The Dual fan configured Liqtech 120X comes in a ROG themed cardboard box; maybe Enermax wants to highlight the gaming related color scheme of their latest high end All in One watercooling kit. Who can ignore the fact that Black and Red is a winning combination ?

 

 

 

 

Everything is carefully packed from the Pump unit and the radiator, to the two 120mm Fans and mounting mechanism. The pump design features an aluminum water block for better heat transfer at a low noise rate. Very nice craftmanship to see the Enermax brand name and logo being highlighted in the alu finned top.

 

 

 

On the inside Enermax claims their patented Shunt-Channel-Technology ( SCT) boosts thermal conductivity and eliminates any heat surge. What it all boils down to is that the liquid flow is able to distribute the generated heat in a more evenly and efficient manner. The copper cold plate has received a precise micro-channel design to enlarge the cooling surface.

 

 

 

    

 

The pump utilizes a ceramic bearing with an estimated MTBF of 50,000 hours; long life assured as this is over 5 years of hassle free operation. The flexible Polyamide (PA) tubing is non-permeable and allows thanks to the swivelling points on the pump house for easy installation. The length of the PA tubing is measured at 310mm, similar to the competitor's offerings. Below is a closeup of the copper cold plate.

 

 

The Radiator design is splendid, the red rubber stripes add that extra classy touch. The radiator dimensions are 153 x 120 x 43mm. Enermax also added another touch, by integrating the heatpipes in the fin area they are able to create a 120% bigger fin area cooling surface then a similar sized radiator with a conventional fin structure.

 

 

 

 

 

The Liqtech 120X sports out of the box two 120mm Fans for a push and pull configuration. With similar sized models the Push and Pull configuration allows for a higher heat dissipation versus a single Fan setup. The included Fans are in house design and are baptised as APS PWM contorlled Fans. One of the main issues with the previous Enermax models was the generated noise by the included Fans; with these higher pressure Fans this issue is partly addressed. Why partly ? Because to achieve high performance with a 120 radiator AIO model it has to be bundled with a high RPM Fan, thus resulting in a higher noise level.

 

 

 

Alike the Tiwster fans of the previous AIO ELC generation , these Fans are equipped with a 3 step selectable switch, allowing the end user the choice to setup the Liqtech 120X to his needs. Depending on the CPU configuration the Performance mode is a good balance between performance and generated noise. Take note that the Fans are PWM steered, thus being able to be adjusted via either the motherboard's Bios or included software for even more tweaking. Only draw back of the selectable switch is that once the Liqtech120X is assembled it requires a disassembly of the radiator unit to allow again access to the switches.

The Enermax Liqtech 120X is compatible with following platforms:

Intel: LGA775-1150/1155/1156/1366 and 2011

AMD: AM2/AM2+/AM3/AM3+/FM1/FM2 and FM2+

 

One black anodized backplate fits all Intel (not required for LGA2011) and AMD sockets. Thermal paste is included in a small tube form; a Fan splitter cable is also provided.

 

 

 

On LGA2011, just screw in the standoffs and secure the aluminum pump housing; takes about 2 minutes max to have a perfect mount.

 

 

 

For the other Intel sockets we are required to install the backplate; as with LGA2011 installation is straight forward and without any issues.

 

 

 

 

AMD users have to dismount first the Intel brackets. It only takes four screws to do so, mount the AMD compatible brackets and secure these. On the backplate we are required to position some adhesive tape to avoid any short circuits. Before positioning the pump/block unit make sure you have installed the black plastic spacers.

 

 

 

Before continuing with the temperature results a brief word on the MadShrimps testbed which comprises of the following parts:

• ASUS Rampage IV Extreme X79 motherboard
• Intel i7-3960X OC'ed at 4500MHz 1.35Vcore
• G.Skill 16GB 2133C9 RipjawsZ RAM
• Western Digital 1TB Green Caviar HDD
• ASUS HD7970 videocard
• Corsair HX1000W Power supply
• Corsair C70 Vengeance case with Air Series FANs installed.
• Ambient air temperature is 20°C

 

Prime95 is our CPU torture test. By selecting the Custom test and setting 12-12K, we force the CPU to go straight flatout. After 60 minutes we verify in RealTemp the maximum load temperature results across the 6 cores. For the idle temperatures we just allow the system to warm up during a period of 15 minutes. Just basic idling at 4500MHz, doing nothing more then just monitoring the temperatures.

The monitoring software we use is RealTemp version 3. And the output results are the average out of three runs.

We compare the new Hydro H105 with it's predecessors the H80/100 and the H80/H100i and H90/110 units, but also versus several air coolers: the single fan Alpenföhn Matterhorn Pure, Thermalright True Spirit 120M, Scythe Ashura and the Zalman XPS14. Retesting the older Hydro versions ( read H50/70 ) on the socket 2011 platform might yield inaccurate results, partly due to the aging nature and abuse these AIOs have undergone throughout the years. The full blown EK waterblocks L 360 kit is also included in the charts for comparison.

Noise measurement for the fans is done via Corsairs Air Fan Reviewers' Guide. Thus measuring the generated FAN noise at 1 meter from the FAN's front. Fans were hooked up straight to a PSU via a molex adapter. Noise tests are only conducted at 12V.

 

We were forced to swap the CORSAIR Dominator Platinum memory kit for the lower profile G.SKill 2133C9 set; however this has close to no effect on the temperature results. But just a matter of being able to properly install the 120mm radiator and the two Fans in a push and pull configuration.

The Enermax Liqtech 120X was tested at 3 different FAN settings:

• Silent Mode: Fan speed ranging from 600 - 1300rpm (Test results 3)
• Performance Mode: Fan speed ranging from 600-2000rpm (Test results 2)
• Overclock Mode: Fan speed ranging from 600-2500rpm (Test results 1)

 

 

At idle one expects there would be hardly any temperature difference between the three Fan profiles. At first glance logic as the lower limit is alike, though the ASUS Board seems to set a sligher higher fan rate per selected profile, resulting in a 2°C temperature difference between the Silent and OC mode. Performance-wise the Enermax Liqtech120X settles in between the two CORSAIR 120mm models the H80 and H80i. The Liqtech 120X is no match at idle for the single Fan 140mm Hydro 90, let alone be any match for the 240/280mm radiator versions.

 

 

At full priming load the Enermax Liqtech 120X is able to leave behind the Corsair H80 model. Even when set at the silent mode profile it just tops the older CORSAIR AIO variant. The differences between the newer Hydro H80i, being equipped with the High Pressure fans, diminishes to a tiny temperature difference. Take note that the 12 cores priming of the Intel i7-3960X flat out is a tough challenge for any 120mm unit, a surprisingly good showing of the new Enermax Liqtech 120X. Though can performance be increased when using e.g. Corsairs 120 SP Fans ?

 

Before judging the Idle results take note that the CORSAIR Fans spin even at idle at a far higher rate than the 600rpm Enermax ones, thus moving more air which is directly reflected in a lower CPU idling operating temperature. The silent mode (max 1300RPM) and higher RPM modes ( 1900 & 2500RPM max ) were forced via AI Suite, one observes a temperature drop of around 2-3° versus the boxed Enermax Fans. For info the Corsair SP fans idle around 900~1200RPM, depending on the mode selected.

 

 

 

Idle temperatures are nice, though at load is where it all starts to count. The Enermax Liqtech 120X, in a Push and Pull setup with the CORSAIR 120 SP HP Fans, shows a nice improvement in the logged temperatures. Similar as the idle results we see the CORSAIR Fans are able to cool down a few more degrees at a similar rotating speed as the included Enermax Fans. Once we ran the Fans flatout, the temperature difference became negligible, proving the Enermax Fans work optimum at the highest speeds. Once we lower the RPM, thus also the noise level, that they start to loose ground on the CORSAIR aftermarket Static Pressure series.

 

 

Noise wise we measured a whopping 40.3dBA with these fans running at their max rpm of 2500ish speeds (Overclock preset), making the Enermax Fans slightly noisier then e.g. the CORSAIR SP fans of the H80i. If one opts for the Performance mode, thus limiting the maximum RPM at 2000 the noise level will be very tolerable.

 

Enermax has added a great product in the shape of the Liqtech 120X to their growing AIO lineup, recovering nicely from the previous ELC AIO generation, with the latter it was kindly asked not to publish results as the initial press units were just too noisy for daily usage. Luckily Enermax rectified the detected issues in the retail models.

The Liqtech 120X is a stunning looking All-in-One liquid cooling processor cooler. From the aluminum heat sink shaped pump top, to the Red and Black radiator, will allow this AIO to blend in perfectly with any hardware. Take note that if you intend to use this cooler on a LGA2011 platform the usage of tall heat memory heat spreaders is a no go in most enclosures. This is not a specifically Enermax design flaw, most thick radiator AIO 120 versions suffer from this compatibility issue.

Especially in the looks department the Liqtech 120X can differentiate it from the competitor offerings. Performance wise it's on par with the competition, this if you run the Fans at full blast. At lower Fan speeds the Static Pressure Fans of the newer Corsair range might yield slightly lower operating temperatures, though no one will notice a 1-2°C difference. Of course take note that the LGA2011 platform we use for testing generates a lot of heat. On a more mainstream LGA1150/1155 platform, this Liqtech 120X won't even break a sweat.

Only flaw we noticed during testing is the inability to change to another one of the 3 modes on the Fans. It takes a full dissassembly of the Fan/radiator unit to do so.

 

 

The Liqtech 120X is targeted at those that want superior cooling performance at a compact size. For those that just want slightly better than air cooling, the little Liqmax 120 is a cheaper alternative retailing sub 65 Euros. It has to be mentioned that around 90 Euros more the Liqtech 120X is priced competitively versus other 120 offerings.

Enermax has added a stunning looking All in One cooler to their lineup in the shape of this Liqtech 120X. The looks are present, the cooling performance is great and looking at the popular price charts it seems that Enermax is nicely undercutting the price level of the rival's offerings (5-8 Euros). Therefore MadShrimps happily awards the Enermax Liqtech 120X the value award, not because it's the cheapest 120 AIO cooler, yet the price versus performance tells the tale.

 

 

 

PROS:

• Good cooling performance
• High quality build
• Dual fan splitter
• Stunning looks
• Fair price

 

CONS:

• 3 speed switch on the fans
• Only 2 year warranty

 

 

 

We like to thank Benjamin from Enermax for the Liqtech 120X sample. Thanks a lot sir !

 

Sven from ASUS for the LGA2011 Rampage IV Extreme motherboard.

 

Tones.be for the years of support. Thanks guys !!