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In this in-depth review, we will analyze two air cooling components that cater to the same usage segment: the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Halo Black CPU cooler and the Mobius 120 OC fan.
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Halo Black CPU cooler
The Cooler Master Hyper 212 Halo Black CPU cooler is a 154mm single-block unit designed for air cooling. It boasts full compatibility with RAM and features an enhanced, reinforced mounting system. Additionally, it comes with an MF120 fan with dual ARGB rings that provide an attractive lighting setup.
Design and construction
The CPU cooler’s design features a single vertical block that can accommodate fans on both sides, ensuring efficient heat dissipation. While the TDP has not been specified, benchmarks with the 13600K indicate that the cooler is best suited for locked CPUs, with an estimated TDP value of around 150W.
Measuring 120mm for the fan and with an additional 37mm extension for heatpipe clearance, the cooler is designed to be compatible with virtually any ATX chassis. Its construction is based on horizontal and interlaced aluminum fins, with protruding edges on both sides for the installation of dual-sided fans using brackets. To enhance the cooler’s aesthetics, a metal cover with a printed design is added on top.
Heatpipes and contact block
Four copper heatpipes extend directly from the aluminum cold plate and make contact with the CPU. These heatpipes are evenly distributed on both sides of the block, for a total of eight tubes. The contact block features several vertical fins to improve heat dissipation efficiency.
MF120 ARGB fan
The Cooler Master Hyper 212 Halo Black CPU cooler includes a unique variant of the MF120 ARGB fan, with expanded blades that enhance performance and static pressure on the heatsink. The fan is housed in a black plastic chassis with exposed corners, where brackets can be attached to secure it to the block.
The fan’s outer circumference features dual RGB rings, while an inner ring illuminates the seven rotating blades. The fan’s construction quality is impressive, with dual-sided anti-vibration rubber covers for mounting points and separate 5VDG and 4-pin PWM headers for independent control.
The PWM motor utilizes a rifle bearing design and boasts a lifespan of over 160,000 hours. Operating between 650 and 2050 RPM, the fan produces a maximum airflow of 51.88 CFM, a static pressure of 2.89 mmH2O, and a noise level of up to 27 dBA, making it a relatively quiet cooling solution.
Installation process
The Cooler Master Hyper 212 Halo Black CPU cooler has been upgraded with reinforced brackets, providing improved stability and pressure on the IHS. The installation process for both Intel and AMD sockets is similar, with Intel users needing to use the included backplate.
For an LGA 1700 socket installation, extend the backplate legs to their maximum position, then attach the brackets to the cooler’s cold plate and secure them with screws from below. The fan can be conveniently mounted before this step. A small syringe of thermal paste is provided, sufficient for two or three installations. Lastly, align the extended screws with the backplate and tighten them to ensure effective heat transfer.
Cooler Master Mobius 120 OC fan
The Cooler Master Mobius 120 OC fan is a premium, professional-grade cooling solution designed to compete with renowned models like Noctua NF and Be Quiet! Wings 2.
Design and build
The Mobius 120 OC fan features a robust, premium construction, weighing 214g and having a 27mm thickness—2mm thicker than most fans. The exterior ring has cut edges, with four corners attached using two screws each. These corners also include anti-vibration dampeners, eliminating the need for rubber covers as the corners themselves help suppress vibrations.
The fan rotation area consists of nine wide, thick blades interconnected by an outer stabilization ring. Underneath the central plastic cover, there is a metal hub powered by a 4-pole motor and a double ball-bearing system with a vibration-dampening spring, ensuring a lifespan of over 200,000 hours. The fan supports PWM control through its 4-pin header.
Unique speed selector switch
An additional feature of the Cooler Master Mobius 120 OC fan is a small switch on the connecting cable, offering three speed settings: low (L), medium (M), and high (H). At its maximum performance, the fan operates at 3200 RPM, delivering an airflow of 88.1 CFM, a high static pressure of 4.75 mmH2O, and a noise level of 39.3 dBA. This means the fan can be quite loud at its highest setting.
Conclusion about the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Halo Black CPU cooler
The Cooler Master Hyper 212 Halo Black CPU cooler impresses with its build quality, aesthetics, and performance. It is an excellent choice for locked mid-range CPUs, particularly because of its sleek black finish, high RAM compatibility, and the visually appealing yet quiet ARGB fan.
The mounting system is exceptional, providing a firm, simple, and high-pressure connection to the IHS, ensuring effective heat transfer.
As for the Cooler Master Mobius 120 OC fan, it stands out as one of the highest-quality professional-grade models on the market. Its robust construction, anti-vibration features, high static pressure, PWM control, long lifespan with a lifetime warranty, and speed selector switch make it a top-tier cooling solution.
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