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ID Cooling"s Auraflow 240 CPU liquid cooler gets thoroughly investigated as we find out if its a buy or not.
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In the previous testing of ID Cooling CPU coolers, our results are a bit of a mixed bag. While some of their coolers have done well in the past, there have been some that we feel, that while they look robust & capable, there is one thing about them that appears to lớn fail the potential of such coolers. This all comes down the hardware. Instead of using slightly more expensive to hàng hóa solutions, ID Cooling opts to lớn save a few pennies, at the harm of their products. Since it is the mounting hardware that should be offering even and level pressure across the IHS, we find this is just not what we are getting with ID Cooling CPU coolers.

When asked to đánh giá this cooler, we initially balked at the opportunity as with what we saw with the Icekimo coolers, let"s just say we were not impressed. We immediately asked which mounting hardware was used on this new cooler, as we did not want to go through all the work to realize the mounting hardware issue was not addressed, & we were told that the hardware was not the same. In fact, we were told we would be getting a cooler that has this issue addressed, sadly, this was not true. SO here we are, with another AIO from ID Cooling, which we already have no hope for, long before we even get started.

Today we are looking at something different from both the Frostflow và Icekimo series coolers, an AIO which offers many of the same ideas, but the one major difference here is that ID Cooling has added Aura Sync support. The Auraflow 240 CPU cooler we are bringing you is back to lớn a round head unit, the hoses are sleeved, & the radiator has been dressed up as well. At this point, all we have left khổng lồ show are the images and get to lớn the results, và see if we can vị any better with an AIO with some of the worst mounting hardware available.

The range of compatibility is good, và it covers all of the current sockets và many long since EOL. For all but one of the socket types, you have khổng lồ use the typical hardware, but at least for LGA2011 users, the hardware can be locked into place evenly, likely offering the best chance at a fair shake. The TDP of this cooler is listed at 200W và is made with an aluminum radiator which is 27mm thick, which is connected to lớn the copper-based head unit via premium sleeved tubing. The pump in the head unit is capable of 2100RPM spinning on the ceramic bearing. This pump is also shown to deliver 50,000 hours of use, & not exceed 25 dB(A) of noise.

Two fans are included with the Auraflow 240, và they are 120mm square, 25mm thick, and have the model number ID-12025M12S, drawing only 0.20A of power. The fans can spin at a range of 700 khổng lồ 1800 RPM, and deliver 74.5CFM. However, CFM is nothing on a high FPI radiator, but to help the fans deliver sufficient flow through it, there is also 2.15 mmH2O of pressure. These fans can range in noise as well. On the low-end, there is 18 dB(A) of noise, và at full speed, it jumps to 35.2 dB(A). The fans are shown in the specifications lớn draw 0.25A, but the sticker on them shows differently. We do know that the fans will not start without 7V supplied to lớn them, and we vì chưng know that they spin on a hydraulic bearing.

Outside of eBay, we can only find one listing on this side of the pond, & thankfully it is through Newegg.com. It is there where we see that the ID Cooling Auraflow 240 is currently selling at $119.99, which is shown lớn be reduced from $149.99. In no way is this 240mm AIO worth a $150 investment, and even at $119.99, we feel it is a stretch. However, as we always do, we will allow the results to vì chưng most of the talking for us. What comes now is many images of a quite attractive looking AIO and packaging. While nice khổng lồ look at và see what all is offered with this AIO, feel free to just skip khổng lồ the results & head khổng lồ the conclusion, as they will have everything you need to lớn know about the Auraflow 240 from ID Cooling.

Packaging

The packaging is dark và slightly damaged in transit due khổng lồ the way it left ID Cooling. On the black background, we get most of the radiator in view as well as the head unit, but sadly no fans in view. At the bottom, there is the notation to Aura Sync compatibility, next to lớn a menu of four more features of the Auraflow 240.

One of the longer sides of the box delivers three images. Repeated in a few languages, we are told about the colorful system where both the head unit và fans support RGB control via the motherboard. We then are told of the copper plate and high flow rate kiến thiết of the pump, leaving the image of the sleeved tubing.

On this shorter kết thúc of the box, things start with the ID Cooling name & logo. We then see the RGB ring around the 240 with the hàng hóa name just below. The bottom is used to show three of the possible 16.8 million options the head unit will produce.

The second longer side panel offers three renderings of the Auraflow 240. The first of them shows the entire cooler, khổng lồ get an idea of what all is entailed. The second image is used khổng lồ show the width of the radiator và the height of the head unit. The last of the images shows the thickness và length of the radiator as well as the width of the head unit in both directions.

The second smaller side panel is much lượt thích we saw on the other end. However, this time, at the bottom, we find the part number and barcode, the serial number & barcode, & that it is made in China.

On the back, we are offered a specifications chart which covers what we addressed on the last page. ID Cooling also includes the socket compatibility và information about ID cooling to the right.

Using recycled cardboard on the inside to lớn separate all of the components is typical, but the amount of gear found in the ID Cooling Auraflow is more than many others offer. Everything is either covered in plastic, in a bag or contained in a box khổng lồ ensure the safety of them. Considering the damage khổng lồ the box, we are a bit shocked to see everything inside came through the trip unharmed.

The head unit is made of plastic on the outside, & it is also textured. In the center of the top plate, we see the ID biệu tượng công ty surrounded by a ring of LED-backlit opaque plastic. Not the most stunning presentation, but it is compact & will stay clear of everything around it once installed.

On the right side of the head unit, we see it is where the fittings transfer fluid in and out of the head unit, through the angled fittings và sleeved tubing. These fittings also swivel, so no matter where the radiator is hung, these fittings should help relieve any stresses.

The đứng top of the head unit is where the pair of leads come out of it for control and power. On the left side of the head unit, we see a sticker expressing caution not khổng lồ remove the vị trí cao nhất cap, và another sticker over the fill port, where the QC team has passed this cooler.

The leads that come from the head unit are used to lớn supply power to lớn the head unit via the 3-pin fan hâm mộ connection, which is what powers the pump. As for the lighting, we see a male 4-pin LED connector, which works with other components to allow an hãng asus motherboard khổng lồ control the RGB lighting of it.

On the edges of the head unit, we can see that a pair of screws on either side are holding the preinstalled hãng sản xuất intel hardware onto it. We can also see the sticker placed over the copper base, to lớn keep it from being damaged or oxidizing before you get lớn use it.

Without the sticker blocking the view, we can now see the semi-circular machine marks left on the copper plate. We also put a straight edge against the plate, and found that it does not deviate near the edges; it is level across the entire thing.

For this image, we have the other kết thúc of the tape at the far end of the swivel fittings, & all told, there are just over twelve inches of sleeved tubing between the fittings and the radiator. We can also see that ID Cooling uses the standard 27mm thick radiator, but we can see some of the brushed aluminum plates that runs down either side of it too.

The brushed aluminum plate runs the entire length of the radiator, but the center of either side has the company name, logo, and motto all painted on it in white.

Looking through the radiator, we can see that this is a high FPI design. In fact, using the tape measure at a random point, we counted twenty-three fins per inch. This is why high static pressure fans are important to a cooler such as this.

The first bits of hardware shown are the AMD head unit brackets shown on either side of the universal backplate. The backplate works with AMD & Intel with the various holes in the corners and has dense foam on each corner to isolate the plate from the motherboard.

In the bottom row, we have the screws that go through the backplate, none of which are keyed or in any way lock into the backplate, and to the right is the LGA2011(V3) screws. In the vị trí cao nhất row are the standoffs to lớn space the head unit properly, the bracket mounting screws, & three paper washers khổng lồ isolate the standoffs from the motherboard.

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We were also sent a small tube of ID Cooling thermal paste, good for at least two attempts at mounting the Auraflow 240. We got two bags of tín đồ screws, with four long and four short screws in each of the bags. We are also given a fan hâm mộ power splitter cable so that both fans are sent the same PWM signal from a single motherboard header.

ID Cooling includes an Aura Sync cable as well. This cable gets plugged into the 4-pin RGB light controller port of the motherboard, & then is separated into four leads on the other end, so that it can nguồn both fans, the head unit, và can also have an LED strip connected as well.

If you vị not have an Aura Sync motherboard, ID Cooling still has you covered, somewhat. If you still wish to lớn have LED lighting on the fans & the head unit & do not have the necessary 4-pin header, they send a Molex power nguồn adapter. When this is used, only blue LEDs are offered, but at least there is light.

The fans chosen to lớn cool the radiator is this pair of IS-12025M12S fans. They have rubber pads on the corners of the đen frame, LEDs around the thin edge, & in the center are eleven blades made of clear plastic. These fans have a 4-pin PWM fan connection as well as 4-pin RGB connections which need khổng lồ be made for full functionality.

The manual will help you to lớn verify all of the parts you have are what you are supposed lớn get, & will guide you through the essential steps of mounting the Auraflow 240 lớn any system, case willing. The text offered is short and to the point, but the renderings bởi show you what may not be spelled out in print.

Installation and Finished Product

We did find that the backplate is quite beat up from all of the other hardware rubbing against it in transit, but it is flat & aligns well with the socket screws. We slid in the long screws through the backplate, but again, there is no way to lớn secure them while installing the standoffs tightly.

The next thing you need to do is flip the motherboard over, drop the paper washers over the screws, & then install the standoffs. At this time, you cannot tell if the standoffs are evenly installed; you just have to hope you did it right.

At this stage, we set the head unit on the CPU with the screws going through the holes in the đứng top brackets. You then screw the knurled nuts down on the screws to lock it into place. This is when you see if the pressure is even, và for us, it is not. The đứng đầu left nut has a few fewer threads visible above it, và even after many attempts to even it out, we always had one corner with not enough threads showing.

Even though other coolers lượt thích this come with up to fifteen inches of tubing, the amount delivered by ID cooling should be sufficient for most, as our chosen location is much farther from the motherboard than in the typical chassis. We have no issues with the block encroaching on the memory or anything else for that matter, & the head unit is not as tall as our memory, so views around it show very little of the block except when head-on like this.

Since the Maximus VIII anh hùng only offers Aura lighting and not Aura Sync, we were left with one option of lighting, and it is the blue lighting seen here. There is no software for the AIO, so without Aura Sync, you will not be able lớn work around the lack of support. Hope you lượt thích blue LEDs, which vì chưng not even appear to lớn match.

Test System Setup, Thermal Tests, và Noise Results

Chad"s CPU Cooler demo System Specifications

Software: RealTemp 3.70, AIDA64 Engineer 5.75.3900, và CPU-z 1.77.0 x64

To see our testing methodology và to find out what goes into making our charts, please refer to our CPU Cooler Testing and Methodology article (October 2016) for more information.

Thermal Results

Running the kiểm tra at stock bodes well for the IC Cooling Auraflow 240. Three of the coolers that outperform it is much larger & the H80i GT is a beast for its size. 54.75-degrees is respectable, and if this is all you are going khổng lồ need for the Auraflow 240, you are in good shape.

Once we tested with the overclock active, things go downhill for the Auraflow 240. Seventy-two degrees is not all that bad in the grand scheme of things, yet at the same time, we see $50 air coolers beating it. Considering what the Auraflow costs, there is not much bang for the buck to lớn it in these results.

Allowing the fans khổng lồ move from PWM control to lớn 12V forced to lớn them, we see that ID Cooling and their fan hâm mộ curve delivers the best results. While we did improve on the results by a degree & a half, there is a lot more noise involved lớn get here.

Noise màn chơi Results

At this point, the fans on the radiator topped out at 915 RPM, & with our meter a foot away from the cooler, the reading was 25 dB. This is a fair result, as with closed panels and gaming involved, it is highly unlikely you will hear the fans at this time.

Staying consistent with their place on the sound charts, ID Cooling does well with the overclock demanding that the fans run a tad faster. When we took the 27 dB rating, the fans were shown to be spinning at 1150 RPM.

In all tests, the pump was running at full speed, which is 2200 RPM with our sample, and it was not audible over the fans. What was audible is the fans when they are allowed khổng lồ run at full tilt. With the fans spinning at 1900 RPM, the noise level jumps significantly khổng lồ 48 dB.

Final Thoughts

All in all, the ID Cooling Auraflow is not a complete failure, yet at the same time, we feel it has more to lớn give. With just about any AIO on the planet right now, the hardware that comes with it can be locked into position, & you can screw the bits down until they run out of threads. This is not found in the Auraflow 240, và it is likely why the cooler did not present better thermal results. While ID Cooling can stay in the top half of the charts, for those who overclock their CPU, you may want to lớn look at something with more bang for the buck. Honestly, we just wish ID Cooling would listen, and arrange to lớn improve the hardware, as with things the way they are, we are just left guessing that you may have better results than us. However, at least with LGA 2011 users, the mounting is solid, level, & will deliver the best potential for this cooler to bởi vì its best over all other hãng sản xuất intel mounting options, as well as all AMD options.

There are two other things we need khổng lồ address as well. First is the Aura Sync issue. If you do now own an asus motherboard with Aura Sync, you bởi vì not get any of the RGB benefits. A simple UI could be offered for those without this option on their motherboard so that more people could use it, and get the full RGB experience; not be stuck lớn teal on the head unit and blue on the fans. It would have been more acceptable had the head unit and the fans matched. We liked the silence of the fans & head unit during our stock and overclocked runs, but once the fans were let loose khổng lồ go as fast as they could, the gains are not there to khuyễn mãi giảm giá with the noise. Nor did it seem khổng lồ have any benefits lớn improve the fact that the Auraflow 240 was still bested by extremely more affordable cooling solutions.

In the end, all we can say is that the Auraflow 240 from ID cooling needs some help. On paper, & maybe with in-house testing scenarios, ID Cooling thought they had a real winner on their hands. However, with a cooler that will cost you nearly $120, we expected more from them. If they were willing to lớn pay attention khổng lồ the fine details, & things that are hindering the performance of the cooler, we feel they may be able to change our opinion.

The way things stand now, not only can you find better coolers at this price range, but you can even vì chưng better with a single tower air cooler. Unless you are just in love with the design và have an asus Aura Sync motherboard, we would suggest you pass.

The Bottom Line: The Auraflow 240 is average at best, and is only special in specific conditions! The hardware still needs work, but the cooler looks good and performs okay. What leaves us with no want lớn award it, is with a few issues, it takes what could be a great cooler và leaves us with a feeling of "meh!"

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Chad Sebring

Chad joined the mojaocena.com team in 2009 và has since reviewed 100s of new techy items. After a year of gaming, Chad caught the OC bug. With overclocking comes the need for better cooling, và Chad has had many air and water setups. With a few years of abusing computer parts, he decided khổng lồ take his chances và try to lớn get a review job. As an avid overclocker, Chad is always looking for the next leg up in RAM, cooling, as well as peripherals.

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