14 DAY TRIAL // You might have already heard about the Nepton line of all-in-one liquid coolers from Cooler Master, also known as closed-loop liquid coolers. The series has just welcomed two new members.
Previously, there were two models in the series, the 140XL and 280L models with one 140 mm fan and two 140 mm fans, respectively.
The two newcomers are a bit smaller on both counts. Called Nepton 120XL and 240M, they have one 120 mm fan and two 120 mm fans, in that order.
As is usually the case for closed-loop liquid cooling solutions, the newcomers try to deliver all the benefits of water cooling systems within the same footprint, more or less, as an air cooler.
You can't mount the radiator right on top of the CPU of course, since that's where the water block has to go, but that's actually an advantage, since it frees up the room that would otherwise be taken by a large heatsink.
All the while, the radiator, with the fans, can be mounted on the side panel or rear panel of whatever case your system is housed in.
The Cooler Master Nepton 120XL and 240M specs
The water coolers have better pumps and fans than their predecessors, and they should be more quiet as well, just like they make do with a smaller size.
Pressure-optimized Silencio FP120 fans definitely help there, with their ability to produce as little as 6.5 dBA. Sure, they can be a lot more noisy if they go at full speed, but they shouldn't need to.
PWM technology means that the fans will automatically speed up or slow down depending on the information delivered by motherboard heat sensors.
Then there's the new pump design, which passes 120 liters of liquid per hour through the copper fin water block. Cooler Master calls this Jet Impingement technology.
Finally, the coolers are pre-filled and sealed, as well as lit by LEDs arranged around the Cooler Master logo.
Availability and pricing
The Cooler Master Nepton 120XL and Nepton 240M all-in-one liquid coolers will sell in Europe starting in early November for €80 / $80 and €95 / $95. They should both be able to cool CPUs with TDP of up to 300W. Price and stocks will vary by region though.
The fan life expectancy is of 160,000 hours, the fan-related voltage is 12V, the pump life expectancy is 70,000 hours, and the speed can be of 800 to 2,400 RPM (corresponding to 16.5 to 76 CFM airflow).