Review: EK-AIO Elite 360 D-RGB

by Parm Mann on 3 December 2020, 14:01

Tags: EK Water Blocks

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Conclusion

...under-load temps are the lowest we've seen our high-end AMD Ryzen 9 test bench.

Struggling to justify the custom cooling loop you've always wanted? An all-in-one is the next best thing, and few are as comprehensive as EK's AIO Elite 360 D-RGB.

Targeting maximum cooling performance in an easy-to-install package, the one-stop kit includes a 3,300RPM pump and half-a-dozen fans allied to a 360mm aluminium radiator. Presentation and build quality is excellent throughout, EK's bundle is more comprehensive than most with spare thermal paste and a seven-way fan hub, and under-load temps are the lowest we've seen our high-end AMD Ryzen 9 test bench.

There's no doubting the cooler's ability to tame an overclocked, many-core CPU, yet there are a couple of caveats to be aware of. Pump noise is an issue at full speed - we recommend reducing speed to 70 per cent or less to achieve a quiet build - and though the performance advantage of a push/pull configuration has appeal, be mindful of the increase in size, noise and cable clutter.

Bottom line: in the market for the best-performing AIO cooler for under £200? The EK-AIO Elite 360 D-RGB ought to be on your shortlist.

The Good
 
The Bad
Chart-topping cooling performance
Stylish pump head with subtle RGB
Comprehensive bundle
Five-year warranty
 
Pump noisy at full speed
More fans means more cables, more noise



EK-AIO Elite 360 D-RGB

HEXUS.where2buy

The EK-AIO Elite 360 D-RGB CPU cooler is available to purchase from ekwb.com.

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At HEXUS, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If any company representatives for the products reviewed choose to respond, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.



HEXUS Forums :: 6 Comments

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Egh, wouldn't pay that much for a CPU let alone the cooler for it! Definitely in the world of diminishing returns there.
Fair enough showing figures with the 6 fans as that's what you're buying after all, but I would also like to have seen a set of figures with 3 fans attached, like the other AIO setups.

Comparing noise and temps are obviously going to pin their results at bottom and top of their respective scales. What I would like to have seen are figures that show me if it's worth spending on the EK setup, or opting for a cheaper bit of kit and buying an extra 3 x fans for it.
blokeinkent
Fair enough showing figures with the 6 fans as that's what you're buying after all, but I would also like to have seen a set of figures with 3 fans attached, like the other AIO setups.

I realy don't think that matters - If it's that noisy with six fans instead of three, it's probably not worth looking at. One of the main points to going push-pull is the ability to reduce fan speed and still maintain low temperatures, though arguably with a thicker rad as well, yet as I read this review the pump puts out so much noise that it pushes this thing right into the losing zone on the noise charts. It wouldn't even matter if you changed all the fans…
Ttaskmaster
I realy don't think that matters

How DARE YOU Sir? How dare you? ;)
blokeinkent
How DARE YOU Sir? How dare you? ;)

As per my previous sig - “I dare anything… I am Skeletor!!!”