Final words and conclusion

Final words and conclusion

We like the Nepton 240M, this kit can be compared with the mainstream heatpipe based coolers. Do not expect wonder cooling wise, but it can keep up well and has another benefit, it is a really silent product and now looks better too. The new fans do work well. Once you reach temps beyond 75 degrees, that's where you'll start to hear the fans, but up-to that point it's all good. Realistically the Nepton 240M shows decent cooling performance, and sufficient performance with the more narly tweaks. The dual 120mm radiator makes a difference, cooling capacity is definitely good enough for even an overclock. But we have seen other LCS kits manage a little better though. Still, you can achieve a decent overclock on a Core i7 3770K/4770K and remain at acceptable temperatures. The big benefit is that the fans are fairly silent. Unless you start to control them manually through a fan controller or motherboard of course, after 60% RPM they will get a bit more noisy. Leave it at default, and the LCS kit can be considered to be silent.

Aestethics

The overall looks are pretty good as far as I am concerned, all black design, easy to install with the mounting system, prefilled... it's one of the most easy and comfortable kits on the market to use and install. The new looks are lovely. The black design will make this kit look great in any PC, a slight remark though, the y-splitter cable for the fans is not 100% sleeved black which is a minor miss, this is the 2nd time we notice this and it is a small miss aesthetics wise. Installation wise things are fairly easy, I however am not a fan of the nuts that you need to secure onto the motherboard. The tend to tilt along with the screws you need to secure. 

Pricing

The reality remains though that it will continue to be a mainstream cooling product just closing in on high-end performance, the Nepton 240M will not reach the "enthusiast" segment of cooling. But make no mistake, the performance is fairly good for a 240mm rad based product, but remains to be just that if you compare it to proper LCS gear. Let me also remind you that you can easily spend 200/300 EUR on tubing, radiators, cooling blocks, reservoirs and so on whereas this all in one kit can be found for a staggering 70 USD! Interestingly enough, in Europe the kit is more expensive and starts at roughly 90 EUR. So overall the price is certainly a good thing here, again please be realistic as enthusiast LCS products can easily cost you twice as much or even more. This 240mm liquid cooling kit competes with niche heatpipe coolers, that's the segment you are in.

Final words

The Nepton 240M will be relatively easy to install, good looking and really nice performing product but don't want to spend heaps of dough on it, then most definitely consider the this 240M LCS kit. It is among the more silent models we have tested to date, whilst offering you a fairly nice chance to overclock as well. Don't expect heaps of cooling performance though as performance can be compared with a decent class heatpipe cooler. It does look 10x better and is very silent. If you are worried about the temperatures you have seen at 1.3 Volts, well... this is the nature of the Ivy Bridge processor tested. You will likely not need 1.3V for 4400~4600 MHz. Armed with a five year warranty the Cooler Master Nepton 240M is available as we speak. In Europe you can find it for roughly 90 EUR during introduction, in the USA you can spot them for as low as 95 USD and perhaps after a rebate a little cheaper. The cooler comes recommended, but remember, this is not enthusiast class cooling performance. Good cooling at low noise levels is how I would describe the kit. Oh, and hey five years warranty !

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