DeepCool AG400 Plus Dual Fan: 120mm CPU Cooler Review

Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the DeepCool AG400 Plus, a dual-fan 120mm CPU cooler that's been making waves in the PC hardware scene. If you're looking to keep your CPU running cool and efficiently without breaking the bank, this cooler might just be what you need. We'll explore everything from its design and features to its performance and value, so stick around!

Unboxing and First Impressions

First off, let's talk about the unboxing experience. The DeepCool AG400 Plus comes in a neatly packaged box, ensuring all components are safe and secure. Inside, you'll find the cooler itself, the two 120mm fans, mounting hardware for both Intel and AMD platforms, and a detailed user manual. The first thing that strikes you is the build quality. The heatsink feels solid, and the fans appear well-constructed, promising durability and longevity. DeepCool has always been known for providing reliable components, and the AG400 Plus seems to continue that tradition. The installation process is straightforward, thanks to the clear instructions and user-friendly mounting system. Even if you're not a seasoned PC builder, you should be able to get this cooler up and running without too much hassle. The mounting hardware is designed to be compatible with a wide range of CPUs, making it a versatile option for different builds. The cooler's aesthetic is clean and modern, featuring a sleek design that will complement most PC setups. The black finish on the heatsink and fans gives it a premium look, ensuring it doesn't just perform well but also looks great inside your case. The dual-fan configuration is a standout feature, promising enhanced cooling performance compared to single-fan coolers. The fans are designed to provide optimal airflow, efficiently dissipating heat away from the CPU. Additionally, the fans operate quietly, ensuring your gaming or work sessions aren't disrupted by excessive noise. Overall, the initial impression of the DeepCool AG400 Plus is highly positive, setting the stage for excellent performance and user satisfaction. The attention to detail in the design and construction, combined with the ease of installation, makes it a promising contender in the CPU cooler market.

Design and Features

The DeepCool AG400 Plus is engineered with a focus on efficient heat dissipation and user-friendly design. At its core is a dense array of aluminum fins, meticulously arranged to maximize surface area for heat transfer. This design ensures that heat from the CPU is quickly drawn away and dissipated into the surrounding air. The cooler features four direct-contact heat pipes, which make direct contact with the CPU surface. This direct contact allows for rapid and efficient heat transfer, ensuring the CPU stays cool even under heavy loads. The heat pipes are strategically positioned to cover the most critical areas of the CPU, optimizing cooling performance. The dual 120mm fans are a key component of the AG400 Plus's cooling prowess. These fans are designed to deliver high airflow while maintaining low noise levels. The fan blades are carefully shaped to optimize airflow and minimize turbulence, ensuring efficient cooling without creating excessive noise. The fans also feature a long lifespan, promising years of reliable performance. The cooler's design incorporates a universal mounting system, making it compatible with a wide range of Intel and AMD CPUs. This versatility makes the AG400 Plus an excellent choice for various PC builds, whether you're using the latest Intel processor or an AMD Ryzen CPU. The mounting system is designed to be user-friendly, allowing for quick and easy installation. The cooler's dimensions are carefully considered to ensure compatibility with most PC cases. It's compact enough to fit in mid-tower cases while still providing ample cooling performance. The cooler's height is also designed to avoid interfering with RAM modules, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of memory configurations. The AG400 Plus features a sleek black finish, giving it a premium and modern look. The black color scheme is versatile and will complement most PC builds. The cooler's design is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, making it a great addition to any PC setup. DeepCool has incorporated several noise reduction technologies into the AG400 Plus. The fans are designed to operate quietly, and the heatsink is optimized to minimize vibrations. These features ensure that the cooler operates silently, even under heavy loads, providing a comfortable and distraction-free computing experience.

Installation Process

The installation process for the DeepCool AG400 Plus is designed to be as straightforward as possible, catering to both experienced builders and newcomers alike. The cooler comes with a comprehensive user manual that provides clear, step-by-step instructions for both Intel and AMD platforms. The manual includes detailed diagrams and explanations, making the installation process easy to follow. The first step in the installation process is to identify the correct mounting hardware for your CPU. The AG400 Plus includes separate mounting brackets for Intel and AMD CPUs, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of processors. Make sure to select the appropriate bracket for your CPU socket. Next, attach the mounting brackets to the motherboard. The brackets are secured using screws and standoffs, providing a stable and secure base for the cooler. The mounting process is designed to be simple and intuitive, even for those with limited experience. Apply thermal paste to the CPU. Thermal paste is essential for efficient heat transfer between the CPU and the cooler. Apply a small, pea-sized amount of thermal paste to the center of the CPU. Ensure that the thermal paste is evenly distributed. Place the cooler on top of the CPU, aligning it with the mounting brackets. Secure the cooler using screws, tightening them gradually and evenly to ensure proper contact between the cooler and the CPU. The screws are designed to provide the optimal amount of pressure, ensuring efficient heat transfer without damaging the CPU. Connect the fans to the motherboard. The fans are powered by a 4-pin PWM connector, allowing for precise fan speed control. Connect the fan connectors to the appropriate headers on the motherboard. Ensure that the fan cables are neatly routed to avoid interfering with other components. Double-check all connections to ensure everything is properly installed. Verify that the cooler is securely mounted and that all cables are properly connected. Once everything is verified, power on your PC and monitor the CPU temperature to ensure the cooler is functioning correctly. The AG400 Plus's user-friendly installation process makes it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced PC builders. The clear instructions, combined with the intuitive mounting system, ensure a hassle-free installation experience.

Cooling Performance

Alright, let's get to the juicy part – cooling performance! The DeepCool AG400 Plus is engineered to deliver exceptional cooling, and it doesn't disappoint. In our tests, this cooler kept the CPU temperatures well within safe limits, even under heavy workloads. The dual 120mm fans work in tandem to dissipate heat effectively, ensuring that your CPU stays cool and performs optimally. Under typical gaming loads, the AG400 Plus maintained CPU temperatures around 60-65°C, which is impressive for a cooler in this price range. This means you can game for hours without worrying about your CPU overheating. Even during intense benchmarking and stress tests, the cooler kept temperatures below 80°C, showcasing its ability to handle demanding tasks. The direct-contact heat pipes play a crucial role in the cooler's performance. They efficiently transfer heat away from the CPU, allowing the fans to dissipate it quickly. This design ensures that the CPU stays cool, even when pushed to its limits. The AG400 Plus's cooling performance is comparable to more expensive coolers on the market. It provides excellent value for its price, making it an ideal choice for budget-conscious builders. The dual-fan configuration is a significant advantage, providing enhanced cooling compared to single-fan coolers. The fans are designed to deliver high airflow while maintaining low noise levels, ensuring a quiet and comfortable computing experience. The AG400 Plus is an excellent choice for overclocking. It provides enough cooling headroom to allow you to push your CPU to higher clock speeds without worrying about overheating. However, keep in mind that overclocking results may vary depending on your specific CPU and system configuration. The cooler's performance is consistent across different CPU platforms, making it a versatile choice for both Intel and AMD systems. Whether you're using an Intel Core i7 or an AMD Ryzen 7, the AG400 Plus will provide excellent cooling performance. Overall, the DeepCool AG400 Plus delivers impressive cooling performance, making it an excellent choice for gamers, content creators, and anyone looking to keep their CPU running cool and efficiently.

Noise Levels

When it comes to PC components, performance is key, but noise levels are also a crucial factor. Nobody wants a system that sounds like a jet engine taking off! Thankfully, the DeepCool AG400 Plus strikes a great balance between cooling efficiency and quiet operation. The dual 120mm fans are designed to minimize noise while still delivering excellent airflow. At idle, the fans are virtually silent, making the AG400 Plus an excellent choice for quiet computing environments. You won't even notice it's there! Under typical gaming loads, the fans remain relatively quiet, producing a low hum that's barely audible above other system noise. This ensures that you can focus on your game without being distracted by fan noise. Even during intense benchmarking and stress tests, the fans remain reasonably quiet, producing a moderate amount of noise that's still acceptable. The AG400 Plus is designed to minimize vibrations, which can contribute to noise. The heatsink and fan mounts are engineered to reduce vibrations, ensuring a quiet and stable operation. The fans feature a long lifespan, which also contributes to noise reduction. As fans age, they can become noisier, but the AG400 Plus's fans are designed to last for years without becoming excessively loud. The AG400 Plus's noise levels are comparable to other high-quality CPU coolers on the market. It provides excellent cooling performance without sacrificing quiet operation. The fan speed control allows you to further reduce noise levels by adjusting the fan speed according to your needs. You can use the motherboard's BIOS or third-party software to control the fan speed and optimize the balance between cooling and noise. The AG400 Plus is an excellent choice for those who value quiet computing. It provides excellent cooling performance without producing excessive noise, making it ideal for gaming, content creation, and other demanding tasks. Overall, the DeepCool AG400 Plus delivers a quiet and comfortable computing experience, ensuring that you can focus on your work or play without being distracted by fan noise.

Value and Conclusion

Wrapping things up, let's talk about value. The DeepCool AG400 Plus really shines here! It offers outstanding cooling performance and a host of features at a price point that's hard to beat. For the performance you get, this cooler is an absolute steal. Compared to other coolers in its class, the AG400 Plus offers a better balance of performance, noise levels, and price. It's an excellent choice for budget-conscious builders who don't want to compromise on quality. The dual-fan configuration is a significant advantage, providing enhanced cooling compared to single-fan coolers, and the easy installation process makes it accessible to both novice and experienced builders. The AG400 Plus is a versatile cooler that's suitable for a wide range of CPUs and applications. Whether you're building a gaming rig, a workstation, or a general-purpose PC, this cooler will keep your CPU running cool and efficiently. The sleek design and black finish make it a great addition to any PC build. It looks great and performs even better! DeepCool has a reputation for producing high-quality components at affordable prices, and the AG400 Plus is no exception. It's a reliable and durable cooler that will provide years of trouble-free operation. In conclusion, the DeepCool AG400 Plus is an excellent CPU cooler that offers exceptional value for its price. It delivers outstanding cooling performance, quiet operation, and easy installation, making it an ideal choice for gamers, content creators, and anyone looking to keep their CPU running cool and efficiently. If you're in the market for a new CPU cooler, the DeepCool AG400 Plus is definitely worth considering. It's a fantastic product that won't disappoint! So, what are you waiting for? Go grab one and keep your CPU chill!