If you are looking for a CPU cooler these days you’ll be spoilt for choice. There is just such a wide variety of coolers to choose from. You’ve got the air and liquid coolers that will fit into your average enthusiasts case too. And one doesn’t narrow down their choice on a cooler solely based on its cooling capabilities but also on the noise a device like this can make, in some cases also the colours too may affect ones choice.
And right now the all-in-one coolers are dominating the market as they cost a whole lot less than some of the large premium air coolers out in the market.
Antec won awards for its Kuhler H20 950 for great cooling, excellent software control and easy mounting. This might not be within your budget to get something of this caliber, but Antec has a slightly cheaper option for you.
Overview
The Kuhler H20 650 is pretty much a half height radiator, single fan-version of the Kuhler H20 950 and comes right under the Rs. 5000/- mark. It’s probably one of the cheapest all-in-one liquid coolers around, and it still features the combined fan and pump assembly as the 950 as the directional blades at the rear to focus airflow.
The radiator is a half height model but and is no match to the cooling full size models like the 950 provide, but for the space it takes up it does a decent job with the cooling.
Since it is completely configured there is no need for extra installation like traditional water cooling kits. Four component part gets reduced to just one component hence saving space– simplifies the insulation/installation process over traditional kits.
Packing
The product is well packed and comes in an environment friendly packaging. It includes a users manual, air dock, the stuff you’d need for the installation and 0f course the unit itself.
The block has a plastic cap over it which comes off fairly easily and is mainly there to protect the product while it is being transported to make sure there aren’t any scratches on it.
As mentioned before this product is an ALC system which stands for advanced liquid cooling system. This means that there are no refills and no risk of leaks.
Specifications
- Compatibility Intel: LGA775 and LGA1366 LGA115x, LGA2011; AMD: AM3(+), AM2(+), FM2(+), FM1
- Radiator size(mm) 120 x 159 x 27
- Fan size (mm) 120 x 120 x 25 (W x D x H)
- Fan(s) 1 x 120mm, 600 -2,400RPM
- Tubing length 300
- Waterblock height (mm) 26
- Stated Noise not stated
Testing
Intel LGA1155 Test System
- Intel Core i7-2600K overclocked to 4.4GHz (44 x 100MHz) using a vcore of 1.275V
- Asus Maximus V Formula
- 2 x 2GB Crucial Ballistix 1,600MHz low-profile RAM
- PNY Performance 60GB SSD
- Corsair HX750W PSU
On this test system the cooler managed a delta T of 42 Degrees Celcius which is similar results to what Corsair’s H75 and SilverStone’s Tundra TD03 produce.
Conclusion
Considering its price and the space this unit takes up, there is no doubt that this cooler will not satisfy your needs as the Kuhler H20 950 manages to cool the CPU by just one degree more than the 650 on the LGA1155 test system.
Cooling in general for this device is quite good, except that the noise it generates can be a slight issue. When the CPU is put under heavy load, you definitely can hear it run.
The 650 does its job well, in fact a little better than we expected. There are other options in the market like SilverStone Argon AR01 or Thermalright’s Archon SB-E X2 , both of which fall under air cooling though but do not make as much noise as the 650. However, these are much larger and are way more difficult to install.
