Product Review: NZXT T120 CPU Air Cooler
The NZXT T120 CPU Air Cooler is a compact yet powerful cooling solution that aims to keep your CPU temperatures in check while adding a touch of style to your system. With its thoughtful design and impressive specifications, it promises to deliver excellent thermal performance in a compact form factor.
Design and Dimensions:
The T120’s dimensions (Height: 120 mm, Width: 66 mm, Depth: 159 mm) make it suitable for a wide range of PC cases without sacrificing performance. The cooler features an elegant aluminum heat pipe cover that not only enhances its aesthetics but also discreetly conceals the four conductive copper heat pipes. This cover not only contributes to the cooler’s visual appeal but also prevents interference with neighboring components.
Cooling Performance:
The T120 boasts a well-engineered heatsink made from aluminum and four high-quality copper heat pipes with Direct Contact technology. This design ensures efficient heat transfer from the CPU to the cooler, allowing for optimal cooling performance. The inclusion of a single F120P Static Pressure Fan (120 x 120 x 26mm) further aids in directing a substantial amount of air through the radiator. The fan’s variable speed (500-1,800 RPM) allows for fine-tuning the cooling performance based on your system’s needs.
The air flow range of 21.67 – 78.02 CFM and air pressure range of 0.75 – 2.7mm-H2O ensures that the cooler effectively dissipates heat even from demanding CPUs. While it accomplishes this task admirably, it does so without becoming overly noisy. The noise level remains between 17.9 – 30.6dBA, ensuring a relatively quiet operation even under load.
Installation and Compatibility:
NZXT provides a well-rounded package with the T120, including installation accessories and retention brackets for both Intel (1700, 115X, 1200) and AMD (AM5, AM4) motherboards. This compatibility ensures that the cooler can find a home in various system builds. Additionally, the slim radiator footprint allows for easy integration with other components, and it doesn’t obstruct RAM or GPU slots in most cases.
Extras and Conclusion:
A noteworthy inclusion is the 1g tube of NZXT High-Performance Thermal Paste, which ensures optimal heat transfer between the CPU and the cooler. This thoughtful addition reflects NZXT’s commitment to maximizing the cooler’s efficiency. NZXT’s High-Performance Thermal Paste is a crucial component when it comes to achieving optimal thermal conductivity between a CPU and its cooler. This thermal paste is designed to fill the microscopic gaps and imperfections between the CPU’s integrated heat spreader and the base of the cooler. This helps to enhance heat transfer, which in turn improves the overall cooling efficiency of the CPU cooler. NZXT’s thermal paste is typically applied in a thin, even layer between the CPU and the cooler’s base. Proper application is important to ensure that the entire CPU surface is covered without excess paste, which could lead to uneven contact and less effective heat transfer.
In summary, the NZXT T120 CPU Air Cooler offers an excellent balance of form and function. Its sleek design, effective cooling performance, and compatibility with various motherboard sockets make it a compelling choice for both casual users and enthusiasts. Whether you’re building a compact system or upgrading an existing setup, the T120 is poised to deliver reliable and stylish cooling performance.
Pros:
- Compact dimensions suitable for various PC cases
- Efficient cooling with copper heat pipes and aluminum heatsink
- Thoughtful design with an elegant aluminum heat pipe cover
- Low noise levels during operation
- Inclusion of NZXT High-Performance Thermal Paste
Cons:
- Limited to single-fan configuration (additional fan space available)
- Two-year warranty might be shorter compared to some competitors
Rating: 4.5/5 – Aesthetic appeal, cooling performance, and compatibility make the NZXT T120 CPU Air Cooler a top contender in the air cooling segment. T120 CPU Air Cooler price: $49.99
| NZXT T120 CPU Air Cooler | Specifications |
|---|---|
| DIMENSIONS | |
| Height | 120 mm |
| Width | 66 mm |
| Depth | 159 mm |
| COLDPLATE | |
| Material | Copper |
| Dimensions | 40 x 35 mm |
| HEATSINK | |
| Material | Aluminum |
| HEATPIPES | |
| Quantity | 4 |
| Material | Copper |
| FAN | |
| Model | F120P Static Pressure Fan |
| Quantity | 1 |
| Dimensions | 120 x 120 x 26 mm |
| Speed | 500-1,800 + 300 RPM |
| Air Flow | 21.67 – 78.02 CFM |
| Air Pressure | 0.75 – 2.7 mm-H2O |
| Noise | 17.9 – 30.6 dBA |
| Bearing | Fluid Dynamic Bearing |
| Power Consumption | 12V DC, 0.23A, 2.76W |
| Connector | 4-pin PWM |
| Life | 60,000 hours |
| COMPATIBLE SOCKET & CPU | |
| Intel | 1700, 115X & 1200 |
| AMD | AM5 & AM4 |
Can you recommend other CPU coolers?
Here are some alternative CPU coolers that you might consider, based on different budget ranges and cooling needs:
1. Noctua NH-D15:
- Type: Dual-Tower Air Cooler
- Features: Excellent cooling performance, quiet operation, high-quality build, easy installation.
- Compatibility: Supports a wide range of CPU sockets.
- Website: https://noctua.at/en/nh-d15
2. Cooler Master Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition:
- Type: Single-Tower Air Cooler
- Features: RGB lighting, good cooling performance for its price, easy to install.
- Compatibility: Supports various CPU sockets.
- Website: https://www.coolermaster.com/catalog/coolers/cpu-air-coolers/hyper-212-rgb-black-edition/
3. be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4:
- Type: Dual-Tower Air Cooler
- Features: Strong cooling performance, virtually silent operation, sleek design.
- Compatibility: Compatible with many CPU sockets.
- Website: https://www.bequiet.com/en/cpucooler/1375
4. Corsair H100i RGB Platinum SE:
- Type: All-in-One Liquid Cooler (240mm Radiator)
- Features: RGB lighting, good cooling performance, compact design, customizable fan speeds.
- Compatibility: Supports various CPU sockets.
- Website: https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/Liquid-Cooling/Hydro-Series%E2%84%A2-H100i-RGB-PLATINUM-SE-240mm-Liquid-CPU-Cooler/p/CW-9060042-WW
5. NZXT Kraken X63:
- Type: All-in-One Liquid Cooler (280mm Radiator)
- Features: RGB lighting, strong cooling performance, CAM software for customization.
- Compatibility: Compatible with a variety of CPU sockets.
- Website: https://nzxt.com/product/kraken-x63
6. Arctic Freezer 34 eSports DUO:
- Type: Single-Tower Air Cooler
- Features: Competitive cooling performance, dual-fan setup, affordable.
- Compatibility: Supports various CPU sockets.
- Website: https://www.arctic.de/en/Freezer-34-eSports-DUO/ACFRE00060A
7. DeepCool Castle 360EX:
- Type: All-in-One Liquid Cooler (360mm Radiator)
- Features: RGB lighting, good cooling performance, large radiator for extensive heat dissipation.
- Compatibility: Supports various CPU sockets.
- Website: https://www.deepcool.com/product/cpucooler/2020-01/9_13954.shtml
Remember that the choice of CPU cooler should be based on your specific needs, such as your budget, case size, cooling requirements, and aesthetics. Be sure to check the compatibility of the cooler with your CPU socket and case before making a purchase.
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