Deepcool CPU Air Cooler Roundup: Playing it Too Safe?
by Dustin Sklavos on February 23, 2013 12:01 PM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
- Deepcool
Conclusions: One Stands Alone
It's hard not to be at least a little disappointed by Deepcool's air coolers, but not for the reasons you think. These aren't bad products, but they're not exceptional either, and unfortunately outside of one of them Deepcool seems to be sorely lacking in a strong foot to put forward when they inevitably make their way stateside.
The biggest problem is that Deepcool's designs are, excepting the Frostwin and Gammaxx 300, extremely conservative. Despite its middling performance, I do think there would be a place in the world for the Gammaxx 300 if they hadn't opted to use pushpins to mount it instead of a backplate. The problem with the Gammaxx 300 is that it exists in a world where the comparable Xigmatek Loki is available. Meanwhile, the Frostwin is actually a pretty attractive option for cases which may have low overhead (i.e. 92mm exhaust fans instead of 120mm). The Frostwin's performance isn't stellar, but it's strong enough and the low ceiling can make it attractive.
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Nothing else here really recommends itself, though, or unfortunately even justifies itself in a market where established presences like Cooler Master and Xigmatek are already producing strong value coolers, and that's pretty damning. Deepcool needs to produce something eye-catching, original, and aggressive to start winning over consumers and mindshare. They need to take risks, and there are no risky designs in this lineup. They're staid and functional.
Hold on to your pants, though, folks. We're going to have a batch of Noctua coolers in house for review soon that should give a better comparison point for what Deepcool has presented here.
In the meantime, Deepcool produced a fairly solid cooler in their Frostwin, and hopefully we'll see that become available in the near future as it definitely fills a niche. Hopefully some more exciting kit is in store; Deepcool has the expertise, they just need to be willing to stretch their minds a little.
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Sanidin - Saturday, February 23, 2013 - link
Thank you for calling out Intel on this. Last night I purchased a CM 212+ because the stock heatsink just isn't making enough contact anymore. Death to pushpins!kmmatney - Saturday, February 23, 2013 - link
It would be very nice to see the CM212+ or CM212 EVO in the charts, as this seems to be the bargain cooler a lot of us are getting.DLimmer - Monday, February 25, 2013 - link
+1When a Hyper 212 can be had for $20-35, it's frequently the cooler to beat.
ymrtech - Saturday, February 23, 2013 - link
You really should get a CM 212 in along with a Noctua ND-h14 for some reviews.The Noctua is rated one of the best air coolers pretty much all around the web and it even keeps up with some closed loop solutions while running quieter...
I put CM 212 because everyone loves it for it's price ($25).
ymrtech - Saturday, February 23, 2013 - link
Anddd It's only after I posted that I see you'll be getting some Noctua coolers in.woot :D
roberto.tomas - Saturday, February 23, 2013 - link
The performance of the different parts in green were all *head and shoulders* above the rest, in both cooling and noise. Yet the conclusion page almost makes it sound like: «If you want to get great cooling, but a decent cooler like the H55, but if you cant afford that, these Deepcool's will suffice.»The charts pretty clearly disagree with the conclusions. They show a different story. None of the coolers compare to even the worst performing Deepcool. And surprisingly, the cheapest Deepcool of the bunch is the best performer.
Itchrelief - Saturday, February 23, 2013 - link
I think you're reading the chart backwards. Longer bars are worse, thus the ones at the top performed the best, except for the Intel, which is a faulty data point.Treckin - Saturday, February 23, 2013 - link
Hey Dustin, good review :) Still wondering about a 920 review? Reason I keep asking is because I own one AND an antec 1100 case, so the reviews you post give me fantastic feedback on which cooler if any to switch to.Thanks so much
stickmansam - Saturday, February 23, 2013 - link
Having the h55 out perform the h60 is confusing me as I thought the h60 outperformed the h55 as per other reviews..Senti - Saturday, February 23, 2013 - link
Agreed, but I'd like to add there Thermalright Archon too.