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The Alphacool Eisbaer 240 is an exciting addition to the liquid cooling scene.
When used conventionally, it offers good – if not the best – performance when cooling a CPU. It is also relatively quiet under load, while the pump has the option of running at 12V or 7V.
Using the Eisbaer as a conventional AIO misses the point, though. That is because Alphacool have included quick-disconnect fittings to the hosing, allowing users to add other components to the loop with ease. If you check back to the second page of this review, you can see this in practice with a GPU block added to the loop.
This gives the Eisbaer some much-needed versatility. It also acts as a good starting point if you are thinking of going for a custom water loop but aren't sure where to start.
So, if that is you, and you do not mind the bland visuals, the Eisbaer 240 is a good option.
However, if you are just after the best cooling performance and do not want to expand your AIO down the line – the Arctic Liquid Freezer 240 proves itself as a tough competitor by offering exceptional performance at a lower cost.
You can buy the Alphacool Eisbaer 240 for around £100 from WatercoolingUK HERE and AquaTuning HERE.
Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.
Pros
- Expandable.
- Eiswind fans are quiet.
- Pump can run at 12V or 7V.
Cons
- Subjectively bland visuals.
- Quick-disconnect fittings could clash with a PC's colour scheme.
KitGuru says: If you are looking for an easier entry point to the world of custom water loops, the Alphacool Eisbaer is a good place to start.
I bought an Eisbear Solo to build a custom loop for my son’s pc, adding a 360 Alphacool rad and his watercooled videocard. It works, however I question the pumps power in getting fluid around an expanded loop. I don’t think that it is powerful enough to push water effectively through multiple waterbloocks and rads. Not to be used on an overclocked system if adding extra rads and blocks. Installing this block was torment, it is not really user friendly. I could have done with an extra hand and bleeding the system was painful. Having said all of this, in my son’s loop Intel Core i5 and 980Ti (both stock) and a single slim 360 rad performance has been decent. The pump is quiet and has been able to keep the 980ti and Core i5 cooler than traditional aircooling.
if I ever go with water cooling, I will be going with this system
not to post again on the same article, looks like the first AM4 product is now coming to market https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/Core_Frozr_L/