iBUYPOWER has been a staple in the custom gaming PC arena since it burst onto the scene in 1999. Known for its versatility, the company offers everything from self-branded desktops and laptops to an array of gaming accessories, all tailored to meet the needs of both casual and hardcore gamers. Their customizable gaming rigs are particularly popular, giving users the freedom to pick and choose their favorite components. Complementing these systems are iBUYPOWER’s own range of peripherals, such as keyboards, mice, and headsets, designed to provide a seamless gaming experience.
Beyond peripherals, iBUYPOWER extends its offerings into cooling solutions, necessary for optimizing performance and aesthetics of their gaming rigs. Although many of these products come from third-party manufacturers, iBUYPOWER has started rolling out its own cooling products. One such standout is their fresh AW4 360 mm AIO liquid cooler. This review delves into the AW4’s design, cooling efficiency, and its performance under pressure in gaming and computing contexts.
Let’s break down the specifications for a better look at what the AW4 offers:
- Type: All-in-One Liquid Cooler
- Dimensions: 397 x 120 x 52 mm (including fans)
- Fans: 3 x 120 mm Hydraulic Bearing Fans, up to 2000 RPM
- RGB: ARGB capability
- Supported Sockets: Intel: LGA1700 / LGA 115x, AMD: AM5 / AM4
- Warranty: 3 years
- Price: Approximately $99
Packaging & Bundle
Upon unboxing the AW4, you’re greeted by a sturdy, elongated cardboard package that hints at the cooler’s impressive size. The box sports a sleek black-and-red design with abstract graphics and a visual of the cooler itself. Inside, the cooler is snugly fit within custom inserts, ensuring it arrives in pristine condition.
Inside, iBUYPOWER provides just the essentials needed for setup: a straightforward manual, the necessary mounting hardware, and a power cable for the trio of cooling fans. However, it’s noteworthy that an LED controller is absent, meaning your motherboard needs to be RGB-compatible to utilize the multi-color lighting.
The included 120 mm fans exhibit the iBUYPOWER logo, although their original manufacturer remains a mystery. Sporting advanced sleeve-bearing technology, the fans are equipped with notched blades and soft padding at their edges to minimize vibration. Absent LEDs mean these fans focus purely on cooling performance, offering speeds from 700 to 2000 RPM.
The iBUYPOWER AW4 360 mm AIO Liquid Cooler
When you first lay eyes on the iBUYPOWER AW4, it resembles the typical 360 mm AIO coolers on the market, sticking to a familiar design. It includes a radiator, dual hoses, and a compact block that integrates a copper CPU plate with a small liquid pump. The black sleeved rubber tubing iBUYPOWER employs here is a nice touch, marrying functionality with style.
The radiator itself is a substantial 397 mm, requiring a system setup that can fit three sequential 120 mm fans with additional room for the radiator’s extra dimensions. Pairing the 27 mm thick radiator with fans means you’ll need a clearance of 55 mm for proper installation. It follows the conventional dual-pass cross-flow radiator design, lined with small fins attached to thin oblong tubes, keeping the aesthetic simple by forgoing visible branding.
Focusing attention is the sleek block of the cooler, finished with a glossy semi-transparent cover adorning the company logo. The RGB LEDs nestling under this glossy surface render a captivating 3D effect. Neatly tucked at the sides are the hoses, equipped with 90-degree fittings, and exiting are two cables handling power and RGB functions.
On the underside, the contact area takes the shape of a squircle and attaches via eight screws. While not mirror-finished, the surface is polished enough to ensure efficient thermal transfer, aided by a pre-applied thermal pad.
The cooler’s RGB lighting is elegantly integrated into the block’s top, capturing attention without being too flashy. It’s designed to harmonize with any RGB-equipped components linked to the motherboard’s RGB controller. The downside, however, is the inability to light up unless hooked up to a compatible RGB controller.
In conclusion, the iBUYPOWER AW4 360 mm AIO cooler offers a blend of tried-and-true design elements with bespoke touches that can satisfy the aesthetic and functional needs of gamers and high-performance PC builders alike.
