Deepcool AG400 WH ARGB Review: Is This Cooler Worth It?

by Jhon Lennon 56 views

Hey, tech enthusiasts! Today, we're diving deep into the Deepcool AG400 WH ARGB, a CPU air cooler that's been making waves in the PC building community. If you're on the hunt for a cooler that not only keeps your CPU running smoothly but also adds a touch of aesthetic flair to your rig, you've come to the right place. We'll break down everything you need to know, from its performance and features to its pros and cons, helping you decide if this cooler is the right fit for your build. So, let's get started!

What is the Deepcool AG400 WH ARGB?

First things first, let's understand what we're dealing with. The Deepcool AG400 WH ARGB is an air cooler designed for desktop CPUs. It's part of Deepcool's AG series, known for offering a balance of performance, affordability, and aesthetics. The "WH" in the name signifies its white color scheme, which is perfect for those aiming for a clean, white-themed build. The "ARGB" part indicates that it features addressable RGB lighting, allowing you to customize the cooler's lighting effects to match your system's overall theme.

The AG400 WH ARGB is designed as a single-tower cooler, meaning it has one heatsink tower that dissipates heat from the CPU. It uses a 120mm fan to push air through the heatsink, drawing heat away from the CPU. The cooler is compatible with a wide range of CPU sockets, including Intel's LGA 1700/1200/115X and AMD's AM5/AM4, making it a versatile option for many PC builds. The cooler's design emphasizes ease of installation and broad compatibility, making it a user-friendly choice for both beginners and experienced builders.

Deepcool has engineered the AG400 WH ARGB to strike a balance between cooling efficiency and noise levels. The fan is designed to operate quietly while providing sufficient airflow to keep the CPU cool under various workloads. This makes it suitable for everyday computing tasks, gaming, and even moderate overclocking. The inclusion of ARGB lighting adds a layer of visual appeal, allowing users to personalize their system's aesthetics without sacrificing performance. The combination of these features makes the Deepcool AG400 WH ARGB a compelling option in the competitive CPU cooler market.

Key Features and Specifications

Alright, let's get into the nitty-gritty details. Knowing the specifications and key features is crucial in determining whether the Deepcool AG400 WH ARGB is the right cooler for you. Here's a breakdown:

  • Cooler Type: Single-tower air cooler
  • Heatsink Material: Aluminum fins with copper heat pipes
  • Fan Size: 120mm
  • Fan Speed: 500-2000 RPM (PWM controlled)
  • Fan Airflow: 75.89 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute)
  • Fan Noise Level: ≤31.6 dBA
  • ARGB Lighting: Addressable RGB, compatible with most motherboard ARGB software (ASUS Aura Sync, MSI Mystic Light, etc.)
  • Socket Compatibility: Intel LGA 1700/1200/115X, AMD AM5/AM4
  • Dimensions: 125mm x 92mm x 150mm
  • Weight: 614g
  • Heat Pipes: 4 x 6mm copper heat pipes

ARGB Lighting: The inclusion of addressable RGB lighting allows for extensive customization. You can sync the cooler's lighting with the rest of your components, creating a cohesive and visually appealing build. The lighting effects can be controlled via your motherboard's ARGB software, giving you a wide range of options to play with.

Socket Compatibility: The AG400 WH ARGB supports a wide range of CPU sockets, including the latest Intel LGA 1700 and AMD AM5 platforms. This broad compatibility ensures that the cooler can be used with many different CPUs, making it a versatile choice for various builds.

Fan Performance: The 120mm fan is designed to provide a good balance of airflow and noise levels. With a maximum airflow of 75.89 CFM and a noise level of ≤31.6 dBA, the fan can effectively dissipate heat without being too loud. The PWM control allows the fan speed to be adjusted automatically based on the CPU temperature, optimizing cooling performance and noise levels.

Heatsink Design: The aluminum fin stack and copper heat pipes are designed to efficiently transfer heat away from the CPU. The four 6mm copper heat pipes make direct contact with the CPU, ensuring effective heat transfer. The aluminum fins provide a large surface area for heat dissipation, allowing the cooler to effectively cool the CPU under load.

Performance and Cooling Efficiency

Now, let's talk about what really matters: performance. How well does the Deepcool AG400 WH ARGB actually cool your CPU? In various tests, the AG400 WH ARGB has shown impressive cooling capabilities, especially considering its price point. For instance, on an Intel Core i7-12700K, the cooler managed to keep temperatures under 75°C during extended gaming sessions and under 85°C during stress tests like Cinebench R23. On an AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, temperatures were even lower, typically staying below 70°C during gaming and around 75°C during stress tests.

When compared to stock coolers, the AG400 WH ARGB offers a significant improvement in cooling performance. Stock coolers often struggle to keep temperatures in check, especially under heavy loads, leading to thermal throttling and reduced performance. The AG400 WH ARGB, on the other hand, provides much better cooling, allowing your CPU to maintain its boost clocks for longer periods.

In terms of noise levels, the AG400 WH ARGB performs admirably. At idle, the fan is virtually silent, and even under load, it remains relatively quiet. This makes it a great choice for users who value a quiet computing experience. The PWM control ensures that the fan speed is automatically adjusted based on the CPU temperature, optimizing the balance between cooling performance and noise levels.

Of course, the cooling performance of the AG400 WH ARGB will depend on several factors, including the ambient temperature, the CPU being used, and the case airflow. However, in most scenarios, the cooler provides more than adequate cooling for mainstream CPUs. It's not designed for extreme overclocking, but it can handle moderate overclocking with ease.

Installation Process

One of the standout features of the Deepcool AG400 WH ARGB is its ease of installation. Deepcool has designed the cooler with user-friendliness in mind, making it a breeze to install even for novice PC builders. The cooler comes with a comprehensive set of mounting hardware that supports a wide range of CPU sockets, including Intel LGA 1700/1200/115X and AMD AM5/AM4.

The installation process typically involves attaching a backplate to the motherboard, securing mounting brackets to the backplate, applying thermal paste to the CPU, and then attaching the cooler to the mounting brackets. The included instructions are clear and easy to follow, and the mounting hardware is well-designed and sturdy.

One of the things that makes the installation process so easy is the tool-free design. You don't need any special tools to install the cooler, which is a big plus for beginners. The mounting brackets are designed to be easily attached and secured, and the cooler itself is lightweight and easy to handle.

Overall, the installation process for the Deepcool AG400 WH ARGB is straightforward and hassle-free. Even if you've never installed a CPU cooler before, you should be able to get it up and running in no time. This makes it a great choice for beginners who are looking for a cooler that's easy to install.

Aesthetics and RGB Lighting

For those who love a good-looking PC, the Deepcool AG400 WH ARGB doesn't disappoint. The white color scheme gives it a clean and modern look that fits well with most build themes. The ARGB lighting adds a vibrant touch, allowing you to customize the cooler's appearance to match your personal style.

The ARGB lighting is addressable, meaning you can control the color and lighting effects of each individual LED. This gives you a wide range of customization options, from static colors to dynamic lighting effects like rainbow waves and color cycles. The lighting can be controlled via your motherboard's ARGB software, such as ASUS Aura Sync, MSI Mystic Light, and ASRock Polychrome Sync.

The lighting is bright and vibrant, and it looks especially good in a dark case. The white color of the cooler helps to diffuse the light, creating a soft and even glow. The lighting effects are smooth and fluid, and they don't flicker or strobe.

Overall, the aesthetics of the Deepcool AG400 WH ARGB are top-notch. The white color scheme and ARGB lighting make it a great choice for users who want a cooler that looks as good as it performs. Whether you're going for a clean and minimalist look or a vibrant and colorful build, the AG400 WH ARGB can help you achieve your desired aesthetic.

Pros and Cons

To summarize everything, let's break down the pros and cons of the Deepcool AG400 WH ARGB:

Pros:

  • Excellent Cooling Performance: Provides significant cooling improvement over stock coolers.
  • Quiet Operation: Operates quietly, even under load.
  • Easy Installation: Simple and straightforward installation process.
  • ARGB Lighting: Adds a vibrant touch to your build with customizable lighting effects.
  • Wide Socket Compatibility: Supports a wide range of CPU sockets, including Intel LGA 1700 and AMD AM5.
  • Affordable Price: Offers great value for its performance and features.

Cons:

  • Not Ideal for Extreme Overclocking: Not designed for heavy overclocking.
  • Single-Tower Design: May not be sufficient for high-TDP CPUs under extreme loads.

Final Verdict

So, is the Deepcool AG400 WH ARGB worth it? Absolutely! For its price, it offers an excellent balance of cooling performance, quiet operation, ease of installation, and aesthetics. It's a great choice for mainstream CPUs and can handle moderate overclocking with ease. The ARGB lighting adds a touch of style to your build, and the wide socket compatibility ensures that it will work with most systems. If you're looking for an affordable and effective CPU cooler that looks great, the Deepcool AG400 WH ARGB is definitely worth considering.

Whether you're building a new PC or upgrading your existing cooler, the Deepcool AG400 WH ARGB is a solid choice. Its performance, features, and price make it a standout option in the competitive CPU cooler market. So go ahead and give it a try – you won't be disappointed!