Included with the bundle are the next:
Thick heatsink
1x DeepCool FK120 fan
Mounts for all fashionable CPU sockets, together with AM5 & LGA1700
A full-sized tube of thermal paste
Handbook
Screwdriver
Low-speed fan adapter
Clips for a second fan (not included)
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(Picture credit score: Tom’s {Hardware})
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(Picture credit score: Tom’s {Hardware})
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Cooler Set up
(Picture credit score: Tom’s {Hardware})
Putting in DeepCool’s AK500 is usually straightforward. To start, you’ll press the backplate in opposition to your motherboard after which use the thumbscrew standoffs to safe it. Afterward, set the mounting bars on the standoffs and safe them utilizing the included thumbscrews.
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(Picture credit score: Tom’s {Hardware})
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(Picture credit score: Tom’s {Hardware})
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The AK500’s thermal paste isn’t pre-installed, however DeepCool as an alternative features a medium-sized tube of thermal paste that can be utilized for a number of functions. After making use of the thermal paste, you’ll must safe the heatsink in opposition to the mounting bars with the captive screws. That is the place it may be a little bit tough. The screw on the correct is simple sufficient to safe, however the screw on the left requires the usage of an extended screwdriver by the physique of the heatsink, and it may be tough to purpose correctly.
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(Picture credit score: Tom’s {Hardware})
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(Picture credit score: Tom’s {Hardware})
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New Testing Configuration
Cooler
DeepCool AK500 Air Cooler
Comparability Coolers Examined
BeQuiet Pure Loop 2 FX, 360mm AIO
Cooler Grasp Grasp Liquid PL360 Flux 360mm AIO
Cougar Forza 85 Air Cooler
Cougar Poseidon GT 360, 360m AIO
Corsair iCUE H100i Elite 240mm AIO
DeepCool LS520, 240mm AIO
CPU
Intel i9-12900K
Motherboard
MSI z690 A-Professional DDR4
Case
BeQuiet! Silent Base 802 Window
PSU
DeepCool PQ1000M
What’s completely different than different coolers?
Angled Heatpipes with tall DRAM compatibility
(Picture credit score: Tom’s {Hardware})
The heatpipes on the AK500 have an angled offset, which permits for compatibility with tall RAM – you shouldn’t have to fret about RAM top inflicting set up issues. DeepCool says the inner capillary construction of the heatpipes has been optimized to realize excessive warmth dissipation, irrespective of the orientation of the cooler, whether or not put in vertically or horizontally.
Optimized Steel Mounting Bracket
(Picture credit score: DeepCool)
The included metallic mounting bracket has been optimized to make sure correct contact on the most recent Intel and AMD platforms.
(Picture credit score: Tom’s {Hardware})
Mounting Clips for a 2nd fan
Whereas the AK500 solely consists of one fan, DeepCool has included an additional pair of fan clips for fans who wish to add a second fan for optimum cooling efficiency.
1x DeepCool FK120 fan
(Picture credit score: Tom’s {Hardware})
There’s extra to an air cooler than only a heatsink. The fan included has a big affect on cooling, noise ranges, and efficiency. Included with DeepCool’s AK500 is a single 120mm FK120 mannequin fan. On the edges of the LK120 followers, there are two arrows. One arrow exhibits the path the followers spin, the opposite signifies the path of the airflow.
(Picture credit score: Tom’s {Hardware})
Mannequin
FK120
Dimensions
120 x 120 x 25 mm
Fan Pace
500-1550 RPM ±10%
Air Stream
68.99 CFM
Air Stress
2.19 mmAq
Noise Stage
As much as 31.5 dB(A)
Lighting
None
Checkerboard Matrix Fin Array
(Picture credit score: Tom’s {Hardware})
The AK500 incorporates a matrix fin array, resembling a checkerboard, which is designed to extend the static stress of the airflow.
Testing Configuration
I will be testing DeepCool’s AK500 paired with Intel’s i9-12900K CPU put in in MSI’s z690 A PRO DDR4 motherboard and BeQuiet’s Silent Base 802 Pc Case. I’ve talked about in earlier evaluations that because of the elevated thermal density of the Intel 7 manufacturing course of, in addition to modifications to core and part layouts, Alder Lake CPUs are tougher to chill than earlier technology CPUs in essentially the most core-intensive of workloads.
Which means coolers that saved earlier technology merchandise just like the i9-10900K good and funky generally battle to maintain Intel’s i9-12900K underneath Tj max (the highest temperature earlier than the CPU begins to throttle). Many coolers I’ve examined have did not preserve the i9-12900K underneath TJ max when energy limits are eliminated in workloads like Cinebench and OCCT.
For this evaluate, I’ll be primarily evaluating DeepCool’s AK500 to Cougar’s Forza 85, however I’ll additionally embrace outcomes from varied liquid coolers I’ve examined not too long ago.
Please word there are lots of components apart from the CPU cooler that may affect your cooling efficiency. A system’s motherboard can particularly affect this, as there are boards available on the market with CPU sockets that are not as much as Intel’s spec, which might trigger warping or poor contact with the CPU. The case you utilize will even affect cooling outcomes.
With Alder Lake’s cooling calls for in thoughts, I will be ranking CPU Coolers in 3 completely different tiers.
Tier 1: These coolers are in a position to preserve the i9-12900K beneath TJ max in most masses, with no energy limits enforced. I count on solely the most effective liquid coolers to fulfill this customary.
Tier 2: These coolers are in a position to preserve the i9-12900K underneath the TJ max threshold with CPU energy limits of 200W enforced. I count on most liquid coolers and the most effective air coolers to fulfill this customary.
Tier 3: These coolers are in a position to preserve the i9-12900K underneath TJ max with CPU energy limits of 140W enforced.
Testing Methodology
To check the bounds of a cooler’s thermal dissipation capabilities, I run two major stress assessments: Cinebench and OCCT every for 10 minutes. Whereas this can be a brief period of time, it’s ample to push most coolers – air and liquid – to their limits.
Whereas stress testing in Cinebench, I run each with energy limits eliminated and with an enforced 200W CPU energy restrict. On this take a look at setup utilizing MSI’s z690 A Professional DDR4 Motherboard and Be Quiet’s Silent Base 802 Pc Case, solely the most effective coolers are in a position to cross Cinebench testing when energy limits are eliminated.
I don’t take a look at OCCT with out energy limits as a result of making an attempt to take action ends in CPU bundle energy consumption leaping to over 270W and immediately throttling with even the most effective AIO coolers. As a substitute, I take a look at at 200W to provide coolers an opportunity at passing. I’ve included 140W outcomes to provide knowledge corresponding to a CPU that doesn’t use as a lot energy, comparable to AMD’s Ryzen 5800X or Intel’s i5-12600K. 95W take a look at outcomes are additionally included, for these curious about outcomes corresponding to low TDP CPUs comparable to AMD’s Ryzen 5600x or Intel’s i5-12400.
