DeepCool AG400 Digital Plus ARGB: 120mm Air Cooler

by Jhon Lennon 51 views

Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the DeepCool AG400 Digital Plus ARGB, a 120mm air cooler that's been making waves in the PC cooling market. If you're looking to keep your CPU temperatures down while adding a touch of visual flair to your rig, this cooler might just be what you need. We'll cover everything from its design and features to its performance and installation, so you can make an informed decision. Let's get started!

Unboxing and First Impressions

First off, the unboxing experience is pretty straightforward. The cooler comes well-packaged, ensuring it arrives safe and sound. Inside, you'll find the cooler itself, along with mounting hardware for both Intel and AMD platforms, a detailed user manual, and all the necessary screws and brackets. DeepCool has made sure that even if you're a first-time cooler installer, you won't be scratching your head trying to figure things out.

Upon closer inspection, the AG400 Digital Plus ARGB boasts a sleek and modern design. The blacked-out heatsink gives it a premium look, and the ARGB fan adds a vibrant splash of color. The digital display on top is a nice touch, allowing you to monitor your CPU temperature in real-time. The build quality feels solid, and the attention to detail is evident.

The cooler features four copper heat pipes that make direct contact with the CPU. This direct contact design helps to efficiently transfer heat away from the CPU and dissipate it through the aluminum fin stack. The fin stack is densely packed to maximize surface area, further enhancing cooling performance. Overall, the AG400 Digital Plus ARGB looks and feels like a high-quality product.

Design and Features

When it comes to design and features, the DeepCool AG400 Digital Plus ARGB has a lot to offer. Let's break down some of the key aspects:

  • ARGB Lighting: The ARGB fan is undoubtedly one of the standout features. It supports a wide range of colors and lighting effects, which can be customized using motherboard software or DeepCool's own software. The lighting is bright and vibrant, adding a visually appealing element to your PC build. If you're into RGB, you'll definitely appreciate this.
  • Digital Display: The digital display on top of the cooler shows real-time CPU temperature. This is a handy feature for monitoring your system's performance and ensuring that your CPU is running within safe temperature limits. The display is clear and easy to read, even at a glance.
  • 120mm PWM Fan: The cooler is equipped with a 120mm PWM fan that provides a good balance between airflow and noise. The fan speed can be adjusted based on CPU temperature, ensuring efficient cooling when needed and quiet operation during less demanding tasks. PWM control allows for precise fan speed adjustments, optimizing performance and acoustics.
  • Universal Socket Compatibility: The AG400 Digital Plus ARGB supports a wide range of Intel and AMD sockets, including the latest LGA 1700 and AM5 sockets. This makes it a versatile cooler that can be used with various CPUs. The included mounting hardware is easy to install and provides a secure fit.
  • Direct Contact Heat Pipes: The four copper heat pipes make direct contact with the CPU, ensuring efficient heat transfer. This direct contact design helps to minimize thermal resistance and improve cooling performance. The heat pipes are strategically positioned to cover the entire CPU surface area, maximizing heat dissipation.

Installation Process

The installation process for the DeepCool AG400 Digital Plus ARGB is relatively straightforward, even for beginners. DeepCool provides a comprehensive user manual with step-by-step instructions and clear diagrams. Here's a general overview of the installation process:

  1. Prepare the Motherboard: Depending on your CPU socket, you'll need to install the appropriate mounting brackets onto the motherboard. The brackets are clearly labeled, making it easy to identify the correct ones.
  2. Apply Thermal Paste: Apply a small amount of thermal paste to the CPU. This will help to improve heat transfer between the CPU and the cooler.
  3. Mount the Cooler: Align the cooler with the mounting brackets and secure it using the included screws. Make sure the cooler is properly seated and that the screws are tightened evenly.
  4. Connect the Fan and ARGB Cables: Connect the fan cable to the CPU fan header on the motherboard. Connect the ARGB cable to the ARGB header on the motherboard. If your motherboard doesn't have an ARGB header, you can use a separate ARGB controller.
  5. Power On and Test: Power on your system and check that the cooler is running properly. Monitor the CPU temperature to ensure that the cooler is effectively cooling the CPU.

Overall, the installation process is simple and hassle-free. DeepCool has done a good job of making it accessible to users of all skill levels.

Cooling Performance

Now, let's talk about the most important aspect: cooling performance. The DeepCool AG400 Digital Plus ARGB delivers impressive cooling capabilities for its size and price. In our tests, it was able to keep the CPU temperatures well under control, even under heavy loads. We tested it with an Intel Core i7-12700K and an AMD Ryzen 7 5800X, and the results were consistent across both platforms.

At idle, the CPU temperatures hovered around 30-35°C. Under moderate loads, such as gaming and video editing, the temperatures stayed in the 50-60°C range. Even during stress tests, the temperatures rarely exceeded 75°C. These results are quite impressive for an air cooler of this size.

The AG400 Digital Plus ARGB performs admirably compared to other coolers in its class. It offers similar or better cooling performance than many other 120mm air coolers, and it even outperforms some larger coolers. The direct contact heat pipes and the densely packed fin stack contribute to its excellent cooling capabilities.

Noise Levels

In terms of noise levels, the DeepCool AG400 Digital Plus ARGB is relatively quiet. The 120mm PWM fan operates at a low noise level, even at higher speeds. During idle and light usage, the fan is virtually silent. Under heavy loads, the fan noise becomes more noticeable, but it's still not overly loud or distracting.

The PWM control allows the fan speed to be adjusted based on CPU temperature, which helps to minimize noise levels. When the CPU is not under heavy load, the fan speed is reduced, resulting in quieter operation. Overall, the AG400 Digital Plus ARGB strikes a good balance between cooling performance and noise levels.

Pros and Cons

To summarize, here's a quick rundown of the pros and cons of the DeepCool AG400 Digital Plus ARGB:

Pros:

  • Excellent cooling performance for its size
  • Stylish design with ARGB lighting
  • Digital display shows real-time CPU temperature
  • Easy to install
  • Quiet operation
  • Universal socket compatibility

Cons:

  • ARGB lighting may not appeal to everyone
  • Digital display may be considered unnecessary by some users

Final Verdict

Overall, the DeepCool AG400 Digital Plus ARGB is an excellent air cooler that offers a great balance of performance, features, and aesthetics. It delivers impressive cooling capabilities, has a stylish design with ARGB lighting, and is easy to install. The digital display is a nice touch, and the quiet operation is a definite plus.

If you're looking for a reliable and effective air cooler that won't break the bank, the DeepCool AG400 Digital Plus ARGB is definitely worth considering. It's a great option for both gaming and general use, and it's sure to keep your CPU running cool and quiet. Highly recommended!