Finest Worth 360mm?
Assessment Abstract
COUGAR Poseidon GT 360 is a really succesful cooling answer that may deal with your high-end SKUs although it won’t be capable of present sufficient headroom for overclocking or excessive energy on a package deal of those SKUs. It has lovely digital RGB lighting on the block, and there’s a 5-year guarantee on this cooler as properly, making this fairly a contender to your bucks, albeit a bit excessive noise output.
- High quality – 9/10
- Design – 8/10
- Efficiency – 9/10
- Options – 9/10
- Worth – 9/10
Execs
- Good Thermal Efficiency
- Rotatable Pump Lid
- A-RGB Lighting
- Steel-Bolstered Motor Hub and Shell Bearing on Fan
- Intensive AMD sockets assist
- Intel LGA1700 socket assist
- Devoted A-RGB Controller
- Guarantee
- Worth
Cons
- Considerably tough Set up
- Loud Followers
- Why you possibly can belief Tech4Gamers: We perceive the significance of constructing knowledgeable choices. That’s why our crew spends important time testing each product we evaluation. Discover out extra about how we take a look at.
For an individual who shouldn’t be versed with the COUGAR model, the very first thing that may come to his thoughts could be the COUGAR clothes model in all probability. COUGAR Gaming is a PC stuff producer and official chair accomplice at VALORANT CHAMPIONS TOUR EMEA. This model was established in 2007, and in 16 years, they’ve come a great distance, rising as a good gaming model within the business. They’re manufacturing PC elements, together with PC coolers, energy provides, and PC Instances. This isn’t all, as in addition they have a Gaming gear product line through which they manufacture keyboards, mice, mouse mats, headphones, equipment, gaming desks, and gaming chairs. And this isn’t all since they’re additionally engaged in Streaming merchandise the place they carry microphones, docking stations, cameras, video seize units, and monitor arms. Additionally they carry electrical standing desks.
We’re looking on the Poseidon GT sequence of liquid coolers on this article. This sequence has two sizes; 240mm and 360mm. We’ve got acquired a 360mm model. This cooler comes with three MHP 120 followers. These are high-performance version followers tailor-made for radiator use. The radiator encompasses a completely different fins format which COUGAR refers to as UTTERIGHT. Conventional fins are in an E form or what I normally point out as a V form. The fins on the COUGAR Poseidon GT radiator are applied in an offset method following a 90° format.
In line with COUGAR, this gives extra floor space for higher warmth switch. The block options an infinity mirror design on the COUGAR brand utilizing A-RGB lighting results. The pump has a ZrO2-made bearing that’s mentioned to offer toughness and energy. Talking of socket compatibility, this cooler is suitable with Intel LGA 115x/1366/1200/1700/2011/2066 and AMD TR4/TRX4/AM5/AM4/FM2/FM1/AM3/AM2+/AM2 sockets. COUGAR is offering a 5-year guarantee on this cooler.
Key Takeaways
- You should purchase the COUGAR Poseidon GT 360 Liquid Cooler if you’re you’re in search of an reasonably priced 360mm AIO that may deal with your high-end CPU.
- You shouldn’t purchase the COUGAR Poseidon GT 360 Liquid Cooler if you intend to overclock your rig or if you would like the quietest setup..
Specs
| Chilly Plate Materials | Copper | |
| Pump Pace | 3200 ± 200 R.P.M | |
| Rated Voltage | DC 12V | |
| Rated Present | 0.35 A | |
| Energy Consumption | 4.2 W | |
| Connector | Pump: 2510-3Pin Lights: 5V-ARGB 3Pin |
|
| Kind | Brazing Radiator | |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 392 x 121 x 27mm | |
| Materials | Aluminum Alloy | |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 120 x 120 x 25 mm | |
| Fan Pace | 600-2000RPM ±200RPM | |
| Air Stream | 82.48 CFM | |
| Air Stress | 4.24 mmH2O | |
| Acoustic Noise | 34.5 dB(A) | |
| Energy Consumption | 2.76 W ± 10% | |
| Rated Present | 0.23 A | |
| Rated Voltage | DC 12V | |
| Connector & Management | Fan:2510-4Pin (FG+PWM) | |
Packing
The packing field is kind of slim and smooth. It has COUGAR colours throughout it, and COUGAR appears to be good at presentation. Among the many 4 highlighted options, the LGA1700 socket compatibility and 5-year guarantee are extra necessary listings. The followers are usually not RGB.
The bottom of the principle packing field has some key highlights:
- UTTERIGHT fins are applied on the proper angle, giving extra warmth switch effectivity
- There’s a P/Q curve for MHP 120 followers displaying their efficiency numbers (4.24 mmH20) and 82.48 CFM)
- ARGB Lighting
- Infinity Mirror Design
- Rotatable Pump Head
As is the case with the vast majority of liquid coolers, this unit can be shipped inside an egged carton to guard the contents throughout transport.
What’s offered within the field?
First, let’s see what’s offered within the field.
There’s a printed information supplied with the cooler that gives illustrations and textual content on how you can set up this cooler on the supported sockets. The set up of a block is a wierd doing, and we are going to cowl it within the Set up part.
The mounting {hardware} is offered in a clear pouch.
COUGAR has offered the next:
- 1x Backplate for Intel Platform
- 1x Intel Ring Bracket
- 1x AMD Ring Bracket
The Intel backplate has pre-installed standoffs. There are clips or sliding covers on the mounting arms. The socket numbers are labeled on every arm and the locker must be positioned on the required socket quantity.
COUGAR has offered the next:
- 4x Crimson colour Silicon Pads
- 4x AMD Stud Bolts
- 4x Intel LGA1700 Stud Bolts
- 4x Intel Different Sockets Stud Bolts
- 4x Intel LGA20xx Stud Bolts
There are:
- 4x Thumb Nuts
- 1x Thermal Paste Tube
There are three containers, every having 4x radiator screws and 4x fan screws. A complete rely is 12x for the radiator screws and 12 for the fan screws.
There’s a 3-way PWM splitter cable. It has a brief size in comparison with another choices, however it will nonetheless be sufficient for the reason that size of the followers’ cables would make up for it. There’s a devoted digital RGB controller as properly, which is SATA powered. This can come in useful in case your motherboard doesn’t assist RGB sync know-how.
There’s a single large-size button on this controller to manage the lighting modes. The controller has a set normal RGB port (3-pin) working at 5VDC on the opposite finish. The RGB connector may be related to this port to benefit from the controller’s performance.
Design
Let’s check out the principle elements of this cooler, beginning with the radiator.
COUGAR Poseidon GT 360 has a 360mm radiator that’s product of aluminum materials. It has a dimension of 392x121x27mm. 392mm right here refers back to the size of this unit. We’ve got seen models having lengths nearing the 400mm mark. Including 120x25mm followers to this unit would make the general top of 53mm, together with the heads of the screws. It is a high-density radiator having a 20 FPI rely. There are 12 channels for the coolant circulation.
Trying carefully on the fins, we see what COUGAR means by UTTERIGHT fins, as they’ve used a distinct design for the fin stack. These fins are specified by a right-angle design, in contrast to the v form markings on the normal format. In line with COUGAR, this design will present higher warmth switch and extra effectivity. The general fin stack job is passable, as we didn’t discover any damaged or bend fin on either side of this radiator.
One other peculiar characteristic of this radiator is that it’s completed in black and darkish grey colours for fairly some aesthetics. Each ends of this unit are within the black colour end. The far finish has an oblong format with none branding or label.
Trying on the tube finish of this unit, we will see that COUGAR has used metallic clamps to cover the connection between tubes and fittings. That is for aesthetic functions as properly. We will spot a serial quantity sticker as properly.
Right here you possibly can take a glimpse of the black and grey colour mixture. The sidebars or plates are grey in colour. They’re put in utilizing hex screws, which means they’re detachable. There’s a COUGAR branding in black colour on one aspect of this plate.
There’s a black colour sticker over one finish of the close to block or finish of this radiator. Clearly, there’s a port beneath, which appears to be reserved for manufacturing unit use solely. This sticker hides that port and cautions the consumer to not tamper, or the guarantee will void.
We’ve got been mentioning in our different coolers’ contents that there’s a explicit hole between the aspect body and the principle fin stack. COUGAR Poseidon GT 360 isn’t any exception to that. Up to now, solely CORSAIR AIOs have zero gaps. There is no such thing as a safety below the mounting holes, however so long as you’re utilizing bundled screws, you’re good.
The COUGAR Poseidon GT 360 makes use of rubber tubes that run to roughly 400mm. These have nylon braided mesh sleeves for aesthetics.
The pump housing has an exquisite design. It’s round or ring design. Ignore the water drops. That was my sweat as I used to be working in a heat room. This housing is product of ABS materials. It has a dimension of 71.5×49.8mm. I recognize the low top of this unit as in comparison with different models. We will spot a thick diffuser between the principle housing and the highest that they check with because the pump head, which is technically incorrect. It’s A-RGB backlit.
There’s a COUGRA model textual content on the highest below the lid. It has an infinity mirror impact, and all that is A-RGB backlit. An important design component right here is that this lid is rotatable and detachable as properly. There are 4 screws securing the lid with the principle body over the diffuser. This rotatable design will permit the customers to put in the cooler in any orientation, whatever the COUGAR textual content orientation. It will probably at all times be arrange proper with a easy rotation of the highest lid.
The principle housing is completed in grey colour. All the perimeters don’t have any branding or any explicit design component over them. We will spot two flat cables popping out from the higher base.
One flat cable has a 3-pin connector on the terminating finish. It powers the pump. The pump of this unit has a rated velocity of 3200 ± 200 RPM, operating at 12VDC utilizing 0.35A with 4.2W energy consumption.
COUGAR is utilizing normal RGB connectors on Poseidon GT 360 cooler. I recognize this design, maintaining it easy, minimalistic but offering most compatibility with the RGB sync applied sciences of varied motherboard producers.
COUGAR has used right-angled fittings on the housing of this pump. The connection between tubes and fittings is hid utilizing clamps. There’s a copper base measuring 51x54mm. It has a protecting cowl cautioning the consumer to take away this cowl throughout set up. This cowl protects the bottom from contamination and injury. Though this unit comes with ring brackets, these brackets don’t slide in to lock onto the clips; as an alternative, this ring bracket sits on prime or over these notches to lock the housing on the CPU. That is the principle purpose for a distinct mounting mechanism throughout the set up of this block.
COUGAR has offered three MHP 120 followers with Poseidon GT 360 cooler. These are non-RGB followers, and they’re completed in black colour from head to toe apart from the bearing shell. Every fan has 9x blades. There’s a brass-made shell within the middle, making the bearing metal-reinforced. This would supply longevity to those followers. There’s a COUGAR branding on the hub.
There’s a cut-to-size anti-vibration pad on every mounting nook.
There are two arrow markers on one aspect of the principle body of this fan. These present a visible support to the novice consumer in figuring out the course of airflow via the fan and the course of the blades’ spin.
There’s a COUGAR branding on the opposite aspect of the body.
There’s a 4-arms meeting on the bottom of those followers. One arm has an inset on which the wires are routed towards the body of the fan. These followers are made in China.
There’s a flat cable per fan. This cable powers the fan, and it has a 4-pin PWM connector.
The specs of the followers are:
| Dimension | 120x120x25mm |
| Kind | 4-pin PWM Connector |
| Pace | 600 – 2000 ± 200 RPM |
| Airflow | 82.48 CFM |
| Air Stress | 4.24mmH2O |
| Noise | 34.5 dB(A) |
| Bearing Kind | Hydro Dynamic Bearings |
| Lifespan | 300,000 hours at 25°C ambient |
| Rated Voltage | 12VDC |
| Rated Present | 0.23 A |
| Rated Energy | 2.76 W ± 10% |
Set up
We’ve got examined this cooler on GIGABYTE Z790 Elite AX motherboard utilizing Intel i7 13700k. Set up is as follows:
- Put together Intel Backplate for LGA1700 socket
- Place the backplate on the bottom of the motherboard
- Place pink colour silicon pad on the protruded standoffs of the backplate. Alternatively, you possibly can place these pads on the stud bolts instantly in the direction of the thick aspect.
- Safe the backplate utilizing the stub bolts
- Place the Intel ring bracket on the put in stud bolts
- Use thumb screws on every stud bolt however don’t tighten them in order that bracket can stay to lose
- Take away the protecting cowl from the bottom of the unit
- Apply the thermal paste on the CPU IHS
- Place the block via the ring bracket and slide it in offset or right-angled in order that bracket snuggles the bracket
- Set up followers over the radiator
- Set up radiator as per requirement
- Join cables
- Set up is full
This was not a handy set up. Here’s a stroll round. As an alternative of putting the ring bracket over the stud bolts, place the ring bracket on the block housing in order that it sits on prime of the notches, and urgent the bracket down would preserve it locked. That is how I put in this cooler and examined it.
This unit has a dimension of 392x121x53mm with followers put in. The tubes don’t hinder the DIMM slot and PCIe slot. Nonetheless, you have to make it possible for there may be sufficient clearance within the PC Case.
A-RGB Lighting
COUGAR makes use of normal 3-pin, 5V connectors for A-RGB lighting, making this answer suitable with RGB sync applied sciences from all main motherboard producers. We’ve got examined the lighting on GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS ELTIE AX motherboard. The D-RGB lighting is working effective with RGB FUSION 2. We didn’t use the devoted controller. Listed below are a number of footage.
Thermal Testing
We’ve got used the next configuration for testing:
The take a look at desk for Intel core i7 13700k is:
| Clocks | Auto, Inventory |
| Voltage | Auto, Inventory |
| Energy Limits | Enforced |
| C-States | Disabled |
| Pace Step | Disabled |
| Remainder of settings | Inventory, Auto |
| XMP | XMP Loaded the place obtainable |
| Thermal Paste | Alphacool Subzero Thermal Paste |
| Thermal Paste Utility | X sample |
| Headers | CPU_FAN, CPU_OPT, and PUMP Headers |
| Stress Software program | CINEBENCH R23.2 |
| Stress Run Time | half-hour |
| PC Idle Time | 5 minutes |
| Monitoring Software program | HWInfo64 |
| OC Software | Intel XTU |
We’ve got seen AMD AM5 and Intel Alder Lake S CPUs taking extra energy, and this time either side have geared toward reaching the utmost clocks whatever the thermal restrict. In actual fact, the AM5 SKUs will run into thermal limits instantly relying on the cooling answer and the clocks getting used. This has made testing of CPU coolers difficult as a result of viewers/readers are usually not used to a brand new nomenclature which is what clocks are sustained below a given load utilizing a specific cooler.
That’s if the cooler is able to offering sufficient cooling heads to maintain the excessive frequencies at excessive package deal energy. Amongst different causes is the excessive thermal density of those new CPUs. Historically we’re used to going the opposite manner round, that’s, which cooler is best by way of thermal capability. Regardless of this, we’re utilizing temperatures as a base for measuring this unit.
The ambient temperature was within the vary of 32°C. We’re reporting absolute temperatures within the graph. The testing is finished on an open-air bench system. As soon as contained in the chassis, the temperatures are anticipated to rise and would largely depend on the optimum airflow contained in the chassis. This excessive temperature was the rationale we enforced the facility limits.
Disclaimer: Each silicon is completely different; therefore no two identical SKUs are more likely to take the identical voltage to yield the identical efficiency on the identical thermals per se, however the margin could be shut. Not each stress take a look at run could yield the identical outcome, which might be resulting from varied causes like thermal paste utility, ambient temperature variation, the mounting strain of the cooler, and so on. That is very why we now have listed our variables and their settings. Let’s check out the outcomes.
Outcome
It is a good efficiency from this cooler. We had been roughly working at 200W energy on the package deal, and that is the place many different coolers in our testing have struggled, however this cooler can deal with this job. Sure, the temperature is sort of reaching the 90s however you’ve gotten to bear in mind the excessive ambient temperature and the thermal conduct of this platform.
Noise
Our sound meter exhibits this cooler to be at 52 dB(A) to 53 dB(A) sound output stage. A customized fan curve is usually recommended in case you are delicate to excessive noise from the followers. The ambient was at 32 dB(A) roughly.
Conclusion
On this article, we now have taken a take a look at COUGAR Poseidon GT 360 liquid cooler. That is our first ever COUGAR product below evaluation gentle (Not sponsored). COUGAR carries a number of liquid cooling options below the umbrella of the Poseidon sequence. GT is talked about to be a high-performance cooling answer by the producer, and we put it via paces to seek out out its efficiency potential.
The Poseidon GT sequence has 240mm and 360mm measurement liquid coolers. The COUGAR Poseidon GT 360 is suitable with Intel LGA 115x/1366/1200/1700/2011/2066 and AMD TR4/TRX4/AM5/AM4/FM2/FM1/AM3/AM2+/AM2 sockets. You’ll be able to anticipate the identical compatibility for the 240mm model.
We aren’t positive concerning the OEM of this unit, however it’s not ASETEK and that is the prime purpose why this cooler shouldn’t be obtainable in US markets. ASETEK patent within the US implies that solely ASETEK-based coolers can home pumps within the block. Some manufacturers merely don’t launch their coolers, violating this US-based patent within the US markets, however the remainder of the areas and a few manufacturers have give you putting in pumps within the tubes. We will see that COUGAR determined not launching this cooler within the US area.
The COUGAR Poseidon GT 360 liquid cooler has a 360mm radiator. Please don’t confuse 360mm with the size of the radiator. Each are completely different connotations. After we say a 360mm cooler, we suggest that this cooler use three 120mm measurement followers. This unit has a dimension of 392x121x27mm. Right here you possibly can see that size of this radiator is 392mm, not simply 360mm. The housing of this radiator is black and grey in colour, and I like this colour mixture. The aspect frames are grey in colour, whereas the remainder of the meeting is black in colour. The tube reference to fittings is properly hid. This unit makes use of rubber tubes which have black colour mesh sleeves for aesthetic functions. These tubes have a size of 400mm. I have to say that the true colours on this unit will come as soon as you put in black colour followers.
This radiator has a distinct fin stacking in comparison with the normal manner. COUGAR has put in fins in a proper angle method, in contrast to v-shape or what others name E-shape fin placement. That is what COUGAR refers to because the UTTERIGHT fin on Poseidon GT 360 cooler. In line with COUGAR, this may give higher warmth switch effectivity.
The block of this cooler is in a hoop design with a slim profile to my liking. It stands at 71.5×49.8mm. Right here 71.5 refers back to the diameter, whereas 49.8mm is the peak of this housing. It options an infinity mirror design behind the COUGAR textual content on the highest lid. This lid is detachable, and the consumer may also take away it. This lid is secured utilizing 4x screws to the principle housing. There’s a diffuser operating between the highest lid and the principle housing. All these areas are A-RGB backlit. There’s a copper base measuring 51x54mm. The pump is powered by a 3-pin connector on the facility cable. The pump of this unit has a rated velocity of 3200 ± 200 RPM, operating at 12VDC utilizing 0.35A with 4.2W energy consumption.
COUGAR has offered three high-performance MHP 120 followers. These are 120mm measurement followers, and they’re non-RGB. These followers have a metal-reinforced motor hub and metal-bearing shell. This gives stability and sturdiness. These followers are utilizing Hydro Dynamic Bearings. Every fan has 9x blades and a PWM management. These followers have a dimension of 120x120x25mm. They’ve a most velocity of 2000 ± 200 RPM with a most of 82.48 CFM airflow at 4.25mmH2O static strain. The noise stage is rated at 34.5 dB(A) most.
COUGAR Poseidon GT 360 comes with a devoted A-RGB controller. This is able to be useful when your motherboard doesn’t assist the RGB sync know-how. It’s SATA powered. It has a set port on one finish that has a typical RGB interface (5V). It’s clever on COUGAR’s half to make use of normal RGB connectors to offer most compatibility with RGB sync applied sciences of varied motherboard producers. We’ve got examined on GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX motherboard utilizing RGB Fusion 2.0 app. RGB lighting was discovered to be working effective.
Set up might have been easy and handy, however the very requirement of putting in a hoop bracket on the stud bolts first, adopted by putting rotating the block, makes it inconvenient. Nonetheless, there’s a walk-around in which you’ll be able to place the ring bracket on the notches of the block in such a fashion that the ring bracket suits firmly on these notches and doesn’t fall down on urgent. Fastidiously putting the block on the CPU the place threaded parts of the studs move via the mounting holes of this ring bracket will do it. There, I’ve made it considerably handy. Putting in this cooler on an Intel LGA1700 socket would want 14 gadgets.
Since this cooler shouldn’t be obtainable within the US area, we’re mentioning the Canadian value, which is $149 CAD. In our thermal testing, this cooler has carried out very properly, and we’re impressed by what this cooler can do within the 200 to 210W package deal energy vary. Don’t anticipate it to deal with greater than that except you’re working at a 20-ish ambient temperature. There’s a delicate A-RGB with infinity mirror lighting results on the block. On prime of this, COUGAR is offering a 5-year guarantee on this cooler. This all seems like an ideal cooling answer, however followers are loud and don’t neglect the tough set up.
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