Enermax Liqtech 120X Liquid CPU Cooler Review

Cooling/Water Cooling by leeghoofd @ 2014-03-04

Enermax is trying to establish a position in the All in One market, however battling against the big names alike Corsair with a very diverse gamma is not an easy mission to accomplish. Though Enermax is back with two new products: the Liqtech and Liqmax series, the former is the high end version, sporting a thick 120 radiator or large 240 radiator and an aluminum waterblock. The Liqmax is the more budget friendly 120mm radiator version available in a single or push and pull configuration. Enermax tries to step away from the others with some nifty features to enhance the cooling performance; secondly the aesthetics of the today reviewed Liqtech 120X have been seriously overhauled.

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Test Results

We were forced to swap the CORSAIR Dominator Platinum memory kit for the lower profile G.SKill 2133C9 set; however this has close to no effect on the temperature results. But just a matter of being able to properly install the 120mm radiator and the two Fans in a push and pull configuration.

The Enermax Liqtech 120X was tested at 3 different FAN settings:

  • Silent Mode: Fan speed ranging from 600 - 1300rpm (Test results 3)
  • Performance Mode: Fan speed ranging from 600-2000rpm (Test results 2)
  • Overclock Mode: Fan speed ranging from 600-2500rpm (Test results 1)

 

 

At idle one expects there would be hardly any temperature difference between the three Fan profiles. At first glance logic as the lower limit is alike, though the ASUS Board seems to set a sligher higher fan rate per selected profile, resulting in a 2°C temperature difference between the Silent and OC mode. Performance-wise the Enermax Liqtech120X settles in between the two CORSAIR 120mm models the H80 and H80i. The Liqtech 120X is no match at idle for the single Fan 140mm Hydro 90, let alone be any match for the 240/280mm radiator versions.

 

 

At full priming load the Enermax Liqtech 120X is able to leave behind the Corsair H80 model. Even when set at the silent mode profile it just tops the older CORSAIR AIO variant. The differences between the newer Hydro H80i, being equipped with the High Pressure fans, diminishes to a tiny temperature difference. Take note that the 12 cores priming of the Intel i7-3960X flat out is a tough challenge for any 120mm unit, a surprisingly good showing of the new Enermax Liqtech 120X. Though can performance be increased when using e.g. Corsairs 120 SP Fans ?

 

Before judging the Idle results take note that the CORSAIR Fans spin even at idle at a far higher rate than the 600rpm Enermax ones, thus moving more air which is directly reflected in a lower CPU idling operating temperature. The silent mode (max 1300RPM) and higher RPM modes ( 1900 & 2500RPM max ) were forced via AI Suite, one observes a temperature drop of around 2-3° versus the boxed Enermax Fans. For info the Corsair SP fans idle around 900~1200RPM, depending on the mode selected.

 

 

 

Idle temperatures are nice, though at load is where it all starts to count. The Enermax Liqtech 120X, in a Push and Pull setup with the CORSAIR 120 SP HP Fans, shows a nice improvement in the logged temperatures. Similar as the idle results we see the CORSAIR Fans are able to cool down a few more degrees at a similar rotating speed as the included Enermax Fans. Once we ran the Fans flatout, the temperature difference became negligible, proving the Enermax Fans work optimum at the highest speeds. Once we lower the RPM, thus also the noise level, that they start to loose ground on the CORSAIR aftermarket Static Pressure series.

 

 

Noise wise we measured a whopping 40.3dBA with these fans running at their max rpm of 2500ish speeds (Overclock preset), making the Enermax Fans slightly noisier then e.g. the CORSAIR SP fans of the H80i. If one opts for the Performance mode, thus limiting the maximum RPM at 2000 the noise level will be very tolerable.

 

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