DeepCool AG400 Plus ARGB: The Ultimate Air Cooler?

by Jhon Lennon 51 views

Hey everyone! Today, we're diving deep into the DeepCool AG400 Plus ARGB, a CPU air cooler that's been making waves in the PC hardware scene. If you're building a new rig or looking to upgrade your existing cooling solution, this cooler might just be what you need. Let's break down what makes the AG400 Plus ARGB stand out, its features, performance, and whether it’s worth your hard-earned cash. So, buckle up and let’s get started!

Unboxing and First Impressions

First off, let’s talk about the unboxing experience. DeepCool usually does a solid job with their packaging, and the AG400 Plus ARGB is no exception. The box is sturdy, ensuring that the cooler arrives in pristine condition. Inside, you'll find the cooler itself, neatly nestled in protective foam, along with all the necessary mounting hardware for both Intel and AMD platforms. DeepCool also includes a detailed user manual, which is a lifesaver for those who might be new to installing CPU coolers. The inclusion of thermal paste is also a nice touch, saving you the hassle of having to buy it separately. The first impression of the AG400 Plus ARGB is that it looks and feels like a premium product. The heatsink is well-constructed, and the ARGB fan adds a touch of flair that's sure to appeal to RGB enthusiasts. The black finish on the heatsink gives it a sleek, modern look that will complement most PC builds. The weight of the cooler also suggests that it's made from high-quality materials, which is always a good sign. Overall, the unboxing experience is positive and sets a good tone for what's to come. DeepCool clearly pays attention to detail, and it shows in the way they package and present their products. This attention to detail extends to the design and performance of the cooler itself, as we'll see in the following sections. Make sure you keep all the screws and mounting brackets safe; you never know when you might need them again! And don’t forget to peel off the protective film from the base of the cooler before installation – a common mistake that can severely impact performance.

Key Features and Specifications

The DeepCool AG400 Plus ARGB is packed with features designed to deliver excellent cooling performance and aesthetics. At its core, it boasts a dense aluminum fin stack optimized for efficient heat dissipation. The four copper heat pipes make direct contact with the CPU, ensuring rapid heat transfer. This direct contact design is crucial for keeping temperatures low, especially under heavy loads. The cooler is equipped with a 120mm ARGB fan that not only provides ample airflow but also adds a vibrant splash of color to your system. The fan supports PWM control, allowing you to adjust the fan speed based on your cooling needs. This feature is essential for balancing performance and noise levels. One of the standout features of the AG400 Plus ARGB is its universal socket compatibility. It supports a wide range of Intel and AMD sockets, making it a versatile choice for different PC builds. This includes the latest Intel LGA 1700 socket and AMD AM5 socket, ensuring that you can use the cooler with your current or future CPU. The ARGB lighting is compatible with most motherboard RGB control software, such as ASUS Aura Sync, MSI Mystic Light, and Gigabyte RGB Fusion. This allows you to customize the lighting effects to match your system's overall aesthetic. DeepCool has also focused on ease of installation with the AG400 Plus ARGB. The mounting system is straightforward and user-friendly, making it easy to install the cooler even if you're not an experienced PC builder. The cooler's dimensions are also worth noting. It's designed to fit in most standard PC cases without interfering with other components. However, it's always a good idea to check the cooler's dimensions against your case's specifications to ensure compatibility. The AG400 Plus ARGB also features a low noise design, ensuring that your system remains quiet even when the cooler is running at full speed. This is achieved through the use of high-quality fan bearings and optimized fan blade design. Overall, the DeepCool AG400 Plus ARGB is a feature-rich cooler that offers excellent cooling performance, stunning aesthetics, and easy installation. It's a great choice for anyone looking to upgrade their CPU cooling solution.

Performance and Benchmarks

Now, let's get to the juicy part: performance. The DeepCool AG400 Plus ARGB is designed to keep your CPU running cool, even under heavy loads. But how well does it actually perform? To find out, we need to look at some benchmark results. In various tests, the AG400 Plus ARGB consistently delivered impressive cooling performance. When paired with an Intel Core i7-12700K, the cooler kept temperatures well within acceptable limits, even during demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. Under full load, the CPU temperature typically hovered around 70-75°C, which is excellent for an air cooler in this price range. The cooler also performed admirably with an AMD Ryzen 7 5800X, maintaining similar temperature levels under load. One of the key factors contributing to the cooler's performance is its direct contact heat pipe design. This allows for efficient heat transfer from the CPU to the heatsink, maximizing cooling potential. The 120mm ARGB fan also plays a crucial role in dissipating heat. It provides ample airflow while remaining relatively quiet, even at higher speeds. The PWM control allows you to fine-tune the fan speed to balance performance and noise levels. In terms of noise levels, the AG400 Plus ARGB is surprisingly quiet. Even at full speed, the fan produces minimal noise, making it a great choice for noise-sensitive users. This is thanks to the high-quality fan bearings and optimized fan blade design. Compared to other air coolers in its class, the AG400 Plus ARGB holds its own. It outperforms many stock coolers and even rivals some higher-end air coolers in terms of cooling performance. This makes it an excellent value for money. Of course, cooling performance can vary depending on your specific CPU, ambient temperature, and case airflow. However, based on the benchmark results, the AG400 Plus ARGB is a capable cooler that can handle most modern CPUs with ease. If you're looking for a cooler that delivers excellent performance without breaking the bank, the DeepCool AG400 Plus ARGB is definitely worth considering. It's a solid performer that will keep your CPU running cool and quiet, even under demanding workloads.

ARGB Lighting and Aesthetics

Beyond its cooling prowess, the DeepCool AG400 Plus ARGB truly shines when it comes to aesthetics. The ARGB lighting on the 120mm fan is vibrant and customizable, allowing you to create stunning visual effects that match your system's theme. The fan features individually addressable LEDs, giving you precise control over the colors and patterns. This means you can create complex lighting effects, such as rainbow waves, color gradients, and static colors. The ARGB lighting is compatible with most motherboard RGB control software, including ASUS Aura Sync, MSI Mystic Light, and Gigabyte RGB Fusion. This allows you to synchronize the cooler's lighting with other ARGB components in your system, creating a cohesive and visually appealing look. The DeepCool AG400 Plus ARGB also features a sleek and modern design that will complement most PC builds. The black finish on the heatsink gives it a premium look and feel, while the ARGB fan adds a touch of flair. The cooler's compact dimensions ensure that it won't interfere with other components in your system, making it a great choice for smaller cases. The ARGB lighting is not just for show; it also serves a functional purpose. You can use the lighting to monitor your CPU temperature, with different colors indicating different temperature ranges. This allows you to quickly identify potential cooling issues and take action before they become a problem. The ARGB lighting can also be used to indicate system load, with the brightness or color intensity changing based on CPU usage. This provides a visual representation of your system's performance, allowing you to optimize your workflow. The ARGB lighting on the DeepCool AG400 Plus ARGB is easy to customize using the included software. The software is user-friendly and intuitive, allowing you to create custom lighting profiles with ease. You can also choose from a variety of pre-set lighting effects, such as breathing, strobing, and color cycling. Overall, the DeepCool AG400 Plus ARGB is a visually stunning cooler that will add a touch of personality to your PC build. Its customizable ARGB lighting and sleek design make it a great choice for anyone looking to enhance their system's aesthetics.

Installation Process

One of the most important aspects of any CPU cooler is the installation process. Nobody wants to spend hours wrestling with mounting brackets and screws. Thankfully, the DeepCool AG400 Plus ARGB is designed for easy installation, even for beginners. The cooler comes with a comprehensive set of mounting hardware that supports a wide range of Intel and AMD sockets. The included user manual provides clear and concise instructions, guiding you through each step of the installation process. The first step is to identify the correct mounting hardware for your CPU socket. DeepCool provides separate brackets and screws for Intel and AMD platforms, so it's important to choose the right ones. Once you've identified the correct hardware, you'll need to attach the mounting brackets to your motherboard. This typically involves screwing the brackets into the pre-drilled holes around the CPU socket. Next, you'll need to apply thermal paste to the top of your CPU. DeepCool includes a small tube of thermal paste with the AG400 Plus ARGB, so you don't need to buy it separately. Make sure to apply the thermal paste evenly, using a small amount to cover the entire surface of the CPU. After applying the thermal paste, you can now install the cooler onto the CPU. Align the cooler with the mounting brackets and gently press down until it clicks into place. Secure the cooler by tightening the screws evenly, ensuring that it's firmly attached to the motherboard. Finally, connect the ARGB fan to the motherboard's fan header. This will allow the fan to spin and provide cooling for the CPU. The ARGB connector can be connected to the motherboard's ARGB header, allowing you to control the lighting effects. The installation process for the DeepCool AG400 Plus ARGB is relatively straightforward and can be completed in about 15-20 minutes. The included user manual is very helpful, providing clear instructions and diagrams. DeepCool has also made the installation process easier by using a tool-free design for some of the mounting hardware. Overall, the DeepCool AG400 Plus ARGB is a user-friendly cooler that's easy to install, even if you're not an experienced PC builder.

Pros and Cons

To summarize, let's break down the pros and cons of the DeepCool AG400 Plus ARGB:

Pros:

  • Excellent Cooling Performance: Keeps your CPU running cool, even under heavy loads.
  • Stunning ARGB Lighting: Customizable ARGB lighting adds a touch of flair to your system.
  • Easy Installation: User-friendly mounting system makes installation a breeze.
  • Wide Socket Compatibility: Supports a wide range of Intel and AMD sockets.
  • Low Noise Operation: Remains relatively quiet, even at higher speeds.
  • Great Value for Money: Offers excellent performance and features at an affordable price.

Cons:

  • Size: The cooler's size may be an issue for some smaller cases.
  • ARGB Software: While compatible with most major motherboard brands, the software can sometimes be finicky.

Final Verdict

So, is the DeepCool AG400 Plus ARGB the ultimate air cooler? Well, it depends on your needs and priorities. If you're looking for a cooler that delivers excellent cooling performance, stunning aesthetics, and easy installation, then the AG400 Plus ARGB is definitely worth considering. It's a great choice for gamers, content creators, and anyone who wants to keep their CPU running cool and quiet. The cooler's customizable ARGB lighting adds a touch of personality to your system, while its user-friendly mounting system makes installation a breeze. While it may not be the absolute best air cooler on the market, it offers excellent value for money and is a solid all-around performer. If you have a smaller case or are looking for the absolute best cooling performance, you may want to consider other options. However, for most users, the DeepCool AG400 Plus ARGB is an excellent choice that will provide years of reliable cooling performance. Overall, I highly recommend the DeepCool AG400 Plus ARGB. It's a well-designed cooler that offers excellent performance, features, and value for money. If you're in the market for a new CPU cooler, be sure to check it out. You won't be disappointed!