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DeepCool’s new LT series closed-loop liquid coolers feature some of the company’s latest technology such as a 4th generation pump design with a powerful three-phase motor, a skived copper cold plate with redesigned channels and the company’s FK120 fluid dynamic bearing fans. But does this mean that the LT series will continue DeepCool’s impressive thermal performance and exceptional value that we have come to expect? Let’s find out.
Timestamps:
00:00 Start
00:48 LT720 Cooler / Pricing
01:32 Close up / anti leak / tubing
03:35 Pump / copper coldplate
04:48 FDB fans
05:08 Installation / Software
08:16 Setup/Thermal Performance
09:47 Noise levels
10:20 CPU temperature – Manual OC
10:40 40dBa test
11:00 PBO Test
11:25 Closing Thoughts
A conventional 27mm thick, aluminium radiator is used in the DeepCool LT series. As we have seen previously the radiator features DeepCool Anti-Leak Technology which helps to prevent leakage. The LT720 in this review uses a typical 360mm, 3 x 120mm fan radiator.
Anti-Leak Tech means that inside the radiator is an elastic pressure-relief bag with one side exposed to the air and the other side submerged in the coolant. When the internal pressure exceeds atmospheric pressure, the bag contracts to increase the system’s internal volume and reduce the risk of a leak.
Rubber hoses with braided sleeving are permanently crimped to the radiator in a fixed position. The overall length of the hoses is 410mm, which seems to be a generous length. At the CPU block end of the tubes are articulating 90-degree fittings which allow movement to aid installation.
DeepCool also includes two plastic tubing clips that freely slide up and down the tubes. The clips are there to help keep the tubing in line and are decorated with DeepCool moulded logos.
LT720 cold plate is constructed from copper with micro-skived fins typical of AIO liquid coolers. The large cold plate means that the LT720 is compatible with all current desktop platforms from AMD and Intel, including LGA1700 and AM5 as well as high-end desktop platforms such as AMD Threadripper.
A feature we have seen previously in DeepCool AIO coolers, such as the various iterations of the Castle, is the infinity mirror on top of the CPU block. DeepCool deploys this style again on the LT720 but on a larger and removable top cover.
The top cover is outfitted with several infinity mirrors partially covering three faces of the top cover, with RGB lighting effects being displayed on each. However, unlike most AIOs with removable top covers that can be rotated to suit the orientation of the CPU block, the LT720’s top cover can only be placed in one position.
Included with the LT720 are three DeepCool FK120 Fluid dynamic bearing fans. The FK120s are high static pressure fans with a PWM speed range of 500-2250 RPM, a maximum airflow rate of 85.85 CFM and low noise output at 32.9dBA and are controlled via a standard 4-pin PWM cable.
There is no illumination on the FK120 fans, but the CPU block is illuminated with RGB on several faces. The RGB cable connected to the CPU block has a standard 3-pin 5v ARGB connection which can be connected directly to motherboard headers or other ARGB controllers. DeepCool does not include a standalone RGB /fan controller hub with the cooler.
The reason that DeepCool doesn’t include standalone hubs is no doubt to keep costs down. The DeepCool LT series is very competitively priced, especially in today’s market. The LT720 is priced at a touch under £120 at launch and the smaller 240mm LT520 is under £105 which is outstanding value. DeepCool LT series also comes with a 5-year warranty.
Installation of the LT720 is very quick and simple. DeepCool includes an installation manual with the cooler that is easy to follow with clear illustrations, so even the most novice user shouldn’t find the installation difficult.
On AMD AM4/AM5 platforms you first remove the stock upper plastic cooler mounts but leave the stock AMD backplate in place as this will be retained for the DeepCool installation. AM4/5 brackets need to be fastened to the base of the CPU block with the small counter-sunk screws provided.
Next, screw the AM4/5 AMD stand-offs to the stock AMD backplate. The CPU block comes with some pre-applied thermal paste so the block can be placed onto the CPU and fixed in position using the four thumbscrews.
You then just need to install fans to the radiator and mount the radiator into the case in your preferred location. Daisy-chain the fans together using the supplied 3-way PWM splitter cable.
Finally connect the end of the daisy-chained fans to the motherboard CPU fan header, connect the 3-pin pump cable to another motherboard header (usually the CPU_OPT or AIO_PUMP header) and then connect the 3-pin ARGB cable to a motherboard header or your own ARGB controller hub.
Test System:
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- Overclocked Settings: 4.45GHz all-core @ 1.30V LLC Level 5
- Motherboard: Gigabyte X570 Aorus Elite
- Memory: 32GB (4x8GB) Corsair Vengeance RGB RPO SL 3600MHz
- Graphics Card: MSI Radeon RX 6600XT Gaming X (zero dBA mode)
- Chassis: Open Test Bench
- Power Supply: Seasonic Prime TX-850
- Operating System: Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
Testing Methodology:
- For testing, we use a 30-minute looped run of Cinebench R23 and record the steady-state CPU temperature at the end of the test. This ensures that the CPU has had ample time to warm up and reach steady-state under all of the coolers.
- The ambient is maintained at around 19-21 degrees Celsius. Where there is variation beyond this temperature range, we add in extra repeated tests to ensure consistency.
- We also test each cooler with at least two fresh installs (typically three) to mitigate the likelihood of a dodgy mount spoiling results.
Test Results:
Noise Output
Let’s begin with noise output as this will give us a good indication of what to expect from thermal performance based on noise.
With fans running at their maximum RPM, the DeepCool LT720 sits somewhere in the middle of our results at 53dBA noise output. As far as 360mm coolers go it’s relatively loud but not too distracting. Compared with other units from the likes of be quiet!, Lian Li and MSI, the LT720 it is marginally quieter but Thermaltake’s Toughliquid ARGB Sync is significantly quieter at maximum RPM.
Thermal Performance
DeepCool has tuned its fans to offer high raw thermal performance levels, with fans at maximum RPM the DeepCool LT720 cooled our manually overclocked 5950X to a delta of 55 degrees which is an outstanding result and beats off competition from the likes of MSI, Thermaltake and be quiet! 360mm coolers.
Tuning the cooler’s fans to 40dBA meant reducing the speed to 1380 RPM or 66% duty cycle. Even at 40dBA the LT720 manages to produce almost chart-topping performance, which is impressive given how much fan speed had to be reduced to meet the 40dBA target.
In the PBO test, the most important metric here is clock speed and cooling power as the difference in temperature delta is small between coolers.
With fans back at 100% during the PBO test, this puts the LT720 back at the top of our chart by maintaining the highest average CPU clock frequency.
With the DeepCool LT720 handling almost 245W of package power, it's an excellent result.
Often in the past, we have seen DeepCool bring out products with great performance and amazing value for money – and they have done it again with the LT720. It simply offers class-leading thermal performance at an affordable price. With markets being all over the place at the moment, the cost of products especially in the UK seems to be skyrocketing, but DeepCool has stuck to its guns with this one, providing PC enthusiasts with another great AIO CPU cooler that’s not going to break the bank.
Not only does the cooler perform exceptionally well, but it is also backed by a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty, it has great build quality, features everything you need from a closed-loop liquid cooler and doesn’t look bad either. The infinity mirror top cover design might not be everyone’s cup of tea but it’s not offensive to look at in any way.
The decision from DeepCool not to include a standalone fan/RGB hub or proprietary cable connections is an excellent choice, in my opinion. This ensures that the installation time is short and the process is simple even for the novice user. Installation takes approximately 15 minutes, it’s so simple that more technical users could do it without even looking at the manual.
DeepCool has gone quite aggressive with the fan speed to give the best absolute raw thermal performance with the fans cranked up, which does mean that the cooler is quite loud but not too irritating. However, turning the fans down does not impact thermal performance adversely which means that the LT720 should be a perfect balance between noise and cooling power for everyone.
There's very little not to like about the DeepCool LT720. The only minor niggles to note are the fact that the top cover cannot be rotated to change orientation depending on how the CPU block is installed and there is no additional tube of thermal compound supplied for re-installation/maintenance, but there is a factory pre-applied thermal paste on the cold plate.
Other than those two very minor grumbles, I really cannot fault this cooler at all. As far as 360mm All-in-One CPU coolers go this provides great value and outstanding thermal performance. The lack of RGB on the fans may not be to everyone’s taste but DeepCool offers the LS series as an RGB lover's alternative. The only thing DeepCool is missing in its AIO lineup right now is a cooler with an LCD screen, which is the current trend.
The DeepCool LT720 has an MSRP of £119.99. It is available to purchase from Scan HERE. You will also be able to buy one from Amazon, starting 23rd November, HERE.
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Pros
- Outstanding thermal performance.
- Great value for money.
- Simple and quick installation.
- Standard motherboard fan/ARGB connections.
- No additional hubs or software needed.
- Very easy to cable manage.
Cons
- No RGB on the fans might put some users off.
- CPU block cover cant be rotated.
KitGuru says: DeepCool has a knack for providing amazing value products at affordable prices and they have done it again with the LT720 360mm AIO CPU cooler. It's a must-buy for anyone looking for class-leading thermal performance, easy installation and low cost.
