a large circular RGB zone that extends to a create a thin RGB line around the circumference of the block. The Deepcool Castle 280EX RGB lighting effects can either be synchronised from a motherboard via the 3-pin 5v addressable RGB header or controlled by a simple RGB lighting hub that is included in the box.

CPU socket compatibility of the Castle EX series is extensive, all current mainstream desktop platforms from both Intel and AMD are covered including Intel LGA 115x, 1366, 2066 and 2011, AMD AM4, AM3+, AM3/+, AM2/+, FM2 and FM1 as well as AMD high-end desktop TR4/TRX40 Threadripper. The new Intel LGA1200 socket isn’t listed as compatible on the packaging, however, since LGA1200 uses the same mounting system as LGA115x, we expect the Castle 280EX should work on this platform just fine.

Key Features

  • Anti-Leak technology
  • Specially tuned TF140 S fans
  • 5V Addressable RGB
  • Customisable CPU block logo
  • Copper micro-channel cold plate

Specifications

Radiator Dimensions 322 x 138 x 27 mm
Radiator Material Aluminium
Net Weight 1600g
Tube length 380mm
Pump Dimensions 86 x 75 x 71 mm
Pump Speed 2550 RPM±10%
Pump Noise 17.8 dB(A)
Pump Connector  3-pin
Pump Rated Voltage 12 VDC
Pump Rated Current 0.2 A
Pump Power Consumption 2.4 W
Fan Speed Range 400~1800 RPM±10%
Fan Noise Level ≤39.8 dB(A)
Fan Air Pressure 2.00 mmAq
Fan Air Flow 97.03 CFM
Fan Connector 4-pin PWM
Bearing Type Hydro Bearing
Fan Rated Voltage 12 VDC
Fan Rated Current 0.3 A
Fan Power Consumption 3.6 W
LED Type  Addressable RGB LED
LED Connector 3-pin(+5V-D-G)
LED Rated Voltage  5 VDC
LED Power Consumption 2.25 W (PUMP)

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here

The post Deepcool Castle 280EX AIO CPU Cooler Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/deepcool-castle-280ex-aio-cpu-cooler-review/feed/ 0
be quiet! Pure Rock 2 CPU Cooler Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/be-quiet-pure-rock-2-cpu-cooler-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/be-quiet-pure-rock-2-cpu-cooler-review/#respond Tue, 12 May 2020 11:00:59 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=465820 It's ultra quiet - but what about thermal performance?

The post be quiet! Pure Rock 2 CPU Cooler Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
be quiet! launched its original Pure Rock Slim CPU tower cooler back in 2017 with an aim to provide an affordable cooling solution for low to mid-range mainstream desktop processors. The Pure Rock Slim is now set to be replaced with this new model – the Pure Rock 2. The core design of the Pure Rock 2 resembles the previous version but how does the thermal performance stack up? Let’s find out.

Unsurprisingly, both the Pure Rock 2 and the Pure Rock Slim look extremely similar, an untrained eye may find it difficult to tell them apart by just looking at online images. However, the new Pure Rock 2 that we have for review today is naturally larger than the Slim. If you think of it as a Slim on steroids, then you won’t be far from the mark.

Just like the older Slim version, the Pure Rock 2 is equipped with four 6mm direct touch heat pipes with “HDT Technology”, and these are set in an aluminium base plate with heatsink fins and a pre-applied thermal compound coating on the base. The Pure Rock 2 heatsink fin stack includes a total of 55 aluminium fins that are much more densely arranged compared with the be quiet! Shadow Rock 3 that launched earlier this year.

The top of the heatsink sports a thicker aluminium top plate which is probably added more for aesthetic reasons than for thermal performance, as it feels much more sturdy and has a bit of detailing as well as the be quiet! logo printed centrally to add a bit of style. The top of the heat pipes are also covered with aluminium caps which are integrated into this top cover and look far more attractive than soldered heat pipe ends.

be quiet! has also equipped the Pure Rock 2 with one of its ultra-low noise Pure Wings fans. Pure Rock 2 comes with a Pure Wings 2 120mm fan featuring a maximum PWM speed of 1500 RPM, 80,000-hour lifespan and 26.8 dbA noise level at 100% RPM.

All this extra bulk of added materials comes at a slight increase in cost; however, the Pure Rock 2 is still a very affordable option. Pure Rock 2 is available in two styles, either the bare copper and aluminium version which is the one we are looking at during this review, or as a stealthy looking all-black version. The aluminium and copper version has an RRP of £33.99 and the all-black version carries a slight premium at £38.99.

Key Features

  • Four direct touch heat pipes
  • 120mm Pure Wings 2 fan
  • Asymmetric design for maximum RAM compatibility
  • Low operating noise
  • Available in two colour schemes

Specifications

Socket compatibility Intel: 1200 / 2066 / 1150 / 1151 / 1155 / 2011(-3) square ILM;

AMD: AM4 / AM3(+)

TDP (W) 150
Dimensions (L x W x H), (mm) 62 x 121 x 155
Total weight (kg) 0.575
Overall noise level (dB(A)) @ 50/75/100% (rpm) 19.1 / 22.1 / 26.8
Heatsink
Aluminium Fins x 55
Base material Aluminium / copper
CPU contact surface Heat pipe direct touch
Heatpipe number / Diameter (mm) 4 / 6
Fan dimensions (mm) 120 x 120 x 25
Fan speed @ 100% PWM /12V (rpm) 1,500
Fan bearing technology Rifle
Fan motor technology 4-pole fan motor
Fan Connector 4-pin PWM
Fan fable length (mm) 220
Fan rated Voltage (V) 12
Fan input current (A) 0.12
Fan input power (W) 1.44
Fan lifespan (h / 25°C) 80,000

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here

The post be quiet! Pure Rock 2 CPU Cooler Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/be-quiet-pure-rock-2-cpu-cooler-review/feed/ 0
Arctic Freezer 7 X CPU Cooler Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/arctic-freezer-7-x-cpu-cooler-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/arctic-freezer-7-x-cpu-cooler-review/#respond Wed, 29 Apr 2020 10:19:24 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=461852 How does this little cooler from Arctic fare against the Wraith Prism and Stealth?

The post Arctic Freezer 7 X CPU Cooler Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Arctic’s Freezer 7 CPU cooler series has provided an ultra-affordable alternative to stock CPU coolers for many years, and after ten years of loyal service from the Freezer 7 Pro, Arctic has finally introduced a new cooler to this range. The Freezer 7 X is Arctic's latest single tower, compact CPU cooler that aims blow stock CPU coolers out of the water, but just how good is it?

One of the first questions I asked myself when the Arctic Freezer 7 X landed on my desk was whether there is any need for a compact tower cooler like this in 2020. AMD bundles in very good stock coolers with its Ryzen series processors these days and the majority of enthusiasts using Intel processors will no doubt choose an all-in-one liquid cooler or a larger air cooler.

Arctic believes there is room in the market for such a compact cooler like the Freezer 7 X, so where do we think it fits in? According to Arctic’s testing, the Freezer 7 X offers improved thermal performance and low noise levels compared to the stock AMD Wraith Spire cooler, so users of AMD processors that come bundled with the Wraith Spire could use the Freezer 7 X as a cheap upgrade there.

Another option would be to replace the stock Intel cooler that comes with some of its lower-end Pentium and Core i3 processors, or use this cooler with a tray CPU that does not come with a cooler at all. To see just how capable the Arctic Freezer 7 X is, we will put it through its paces against the AMD Wraith Spire and Prism stock coolers and see how it handles a high-end Intel platform versus a stock Intel cooler too.

Compared with the previous Freezer 7 Pro, Arctic has trimmed down the size and features of the Freezer 7 X. There are just two 6mm direct touch copper heat pipes set into an aluminium base plate with a total of 44 aluminium fins that make up the heat sink. A single 92mm P-series PWM fan, optimised for high static pressure, is housed in a plastic shroud and clips directly to the heatsink.

According to Arctic, the P-series fan features a newly developed motor that runs quieter and more efficiently, thanks to its 20°C lower coil temperature compared with traditional fan motors. This increases fan lifespan and reduces power down from 0.25A to just 0.07A, which is effectively a 72% power consumption saving. The P-series fan used in the Freezer 7 X also has a broad PWM speed range of 300-2000 RPM.

Another benefit of the Arctic Freezer 7 X is the installation process. The Cooler uses the same mounting solution for AMD and Intel platforms so there is less preparation needed for installation. For AMD platforms, the Freezer 7 X utilises the stock AMD backplate and retention bracket while Intel installations only require a plastic bracket clipping into place on the motherboard before fixing the cooler in position.

Something that remains the same as previous Freezer 7 coolers is the cost. The Freezer 7 X is still an extremely affordable solution and is priced under £20 in the UK. In fact, from some online retailers, the Freezer 7 X can be currently found for as low as £17.99 which sounds like great value.

Key features

  • Compact design
  • Copper direct touch heat pipes
  • Broad PWM fan speed range
  • Simple installation
  • 6-year warranty

Specification

Heat Pipe Direct Touch Ø 6 mm x 2
Heatsink
Aluminium Fins x 44, Thickness: 0.4 mm
Thermal Compound MX-2 pre-applied
Fan 1 x 92mm, 300-2000 RPM (controlled by PWM)
Bearing Fluid Dynamic Bearing
Connector 4-pin connector
Noise Level 0.3 Sone
Current/Voltage 0.07A/12V
Dimensions 110.5mm x 74.3mm x 132.5mm (L x W X H)
Net Weight 425g
Socket Compatibility AMD – AM4, AM3(+), FM1/2(+)

Intel – 1200, 115x, 775

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here

The post Arctic Freezer 7 X CPU Cooler Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/arctic-freezer-7-x-cpu-cooler-review/feed/ 0
Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L V2 RGB Cooler Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/cooler-master-masterliquid-ml240l-v2-rgb-cooler-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/cooler-master-masterliquid-ml240l-v2-rgb-cooler-review/#respond Wed, 22 Apr 2020 13:00:57 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=462771 Can the ML240L V2 knock the Arctic Liquid Freezer II from its perch as best budget AIO?

The post Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L V2 RGB Cooler Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Cooler Master’s latest attempt at producing a cost-effective all-in-one liquid cooler is a refresh of the ML240L series, with an updated 3rd generation pump designed for improved flow and lower noise output, as well as new SickleFlow 120mm RGB fans providing higher static pressure. But will it be able to handle the heat from our test bench system? Let’s find out.

The last couple of Cooler Master CPU coolers have not had the greatest time when put through their paces on our test bench. The performance of the Cooler Master ML240P Mirage AIO and MA620M tower cooler both fell short of expectations during our testing recently, so the ML240L V2 RGB AIO has its work cut out if it is to impress us today.

However, as with all of our reviews, we wipe the slate clean and will look at this new cost-effective AIO from Cooler Master with a completely open mind. According to Cooler Master, this refresh of the ML240L series is not just an aesthetic update, the ML240L V2 RGB has had an extensive rework of both the pump and the fans, so it will be very interesting to see what effect these improvements have had on thermal performance.

The ML240L V2 is equipped with Cooler Master’s latest 3rd generation pump that features an increased chamber capacity for improved volume and liquid exchange between chambers, due to reduced resistance. Impeller blades have been extended and the curvature has been enhanced to improve water flow and heat dissipation. A new Tri-Phase motor with silent driver should also help lower noise levels.

An increase in the length of the fins and larger leading water channels have been applied to the radiator to improve flow efficiency and water capacity. Cooler Master claims that this will provide a 25% increase in surface area to optimise heat dissipation efficiency and reduce airflow resistance while offering an improved liquid to surface area for efficient heat exchange.

Cooler Master has made a change to the ML240L fans too, out go the MF120R and in come the new SickleFlow 120 RGB. The fans feature a rifle bearing core and a new frame design with a screw hole reinforcement and improved structural stability compared with the previous MasterFan. SickleFlow 120 fans have seven opaque white blades with a larger blade size to improve light dispersion and increase static pressure.

These improvements to the fans means static pressure is up from 2.34 mmH2O in the previous ML240L RGB to 2.5 mmH2O in the V2, while noise levels are reduced from 30dBA to 27dBA. During Cooler Master’s in house testing of the ML240L V2, it recorded around 4°C lower temperature at 187 W load compared to the previous ML240L, which sounds like a healthy improvement.

The ML240L V2 offers two RGB lighting zones, the pump top has a Cooler Master halo logo that is illuminated and so are the opaque blades of the SickleFlow 120 fans. RGB lighting can be configured and controlled via compatible motherboards using the standard 4-pin RGB header, or with the RGB controller that is bundled with the cooler.

Cooler Master has made all these improvements to the ML240L series but has not upped the cost. So the ML240L V2 can be purchased for the same MSRP as the original, the ML240L V2 RGB will set you back £69.99 While the smaller, single fan ML120L V2 RGB is priced at £59.99.

Key Features

  • 3rd generation pump.
  • Improved SickelFlow fans.
  • Two RGB lighting zones.
  • Included RGB lighting controller.

Specification

Waterblock Dimensions 79.9 x 76 x 47mm
Radiator Dimensions 277 x 119.6 x x27.2mm
Radiator Material Aluminium
Fan Dimensions 120 x 120 x 25mm
Fan Speed 650 ~ 1800 RPM (PWM) ± 10%
Fan Airflow 62 CFM (Max)
Fan Air Pressure 2.5 mmH2O
Fan MTTF 160,000 hours
Fan Noise Level (1m) 8 – 27 dBA
Fan Connector 4-pin (PWM)
Pump MTTF 70,000 hours
Pump Noise Level (1m) <10 dBA
Pump Rated Voltage 12 VDC
Pump Power Connector 3-pin
Warranty 2 years
CPU socket support AMD – AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, AM4, FM1, FM2, FM2+

Intel – 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 2011, 2011-V3, 2066

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here

The post Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L V2 RGB Cooler Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/cooler-master-masterliquid-ml240l-v2-rgb-cooler-review/feed/ 0
Enermax updates the ETS-T50 AXE air cooler https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/enermax-updates-the-ets-t50-axe-air-cooler/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/enermax-updates-the-ets-t50-axe-air-cooler/#respond Sat, 07 Mar 2020 16:02:21 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=455597 Enermax has upgraded its ETS-T50 AXE CPU air cooler series with a new ARGB version. The T50 AXE cooler is available in various forms and now includes a new version with addressable RGB fans, available in both black and white colour schemes. The ETS-T50 AXE ARGB CPU air cooler from Enermax features five 6mm copper …

The post Enermax updates the ETS-T50 AXE air cooler first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Enermax has upgraded its ETS-T50 AXE CPU air cooler series with a new ARGB version. The T50 AXE cooler is available in various forms and now includes a new version with addressable RGB fans, available in both black and white colour schemes.

The ETS-T50 AXE ARGB CPU air cooler from Enermax features five 6mm copper direct touch heat pipes combined with a new 120mm high static pressure ARG fan to offer a huge 230W TDP rating. An asymmetric heatsink design allows extra space for the installation of tall memory modules and RGB lighting can be configured or synchronised via motherboard RGB software such as Asus Aura Sync, Gigabyte RGB Fusion, MSI Mystic Light Sync or ASRock Polychrome.

Enermax has added airflow optimisations in the T50 AXE air cooler such as conical tunnels to improve airflow by up to 15%, which allows heat to dissipate quicker. Small spoilers on the fan blades create a vortex that brings more fresh air to the back of the heatsinks heat pipes to aid cooling, while partially closed sides of the cooler create a vacuum to draw additional air in from the side.

120mm fans used in the ETS-T50 AXE ARGB cooler are equipped with a high-pressure fan blade designed to be specifically used on CPU coolers. The fans also feature a patented Twister Bearing technology to ensure smooth operation and a long 160,000 hours MTBF lifespan. Speed range of the fan is 500 – 1600 RPM so users can balance cooling performance with noise levels depending on system workloads.

The Enermax ETS-T50 AXE ARGB CPU air cooler is compatible with all current Intel and AMD socket types (excluding TR4/SP3 socket). The cooler is available to purchase now priced at $64.99 for the white version.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: The 230W TDP rating of the Enermax ETS-T50 AXE ARGB cooler should be enough to cool even the most high-performance desktop processors. What do you guys think of this new CPU cooler from Enermax?

The post Enermax updates the ETS-T50 AXE air cooler first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/enermax-updates-the-ets-t50-axe-air-cooler/feed/ 0
be quiet! Shadow Rock 3 CPU cooler review https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/be-quiet-shadow-rock-3-cpu-cooler-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/be-quiet-shadow-rock-3-cpu-cooler-review/#respond Fri, 06 Mar 2020 12:23:29 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=454158 How good is be quiet!'s latest Shadow Rock air cooler?

The post be quiet! Shadow Rock 3 CPU cooler review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Shadow Rock is a premium air cooler series from be quiet!'s range of high-performance CPU coolers. The series has been running for a number of years now and has seen various iterations of the Shadow Rock introduced, including top flow and low-profile variants as well as traditional single tower air coolers. The new Shadow Rock 3 is the latest single tower air cooler from be quiet! that offers improvements over the previous Shadow Rock 2.

The goal of the Shadow Rock tower cooler has always been to offer high-performance and low noise CPU cooling at an affordable price. be quiet! Is sticking with that strategy in the new Shadow Rock 3. However, Shadow Rock 3 has been treated a complete redesign compared with the previous version, although some of the core features remain similar.

Be quiet! Has equipped the Shadow Rock 3 with five, 6mm nickel-plated copper heat pipes to match the aesthetics of the aluminium heatsink that is designed with an asymmetrical layout to improve compatibility and avoid interference with memory DIMM slots. The heat pipes make direct contact with the CPU heat spreader to improve heat absorption and dissipation, there is also a small aluminium heatsink directly on top of the heat pipes.

Another noticeable difference with the Shadow Rock 3 compared to previous versions is the heat sink fin stack. It's less dense than previously and gaps between the fins are larger than before. There is a total of 30 aluminium heat sink fins on the Shadow Rock 3 which is a reduction of 21 fins compared to the Shadow Rock 2 fin stack, however, be quiet! Has made up for this reduced surface area by adding an extra heat pipe, taking the total up to five for the Shadow Rock 3, the Shadow Rock 2 only had four.

Shadow Rock 3 comes bundled one be quiet! decoupled Shadow Wings 2 120mm fan. be quiet! claims the decoupled Shadow Wings 2 120mm fan produces just 24.4 dBA noise level, even at its maximum speed of 1600 RPM due to its high fin pitch and low air resistance, which sounds impressive. A combination of the high-speed fan and heat sink fin stack equipped with five heat pipes means the Shadow Rock 3 features a whopping 190W TDP rating in a cost-effective package.

CPU socket support for the Shadow Rock 3 includes all current mainstream desktop platforms. Be quiet! claims that the installation process is quick and simple, included with the cooler is mounting hardware for Intel socket LGA 1200 / 2066 / 1150 / 1151 / 1155 / 2011(-3) Square ILM, as well as AMD AM4 / AM3(+).

In terms of size, the Shadow Rock 3 lies somewhere between the high-end dual tower air coolers and budget single tower coolers such as the Arctic Freezer 34, it pretty much is slap bang in the middle with dimensions of  121 x 130 x 163mm (L x W x H) so should fit inside almost any standard ATX mid-tower desktop PC case with ease. The overall weight of the cooler is just 710g so it potentially puts less strain on the motherboard CPU socket area compared to larger coolers.

Key features

  • 190W TDP rating
  • Five 6mm nickel-plated copper heat pipes
  • low 24.4dBA noise level at maximum fan speed
  • Asymmetric construction provides improved memory clearance
  • Wide range of CPU socket support

Specification

Heatsink dimensions 96mm x 130mm x 163mm (L x W x H)
Number of fins 30
Fin material Aluminium
Base material Aluminum / Copper
CPU contact surface Heat pipe direct touch
Radiator material Copper
Heatpipe number / Diameter 5 / 6mm
Fan dimensions 120mm x 120mm x 25mm
Fan speed @ 100% PWM /12V (rpm) 1600
Fan bearing technology Rifle
Fan motor technology 4-pole fan motor
Fan connector 4-pin PWM
Fan rated Voltage (V) 12
Fan input current (A) 0.20
Fan input power (W) 2.4
Mounting set Intel & AMD

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here

The post be quiet! Shadow Rock 3 CPU cooler review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/be-quiet-shadow-rock-3-cpu-cooler-review/feed/ 0
Xigmatek rolls out the WindpowerPRO CPU tower cooler https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/xigmatek-rolls-out-the-windpowerpro-cpu-tower-cooler/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/xigmatek-rolls-out-the-windpowerpro-cpu-tower-cooler/#respond Mon, 10 Feb 2020 10:02:46 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=450794 Established since 2005, Xigmatek has built its reputation on offering PC enthusiasts with high quality, innovative PC peripherals and thermal solutions. The Xigmatek product portfolio is growing all the time and the company has just released its latest CPU air cooler, the WindpowerPRO. Xigmatek has equipped the WindpowerPRO with six direct touch copper heat pipes …

The post Xigmatek rolls out the WindpowerPRO CPU tower cooler first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Established since 2005, Xigmatek has built its reputation on offering PC enthusiasts with high quality, innovative PC peripherals and thermal solutions. The Xigmatek product portfolio is growing all the time and the company has just released its latest CPU air cooler, the WindpowerPRO.

Xigmatek has equipped the WindpowerPRO with six direct touch copper heat pipes that make direct contact with the CPU HIS at the base, connected to a single tower fin stack heat sink manufactured from aluminium. A satin black anodised finish covers both the heatsink and the heat pipes for a uniform appearance and there are lashing of RGB lighting.

Out of the box, there are two 120mm RGB fans installed in a push-pull configuration featuring a PWM speed control range of between 800-1800 RPM. Thanks to the healthy amount of heat pipes, a large heat sink design and two 120mm fans, the Xigmatek WindpowerPRO is capable of cooling processors with up to 200W TDP rating.

Instead of using the fiddly spring clip design for mounting the fans to the heatsink, Xigmatek has taken a different approach by using plastic brackets that clip in place. The top plastic cover features an RGB lighting zone with the Xigmatek X logo and pattern design illuminated in RGB, which compliments the two 120mm RGB fans.

The RGB lighting can be configured and controlled by motherboard manufacturer software including Asus Aura Sync, MSI Mystic Light Sync, Gigabyte RGB Fusion and ASRock Polychrome Sync, via a standard 3-pin 5V ARGB header connection. Dimensions of the WindpowerPRO are 110 mm x 125 mm x 157 mm (LxWxH) and the cooler is compatible with Intel LGA 115x/2066/2011/1366 and AMD AM4/AM3/AM2/FM2 and FM1 socket types.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Xigmatek is yet to specify price and availability of the WindpowerPRO. However, with the specifications listed, it looks like it could be a very capable mid-range air cooler. What do you guys think?

The post Xigmatek rolls out the WindpowerPRO CPU tower cooler first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/xigmatek-rolls-out-the-windpowerpro-cpu-tower-cooler/feed/ 0
Silverstone introduces the AR12 RGB CPU tower cooler https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/silverstone-introduces-the-ar12-rgb-cpu-tower-cooler/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/silverstone-introduces-the-ar12-rgb-cpu-tower-cooler/#respond Thu, 06 Feb 2020 11:32:08 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=450322 Silverstone has refreshed one its CPU tower coolers from the company’s Argon range. The new AR12 RGB is basically a revised AR12 with the addition of a new RGB illuminated 120mm fan to provide an aesthetic upgrade. The new Silverstone AR12 RGB is capable of dealing with thermal loads of up to 125W. The heatsink …

The post Silverstone introduces the AR12 RGB CPU tower cooler first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Silverstone has refreshed one its CPU tower coolers from the company’s Argon range. The new AR12 RGB is basically a revised AR12 with the addition of a new RGB illuminated 120mm fan to provide an aesthetic upgrade.

The new Silverstone AR12 RGB is capable of dealing with thermal loads of up to 125W. The heatsink stands at 154mm tall and is equipped with an aluminium fin-stack design with four 6mm copper direct touch heat pipes that contact with the CPU HIS at the base. Towards the bottom of the heat sink, the fins are shorter to allow for compatibility with different RAM configurations and designs.

Silverstone claims that the new AR12 RGB offers and outstanding balance of light, silence and cooling performance with the new 120mm RGB fan that is equipped with rubber, anti-vibration pads to dampen noise, The included fan is PWM speed controlled and comes with specially designed blades to improve airflow and is optimised for silent operation.

RGB lighting in the AR12 RGB CPU cooler can be connected to compatible motherboards via a 4-pin RGB header to allow for full customisation and synchronisation with other system components. The Silverstone AR12 RGB is compatible with all mainstream desktop CPU socket types including Intel LGA socket 115x/1366/2011/2066 and AMD socket AM4/AM3/AM2/FM2/FM1, with all relevant installation hardware included.

Silverstone is yet to announce the price or specify when the AR12 RGB cooler will be available to purchase.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: With a 125W TDP rating we expect the Silverstone AR12 RGB to be a decent cost-effective CPU cooler, ideal for cooling mid-range processors running at stock frequency. What do you guys think of the new AR12 RGB from Silverstone? 

The post Silverstone introduces the AR12 RGB CPU tower cooler first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/silverstone-introduces-the-ar12-rgb-cpu-tower-cooler/feed/ 0
Corsair A500 CPU Cooler Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/corsair-a500-cpu-cooler-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/corsair-a500-cpu-cooler-review/#respond Wed, 22 Jan 2020 13:29:28 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=447053 Corsair has returned to the CPU air cooling market with the A500 dual tower cooler

The post Corsair A500 CPU Cooler Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
For about the last decade, all-in-one coolers have been the preferred choice for cooling high-performance mainstream desktop processors, especially with PC enthusiasts and gamers who want to extract the maximum performance from the CPU through overlocking. Air cooling the CPU has mostly been limited to low power, budget systems, however over the last couple of years, we have seen a resurgence in air cooling of high-performance processors with large tower coolers such as the Noctua NH-D15, the be quiet! Dark Rock Pro series and more recently the Deepcool Assassin III.

During this downturn in the use of high-end air coolers, some manufacturers completely stopped producing CPU tower coolers to focus their R&D on all-in-one liquid coolers exclusively. One of those companies that halted air cooler manufacturing was Corsair, but now they are back and aiming at the big boys with the new A500 dual tower cooler.

One of the key features that Corsair has been pushing while marketing the A500 tower cooler is the unique fan mounting method it has deployed. Unlike many of the large tower coolers currently on the market that use a spring clip mechanism to mount the fans, Corsair has opted for a more substantial method that includes rigid plastic frames with a Slide-and-Lock height adjustment mechanism for improved RAM clearance. It will be interesting to see how well this works later during the installation process.

Another interesting design choice Corsair has taken with the A500 is the decision to use two different heat pipe dimensions. All the heat pipes are manufactured from copper and are direct touch design, meaning they all have direct contact with the CPU IHS. However, the two central pipes are 8mm diameter while the outer two are 6mm diameter. Corsair claims this will improve cooling at high TDP compared with coolers that have heat pipes of all the same diameter.

To ensure adequate airflow is always passing over the cooler, Corsair has equipped the A500 with two PWM controlled 120mm ML120 high static pressure fans. The ML120 fans that come with the A500 are the regular non-RGB type since Corsair wanted to retain an understated appearance in the A500, as the company expects it to be used more commonly in workstation type systems, where function is more important than aesthetics.

Corsair has introduced an optimised retention method to make installation of the A500 as quick and straightforward as possible. For AMD installations, the A500 utilises the stock backplate while Intel systems require replacing the backplate with a Corsair supplied solution with specific standoffs for the socket type. On AMD sockets, the Corsair A500 uses a simple screw and spacer retention method. However, we will go over the Intel installation method in detail later.

According to Corsair, the A500 has been designed to provide pure performance with understated looks. To achieve maximum cooling performance, it is recommended to run the fans at 100% RPM. However, since the ML120 fans can run at a speed up to 2,400RPM, PWM control would be much more suited to everyday use. In its own internal synthetic testing, Corsair found the A500 has an average thermal resistance lower than similar style coolers from rival manufacturers, so we expect to see good thermal performance results when we come to test the cooler ourselves later.

In terms of how the Corsair A500 performance measures up to the competition is something we will find out during this review. To purchase the A500 at the moment will set you back around £89.99 in the UK – this places it right in the line of other high-end dual tower coolers such as the Noctua NH-D15, be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 and the Deepcool Assassin III, but can it match their performance levels? Let's dive in and see.

Key features

  • Dual heatsink design
  • Four heat pipes
  • Two 120mm fans
  • Adjustable fan height for RAM clearance
  • Understated aesthetics
  • Simple installation method

Specification

Heatsink Dimensions 137mm x 169mm x 103mm
Heatsink Dimensions w/Fan 144mm x 169mm x 171mm
Cold Plate Type Direct-Contact Heatpipe
Fan Dimensions 120mm x 120mm x 25mm
Fan Speed 2400 RPM
Number of Fans 2
Fan Model ML Series
Fan Airflow 75 CFM
Fan Static Pressure 4.2 mm-H2O
Noise Level 36 dBA
Heatpipe Material Copper
Heatsink Material Aluminium
Maximum RAM Height (Stock Fan Position) 45mm
Cooling Socket Support Intel 1150/1151/1155/1156
Intel 2011/2011-3/2066
AMD AM4
AMD AM3/AM2

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here

The post Corsair A500 CPU Cooler Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]> https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/corsair-a500-cpu-cooler-review/feed/ 0 Scythe introduce the Mugen 5 Black RGB Edition CPU cooler https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/scythe-introduce-the-mugen-5-black-rgb-edition-cpu-cooler/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/scythe-introduce-the-mugen-5-black-rgb-edition-cpu-cooler/#respond Tue, 21 Jan 2020 09:45:17 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=447910 Scythe has announced a new version of its popular Mugen 5 CPU tower cooler, the Mugen 5 has seen many revisions of the design during its lifespan and this time around Scythe has updated the appearance with the Mugen 5 Black RGB Edition. The latest revision of the Mugen 5 from Scythe features a black …

The post Scythe introduce the Mugen 5 Black RGB Edition CPU cooler first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Scythe has announced a new version of its popular Mugen 5 CPU tower cooler, the Mugen 5 has seen many revisions of the design during its lifespan and this time around Scythe has updated the appearance with the Mugen 5 Black RGB Edition.

The latest revision of the Mugen 5 from Scythe features a black top cover plate with the traditional Mugen 5 chrome effect heat pipes poking through. Scythe has equipped the Mugen 5 Black RGB Edition with a high quality 120mm RGB fan from the company’s new Kaze Flex 120 RGB PWM series, for a more pronounced contrasting appearance.

Mugen 5 Black RGB Edition retains all the performance of the previous Mugen 5 Rev B with the addition of the added RGB fan, black fan frame, black fan noise-absorbing rubbers and a black top cover to enhance the appearance. The black accents provide a sharp contrast to the aluminium heatsink fins, along with the diamond-cut style Scythe logo on the top.

Scythe claims that even though the design has been changed, there has been no compromise on thermal performance and efficiency, so expect the Mugen 5 Black RGB Edition to perform just as well as the previous REV 5 version. The Black RGB Edition features 6 copper heat pipes, connected to a solid copper thermal transfer base plate, both the heat pipes and the base plate features a nickel-plated finish for a unified appearance.

The Kaze Flex fan that comes with the Mugen 5 Black RGB Edition features slight tweaks in appearance to previous Kaze Flex fans. The fan is capable of a wide operating speed range of 300 – 1200 RPM, it can be conveniently controlled thanks to PWM support and includes a liquid bearing design for an average lifespan of 120,000 hours.

Translucent fan blades offer rich lighting effects with integrated RGB illumination and can be controlled and synchronised via a standard motherboard 4-pin 5V RGB header. The Scythe Mugen 5 Black RGB Edition supports RGB sync software from leading motherboard manufacturers including Asus Aura Sync, ASRock Polychrome Sync, MSI Mystic Light Sync and Gigabyte RGB Fusion.

The Scythe Mugen 5 Black RGB Edition is available to purchase now for €47.00 and is compatible with all major desktop processors including Intel sockets LGA775, LGA115x, LGA1366, LGA 2011 and LGA 2066 as well as the AMD sockets AM2(+), AM3(+), FM1, FM2(+) and AM4.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: The Scythe Mugen 5 has been a popular mid-range tower cooler with budget-conscious PC enthusiasts and gamers, looking for high performance at a competitive price. The updated appearance brings it right up to date and will no doubt appeal to many. What do you guys think of the latest revision of the Scythe Mugen 5 CPU cooler?

The post Scythe introduce the Mugen 5 Black RGB Edition CPU cooler first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/scythe-introduce-the-mugen-5-black-rgb-edition-cpu-cooler/feed/ 0
CES 2020: Hands-on with Corsair’s new air and AIO coolers https://www.kitguru.net/components/cpu/james-dawson/ces-2020-hands-on-with-corsairs-new-air-and-aio-coolers/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/cpu/james-dawson/ces-2020-hands-on-with-corsairs-new-air-and-aio-coolers/#respond Thu, 09 Jan 2020 09:37:07 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=445575 Luke is at the Corsair booth taking a look at what new coolers the company is launching for 2020

The post CES 2020: Hands-on with Corsair’s new air and AIO coolers first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Our CES team are back again today, and Luke is at the Corsair booth taking a look at what new cooling products the company is launching at the beginning of 2020. There’s a new CPU tower cooler coming from Corsair along with a PRO series of closed-loop all-in-one coolers too.

Corsair has been out of the CPU air cooling market for a long time but is making a return this year with the new premium high-end A500 CPU tower cooler. Corsair has implemented an innovative fan mounting design in the A500 that allows adjustment for RAM clearance. The A500 fans are mounted in ratchet sliding frames to provide almost unlimited RAM clearance and eliminate the fiddly spring clip fan retention system other vendors use.

The A500 features a brushed finish top cover which is designed simply for aesthetic reasons, the top cover is easily removable to aid the installation process. Corsair has omitted RGB lighting from its A500 tower cooler as it believes that is what the customer would prefer. The A500 is technically a dual tower design, however, both tower’s heatsink fins are connected, but with a large central cutout for installation purposes.

Corsair has equipped the A500 with four copper direct contact heatpipes, the two central heatpipes are 8mm diameter with the two outer heatpipes slightly smaller at 6mm diameter. The base plate of the A500 is constructed from aluminium and the cooler supports all current mainstream desktop platforms such as Intel 115x, AMD AM3+, AM4 and FM1 as well as Intel HEDT LGA 2066 and 2011.

In addition to the return to air cooling with the A500, Corsair is launching a new range of closed-loop AIO coolers too. The iCUE RGB PRO XT series adopts the CoolIT design from the company’s Platinum range which is set to bring a higher level of cooling performance to Corsair’s PRO AIO series. As the title suggest the iCUE RGB PRO XT range will feature RGB lighting to the pump body only, the ML fans included are the standard non-RGB versions.

Corsair claims the CoolIT design is an improvement over the Asetek Gen 6 pump, so the iCUE RGB PRO XT series should offer a thermal performance improvement over the previous PRO models. The new PRO XT series will be available in 240mm (H100i), 280mm (H115i) and 360mm (H150i) versions. In terms of socket compatibility, the Corsair iCUE RGB PRO XT series supports all major desktop processors including Intel socket LGA 115x, 2066, 2011-3,2011, AMD AM4, sTR4, AM3+, FM1 and FM2.

Both the Corsair A500 tower cooler and the new iCUE RGB PRO XT AIO series will be available to purchase in Q1 2020, the A500 will be priced at £89.99 and the iCUE RGB PRO XT starts from £119.99 for the 240mm H100i.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Corsair has entered the CPU air cooling market once again and has targeted the big boys straight away, the new A500 tower cooler is set to rival the likes of the be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 and Noctua’s NH-D15. What do you guys think to these new coolers from Corsair?

The post CES 2020: Hands-on with Corsair’s new air and AIO coolers first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
https://www.kitguru.net/components/cpu/james-dawson/ces-2020-hands-on-with-corsairs-new-air-and-aio-coolers/feed/ 0