Early Verdict

With more flow capacity, a larger radiator, and a leak-free quick coupling, the Eisbaer 360 CPU appears better-suited to fitting additional components than the value-awarded Celsius S24. It also costs around 50% more, putting it at odds with Swiftech and EK units that have even-better-rated pumps. Informed buyers should choose between Alphacool’s big radiator or its competitor’s larger pumps based upon the requirements of other components they may wish to add later.

Reasons to buy

+
High radiator capacity
+
Good noise control
+
Leak-free quick-connect coupling eases upgrades

Reasons to avoid

-
Modest static pressure rating affects component selection

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Features & Specifications

Alphacool joined the liquid cooling party a few years ago, but it wasn’t until last year that we started to see complete, factory-filled loops from the company. Filled systems allow neophytes to build without worries of leaks or purging, and then add components later as they become more comfortable mixing water and electricity <wink>. Alphacool’s filled kits go a step further towards inspiring that confidence by including a leak free, quick-coupling that lets you add a component without draining the loop. Designed for three 120mm fans side-by-side, Eisbaer 360 is the company's largest model to date.

The “DC-LT 2600 Ultra low noise ceramic” pump is built atop a CPU water block, in a configuration I typically call a “head unit.” Speaking of that, the pressure of this 70LPH pump is only rated at 0.85m head, which means it probably won’t work all that well with restrictive accessory blocks. Alphacool’s own Eisblocks are likely designed to maintain proper flow rate at that relatively low pressure.

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Mounting brackets snap together inside a groove surrounding the head unit, near its base. Three different sets of screws are designed to fit the factory socket support plate of most AMD motherboards, the LGA 775 through 1366 support plate supplied by Alphacool, or the integrated support plate of LGA 2011/2066. Simply insert each of the four screws selected for your socket through an included spring, washer, and bracket hole before adding nuts to hold the pieces together. Alphacool now includes another set of spacers for AM4 boards that have flush support plates.

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Thomas Soderstrom is a Senior Staff Editor at Tom's Hardware US. He tests and reviews cases, cooling, memory and motherboards.

4 Comments Comment from the forums

thrakazog

I can understand why you might not have a Predator 360 for comparison, as the Predator line was discontinued. I do find my self wondering about not using a Fractal Design S36, as it is still readily available. I am very appreciative of the review for a 360 AIO, as I plan on using one in my new build. I would have liked it compared to other 360 AIO's though.
Reply
Crashman

20066693 said:
I can understand why you might not have a Predator 360 for comparison, as the Predator line was discontinued. I do find my self wondering about not using a Fractal Design S36, as it is still readily available. I am very appreciative of the review for a 360 AIO, as I plan on using one in my new build. I would have liked it compared to other 360 AIO's though.
OK

Reply
RomeoReject

I know it's a bit late to ask now, but in the future, is it possible to see how expandable AiOs perform with a GPU block added in? Because that does seem to be a big part of them being expandable. Otherwise one would be better served just using a "normal" AiO.
Reply
JackNaylorPE

I agree ... there is a Swiftech 320 X2 as well as am EK Predator w/ 3 x 120mm so I agree with the above poster that the review would be more useful with an apples to apples comparison. But I have to make the same comment that we make on every water review here at THG ... why is there no mention of he radiator material ?

Form the site

Alphacool relies on a radiator made of full copper. The base of the radiator is the popular Alphacool NexXxoS series, which is extremely popular worldwide. The pure copper construction enormously increases the cooling performance compared to the conventional aluminum radiators of classic AIOs."

The statement that "Informed buyers should choose between Alphacool’s big radiator or its competitor’s larger pumps based upon the requirements of other components they may wish to add later. " is misleading.

Buyers **do not** have to make that choice because both the Predator and the Swiftech offer the same size radiator with pumps that are capable of delivering more approrpiate flow rates and pressures.
Reply