Swiftech H240 X2 Configurable AIO Liquid Cooler Review
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Test Results And Conclusion
Comparison CPU Coolers
We retain the hardware configuration from previous big-cooler reviews to maintain result consistency. Here's how it compares dimensionally to other models in today's test.
Test Results
The H240 X2 is much heavier than the Kraken X61, but it also has the extra parts needed to make it re-configurable. The Kraken X61 integrates its reservoir on the radiator end cap, while the H240 X2 integrates its pump under the radiator, so each has a uniquely large dimension. Placement of the H240 X2's pump and reservoir towards the radiator's outer edge keeps its thickness (and associated clearance) near the motherboard at 2.2".
The Frostflow 240L stands in as the top value in smaller (2x 120mm) radiators. For both the H240 X2 and Kraken X61, we hope that the extra cooling of a larger radiator outpaces its added cost.
The H240 X2 starts out slightly behind the Kraken X61 in cooling, and that's most likely due to its fans being mounted between the radiator and top panel. In the default "Intake" orientation, it's pushing against the pressure of the case's intake fans. In the alternative "Exhaust" configuration, it's pulling rather than pushing air through the radiator. Fans generally work a little better in the "push" orientation. The Kraken X61 is able to both push air through the radiator and operate as case exhaust by mounting its fans beneath the radiator, whereas the H240 X2's under-radiator pump and reservoir make this impossible.
Flipping the case's front fans to exhaust orientation would remove its dust filtration capability, and mounting the radiator on the front panel as an intake would require moving the stock fans to top-panel exhaust. Either of these would defeat the concept of a directly matched comparison, and front-mounting wouldn't even jive with the Swiftech's installation illustrations.
Swiftech's pump is slightly larger than NZXT's, so a lower rotational speed makes sense. An errant RPM reading is also possible, particularly since the tach outputs of some pumps pulse more than once per revolution.
Surprisingly, the Kraken X61 is a little noisier at full speed compared to the H240 X2. Maybe that's why it also had a slightly lower temperature? Still, fighting against the pressure of intake fans couldn't have improved its airflow.
The H240 X2 has better cooling performance per decibel than the Kraken X61, but doesn't quiet down as much at lower speeds. Settings below a 50 percent duty-cycle might have helped the H240 X2 low-speed noise-to-temperature ratio, but once again we're trying to keep our test methods consistent.
The extra $10 buyers pay to get Swiftech's high-end removable connectors, large pump and fancy lighting work against it in a price-to-performance comparison, but we understand why an enthusiast would scoff at this chart. So, we'll not add or subtract anything from that discussion.
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Thomas Soderstrom is a Senior Staff Editor at Tom's Hardware, covering Cases, Cooling, Memory and Motherboards. Follow him onTwitter.
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basroil This thing loses out hard to the X61...Reply
Also, the testing method is pretty bad. Like silentpc review you should really test units using a known fan as well as default ones to isolate sources of noise and performance. -
Samer1970 This review is a bad review . people use water cooling to test extreme OC and you guys only test 4.2 ghz OC results ?Reply
you should stress this cooler until it fails to know the maximum cooling of it , and no one cares about comparing with other coolers , that one can be put in a separate table.
no one buys such expensive cooler just to OC to 4.2 Ghz only which can be reached using cheap $40 air cooler . so this review is zero and tells nothing.
and if you want to compare , COMPARE in a stand alone table and make anther table for the maximum cooling of this cooler until it fails -
Samer1970 17915955 said:This thing loses out hard to the X61...
Also, the testing method is pretty bad. Like silentpc review you should really test units using a known fan as well as default ones to isolate sources of noise and performance.
not really , such cooler wins in extreme overclocking in which the X61 cant match ... they just tested it for low 4.2Ghz oc here thats why the potential of this cooler is not shown ... -
toddybody Looks overly complicated for an AIO...I'd much prefer the EK Predator (though more $$) or a simple loop w/ flex tubing. Res/Pump combo's have made loops super simple.Reply -
thundervore Why the hell is a 240 liquid CPU cooler being compared to a 280 liquid CPU cooler?Reply
Its common sense that the 280 will pull out in front due to more surface area to dissipate heat.
Why wasn't it compared to the other 240 coolers that are more known like the many repetitive crap Corsair puts out every 18 months?
Why is the EK Predator not even on this chart?
So many questions with obvious answers which means this review was not clearly though out. -
g-unit1111 17915646 said:Why is this not being compared to the EK Predator?!
Yeah that would be an interesting comparison, especially for people who are interested in liquid cooling but not so much CLLs. This and the Predator are a nice step between a CLL and a full loop.
This thing loses out hard to the X61...
It does? I get better temps with my Cryorig R1 than I did with my X61. My X61 is currently sitting in my closet. -
TbsToy The EK Predator thing is a piece of junk. It is slapped together by a bunch of kids who have no real idea what they are doing. Hands on has proven this out to be true.Reply
W.P. -
Dunlop0078 The EK Predator thing is a piece of junk. It is slapped together by a bunch of kids who have no real idea what they are doing. Hands on has proven this out to be true.
W.P.
Really? Sources? Every review I have read of the EK predator has been favorable and I have used plenty of EK products in the past with no issues. I think its a bit expensive but I dont believe it was "slapped together by a bunch of kids who have no real idea what they are doing". Seems a bit harsh. -
jasonelmore Looks overly complicated for an AIO...I'd much prefer the EK Predator (though more $$) or a simple loop w/ flex tubing. Res/Pump combo's have made loops super simple.
EK Predator is ugly.
Swiftech knows a bit more about AIO than EK.. They taught EK how to do water cooling back in the day.