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.


In its default configuration, the K2 is only topped by the Corsair H100 using much louder fans at 2000RPM+. The K2 outguns all its other key rivals from Phanteks, Noctua and Thermalright. Even with reduced fan speeds, the K2 manages to outperform the behemoth that is the Zero Infinity Free Flow+ which boasts three 140mm fans.


Efficiency is untouchable when the K2 is teamed up with the two Noctua fans.


With two Coolink fans, the K2 is a mere 0.25C behind the Noctua but leaves a larger 0.5C margin to the next set of heatsinks.


Again, the K2 proves to be the most efficient cooler we have tested with the NF-P14s.


Passively, the K2 can’t quite match the Phanteks, but it is able to match the Silver Arrow and outperforming the latter at idle.