iBUYPOWER is a well-established name in the gaming community, renowned for its tailor-made gaming PCs and accessories. Founded in 1999 and based in the United States, this company offers an extensive array of self-branded items like pre-built desktops, laptops, and gaming gear, designed to meet the varying needs of gamers, from those who play casually to those who partake in competitive gaming. The brand stands out for its customizable gaming PCs, giving users the freedom to select specific components that match their tastes. Alongside their powerful systems, iBUYPOWER manufactures gaming peripherals like keyboards, mice, and headsets, creating a seamless gaming experience for their users.
Branching out from traditional offerings, iBUYPOWER also stocks a variety of cooling products, with options ranging from air to liquid cooling solutions, all aimed at optimizing thermal efficiency and offering custom styling for their systems. While many of these cooling products are sourced from other manufacturers, the company has started marketing its own line of products, notably the new AW4 360 mm AIO liquid cooler. This review shines a spotlight on the AW4 AIO, examining its design, cooling prowess, and overall efficacy in demanding gaming and computing settings.
iBUYPOWER AW4 360 ARGB AIO Cooler Specs
- Type: All-in-One Liquid Cooler
- Dimensions: 397 x 120 x 52 mm (radiator with fan)
- Fans: 3 x 120 mm Hydraulic Bearing Fans, max 2000 RPM
- RGB: Yes (ARGB)
- Supported Sockets: Intel: LGA1700 / LGA 115x, AMD: AM5 / AM4
- Warranty: 3 Years
- Price: $99
Packaging & Bundle
The AW4 arrived in a sleek, sturdy cardboard box, perfectly designed to hint at the cooler’s imposing size. Decked out in a striking black and red color theme with abstract graphics and an illustration of the cooler, this box means business. Neatly cushioned inside with custom cardboard inserts, the cooler travels safely from the factory to your gaming setup.
Inside the box, you’ll find just the essentials to get the AW4 up and running: a straightforward manual, the necessary mounting hardware, and a power cable for the trio of cooling fans. It’s worth mentioning that the package doesn’t include an LED controller, so you’ll need a compatible motherboard to get the LED lights dancing.
The trio of 120 mm fans that come with the AW4 proudly sports the iBUYPOWER logo. Although the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) remains a mystery, these fans feature advanced sleeve bearings, notch-edge blades, and soft anti-vibration pads at the edges for a smooth performance. However, you won’t find LEDs on these fans, and their speed ranges from a quiet 700 RPM to a powerful 2000 RPM.
The iBUYPOWER AW4 360 mm AIO Liquid Cooler
When you first lay eyes on the iBUYPOWER AW4 360 mm cooler, it might seem like your typical 360 mm AIO (All-in-One) liquid cooler setup—complete with a single radiator, a pair of hoses, and a combined block featuring a copper CPU contact plate paired with a compact pump. iBUYPOWER enhances this setup with black sleeved, low-permeation rubber tubing, giving it both flexibility and an appealing look.
The radiator, a substantial 397 mm in length, demands a case that can facilitate three 120 mm fans in succession, along with space for its added dimensions. The radiator itself is 27 mm thick, needing a total clearance of 55 mm when the fans are attached. It’s crafted in the common dual-pass cross-flow design, utilizing small fins attached to thin, oblong tubes. Meanwhile, the radiator stays free from any branding or excess decoration.
The central block of the AW4 cooler draws the eye with a sleek, rounded body crowned by a shiny, semi-transparent top cover embossed with the company logo. Underneath, LEDs generate a striking pseudo-3D effect. Dual 90° fittings manage the tubing connections, while two cables—a 4-pin power cable and an RGB lighting cable—emerge from the same spot.
Underneath the block, you’ll find a "squircle" shaped contact plate secured by eight screws to the plastic base cover. Though not mirror-polished, it’s smooth enough for excellent heat transfer, and comes with a pre-applied thermal pad.
The RGB lighting is exclusive to the top of the cooling block, adding an attractive and eye-catching element without overwhelming the aesthetic. Should you want to sync it with other RGB components in your setup, ensure all parts are linked to the motherboard’s RGB controller. Otherwise, the AW4’s lighting won’t come to life.
In conclusion, the iBUYPOWER AW4 360 mm cooler is a formidable entry into the realm of cooling products, balancing performance, visual appeal, and practicality, though relying on the integration with existing RGB management tools for its full effect.
