In the next comparison, we look at the default cooler performance as they come out of the box with their bundled fans. Coolers that come with no fans have been coupled with Noctua’s NF-P12 or fans that the manufacturers intended their coolers to be used with.


Compared to other out-of the box coolers combinations, the KÜHLER H2O 920 is most impressive in ‘Extreme’ mode but at the detriment of noise, especially when we consider our best air cooling solutions being near silent in comparison. Nonetheless, the performance is still very good and challenges air coolers like no other ALC units before.


In terms of efficiency with two NF-P12s, the KÜHLER H2O 920 is comparable to the likes of the Megahalem and NZXT Havik. Strangely though, it doesn’t outperform the Corsair H50. This is possibly due to the stock CPU not showing the cooler’s true potential.


Again, we see the KÜHLER H2O 920 lagging behind the other ALC units when teamed up with the Coolink fans. Our next set of results with the overclocked CPU will give a different insight into the cooler’s performance.


At stock speed, we see very little variation between the three coolers making it harder to distinguish a clear winner. But there’s no doubting that the Antec is still a good performer.