iBUYPOWER is an American company known for its custom-built gaming computers and peripherals. Founded in 1999, the company offers a wide range of private-label products, including pre-built desktops, laptops, and gaming accessories. These products are designed to meet a variety of performance needs, from casual gaming to high-level competitive gaming. iBUYPOWER is particularly known for its customizable gaming computers, allowing users to choose specific components based on their preferences. The company’s private-label peripherals, such as keyboards, mice, and headsets, are designed to complement their gaming systems, providing gamers with a consistent experience.
iBUYPOWER also offers a selection of cooling products, including air and liquid cooling solutions tailored to provide optimal thermal performance and custom aesthetics for their gaming systems. Most of these products come from third-party manufacturers, but the company is also expanding into selling its own cooling products. The most notable of these is the new 360mm AIO liquid cooler AW4. This review will focus on the AW4 AIO, assessing its design, cooling efficiency, and overall performance in high-demand gaming and PC environments.
| iBUYPOWER AW4 360 ARGB AIO Cooler Specifications |
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| Type | All-in-one liquid cooler | ||
| Dimensions | 397 x 120 x 52 mm (radiator with fan) | ||
| Fans | 3 x 120 mm Hydraulic bearing fans 2000 rpm (max) |
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| RGB | Yes (ARGB) | ||
| Supported sockets | Intel: LGA1700 / LGA115x
AMD: AM5 / AM4 |
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| Guarantee | 3 years | ||
| Price | 99 dollars | ||
Packaging and package
We received the AW4 in a long, sturdy cardboard box that suggests the size of the cooler. The black and red box is decorated with abstract shapes and a rendering of the cooler itself. Inside the box, the cooler is securely placed in specially designed cardboard inserts, ensuring its protection during transport.
iBUYPOWER only supplies the absolutely necessary parts required to use the AW4. In the box, we found only a basic manual, the required hardware to mount the cooler, and a cable to power the three cooling fans. It should be noted that the kit does not include an LED controller, a compatible motherboard is required for the LED lighting to work.
The three 120mm fans included with the AW4 bear the iBUYPOWER logo, and we couldn’t identify their OEM. They have an advanced sleeve-bearing motor, serrated fan blades, and soft anti-vibration pads on the edges of the frame. They don’t have LEDs installed. Their speed range is quite narrow, from 700 to 2000 RPM.
iBUYPOWER AW4 360mm AIO Liquid Cooler
At first glance, the iBUYPOWER AW4 360mm radiator closely follows the standard design of most 360mm AIO radiators on the market. This cooler follows the typical AIO configuration, featuring a single radiator, dual tubing, and a bonded block that integrates the CPU’s copper breadboard with a compact liquid pump. The iBUYPOWER uses black, low-permeability, covered rubber tubing, enhancing both flexibility and visual appeal.
The AW4 360mm radiator’s substantial heatsink, measuring 397mm in length, requires a case that can accommodate three 120mm fans in sequence, with enough room for the additional dimensions of the radiator. At 27mm thick, the radiator requires a total clearance of 55mm when combined with the fans to ensure proper installation. It follows the common dual-pass cross-flow design, characterized by small fins soldered to thin, elongated tubes. There are no company logos or other decorations on the radiator.
The main block of the iBUYPOWER AW4 360mm radiator is the only part of the cooler that is designed to attract attention. It features a smooth, round body with a shiny, semi-transparent top cover with the company logo. LEDs under the cover create an eye-catching faux 3D visual effect. The hoses are placed on the sides with 90° connectors, and two cables exit from the same area – one 4-pin power cable and one for RGB lighting.
At the bottom of the main mounting block, a squircle contact plate is attached to the plastic base cover with eight screws. The surface is not mirror polished, but is smooth and flat enough. There is a pre-applied thermal pad on the base.
The RGB lighting on the iBUYPOWER AW4 360mm cooler sits right at the top of the main cooling block. It’s attractive and eye-catching without being overpowering, and it also syncs with other RGB-equipped parts that are also connected to the motherboard’s RGB controller. The downside is that the AW4 lighting won’t work at all if it’s not connected to a compatible RGB controller.
