Compare: Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition vs Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB

Design and Aesthetics:

Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition

The Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition is a popular air cooler from Cooler Master designed for mainstream CPUs. As an upgrade from the original Hyper 212 EVO, it features several improvements in both aesthetics and performance.

The RGB element of the cooler is the 120mm fan, which comes with customizable RGB lighting. This allows you to personalize the lighting effects and colors to match your PC's overall theme, adding a touch of flair to your build.

Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB

This cooler boasts a sleek appearance, enhanced by its ARGB fans. The convenience of pre-daisy-chained ARGB and RPM cords eliminates cable management concerns right from the start. Its black radiator, fan frames, and water pipes complement a darker cooler setup perfectly. However, while the water pump features a unique design, it may appear more understated compared to other AIO coolers that showcase more elaborate pump designs.

Install Notes:

Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition

One of the biggest downsides of this cooler is the installation process. It's pretty tedious, similar to other CoolerMaster cooler installations. There are many parts that can be difficult to piece together, and figuring out how the various attachments connect with the cooler can be challenging. So, with this cooler, you're pretty much asking for a puzzle during the installation process.

Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB

This cooler is relatively easy to install with the fans pre-installed on the radiator with the RPM and RGB connectors daisy chained neatly with a single connector coming out of the pump for both the RGB and the Fan inputs. However, this cooler requires it to be offset to the base mount, which can take some time to get right. Additionally, the heat pipes don't pivot from the pump which may make placement in certain setups difficult.

Cooling Performance:

Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition

he Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition has a quad heat pipe design with direct contact technology, which helps improve its cooling efficiency. The cooler is capable of handling most mainstream CPUs, making it suitable for everyday tasks, gaming, and some overclocking. However, it might not be the best choice for extreme overclocking or high-end CPUs with high TDPs, as there are more powerful coolers available for those purposes.

Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB

With its expansive radiator and impressive fan quality, this cooler delivers exceptional performance across various fan speeds, making it capable of handling substantial overclocking tasks. If your aim is to surpass the cooling capacity of air coolers, this option is worth considering. Keep in mind that not all CPUs demand the level of cooling this cooler provides. However, it stands out as an excellent selection for high-TDP CPUs, if you're planning on doing some serious overclocking, or if you prioritize outstanding cooling coupled with quiet operation (thanks to its effective cooling even at lower RPMs).

Noise Performance:

Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition

In terms of noise, this cooler has a slightly above average noise profile. That means it's a bit louder than some other coolers on the market. If you're sensitive to noise or want a quieter PC setup, you might want to look for a different cooler with a better noise profile.

Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB

Equipped with three fans, this cooler can generate some noise. Nevertheless, due to the smaller size of the fans, it's notably quieter than certain air coolers, all while providing superior cooling efficiency at a similar noise level. If your priority is exceptional cooling combined with a quiet setup, this cooler might be a suitable option. However, it's worth noting that its noise level is on par with other 360mm AIOs.

Summary:

Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition

The Hyper 212 EVO V2 cooler has its pros and cons. It's got a cool design with RGB lighting, but its performance, noise, and installation are not the best. There are other options available that offer a similar look and feel with better metrics, like the DeepCool AG400 BK. So, before making your decision, consider your priorities and whether the cool design is worth the trade-offs in performance, noise, and installation.

Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB

This cooler offers easy installation with pre-installed fans and neatly daisy-chained connectors. Its sleek design and ARGB fans simplify cable management. It excels at overclocking, especially for high-TDP CPUs, offering effective cooling at lower noise levels. While the cooler generates some noise due to its three fans, they're smaller and quieter than certain air coolers. This cooler is a solid choice for effective and quieter cooling, even though its noise level is similar to other 360mm AIOs.