Page 2 - Physical Look - Hardware; Installation
The Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L V2 RGB has a standard design when it comes to a water cooler. The radiator is rectangular with hard corners. Some radiators round out the corners a little bit, but the MasterLiquid ML240L V2 RGB does not. The cooler is also all black, with only some Cooler Master branding by a white logo on the sides. This minimal approach allows the cooler to fit easily into any build, as well as letting the ARGB LEDs shine. Beyond the rectangular design, the classic wave pattern in the middle of the radiator is also found. This allows the heat to be dissipated more effectively. I also did not find any damage done to the fins. Out of the top of the radiator are two sleeved tubes. Sleeved tubing adds to the quality of the build. They also connect to the pump with some hinges, allowing the tubes to bend a bit more, making installation easier.
When it comes to size, the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L V2 RGB radiator comes in at 277 mm by 119.6 mm by 27.2 mm. This is a standard size, allowing two 120 mm fans to be attached to it. Aluminum is a good choice of material for this radiator, as it does not add too much weight while providing adequate heat transfer. The two fans can then be set up to push or pull air through.
Most water blocks today have a circular design. The Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L V2 RGB's water block is mostly circular, but with some straight lines as well. The water block is made out of copper, which has better heat transfer than aluminum, making it a great candidate for smaller areas, since it is also much heavier. The MasterLiquid ML240L V2 RGB features Cooler Master's third-generation pump. The company claims there is better cooling, efficiency, and a lower noise level with this pump. As I have previously mentioned, there is a tube of thermal paste included instead of a pre-applied paste. It all looks impressive, but we will have to see how it performs on the next page.
The two fans included are the Cooler Master Sickleflow 120 RGB fans. Cooler Master describes these fans as having optimized Air Balance fan blades, rifle bearings, and a more durable frame. Rifle bearings are as quiet or even quieter than sleeve bearings with an excellent lifespan as well. As for specifications, the RPM range is 650 to 1800, airflow of 62 CFM, and static pressure of 2.5 mmH2O. The noise level is also rated quite low at 8 to 27 dBA. These fans seem quite impressive, so we will have to see how they do on the next page.
The installation process of the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L V2 RGB is clear and easy. The included manual provides concise information regarding installation depending on the CPU socket. Most CPU sockets are compatible with this cooler. These include LGA2066, LGA2011-v3, LGA2011, LGA1200, LGA1151, LGA1150, LGA1155, LGA1156, AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, FM2+, FM2, and FM1. In the above picture, you can see the backplate, which looks quite durable. It is made out of good quality hard plastic. I have run into issues with backplates that have weaker plastic at the back and the metal screws causing problems over time.
A few mounting screws are screwed on this side of the motherboard to keep the backplate on. The pump will then be mounted directly onto these screws with more screws keeping the pump in place. The radiator also installs quite easily. I placed it at the front of my case. The screws provided for the radiator are not long enough to puncture the fins below the holes, which prevents someone from accidentally screwing them straight through. This is a small detail that makes a big difference.
The Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L V2 RGB has a few appreciated accessories. First of all, there are these little plastic clips, seen above, that keep the ARGB connectors together. As well, Cooler Master thought of all the customers who do not have an ARGB compatible motherboard. A simple ARGB controller is included, which allows one to make some basic changes to the RGB effects on both the pump and the fans. For a relatively cost effective all-in-one radiator, this is quite impressive.
Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. Physical Look - Hardware; Installation
3. Test Results
4. Conclusion
