Background and thoughts on the AIO: I'm a pretty new builder in terms of computers. I built one computer in 2014 that was just alright and I made some upgrades to a store-bought model (new fans, graphics card, ram). After completing my M-ATX build in January 2021, I decided to go full air cooler. The stock fan that comes with the Ryzen 5 5600x is not up to snuff when compared to previous fans. I saw my temps at idle getting close to 60 degrees at times. After having a ton of compatibility issues with an air cooler that clearly was NOT designed with AM4 boards in mind (Cooler Master) and didn't change my temps at all - I jumped into the world of water cooled AIOs. There are SO many options out there for AIO water coolers, and really it comes down to cost and need. If you're just trying to keep a CPU nice and chilled - this is your cooler hands down. I love the simple white LED light frankly, and the price difference to go from this model to one that has RGB wasn't worth it at all. The 120mm fan and radiator fit perfect along the rear of the case and there's a perfect amount of clearance with the motherboard heatsink so there's no rub. If you have a mini-itx or micro-atx case and you want a water cooler - this should fit and do the trick.
Installation: This fan comes preinstalled with Intel mounting, and while that might scare some of you off who worry about fiddling with things - it's as easy as literally pulling with a small amount of force on the mounting bracket for it to unseat and let you push in the AMD mount. Thats. It. No screwdriver or worrying about damaging the pump. The pump also comes with thermal paste pre-applied - so unless you're worried about the stock stuff, you really don't need to buy any additional paste. IMPORTANT: If you're using this with an AM4 like I was and having a Ryzen 5600x chip - the stock backplate that came preinstalled on your motherboard is needed. The two clips on the AMD mount slide right onto the stock motherboard mount for AMD - and you tighten the screws (again, no screwdriver needed) until it's snug over the CPU. It comes with one Corsair fan - so if you're really worried about airflow and coolness - you could get a second one to have a push-pull configuration - but I found that the single fan gave me great results and an instant upgrade over my previous air cooler.
Speaking of RESULTS: Cool and Breezy. I'm idling in the mid 30's now - with some moderate gaming taking it into the 50s and mid 60s. I've always been nervous about water coolers because of the whole water in the computer thing - but Corsair makes this install a pretty simple process. Just have that backplate otherwise you're in for a world of hurt. OH AND BABY IS THIS THING LOW PROFILE AND QUIET. Seriously - my last air cooler was a monstrosity that sounded like - well a monstrosity. This dropped the sound and temps - the perfect AIO in my honest opinion.
| Wireless Type | Bluetooth |
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