It has been a good ten years since NZXT left the CPU cooling market. The last products of the brand in this field were the models from the Havik series. Some time ago, the American brand made its comeback in the field with the small T120 and T120 RGB. These are aircooling heat sinks in a single tower in slim format. We received the RGB version, let’s see what the brand has in store for us with this model!
Presentation :
On the menu, we find a series of compact heatsinks with a 120 mm fan. The brand equips its small cooler with a T120 RGB fan capable of generating a high static pressure. In addition, for the aesthetic side, we have the right to a light ring that can be controlled via CAM if you have the appropriate controller.
Otherwise, the brand praises the compactness of its heat sink, which does not obstruct the memory slots. We can therefore choose the RAM we like without having to worry about the height of their heatsink. Similarly, the limited thickness of the heatsink will allow the installation of a second fan to improve performance.
Despite this, the T120 RGB announces itself as an entry-level cooler with its four heatpipes in direct contact with the processor. It is a basic “architecture” that can be found on affordable models. Nevertheless, the finish seems to be well done since we find an upper aluminum cover. The objective is to hide the not always very nice end of the heat pipes.
Finally, the assembly should not be a chore since it offers a direct assembly. Moreover, it arrives with accessories intended for installation on both Intel and AMD sockets .
As for the price, this model is quite expensive anyway since it is around $60 or €55. On the NZXT website, it can be seen at $59.99 and €54.99. You should know that the model without RGB lighting is 49,99 €.
[nextpage title=”The Jonsbo HX6250″]
In terms of packaging, the brand offers something sober with a basic cardboard packaging. On the latter, there is an illustration of the CPU cooler as well as a reminder of its features / technical specifications. It’s simple, it goes to the point.
Inside, we find the heatsink well protected in black foam blocks. Clearly, this makes the coffee, the product arrived unscathed with no bent or twisted fins. Finally, each element is separated by a small layer of foam, reinforcing the protection.
Radiator:
Weight and dimensions
Clearly, considering its dimensions, the T120 RGB is a compact heatsink. Indeed, it is 120mm wide, 66mm deep and 159mm high with its fan. Overall, it will fit into just about any case on the market without too much difficulty… Unless you have an ITX type model, but that’s another debate.
On the other hand, it is a featherweight since after weighing, it shows about 660g on the scale. A weight similar to that of the AK400 from DeepCool!
The base
As you can see, out of the box, the T120 RGB comes with the Intel mounting brackets pre-installed. Next to that, we find an aluminum base with a total of four 6mm copper heatpipes running through it. As you can see, these are mounted in direct-touch, so they will come into direct contact with the processor. Moreover, this base has dimensions of 40 x 35 mm, enough to cover the IHS of any CPUs on the market.
The finish of the base is rather clean with a rather neat integration of the heatpipes… Despite a more marked gap between the two in the middle. On the other hand, we notice that it is not eccentric as it is the case with the Jonsbo HX6250 for example. Let’s just say that with the dimensions of the radiator of the T120 RGB, there is no need for it.
The radiator
The radiator itself has a classic, straight profile. The fins do not have any special cutouts, unlike the AK series from DeepCool. In addition, the block is not off-center, again.
Nevertheless, there are a total of 53 aluminum fins. These are quite tight and bent on the sides to create a “tunnel” effect.
Finish
Aside from that, the finish is clearly of a good level. On the one hand, we find an aluminum top cover. The latter hides the unsightly tip of the heat pipes while presenting a small logo ” NZXT ” painted black on black.
On the other hand, the radiator has an integral black coating that can be found on the fins, but also on the copper heat pipes. This reinforces the sober appearance of the product. Note that this model is also available in white!
Compatibility
We now come to talk about the compatibility of the sockets of this heatsink. On this subject, NZXT mentions:
- Intel: LGA-115x – LGA-1200 – LGA-1700
- AMD : AM4 – AM5
The brand intends its heatsink only for so-called ” mainstream ” platforms from Intel and AMD. This is why the LGA-2000 and sTR4 sockets are not among the compatible platforms.
The fan
In terms of ventilation, we find a single fan F120 RGB in 120 mm. As we can see, this fan has a rather sober look with a black and smooth frame. The RGB lighting seems to be at the heart of the thing with a rather thick translucent ring that tends to stand out from the rest.
The blades are seven in number and offer a wide and thick profile. Moreover, their shape briefly reminds us of what we can find on the NF-F12 from Noctua.
Otherwise, we notice that the frame has rubber silentblocks whose purpose is to reduce the vibrations during operation. Otherwise, the connectivity includes two cables, one for the RGB lighting, the other for the power supply. The cables are basic: flat and black, no sheath here.
As for the technical specifications, NZXT mentions an operating speed between 500 rpm and 1800 rpm. Rather fast for a use on aircooling ventirad… At least, compared to what we are used to see anyway. Otherwise, the maximum airflow is 50.18 CFM and the maximum static pressure is 2.7 mmH2O.
Bundle:
The accessory part rests in a small cardboard box and features :
- An assembly manual
- Two Intel backplates in rigid plastic(LGA-1XXX and LGA-1700)
- One RGB to standard header adapter
- Four steel clamps for fan mounting
- Two AMD mounting arms
- Hardware for mounting on AMD socket
- A 1g syringe of thermal paste
In itself, the accessory part goes to the basics by offering only what is needed for mounting and that’s it. Nevertheless, the fact that there is an additional steel claw set for mounting a second fan is to be welcomed.
In short :
In general terms, we can say that the T120 RGB is a good looking and well finished heatsink. On the other hand, it offers a rather basic heatsink structure, with only four heatpipes in direct contact with the CPU. On paper at least, for ~55 € we find better. Let’s see how it performs, but before that, let’s see how the installation stage goes!
[nextpage title=”Installation”]
For the installation part, you’ll have to keep your AMD backplate, the manufacturer doesn’t provide one. If you don’t have one anymore, a quick look on eBay should allow you to find one easily.
The T120 RGB assembly :
Mounting on an Intel socket is clearly the easiest since you just have to put a backplate on the back of your motherboard. Of course, make sure you use the right backplate for your platform. Then, all you have to do is turn the whole thing over, put some thermal paste on it and screw the cooler on the CPU.
On the AMD side, you will have to start by screwing the corresponding mounting arms on the base of the heatsink. To do this, we remove those intended forIntel and we fix the new ones via two small screws.
Then, we remove the original mounting arms present on the motherboard and we remove the black plastic spacers at the four corners of the socket. All that remains is to position the cooling unit and to screw it in place with the screws provided in the accessory section.
Once the radiator is in place, you just have to plug the fan on a CPU_FAN socket of your motherboard. Same thing for the RGB part, by the way, if you don’t have a CAM controller, you’ll have to use the RGB adapter provided!
[nextpage title=”Protocol”]
Small update of our test protocol. Indeed, we changed the software we were using to stress our configuration. The same goes for the different profiles. By the way, you will see that our configuration has recently received a new power supply. It is a RM750x from Corsair. Of course, we will always focus on temperature and noise measurements.
For the purpose of the test, we will compare the T120 RGB with other single tower models in 120mm, 140mm and even large dual towers:
- AS500 Plus (DeepCool)
- Dark Rock 4 (be quiet!)
- Dark Rock Slim (be quiet!)
- Hyper 212 Evo (Cooler Master)
- NH-D12L (Noctua)
- NH-D15 chromax.black (Noctua)
- NH-U12S Redux (Noctua)
- Pure Rock 2 (be quiet!)
- T120 RGB (NZXT)
[nextpage title=”Speed and noise”]
Fan speed :
So we start our series of temperature readings, here, we start from zero. Let us specify the fan speeds recorded during our readings (for 12V, 8V, 5V):
With our cooler, we find a rather fast fan since it is capable of reaching 1900 rpm at full speed … Close to the NF-A12x25r of the NH-D12L from Noctua. Finally, at mid-range and low speed, the small F120 RGB displays speeds of 1300 rpm and 800 rpm.
Noise :
As far as noise is concerned, at full speed, it is a bit audible since we recorded 39 dB… As much as a Hyper 212 Evo from Cooler Master, even though it is slower. On the other hand, once regulated, the NZXT fan can be very, very discreet.
[nextpage title=”Temperatures”]
Processor at 65W
Despite a more violent 65W profile, the latter still represents the least stressful phase of this protocol. It allows to highlight the performances obtained with compact/entry-level heatsinks. These results are only indicative for the largest heatsinks (AIO, large dual tower, etc.).
We continue our tests with the temperature readings on our 65W power profile. At this level, the T120 RGB from NZXT is at the level of the heatsinks sharing more or less the same configuration: four heatpipes. On the other hand, we feel that the Freezer 34 from Artic is more comfortable on high speeds, ditto for the Pure Rock 2.
Processor at 95W :
Here, our CPU will run at 3.90 GHz constantly and on all its cores. We apply a VCore of 1.375V to obtain a consumption of 95W approximately. To simplify the reading of the graph, we may have rounded some values to the nearest integer.
In 95W, we find a heatsink rivaling the Freezer 34 signed Arctic at low rpm. On the other hand, the NZXT fridge has a temperature increase at higher speeds. On the other hand, it is interesting to see it compete with the Dark Rock Slim on all its speeds!
Processor at 125W :
Finally, we finish with our 125W profile. Here the heat release is more important, let’s see how our coolings do !
In 125W, unfortunately, this T120 RGB does not manage to contain the heat generated by our Ryzen 7 1700X. So it fails in this case.
Otherwise, it lags seriously behind the Freezer 34 of Arctic, especially at low speeds, while continuing to dominate the Dark Rock Slim of be quiet!
Summary
The T120 RGB from NZXT logically offers temperatures in line with its size. This model with four heatpipes in direct contact with the CPU competes with Hyper 212 Evo, Dark Rock Slim and Freezer 34. Nevertheless, if it is rather good at low rpm, it will lag slightly behind the competition on its higher speeds. Let’s see what it will give you in terms of temperature/noise ratio.
[nextpage title=”Temperature/Noise Ratio”]
On these perf/noise ratio graphs, we remind you that the best is to be placed as much as possible at the bottom left of the graph. For the reading, the left most point symbolizes the ventilation in 12V, the one in the center the ventilation in 8V and the right most in 5V.
In 65W, we can see that the T120 RGB is positioned very aggressively on its slowest speeds. On the other hand, we find a strong contrast with its highest speed. As you can see, the curve is quickly moving upwards. We would have appreciated a lower noise level.
At 95W, we find a serious competitor to the Dark Rock Slim, the Pure Rock 2 and even the Dark Rock 4 on the slowest speeds. At full throttle, the noise generated is too important to fully compete with the competition.
Finally, in 125W, we find only two points on the curve, it is normal, the T120 RGB is put in check at low speed. For the time being, we will retain an interesting heatsink with a regulated fan speed where it comes close to the Dark Rock 4 or the NH-D12L in push-pull at low speed for example.
[nextpage title=”Conclusion”]
We are coming to the end of this test of the T120 RGB signed NZXT. Are we dealing with a successful product? Let’s see it in detail!
A compact and neat heatsink !
Again, with NZXT we are dealing with a product with a very neat visual and exemplary finish. As we have seen, the brand offers an attractive design with a full black finish or an aluminum cover to hide the heatpipes.
Otherwise, in a second step, we find a very compact heatsink that will easily fit in a majority of cases. Moreover, we can count on a very thin set, which will not block any memory slot on the motherboard.
Finally, we can count on a simple installation, especially on the Intel side. On an AMD board, you will have to change the mounting arms and remove the original ones on your motherboard. But in itself, it’s easy and quick to do.
What about performance?
Thermally, things are more complicated since the T120 RGB does not shine particularly at high speeds, while at low speeds it offers temperatures in line with its size. As we have seen, it is positioned in front of fans that also offer four copper heatpipes.
As far as noise is concerned, at low speed or at half speed, it is clearly a silent product that will easily be forgotten. But we should avoid running it at full speed because the noise level quickly becomes present. Moreover, this has a negative impact on the temperature/noise ratio. For maximum comfort, try to run the fan between 1600 rpm – 1800 rpm at maximum.
$60 / €55 for this model
On the price side, we find this model at a rate of about $60 or €55 which seems delicate. Indeed, for €5 more, we find the excellent DeepCool AK500 or Jonsbo HX6250 which cheerfully outperform this model signed NZXT. Finally, for the same price, we find the Noctua NH-U12S Redux which has better performances. In short, a delicate price placement from which it would be necessary to remove $10/€10 to be more in adequacy with its performances.
NZXT T120 RGB
We like:
- The neat and sober design of this CPU cooler
- The finishes are of a very good level
- Its compact size: no obstructed memory slot and fits in many cases
- The accessory part allowing the mounting of a second fan
- Easy installation, especially on Intel sockets
- The convincing RGB lighting
- The silence at low speeds
We liked less :
- Its price, high compared to the proposed temperature/noise ratio
- High noise at high speed
In the end, we choose to award bronze to the small T120 RGB from NZXT. While the brand offers a compact model with a sleek look and clean finish, it is still expensive. At $60 or ~€55, it does not manage to offer a temperature to noise ratio equivalent to the competition in this price range. It’s a pity since it offers a simple installation, a contained noise on its slowest speeds and a nice lighting. To be reserved only if you like its aesthetics, because there are more logical choices.
Many thanks to NZXT !
