EK Water Blocks EK-Nucleus CR360 Lux D-RGB AIO Cooler Review

How Much Does it Cost?

The EK Water Blocks EK-Nucleus CR360 Lux D-RGB All In One CPU Water Cooler – Black is not cheap, coming in at £199.99 it’s actually as expensive as many rival offerings premium coolers that offer an LCD display in the pump. However, you don’t get any fancy TV on your cooler here, just some fairly straightforward D-RGB integration. However, while you are paying seemingly a lot for a “simple” AIO, it’s anything but simple. The overall build quality from the CPU block to the radiator is simply sublime, and you’re getting a great quality cooler for your added investment.

Overview

Of course, paying for something that’s well made is one thing, but that superior build quality clearly translates to superior performance. This is by far one of the best-performing coolers on the market right now. So you can keep your fancy LCD displays, because if you just want to keep your CPU as cool as possible, then this will more than get the job done. At stock and overclocked settings, it delivered some of the lowest idle and load temperatures we’ve seen.

What’s more impressive is just how powerful these fans are, and sure, at full RPM you are going to hear them, but when they’re going the CPU load temperatures just plummet with impressive haste. You can absolutely afford to put them on their silent profile, given that it’s already one of the best-performing coolers, making the fans quieter at the cost of a little more heat still leaves its performance as some of the best around.

EKWB has a strong reputation for enthusiast cooling hardware, namely with their custom-loop components. However, it’s clear they’ve infused some of that premium technology into their CPU block, pump, tubing design, the lovely adjustable fittings on the radiator, and their premium quality fans. Every component is as good as it can be on an AIO cooler. Sure, you can get a cooler that looks as good for half the price, and one that cools pretty good too. However, if you want one that coolers better than the rest, well… then EKWB has got you covered.

Should I Buy One?

A premium price for a premium cooler seems like a fair trade. It is expensive, but really when it comes down to it, the killer performance speaks for itself. Not that rival coolers at the same price are bad, far from it, but at £200, you have a choice of a rival cooler with an LCD display on the pump, or the EKWB with its more basic RGB integration, but seriously kick-ass cooling performance… I’d pick the EK cooler every single time myself.