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The iBUYPOWER AW4 360 AIO Cooler Full Review: A Good First Effort - Functional with Flair

 


The iBUYPOWER AW4 360 AIO Cooler Review: A Good First Effort

iBUYPOWER is best known for its prebuilt gaming PCs, but the company has recently stepped into the increasingly competitive world of aftermarket PC cooling. Their first foray into this space is the AW4 360mm AIO liquid cooler—a product aimed at gamers and PC builders looking for affordable yet reliable cooling performance. Priced at just $99.99, the AW4 360 seems positioned to offer solid value in a market dominated by pricier, more established options.

So, how does it perform? In short: surprisingly well for a debut product. But it isn’t without a few rough edges.

Design and Build Quality: Functional with Flair

The AW4 360 features a sleek, understated design that doesn’t scream for attention, but still looks at home in a modern gaming rig. The aluminum radiator measures 397 mm in length and 27 mm in thickness, a standard size for a 360 mm AIO. It is paired with three 120 mm PWM fans, all finished in black with translucent blades to support RGB lighting.

The cooler's pump block is where iBUYPOWER adds its signature touch. It features a high-gloss, semi-transparent top cover with the iBUYPOWER logo illuminated by addressable RGB LEDs. The lighting creates a pleasant 3D effect without being overly aggressive—a tasteful balance many RGB products struggle to strike.

While the overall aesthetic is clean and the materials feel solid for the price, it’s worth noting that the RGB lighting requires a compatible ARGB header on your motherboard, as no external controller is included in the box.

Installation: Straightforward but Could Be Smoother

Installation of the AW4 360 is relatively painless. It supports all modern CPU sockets, including Intel LGA 1700, 1200, 115X, and AMD AM5 and AM4. The mounting hardware is basic but effective, and the user manual provides clear instructions.

However, there are two design omissions that stand out:

  • No daisy-chain support for the fans, which means more cables to route and manage.

  • No RGB controller, which could limit RGB functionality for users with older or budget motherboards.

While these issues don’t significantly impact installation for experienced builders, they may add a bit of hassle for beginners or those aiming for the cleanest cable management possible.

Cooling Performance: Impressive for the Price

For its price class, the AW4 360 delivers solid thermal performance. In stress tests using high-performance CPUs such as the Intel Core i9-13900K and AMD Ryzen 9 7950X, the cooler maintained respectable temperatures even under full synthetic loads. Peak temperatures were only 1–2°C higher than premium 360 mm coolers from brands like NZXT and Corsair, which often cost $150 or more.

Thermal headroom is good, especially for mid-to-high tier CPUs. The AW4 360 was able to dissipate up to 345–350W of heat without throttling—a clear sign that this unit can handle even the most demanding workloads in gaming and content creation.

Noise Levels: Acceptable, Not Whisper Quiet

At idle and moderate loads, the AW4 360 remains pleasantly quiet. At 1000 RPM, noise levels hover around 35 dB(A), making it ideal for day-to-day use. However, once the fans ramp up under load, noise increases considerably. At full speed (around 2000 RPM), the cooler emits around 43–44 dB(A)—noticeable, but not unbearable.

This noise level is about average for AIOs in this category. The fans themselves don’t exhibit any strange whines or rattling, but some users may want to adjust fan curves in BIOS or iCUE-like software for quieter performance.

RGB and Aesthetics: Minimal, But Well-Executed

While the AW4 360 doesn’t go overboard with RGB, what it does offer is tasteful and effective. The semi-transparent pump top with the RGB-lit logo adds visual interest, and the fan lighting diffuses evenly through the translucent blades.

That said, the lack of a bundled controller is a clear downside. Users without a motherboard ARGB header will miss out on the RGB features entirely unless they purchase a separate controller—an extra expense that diminishes the cooler’s value proposition.



Final Verdict: A Strong First Attempt

The iBUYPOWER AW4 360 AIO Cooler is a commendable first effort that delivers good performance, decent aesthetics, and excellent value. It punches above its weight class in thermal performance and offers a clean, modern design that will appeal to budget-conscious builders and first-time upgraders.

Still, it's not perfect. The lack of fan chaining support and an included RGB controller are missed opportunities. Noise levels under load could also be improved. But considering its sub-$100 price tag, these shortcomings are forgivable.

For iBUYPOWER’s first entry into the standalone cooler market, the AW4 360 is a solid success—and it leaves us hopeful for what’s to come.

Pros

  • Great thermal performance for the price

  • Quiet at moderate loads

  • Stylish pump block with RGB

  • Easy installation with modern socket support

  • Very competitive pricing

Cons

  • No RGB controller included

  • No daisy-chain or hub support for fans

  • Noticeable fan noise at full speed

Rating: 8/10
“A strong debut with solid cooling performance and value. A few small tweaks could make the next version a serious contender in the AIO market.”

Would you like a comparison table with similar coolers under $100?

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