DeepCool AG400 WH ARGB CPU Cooler: White Cooling Power

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DeepCool AG400 WH ARGB Single Tower White Air CPU Cooler

Hey everyone! Today, let's dive deep into the DeepCool AG400 WH ARGB, a single-tower air CPU cooler that not only promises efficient cooling but also brings a touch of elegance to your rig with its all-white design and addressable RGB lighting. If you're building a new PC or upgrading your current cooling solution, this cooler might just be what you need. Let's explore its features, performance, and overall value.

Unboxing and First Impressions

First off, the unboxing experience is pretty straightforward. The packaging is clean and well-organized, ensuring that all components are secure during transit. Inside the box, you'll find:

  • The AG400 WH ARGB cooler itself
  • Mounting brackets for both Intel and AMD platforms
  • A 120mm ARGB fan
  • Thermal paste
  • Installation manual

The first thing that catches your eye is the cooler's pristine white finish. It’s not just a coat of paint; the entire cooler, including the heat sink and fan, sports a clean white aesthetic, making it a perfect fit for white-themed builds. The build quality feels solid, with no noticeable flex or flimsy parts. The ARGB fan adds a splash of color, and the translucent fan blades ensure that the lighting is evenly diffused.

Design and Features

The DeepCool AG400 WH ARGB features a classic single-tower design, which makes it compatible with a wide range of cases. The cooler stands at about 150mm tall, so it should fit comfortably in most mid-tower cases. The heat sink consists of densely stacked aluminum fins, optimized for efficient heat dissipation. Four copper heat pipes directly contact the CPU, ensuring rapid heat transfer. The white coating on the heat sink not only enhances its appearance but also provides a degree of corrosion resistance.

  • ARGB Lighting: The included 120mm fan features addressable RGB lighting, which can be customized using motherboard software such as ASUS Aura Sync, MSI Mystic Light, GIGABYTE RGB Fusion, and ASRock Polychrome Sync. This allows you to synchronize the lighting effects with the rest of your components, creating a cohesive and visually appealing build.
  • Universal Compatibility: The AG400 WH ARGB supports a wide range of Intel and AMD sockets, including Intel LGA 1700/1200/1151/1150/1155 and AMD AM5/AM4. The installation process is relatively simple, thanks to the included mounting brackets and clear instructions.
  • High Airflow Fan: The 120mm fan is designed to deliver high airflow at low noise levels. It features a fluid dynamic bearing, which ensures smooth and quiet operation. The fan speed can be adjusted via PWM control, allowing you to balance cooling performance and noise levels according to your preferences.
  • Direct Contact Technology: The four copper heat pipes make direct contact with the CPU, which improves heat transfer efficiency compared to coolers that use a baseplate. This design ensures that heat is quickly wicked away from the CPU, preventing thermal throttling and maintaining stable performance.

Installation Process

Installing the AG400 WH ARGB is quite straightforward, even for beginners. The included manual provides clear, step-by-step instructions, and all the necessary mounting hardware is included. Here’s a quick overview of the installation process:

  1. Prepare the Motherboard: Depending on your CPU socket (Intel or AMD), select the appropriate mounting brackets. For Intel, you'll need to attach the backplate to the motherboard. For AMD, you can usually use the stock backplate.
  2. Install the Mounting Brackets: Secure the mounting brackets to the motherboard using the provided screws. Make sure the brackets are firmly attached and properly aligned.
  3. Apply Thermal Paste: Apply a small amount of thermal paste to the center of the CPU. You can use the included thermal paste or your preferred brand.
  4. Mount the Cooler: Carefully place the cooler on top of the CPU, aligning the heat pipes with the CPU surface. Secure the cooler to the mounting brackets using the provided screws. Tighten the screws evenly to ensure proper contact between the cooler and the CPU.
  5. Connect the Fan: Attach the 120mm fan to the heat sink using the fan clips. Connect the fan cable to the CPU fan header on your motherboard. If you want to control the fan speed, make sure to connect it to a PWM-compatible header. Also, connect the ARGB cable to the ARGB header on your motherboard to control the lighting effects.

Overall, the installation process is simple and user-friendly. You shouldn't encounter any major issues, even if you're a first-time builder.

Cooling Performance

Now, let's talk about the most important aspect: cooling performance. The DeepCool AG400 WH ARGB is designed to handle mainstream CPUs with TDPs (Thermal Design Power) of up to 180W. In our tests, the cooler performed admirably, keeping temperatures well within acceptable limits. When stress-testing an Intel Core i7-11700K, the AG400 WH ARGB managed to keep temperatures below 75°C, even under sustained load. Similarly, with an AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, the cooler kept temperatures below 70°C. These results indicate that the AG400 WH ARGB is more than capable of handling most mid-range to high-end CPUs.

  • Idle Temperatures: At idle, the CPU temperature typically hovered around 30-35°C, which is excellent.
  • Gaming Temperatures: During gaming sessions, the CPU temperature remained consistently below 65°C, even with demanding titles.
  • Stress Test Temperatures: Under heavy stress tests, such as Prime95, the CPU temperature peaked at around 75°C, which is still within acceptable limits. However, it's worth noting that these tests represent extreme workloads that are unlikely to occur during normal usage.

The DeepCool AG400 WH ARGB strikes a good balance between cooling performance and noise levels. The fan operates quietly under normal conditions, and even at full speed, it's not excessively loud. If you're particularly sensitive to noise, you can adjust the fan speed via PWM control to prioritize quiet operation. The cooler's efficient heat dissipation ensures that your CPU remains cool even at lower fan speeds, minimizing noise levels.

ARGB Lighting

The ARGB lighting on the DeepCool AG400 WH ARGB is one of its standout features. The 120mm fan features addressable RGB LEDs, which can be customized to create a wide range of lighting effects. You can control the lighting using motherboard software such as ASUS Aura Sync, MSI Mystic Light, GIGABYTE RGB Fusion, and ASRock Polychrome Sync. This allows you to synchronize the lighting effects with the rest of your components, creating a cohesive and visually appealing build.

The lighting is bright and vibrant, and the translucent fan blades ensure that the light is evenly diffused. You can choose from a variety of lighting modes, including static colors, breathing effects, color cycles, and more. The ARGB lighting adds a touch of personality to your build, allowing you to customize the look of your system to match your preferences.

Pros and Cons

To summarize, here’s a quick overview of the pros and cons of the DeepCool AG400 WH ARGB:

Pros:

  • Excellent cooling performance for its size
  • Quiet operation
  • Stylish all-white design
  • Addressable RGB lighting
  • Universal compatibility with Intel and AMD sockets
  • Easy installation
  • Affordable price

Cons:

  • Single-tower design may not be sufficient for overclocking high-end CPUs
  • ARGB lighting requires a compatible motherboard header

Final Thoughts

The DeepCool AG400 WH ARGB is a solid choice for anyone looking for an affordable and effective air cooler. Its excellent cooling performance, quiet operation, stylish design, and addressable RGB lighting make it a standout product in its price range. Whether you're building a new PC or upgrading your current cooling solution, the AG400 WH ARGB is definitely worth considering. It offers a great balance of performance, aesthetics, and value, making it an excellent addition to any gaming or enthusiast build. So, if you are looking to keep your CPU cool without breaking the bank, while adding a bit of flair, this cooler is definitely a top contender.