Review of the iBUYPOWER AW4 360 AIO Cooler: A Promising Debut

iBUYPOWER, a company rooted in the U.S., has been famous for crafting custom gaming PCs and accessories since its inception in 1999. They’ve built a solid reputation offering a diverse lineup of their own branded products, including pre-assembled desktops, laptops, and a variety of gaming peripherals. Tailored to meet the needs of different gamers—from those playing casually to the intense demands of competitive scenes—iBUYPOWER shines particularly when it comes to customizable PCs. These systems let gamers handpick components to suit their specific desires. Their branded gear, like keyboards, mice, and headsets, seamlessly integrates with their systems for an enhanced gaming adventure.

In addition to their hardware and peripherals, iBUYPOWER also provides a range of cooling solutions, both air and liquid, to ensure that their gaming systems maintain top-notch thermal performance and aesthetic appeal. While many of these products originate from other manufacturers, iBUYPOWER is making strides to expand its own cooling solutions lineup. The standout among these is the AW4 360 mm AIO liquid cooler, which we will delve into, assessing its aesthetics, cooling capabilities, and overall efficiency in demanding gaming setups and computing environments.

Turning to the iBUYPOWER AW4 360 ARGB AIO Cooler Specifications:

• Type: All-in-One Liquid Cooler
• Dimensions: 397 x 120 x 52 mm (including the radiator and fan)
• Fans: It comes with three 120 mm hydraulic bearing fans, capable of reaching up to 2000 RPM.
• RGB: Yes, ARGB
• Supported Sockets: Intel supports LGA1700 and LGA 115x; AMD supports AM5 and AM4.
• Warranty: 3 Years
• Price: $99

Packaging & Bundle

The AW4 arrives in a long, durable cardboard box that hints at the cooler’s size. The packaging boasts a sleek black and red design with abstract visuals and a depiction of the cooler. Inside, the cooler is securely nestled within custom cardboard inserts to protect it during shipping.

iBUYPOWER keeps it simple with the contents, providing only the essentials. In the box, you’ll find a basic manual, hardware needed to mount the cooler, and a cable for powering the three fans. Notably absent is an LED controller; you’ll need a compatible motherboard to get the LED lighting feature up and running.

The trio of 120 mm fans included with the AW4 prominently features the iBUYPOWER logo, although their manufacturer isn’t named. These fans are equipped with sophisticated sleeve bearings, notched blades, and soft pads to reduce vibration. They lack built-in LEDs and operate within a relatively narrow speed range of 700 to 2000 RPM.

The iBUYPOWER AW4 360 mm AIO Liquid Cooler

On first impression, the iBUYPOWER AW4 360 mm AIO doesn’t deviate much from the usual 360 mm cooler design seen in the market. It sports the typical AIO configuration: one radiator, two hoses, and a combined block that integrates a copper CPU contact plate with a liquid pump. The sleek black low-permeation rubber tubing adds both flexibility and style.

The AW4’s substantial radiator, measuring 397 mm, requires a case that can fit three 120 mm fans lined up in a row, along with the extra space for its own dimensions. It has a thickness of 27 mm, so with the fans attached, you’ll need a total clearance of 55 mm for installation. It follows the popular dual-pass cross-flow design, with tiny fins soldered to thin, oval tubes, and is refreshingly free of logos or decorations.

The block, the focus of attention in the cooler’s design, sports a glossy, semi-transparent top with the company’s logo. LEDs beneath the cover deliver a striking faux 3D look. The hoses connect via 90° fittings on its sides, and two cables—one for power, the other for RGB lighting—exit here as well.

The base of the block assembly features a squircle contact plate secured with eight screws. Although it isn’t polished to a mirror finish, it’s smooth enough to ensure proper contact, and it comes with a pre-applied thermal pad.

RGB lighting on the AW4 is restricted to the top of the main block, striking a balance between eye-catching and subtle. It can sync with other RGB components when connected to the motherboard’s RGB controller, though it won’t work without one.

By merging functional performance with stylish design, iBUYPOWER’s AW4 360 mm AIO cooler makes a strong case for itself in the gaming hardware market.