DeepCool AK400 ZERO DARK PLUS CPU Cooler Review

How Much Does it Cost?

The DeepCool AK400 ZERO DARK PLUS is available to purchase now with consumers looking at a price of around £39.99. This, comparatively speaking, makes it a very attractive option sitting just above the bargain basement area of CPU coolers (which is typically best avoided) while staying notably below the somewhat eye-watering nature, or moderately off-putting aspect, of more expensive ‘high-end’ alternatives.

Overview

I feel I must applaud DeepCool for not just the AK400 ZERO DARK PLUS, but for its AK series as a whole. Choosing to release a product these days without ARGB or even RGB lighting is a bold move that certainly feels like it’s swimming against the metaphorical trending tide. With its sleek and tidy aesthetics, however, I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: The DeepCool AK400 ZERO DARK PLUS would not look out of place within any kind of system build.

And what about it when it’s in use? Well, it gets even better as it’s very easy to install with a solid, but highly approachable installation methodology. Mix that in with a surprisingly potent amount of performance despite, relatively speaking, being quite a compact package, and you really do have an excellent, affordable, and what I truly believe is an attraction option here!

Should I Buy One?

When it comes to affordable cooling solutions, consumers are undoubtedly spoiled for choice. There are many options to choose from, but, let’s be honest, most of them are better suited in a bin than on a PC. – The DeepCool AK400 ZERO DARK PLUS, however, manages to tick all of the right boxes. – It’s affordable, and in many respects, punches massively above its weight for what I consider to be a pretty humble price tag.

In terms of functionality as well, the sleek black aesthetic really lends itself well to being suitable in pretty much any kind of system configuration. The two fans do, of course, take up a bit more room, but hey, if a smaller size is your priority you can always go for the single fan DeepCool AK400 ZERO DARK. – For me though, I think the extra cost of having the second fan is well worth it, and particularly so when it caps an almost universally likeable aesthetic with its twin-fan ‘sandwich’ look.

Yes, there are, of course, more potent CPU cooling solutions than the DeepCool AK400 ZERO DARK PLUS. For less than £40 though, I’d genuinely struggle to think of many that could reasonably be compared to this!

Pros

• Excellent levels of CPU temperature control despite being a relatively compact design
• Low levels of acoustic output
• Strong aesthetics which would suit practically any kind of PC system
• Very easy to install
• Capable of handling modest levels of overclocking
• Excellent value for money

Cons

• None

Neutral

• Quality/smoothness on the contact plate could’ve been better, but this would only likely result in it requiring a notably higher price point – This isn’t ‘premium’ tech, it’s primarily catered to be solid, attractive, and affordable
• No ARGB/RGB lighting – Make of this what you will