Alphacool Eissturm Hurricane Copper 45 Review: Rockin’ Like a Hurricane

Reviews
By Garrett Carver
published

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Testing Results & Conclusion

Comparison Coolers
Alphacool Eissturm Hurricane Copper 45
CoolerMaster MasterLiquid ML360R RGB
EKWB EK-Kit RGB 240

Maintaining a database of cooling results allows us to create cooler matchups based on thermal load and noise-level testing on our Intel Core i7-5930K CPU clocked to 4.2Ghz and 1.20 vCore on our MSI X99S XPower AC motherboard nestled within a Corsair Graphite 760T chassis. We compared the Eissturm Hurricane against the EKWB RGB 240 kit, the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R RGB and our bespoke Intel cooling loop.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
PumpSwiftech MCP50X
CPU BlockEK-Supremacy EVO Nickel (Intel)
ReservoirSwiftech MCP35X/MCP50X rev.2B Acrylic
FittingsBitspower Matte Black 0.5-inch ID x 0.75-inch OD Compression (x6)
RadiatorXSPC EX360
FansScythe Ultra Kaze 3000 RPM 120mm (x3)
Tubing0.5-inch ID x 0.75-inch OD clear
CoolantDistilled Water, no additives, coolants or dyes

Testing Results

In a thermal load showdown separated by less than 2 degrees Celsius, the Eissturm Hurricane kit slid to the back of the group in a narrow margin across a quad-cooler matchup. Also noteworthy, the slightly higher motherboard power delivery temps are likely due to the triple 140mm radiator fans sitting outside the case, rather than directly above the voltage regulator heat sink.

Those large 140mm Alphacool Eiswind spin much slower than the smaller, 120mm fans on the other cooling solutions, but they have a lot of work to do, moving air through the larger NexXxos 45 radiator.  While pump RPM is relatively similar across the Alphacool, the Intel custom loop and RGB 240, it had little bearing on relevant performance since each uses a different pump model.

Having the slowest moving fans typically results in the lowest registered noise levels, but when you have three large, fans spanning 140mm, you’re apt to cause enough turbulence to take notice. While our chart might seem to amplify the noise values of each, all are relatively normal in terms of decibel level readings.

Our acoustic efficiency chart provides comparisons of thermal load performance against recorded noise levels produced. Since the values recorded amongst the comparison group in the load temperature sets were very close, as well as the noise level numbers, minor differences caused greater offsets in the above graph. Being able to cool well while also remaining quiet earns you gold stars here.

Watercooling and liquid cooling in general is rarely a hobbyist venture one would consider frugal. That being said, each of our full watercooling solutions more than doubles the price of the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R RGB cooler, with the Eissturm Hurricane Copper 45 3x 140 kit being the most budget-friendly at $326, which is still somewhat of an extraordinary bargain considering what you get. 

If you were to purchase all components of the Alphacool kit separately, the overall cost would be significantly higher. The radiator and pump/reservoir combo total over $225 if purchased individually.  And you’d still be missing the CPU block, all 10 of the fittings, coolant, quick disconnect, tubing and three of the 140mm fans. As such, kit adds up to good financial sense (in a roundabout way). If you are going to buy custom watercooling components, why not do it all at once with a single click?

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Thermal imaging from our FLIR ONE Pro camera shows very even thermal dissipation from the radiator at both 50 percent and 100 percent fan speeds. Some heat soak is obvious at slower fan speeds, especially in the reservoir, tubing and the end tanks of the NexXxos 45 copper radiator. An intelligent fan curve for the radiator fans would be a wise configuration while leaving the VPP775 manual pump setting alone.

With an enormous 3x 140mm radiator, this kit allows for enough thermal expansion of the loop to include a graphics card waterblock (or even two), if desired. By using industry standard G1/4 threaded fittings for all components, the cooling loop almost begs you to add more components to the party. A radiator of this size and potential allows for this kind of load because of the quality design and engineering that went into building it. A pump of this pedigree pushes coolant like few others are capable. Quality-milled components and attention to detail are seen on each and every piece within the kit.

For anyone looking for a complete, high-quality watercooling kit in a single box, this Alphacool Eissturm Hurricane Copper 45 kit is an excellent choice for those with room in their chassis for the monstrous 3x 140mm radiator and large pump/reservoir combo. 

Worth it?  Very much so.

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Garrett Carver
Garrett Carver
CPU Cooling Reviewer

Garrett Carver is a contributor for Tom’s Hardware, primarily covering thermal compound comparisons and CPU cooling reviews; both air and liquid, including multiple variations of each.

26 Comments Comment from the forums
  • richardvday
    Seems more like an advertisement than a review.
    Is the pump replaceable down the road or do you have to replace the reservoir also to do that ? AIO the pump dies after 3yrs typically. Normally right after the warranty expires of course.
    Reply
  • rubix_1011
    The pump is removable as its own component. In fact, it has to be installed to the reservoir if you look at the early images - the pump is not attached to the reservoir.

    As this isn't an AIO, the pump being used is much more powerful and designed for a cooling system like this. The pump alone costs upwards of a typical AIO cooler in its entirety. I personally have one of the older D5 pumps on which this is based; it is still functional after almost 10 years.

    Please explain - what makes this seem like an advertisement? It is a product review - there is not any affiliation with Alphacool.
    Reply
  • mac_angel
    I was wondering two things. One, why wasn't a proper case used that would fit this unit the way it was meant to be installed? Two, if you have it sitting on the outside like that, running the water lines into the case, why did you not use the provided holes that were there specifically for water lines.
    Reply
  • rubix_1011
    We use the same hardware for all the tests to provide the same environment for every cooler tested. If we change hardware, we introduce variables that do not allow us to make direct comparisons on coolers - which is what we're looking to achieve.

    The holes would be permanently removed since they are stamped into the case - they were left as-is to preserve the case and limit variables in all future testing.
    Reply
  • audiospecaccts
    Interesting that the product pictures have a different pump/reservoir system than what you have pictured in the review.
    Reply
  • rubix_1011
    I'm not sure I follow - the pump and reservoir in the photos were from the box contents and were used for testing. Can you elaborate?
    Reply
  • mac_angel
    21412168 said:
    We use the same hardware for all the tests to provide the same environment for every cooler tested. If we change hardware, we introduce variables that do not allow us to make direct comparisons on coolers - which is what we're looking to achieve.

    The holes would be permanently removed since they are stamped into the case - they were left as-is to preserve the case and limit variables in all future testing.

    I would think a radiator on the outside of the case would also affect results from those compared to ones that were on the inside. I understand you need to compare like for like (Intel kinda proved that, too). But to me, that means putting all units into a proper case that fits. Yes, that would mean much more testing, but as you pointed out, people that buy this are probably going to pair it with a case that can fit it properly.
    I don't know, just saying. Just my opinion. Black Friday is coming, and I'm wish listing a new system, including case and water cooling.
    Reply
  • mac_angel
    21412196 said:
    I'm not sure I follow - the pump and reservoir in the photos were from the box contents and were used for testing. Can you elaborate?

    The pictures, and the review, were based on a tri-140mm fan and rad set up. The link you provided for purchase is for a dual-140mm fan and rad system.
    Reply
  • rubix_1011
    I would think a radiator on the outside of the case would also affect results from those compared to ones that were on the inside. I understand you need to compare like for like (Intel kinda proved that, too). But to me, that means putting all units into a proper case that fits. Yes, that would mean much more testing, but as you pointed out, people that buy this are probably going to pair it with a case that can fit it properly.
    I don't know, just saying. Just my opinion. Black Friday is coming, and I'm wish listing a new system, including case and water cooling.

    To some degree, yes, you would be correct. By using the same hardware for every test, we at least have a baseline for every cooler without having to make a change to accommodate one specific cooler just for aesthetics. Also, keeping the same hardware still allows us to call out that the difference of fitment of one cooler to another.
    Reply
  • rubix_1011
    21412205 said:
    21412196 said:
    I'm not sure I follow - the pump and reservoir in the photos were from the box contents and were used for testing. Can you elaborate?

    The pictures, and the review, were based on a tri-140mm fan and rad set up. The link you provided for purchase is for a dual-140mm fan and rad system.

    The link for purchase isn't added by me - but I'll have to get a hold of some folks in editorial to see if this can be corrected.

    Update - they are looking into it. Actual product link would be this: http://www.performance-pcs.com/alphacool-eissturm-hurricane-copper-45-3x140mm-complete-kit.html
    Reply