Review of the iBUYPOWER AW4 360 AIO Cooler: A Promising Debut

iBUYPOWER, a company with roots in the United States, has been at the forefront of custom gaming gear since its inception in 1999. They’re well-regarded for crafting bespoke gaming PCs and providing a plethora of peripherals. Whether you’re in the market for pre-assembled desktops or laptops, or you’re hunting for gaming accessories that enhance your setup, iBUYPOWER offers products that satisfy a spectrum of gamer demands—from the leisurely player to the professional competitor. Their hallmark customizable gaming PCs are particularly popular, offering the flexibility to handpick components that meet your exact gaming needs. Plus, their branded peripherals, ranging from keyboards to headsets, seamlessly integrate with their gaming systems, delivering a unified experience tailored for gamers.

In addition to their well-known systems, iBUYPOWER supplies a variety of cooling solutions, both air and liquid, to ensure top-notch thermal management and aesthetic appeal in their machines. While they mostly distribute products from other manufacturers, they’ve started branching into their own cooling equipment, notably the innovative AW4 360 mm AIO liquid cooler. In this review, we’ll dive into the specifics of the AW4 AIO—assessing its design, cooling prowess, and performance when faced with the rigors of demanding gaming and computing tasks.

iBUYPOWER AW4 360 ARGB AIO Cooler Specifications

• Type: All-in-One Liquid Cooler
• Dimensions: 397 x 120 x 52 mm (radiator with fan)
• Fans: 3 x 120 mm Hydraulic Bearing Fans, 2000 RPM (max)
• RGB: Yes (ARGB)
• Supported Sockets:
  • Intel: LGA1700 / LGA 115x
  • AMD: AM5 / AM4
• Warranty: 3 Years
• Price: $99

Packaging & Bundle

The AW4 arrives in a long, sturdy cardboard box, its design giving a nod to the cooler’s substantial size. Sporting a black and red color scheme adorned with abstract patterns, the packaging also features an image of the cooler. Inside, the cooler is snugly packed into custom cardboard inserts, safeguarding it during shipment.

Once open, you’ll find that iBUYPOWER sticks to essentials. Besides the cooler itself, you’ll find a basic manual, essential mounting hardware, and a power cable for the cooling fans. It’s worth noting there’s no LED controller included; to enable LED lighting, you’ll need a compatible motherboard.

The included trio of 120 mm fans bear iBUYPOWER branding, though their OEM remains unidentified. These fans feature an advanced sleeve bearing mechanism, notched blades, and anti-vibration pads on the frame. There are no built-in LEDs, and they offer a speed range between 700 and 2000 RPM.

The iBUYPOWER AW4 360 mm AIO Liquid Cooler

When you first lay eyes on the iBUYPOWER AW4 360 mm cooler, it mirrors the typical design seen in many 360 mm AIO coolers currently available. Its configuration is familiar: a single radiator, twin hoses, and a combined block that merges a copper CPU contact plate with a compact liquid pump. iBUYPOWER chooses black sleeved low-permeation rubber tubing, balancing both flexibility and an appealing look.

The AW4 cooler boasts a hefty radiator stretching 397 mm, necessitating a case that supports a lineup of three 120 mm fans plus room for the radiator’s added bulk. The radiator’s 27 mm thickness means you’ll need a total of 55 mm of space once the fans are attached. Its design follows the dual-pass cross-flow model with small fins soldered to thin, oblong tubes, and it remains unbranded externally.

The central block of the AW4 cooler really steals the spotlight with its sleek, rounded build and high-gloss semi-transparent top showcasing the company’s logo. Hidden beneath are LEDs that awe with a faux 3D visual effect. The hoses are neatly managed by 90-degree fittings, accompanied by two outgoing cables: a 4-pin power lead and another for RGB lighting.

Underneath, the main block assembly is secured by a distinctly-shaped contact plate, fixed to the plastic base cover with eight screws. Though not polished to a mirror finish, the surface remains smooth and even, and comes prep-applied with a thermal pad.

RGB enthusiasts will find the lighting confined to the top of the main cooling block, designed to impress without overwhelming. It integrates seamlessly with other RGB parts connected to the motherboard’s RGB controller, but take note: the lighting will remain inoperative without a compatible RGB setup.

In summary, the iBUYPOWER AW4 360 mm AIO cooler offers a balanced mix of aesthetics and performance, appealing to those seeking effective cooling without sacrificing style.