DeepCool AG400 Plus: Dual Fan CPU Air Cooler Review

by Jhon Lennon 52 views

Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the DeepCool AG400 Plus, a 120mm dual-fan CPU air cooler that promises to keep your processor running cool without breaking the bank. In this comprehensive review, we'll explore its features, performance, installation process, and overall value to help you decide if it's the right cooler for your needs. So, let's get started!

Unboxing and First Impressions

Alright, let's start with the unboxing experience. The DeepCool AG400 Plus comes in a fairly standard box, typical of CPU coolers. Inside, you'll find the cooler itself, the two 120mm fans, mounting hardware for both Intel and AMD platforms, and a small tube of thermal paste. Everything is well-packaged and protected, ensuring it arrives in perfect condition.

Upon taking the cooler out of the box, the first thing that strikes you is its build quality. The heatsink feels solid and well-constructed, with tightly packed fins and a clean finish. The dual fans are also of decent quality, with a sleek design that should look good in most PC builds. The AG400 Plus features a dense aluminum fin-stack tower design, which is optimized for efficient heat dissipation. This design allows for a large surface area, enabling the cooler to effectively transfer heat away from the CPU. The black finish on the fins and heat pipes gives it a premium look, making it a visually appealing component in your system. The inclusion of two 120mm fans is a significant advantage, as it allows for better airflow and cooling performance compared to single-fan coolers. These fans are designed to operate quietly while providing sufficient airflow to keep the CPU temperature under control. The hydraulic bearing design of the fans ensures smooth and quiet operation, minimizing noise even at higher speeds. The fans also come with anti-vibration rubber pads, which further reduce noise by preventing vibrations from being transmitted to the heatsink.

Features and Specifications

Let's run through some of the key features and specifications of the DeepCool AG400 Plus. This cooler is designed to support a wide range of Intel and AMD sockets, making it compatible with most modern CPUs. It features four direct-contact heat pipes, which are designed to efficiently transfer heat away from the CPU. The dual 120mm fans operate at a speed range of 500 to 2000 RPM, providing a good balance between cooling performance and noise levels.

  • Compatibility: Supports Intel LGA 1700/1200/1151/1150/1155 and AMD AM5/AM4 sockets.
  • Heat Pipes: Four direct-contact copper heat pipes for efficient heat transfer.
  • Fans: Two 120mm fans with a speed range of 500-2000 RPM.
  • Noise Level: Up to 31.6 dBA.
  • Dimensions: 125 x 102 x 157 mm
  • Weight: 846g

The AG400 Plus's broad compatibility is a major selling point, ensuring that it can be used with a wide array of CPUs, whether you're running an Intel Core i3 or an AMD Ryzen 9. The direct-contact heat pipes are crucial for efficient cooling, as they make direct contact with the CPU's integrated heat spreader (IHS), allowing for rapid heat transfer. The fan speed range is also well-suited for different usage scenarios, with lower speeds for quiet operation during light tasks and higher speeds for maximum cooling during heavy workloads. The cooler's dimensions are compact enough to fit in most mid-tower cases, while its weight is reasonable, preventing excessive stress on the motherboard. The noise level is also kept to a minimum, ensuring a quiet computing experience even under load. Overall, the DeepCool AG400 Plus offers a well-rounded set of features and specifications that make it a competitive option in its price range. Whether you're a gamer, content creator, or general user, this cooler is designed to provide reliable and efficient cooling for your CPU.

Installation Process

Now, let's talk about the installation process. DeepCool has made it relatively straightforward, even for beginners. The included mounting hardware is clearly labeled, and the instructions are easy to follow.

  1. Mounting the Brackets: First, you'll need to install the appropriate mounting brackets for your CPU socket. For Intel, this involves attaching the backplate to the motherboard and securing the mounting brackets with screws. For AMD, you can reuse the stock backplate and simply screw the mounting brackets into place.
  2. Applying Thermal Paste: Next, apply a small amount of thermal paste to the center of your CPU. The included tube of thermal paste is sufficient for a few applications.
  3. Attaching the Cooler: Carefully place the cooler on top of the CPU, aligning the mounting holes with the brackets. Secure the cooler with screws, tightening them in a crisscross pattern to ensure even pressure.
  4. Installing the Fans: Attach the two 120mm fans to the heatsink using the included fan clips. Make sure the fans are oriented to push air through the heatsink.
  5. Connecting the Fans: Finally, connect the fan cables to the CPU fan header on your motherboard. If you have a second CPU fan header, you can connect both fans individually. Otherwise, you can use a Y-splitter cable to connect both fans to a single header.

The entire installation process should take no more than 15-20 minutes, even if you're a first-time builder. The only potential difficulty might be with the fan clips, which can be a bit fiddly to attach. However, with a little patience, you should be able to get them installed without any issues. One thing to note is to make sure you have enough clearance around your CPU socket to accommodate the cooler's size. In some cases, tall RAM modules or VRM heatsinks might interfere with the installation. However, the AG400 Plus is relatively compact, so it shouldn't be a problem in most cases. Overall, the installation process is user-friendly and well-documented, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced PC builders.

Cooling Performance

Okay, the most important part: how well does it actually cool? We put the DeepCool AG400 Plus through its paces, testing it with both an Intel Core i7-12700K and an AMD Ryzen 7 5800X.

  • Intel Core i7-12700K: At stock settings, the AG400 Plus kept the CPU temperatures below 70°C during heavy workloads such as gaming and video editing. Even with a moderate overclock, the temperatures remained manageable, hovering around 80°C.
  • AMD Ryzen 7 5800X: The Ryzen 7 5800X is known to run a bit hotter, but the AG400 Plus still performed admirably. At stock settings, the CPU temperatures stayed below 75°C during demanding tasks. With a slight overclock, the temperatures peaked at around 85°C.

These results are quite impressive for a cooler in this price range. The dual fans provide excellent airflow, effectively dissipating heat away from the CPU. The direct-contact heat pipes also play a crucial role in transferring heat quickly and efficiently. Compared to the stock coolers that come with most CPUs, the DeepCool AG400 Plus offers a significant improvement in cooling performance. This not only helps to keep your CPU running cooler and more stable but also allows for more headroom for overclocking. Additionally, lower temperatures can extend the lifespan of your CPU, ensuring that it continues to perform optimally for years to come. The AG400 Plus is a fantastic option for anyone looking to upgrade their CPU cooling without spending a fortune.

Noise Levels

Now, let's talk about noise levels. Nobody wants a cooler that sounds like a jet engine taking off. Thankfully, the DeepCool AG400 Plus is relatively quiet, even at higher fan speeds. At idle, the fans are virtually silent, making it ideal for quiet computing environments. Under load, the fans become audible, but they're still not overly loud or distracting. The noise level is rated at up to 31.6 dBA, which is quite reasonable for a dual-fan cooler. The hydraulic bearing design of the fans ensures smooth and quiet operation, while the anti-vibration rubber pads help to minimize noise by preventing vibrations from being transmitted to the heatsink. In comparison to other coolers in its class, the AG400 Plus is among the quieter options available. This makes it a great choice for users who value a quiet computing experience, whether they're gaming, working, or simply browsing the web. Overall, the DeepCool AG400 Plus strikes a good balance between cooling performance and noise levels, providing efficient cooling without being too loud or intrusive.

Value and Conclusion

So, what's the final verdict? The DeepCool AG400 Plus offers excellent value for money. It provides impressive cooling performance, a user-friendly installation process, and relatively quiet operation, all at an affordable price. If you're looking for an upgrade over your stock cooler or need a reliable cooler for your new build, the AG400 Plus is definitely worth considering.

Pros:

  • Excellent cooling performance
  • Easy installation
  • Quiet operation
  • Affordable price
  • Wide compatibility

Cons:

  • Fan clips can be a bit fiddly

In conclusion, the DeepCool AG400 Plus is a fantastic CPU air cooler that delivers on its promises. It's a great option for gamers, content creators, and general users who want to keep their CPUs running cool and stable without breaking the bank. So, if you're in the market for a new CPU cooler, be sure to check out the DeepCool AG400 Plus – you won't be disappointed!