iBUYPOWER has carved out a niche in the gaming world with their custom-built PCs and peripherals, all crafted to meet the diverse needs of gamers. Since its inception in 1999, this U.S.-based company has been offering an impressive lineup of products, including pre-built desktop computers, laptops, and a variety of gaming accessories. Whether you’re a casual gamer or someone who engages in competitive, high-performance gaming, iBUYPOWER’s customizable gaming PCs let you pick every component to suit your needs. Their range of self-branded peripherals like keyboards, mice, and headsets complements their systems nicely, forming an integrated gaming environment.
Expanding their product lineup, iBUYPOWER also ventures into cooling solutions, offering both air and liquid cooling products that ensure optimal performance and aesthetics. While they’ve traditionally sourced these products from other manufacturers, they’ve now introduced their own offerings, notably the new AW4 360 mm AIO liquid cooler. This review delves into the AW4 AIO, examining its design, how well it cools, and its overall performance in demanding gaming setups.
iBUYPOWER AW4 360 ARGB AIO – Cooler Specifications
- Type: All-in-One Liquid Cooler
- Dimensions: 397 x 120 x 52 mm (radiator with fan)
- Fans: 3 x 120 mm Hydraulic Bearing Fans, with speeds up to 2000 RPM
- RGB: Yes, featuring ARGB
- Supported Sockets: Intel: LGA1700 / LGA 115x; AMD: AM5 / AM4
- Warranty: 3 years
- Price: $99
Packaging & Bundle
Opening the package reveals a thoughtfully designed, robust cardboard box hinting at the cooler’s size. Its sleek black and red design features abstract graphics and a depiction of the cooler itself. Inside, the cooler is nestled securely within custom cardboard inserts, safeguarding it during transit.
What you find inside the box are the essentials: a straightforward manual, necessary hardware for mounting, and a cable for the three fans. There’s a notable absence of an LED controller, so you’ll need a compatible motherboard for the LED features.
The trio of 120 mm fans comes emblazoned with the iBUYPOWER logo, though their origins remain undisclosed. These fans have advanced sleeve bearings, notched blades, and anti-vibration pads at the corners. While the fans lack LEDs, they operate within a speed range of 700 to 2000 RPM, providing efficient cooling.
The iBUYPOWER AW4 360 mm AIO Liquid Cooler
Upon initial inspection, the AW4 360 mm cooler fits right in with other 360 mm AIO coolers on the market, featuring the classic single radiator, dual hoses, and a block merging a copper CPU contact with a small liquid pump. The choice of black, sleeved low-permeation rubber tubing not only looks sharp but adds flexibility too.
The large radiator, measuring a lengthy 397 mm, requires a spacious case to line up the three 120 mm fans needed. The radiator’s 27 mm thickness means you’ll need around 55 mm of space for a proper fit, fans included. Its design follows the familiar dual-pass cross-flow approach, incorporating small fins on slim, oblong tubes. It should be noted there are no logos or decorative features on the radiator.
The main block is certainly an eyecatcher, distinguished by its smooth, rounded body topped with a glossy, semi-transparent cover displaying the company logo. Below, LEDs give a faux 3D look. Hoses connect via 90° fittings and two cables—one for power, another for RGB—draw from the side.
Below the main block, you’ll find a squircle-shaped contact plate fastened by eight screws, offering a smooth, albeit not mirror-finish, contact surface. A thermal pad is pre-applied for convenience.
The RGB lighting is confined to the top of the main cooling block, presenting a striking yet restrained visual feature. It seamlessly syncs with other RGB elements connected to your motherboard’s RGB controller. However, without a suitable RGB controller, the cooler’s lighting won’t activate.
