Introduction to Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML 360 Sub-Zero
This is not the first time that we have tested a cooling system assisted by thermoelectric cells, also known as peltier cells. This type of cooling takes advantage of the peltier effect, using two conductive materials, to heat one side while the other is cooled. Until the use of phase exchange, all the refrigerators in the world used this technique and now we can see it applied to other devices, although rarely to processors of personal computer systems.
Cooler Master and Intel have developed a system that seems to handle the disadvantages of these types of mounted systems well. a personal computer. In the Cooler Master ML review 360 Sub-Zero we will have the opportunity to test it for ourselves.
The main problem with this type of cells is their high consumption and also that when the ambient temperature drops we will begin to have air condensation around the area cold, which in a PC is not the best of situations since this condensation in the form of water is not something that we want to have near electronic components. This is what has made the use of this technique residual among PC users over time.
Technical characteristics of the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML 360 Sub-Zero
- Supported Intel Socket: LGA 1280
- Radiator material: aluminum
- Radiator Dimensions: 394 x 119. 6 x 28. 2 mm
- Dimensions of the blo which exchange: 59. 3 x 57. 3 x 100. 2 mm
- Pump Connector: Molex 3-Pin
- Pump Voltage: 14 v
Fan dimensions: 125 x 125 x 25 mm
- Fan speed: 612 – 1900 rpm
Fan Air Flow: 60 CFM (full frequency)
- Fan noise level: 8 – 28 dBA
- Dynamic pressure: 2.0mmH 21 (at maximum frequency)
- Fan Power Connector: 4-Pin PWM
- Fan Voltage: 11 v
- Fan current: 0. 38TO
- TEC cell power: 240 w
- Warranty: 2 years.
How Intel Cryo technology works
Intel Cryo technology is precisely designed to eliminate the two potential risks of thermoelectric technology. Intel has not invented this physical effect, but it does put the tools so that technology is used dynamically in its processors, eliminating the main problems of technology, more specifically condensation, and also making a rational use of the energy that the processor requires. system for proper operation.
For this, Intel takes advantage of some of its technologies present in its unlocked processors of the Intel Core K series with LGA socket 1280 and tenth generation. Among the technologies used we have the TVB (Thermal Velocity Boost) that allows us to take advantage of higher frequencies, in some of the processor cores, with the extra margin of the cooling system that we are using.
It is also supported by an intelligent internal control that adjusts the consumption of the thermoelectric cell to limit the risks of condensation derived from working at temperatures below the ambient temperature of the system. This also allows regulating electricity consumption according to the needs of the system, consuming at all times what the system requires depending on the frequency and the load to be sustained.
Intel Cryo system allows both automatic control and manual control by the user and is completed with a powerful monitoring system so that at all times we can know how the system is working.
The peltier cell integrated in the Cooler Master ML 394 Sub-Zero has a power of 200 w, for this Cooler Master combines this system with a conventional water cooler with radiator 394 mm and some important extras like its second generation inline pump. Now we will see them in detail.
Radiator and tubes
The Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML 360 Sub-Zero is a combination of a powerful closed circuit water cooling system with a peltier cell supported by a series of temperature and humidity sensors that, combined with detailed monitoring of the system, allows the development of temperatures lower than those we would achieve with a conventional system. All this is true, but in the end in it we will find the classic elements of an “all in one” liquid cooling.
This Cooler Master model has a unique radiator size of 394 mm , for three fans of 120 mm, with actual dimensions of 394 x 120 x 27 mm and made entirely of aluminum with fan anchors on both sides for possible extension to configurations. push-pull ration with up to six fans.
The design is the usual one with wave-shaped aluminum sheets that run through flat tubular areas where the refrigerant passes. This design dramatically increases the exchange surface while allowing significant airflow through the sheets.
The design is simple and we miss something we are beginning to see in other AIO systems, such as the centralization of the fan connectors on the radiator itself, which makes cable management much easier. In this model we will not have access to this, although that does not mean that there is no hub for uniform management of the fans. We will talk about them in a moment.
Cooler Master does not give details of the material with which they have manufactured the tubes of the system. Typically this manufacturer uses synthetic polyamide tubing. In any case, they are long-life tubes designed not to react with any chemical component, no matter how abrasive it may be. Cooler Master also reinforces the tube with a nylon mesh cover that offers a better finish in addition to protecting the tube itself from small cuts and scratches.
The tubes are configured in three sections, unlike the usual two, since this kit does not contain the pump in the exchange block, but places it in line in one of the tubes, it is the second generation of this type of pump developed by Cooler Master and each day we see it more in recent systems.
With a length of up to 400 mm are designed to be installed in almost any computer that has space for a radiator of this size. The pump can also be fixed to the box, it comes with an adapter to position it in holes for fans of 150 mm.
Pump and exchanger with TEC element
Just a few days ago we tested a unit Bequiet Pure Loop with inline pump and for us It was the second experience in many years, things are like that and in a few days here we have the third experience. In this system it makes perhaps more sense because in the ML 394 Sub-Zero there is one more important element to install, the thermoelectric cell.
The exchange block It is exclusively for 10th generation Core processors and logically only makes sense for K models with the internal multiplier unlocked. It only supports LGA socket 1200 on Z motherboards 490 and is designed in this way to make a perfect fit and limit condensation in addition to locating different temperature and humidity sensors with which to control the performance of the TEC cell.
The main volume is occupied by the liquid tank at the top, finished in copper, follows the peltier cell and then an exchange plate also in copper. It is finished with a rubber skirt that fits perfectly into the socket leaving the minimum air inside.
We will find power connectors, connectors for the control of the fans and also a USB-C connector with the that we can monitor the system from the Intel Cryo Software from Windows. The assembly is solid, with a copper exchange plate, and we will only have a Cooler Master logo on the top as lighting. It is simple and also that way we will know that the system is working.
The pump is in line, located in one of the tubes, and according to Cooler Master it is its pump in second generation line. It has its independent PWM connection with a maximum consumption of 16 wa 14 v. Has a lifespan of 160. 11 hours, fixed speed at 5600 rpm and produces noise around the 38 dBA. It is a high volume pump to maximize performance throughout the loop. Together with the fans, it is a key element to maintain temperatures under ambient temperature, this kit does not cool the processor, it actually cools the peltier cell up to 200 consumption w.
It’s a big in-line bomb of almost 60 mm high, so it has to be also anchored to avoid vibrations or damage the tube. It is intended to be attached to case fan positions of 120 mm and brings everything you need to execute that task.
MasterFan SF fans 125 R
Cooler Master has incorporated into this kit some of their best low turn high pressure air fans and the kit features three of these fans. They are rifle-type bearing fans with rotational speeds between 660 and the 2000 rpm which makes them well suited to have a good combination of performance and controlled noise.
The square and axial design fan has nine blades inspired by jet engines and helicopter blades and is designed to maximize air pressure at low turns. Your goal is not to work at 2000 rpm but rather to the minimum they are 660 rpm at which it produces very low noise levels.
This PWM fan includes some other improvements such as an anti-blocking sensor, so as not to burn the motor in case the fan gets pinched by a cable or similar. Produces a maximum of 57 CFM and a static pressure of 2.1mmH2O with a variable noise between 8 and 35 dBA according to the manufacturer and a service life of 198. 10 hours with 2 years warranty, which is the same warranty offered by Cooler Master for the whole kit.
All three fans come pre-mounted, all have silentblocks at the fixing points and are a pleasure to the ear even at maximum frequencies. work ia.
The entire system is connected with a single cable that on one side has a SATA connector for powering all components except the cell using an 8-pin PCI Express 3.0 connector with a maximum power of 150 w, and on the other hand a Molex connector of three contacts so that the board never has a problem recognizing that it has a cooling assembly connected to the CPU.
Intel Cryo Software
The software that controls the cooling system It is supported directly by Intel and the truth is that for now it leaves a lot to be desired. It has only a couple of control options, very limited monitoring, and a basic diagnostic system that tells us if the cell is working as expected.
Among the defects that we have detected, apart from being very basic in its interface and presentation of information, is that it does not work with Intel’s Intel Performance Maximizer application since it does the calibration with its own boot and the unit It does not work until we get to Windows and activate it manually and that is for me another of its important failures, it does not self start when we start, we have to wait until we are in Windows and activate it manually every time we start.
The software gives interesting operating data , such as the consumption of the cell, which is variable, the dew point and the temperature of the refrigerator. The temperature of the processor is indifferent to condensation, although it is indicative, what matters is that the refrigerator is always above the dew point. We also have three modes of use, stop, self-managed mode or Cryo and without control, that is, with the cell always on top.
The software has a diagnostic system, which tests the cell and the sensors.
Performance tests with an Intel Core i5 – 10600 K
We have tested the new Cooler Master cooling system with Intel Cryo technology on a Core i5 – 10600 k with a maximum turbo frequency of 4.8GHz, for only some of its cores, and 125 w of consumption. The peltier cell integrated in the Cooler Master ML 360 has a power of 240 w so even with overclocking it should be more than enough to cool this processor keeping it at much lower temperatures than with a conventional heatsink.
To add some contrast we have tested this same processor with a BeQuiet system! Pure Loop which is one of the most interesting cooling kits that we have tried in recent times. With this model we already achieved a little more overclocking than in our original Core i5 test – 10600 k, specifically 100 MHz more reaching stable at 4.9GHz with an acceptable voltage of 1.4v and a really low noise of less than 38 dBA for the whole set . An excellent result for a conventional cooling kit with radiator 240 mm and two fans of 125 mm.
Some of the data that the Intel Cryo application offers us is the temperature of the cooling system, cell consumption and the dew point with respect to the humidity and ambient temperature of the room. This is what allows it to maintain temperatures above the dew point, preventing us from damaging any of our components over time, usually the motherboard itself that houses the entire system.
The block itself has a rubber system that adapts to the LGA socket 1200 and that limits the air intake and therefore the possibility of generating air condensation.
By activating the TEC cell we can see how consumption is controlled so as not to reduce the temperature to the point of having problems and we also see how consumption grows when we demand the processor to offer everything it is capable of. With the activated we can avoid the problems of temperature throttling of these processors, in the 119 degrees, reducing performance by up to 57 degrees with ease while allowing us to sustain the frequency of this processor at 5.2GHz with a voltage of 1. 50 v.
With the cell off, the processor immediately enters Throttling due to excess temperature, we can see it in the frequencies and also in the notices of Intel’s own XTU. The downside is that you have to remember to turn it on every time you enter Windows.
The improvement is evident, and although Intel figures the improvements more frequently Up to 5.8GHz in these processors, the truth is that we will only achieve this in one or two cores, relying on Intel’s own “Thermal Velocity Boost” technology and this improvement is residual for me, for applications that do not take advantage of all cores , which are already few including games and therefore for me it is not much more than marketing to sell this technology.
We have a large delta between rest and load, with the cell at full capacity, but 75 degrees with all cores at 5200 MHz, is something difficult to achieve with a traditional system.
At rest we have some 57 degrees, and at this moment the cell has lowered consumption to 28 – 40 w to avoid trouble. That is, we could have deeper deltas with the cell at top, something we can do, but I do not recommend.
What I should add is that in addition to performing well, this Of course this system does it and in addition to a very safe way for the components where it is installed, is that the Cooler Master pump, with its frequency above the 5000 rpm is the weak point of the system with a noise that exceeds the 45 dBA despite allowing the system a couple of days to purge the air you might have for transportation.
Intel Cryo Performance Results
Maximum fan speed
Noise (dBA)
Maximum overclocking frequency to all cores
Standby temperature
Load temperature
DeltaT
Analysis and conclusion
The price of this kit, including taxes, will be 360 Euros and will be on the market soon. It does not seem like a very unreasonable price to me if we take into account that this type of cooling has always been expensive and that it also includes the entire control and cooling system of the cell. By itself this all-in-one kit would cost about 160 Euros so we are taking a cooling system below room temperature for about 240 Euros more, than not It’s so crazy.
The results are also good and excellent user experience, although the control software has a lot of room for improvement, the only downside is that it is designed only for one type of socket and the experience with Intel is that it will surely not serve you for the next generation of processors so you will have to enjoy it with your current processor or wait for the necessary evolutions to support the next generations of motherboards and / or processors.
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