The SilverStone Permafrost PF120, PF240, and PF360 ARGB AIO Coolers Review
by E. Fylladitakis on June 17, 2020 10:00 AM ESTConclusion
SilverStone released the Permafrost series as competitively priced, quality AIO coolers that also feature RGB lighting. It is apparent that the company’s engineers did not try to make the coolers extravagant in any given way, but to design products that mix solid aesthetics, reliability, and performance, all while remaining reasonably priced.
Overall, the thermal performance of the new Permafrost series is good, although unsurprising for coolers of their size. This was to be expected, as they are using virtually the same tried-and-true radiators that many other manufacturers have been using for many years now, with the design team focusing their efforts on the main block. There is little to be gained by fiddling with the mini pump when limited by the small available power, but SilverStone’s engineers managed to maintain good flow performance while considerably reducing the pump’s noise output.
Each of the three Permafrost coolers seems to have a different performance profile and, thus, targets a different group of users. The PF240 seems to be the most balanced of the three coolers, being reasonably sized and capable of closing near the performance of the PF360 if it has to. The larger PF360 does not really stand out in terms of raw thermal performance but is capable of maintaining that performance even if the airflow drops greatly. Finally, the small PF120 offers acceptable thermal performance and relatively low noise levels in a small, easily handleable package that should fit inside even the smallest of PC cases.
While SilverStone could not make substantial improvements regarding the thermal performance of their AIO coolers, they did manage to get ahead in terms of acoustics. Most of that improvement seems to be coming from the better pump engine and the high quality fan engines. No matter the reason, the Permafrost PF240 and PF360 tend to offer better thermal performance at lower noise levels than many similarly sized, older AIO coolers, which will definitely entice users who enjoy low noise levels.
As for the RGB lighting, its application on the Permafrost coolers is simplistic but effective. The LED lighting is bright enough and the fans glow brilliantly into a dark environment. It is compatible with nearly all current RGB motherboards and can be controlled via the motherboard’s software. For users that do not have a compatible motherboard, the RGB lighting can be effectively programmed via the included controller that includes several fancy and static lighting effects, but the user will have to access the inside of the system for each program/brightness change.
In conclusion, with the release of the Permafrost series, SilverStone brought three very well balanced AIO coolers with RGB support into the market. The three coolers are sensibly priced, with the 240mm model running for $99 and even the largest 360mm model and can be frequently found for $129 – and they're often on sale for less, making them a serious threat to the competition.
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PeachNCream - Saturday, June 20, 2020 - link
Calling someone a troll when there is no trolling happening is usually one of the last lines of defense by means of attack a person with a computer tech interest and insecurities about said interest makes in order to invalidate information they do not want to accept. Usually someone in that mindset also ends up posting prices of their computer hardware eventually in order to cloak a bragging session about what they spent as a portion of some reasonable (to them at least) way of explaining something. I see you've done that second part as well, Mister Skywalker.BenSkywalker - Saturday, June 20, 2020 - link
I'm going to go into a discussion about a water cooler to trash water coolers and that isn't trolling...? If this were an air cooler you would have a point, but alas.I was accused of trying to justify my purchase, the point of listing prices is simple- there is *ZERO* justification for any of it and more importantly, I don't need to justify anything to anyone excerpt the wife.
Last line of defense?
Water is cooler, water is quieter.
Facts.
Dug - Tuesday, June 23, 2020 - link
What you don't understand about sound is that decibels are not the deciding factor for most people on whether they care about the noise. It's the frequency and vibration. And pumps are some of the worst for annoying people. Just like a mosquito isn't loud, but it is annoying. That is why you will see so many threads about pump noise, even if fan noise was higher in decibles on their system. To say that pumps are quieter than slow moving fans is fanboyism at it's best. There is no possible way due to how fast a pump spins with water running through it.BenSkywalker - Tuesday, June 23, 2020 - link
Citing hard data is "fanboyism".....?You saying pump noise is on a frequency you find more annoying is one thing, louder is a hard data figure and the numbers say I'm right.
I can only assume those complaining about pump noise are basing it off of some custom loop using a junk aquarium pump from years ago.
Also, you do realize that modern AIOs have variable pump speed, right? I'd assume most of them even let you adjust the ramping(the ones I've used do).
BenSkywalker - Friday, June 19, 2020 - link
My radiator and all its accompanying fans are behind the tray my motherboard is mounted to. Pump noise is some interesting FUD I hear from the never so much as seen a water cooled setup in my life crowd, but the fans are *much* louder than the pump in every setup I have ever seen, they pale in comparison to the noise created by air cooling.So, show me an air cooled setup where I can mount the tower remotely so I can have a clean appearance? You up to it?
Justifying the expense....? So it isn't the $300 I spent on a case, the extra $100 I spent for Royal RAM over regular RAM, it isn't the $1300 I dropped on a 4k/120HZ GSync monitor or the $1300 graphics card, it isn't the $500 I spent on my DAC/Amp/Cans or the $250 I spent on my mouse and keyboard, no, what I need to justify is the extra $75 for a water cooler over air.......
We have a frivolous hobby. As much as I spent building what most people think is an insanely over the top setup, it still cost quite a bit less than my buddies rims he just bought, or a couple of days vacation time with the family, he'll the gap between air and water is a small Friday night bar tab.
Beaver M. - Saturday, June 20, 2020 - link
Water is FAR noisier.I dont hear my D15 at all. AT ALL.
I could still increase its RPM if needed, or add another fan (only running 1) and still be far more silent than any water system Ive ever heard.
BenSkywalker - Saturday, June 20, 2020 - link
Sound measurements are done, articles linked. For the same level of cooling water is quieter. That doesn't mean you can't build a quiet air setup, it just means at the same noise level water would run cooler.Beaver M. - Wednesday, June 24, 2020 - link
Where are you putting your microphones then?The pump or the radiator fans? Huge difference.
You cant reach the cooling custom water has with air coolers, no matter what. So such a comparison is nonsense in either way.
Only AIOs are comparable. And they are FAR noisier than air.
BenSkywalker - Wednesday, June 24, 2020 - link
I linked to air, this article has AIO numbers, air is louder. It's a safe bet all of using water have a lot of experience with air.Mic is normally placed roughly one meter away although it varies based on the person testing it is almost always noted.
AIOs are quieter than air.
JimRamK - Wednesday, June 17, 2020 - link
If you're using an SFF PC, a CLC or other liquid cooler may be the only way to get excellent cooling since the best air coolers are fairly tall and need a full sized case.