DeepCool LT520 240mm AIO Review: Worth It?

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Nauman Siddique

At HI Digital I test and write about different hardware configurations to show other PC users what they can expect from their build. My end goal is to educate the masses to make the right decision when they are looking for new PC parts to buy

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Earlier, we tested the LS720 coolers from the DeepCool. This time, we are testing the LT520 cooler. The 520 in the naming convention is for the 240mm size and 720 is for the 360mm size. Both series of coolers are based on DeepCool’s fourth-generation pump and FC/FK series fans. Let’s dive into the review.

Key Takeaways

• The cooler is good for users looking for a reliable cooling solution with Anti-Leak technology, flexible tubing, and a convenient pump block design, especially for AMD CPUs like the Ryzen 7 7700X.
• This cooler is not for users who prioritize minimal noise output, as it exhibits high overall noise, and the fans may produce a strange humming noise at full speed.
• The stand-out features of the cooler include an innovative 6’o clock orientation for optimal heat transfer, Anti-Leak technology, a removable and aesthetically designed pump block cover with mirror infinity design, and easy installation.

Specifications

Here’s a look at the cooler specifications.

A look at the cooler’s dimensions:

Packaging

The cooler is shipped inside a cardboard box.

Accessories

Let’s take a look at the accessories provided in the box. 

Design

The Deepcool LT520 is a 240mm CLC cooling solution with a 240mm radiator with two FK120s.

Radiator

Let’s start with the radiator.

Focusing on the dimension of the radiator, which is 282 x 120 x 27mm, its thickness comes to be 27mm. With 25mm fans, the overall thickness would be 53mm by incorporating the heads of the screws. The radiator has a 20 FPI count. There is a gap of 105mm between any two fan mounting holes on the radiator.

Taking a closer look at the fins, DeepCool has done a good job in the overall finishing with the E shape fins. There are no protective sheets over the fins under the fan mounts. So, take care while mounting the fans as longer screws could damage the fins which would hamper the performance of the cooler. It is recommended to use the supplied long screws to mount the fans onto the radiators.

Since the radiator is made up of aluminum, it is lightweight. This is Deepcool’s own design. The blocks on both ends of the radiator are rectangular. The fin stack is dense and taking into account the left and right side channels, it has a total of 12 channels for water flow. There is a DeepCool logo on the tube side.

DeepCool placed a pressure release valve on the radiator’s right side, along with an elastic pressure-release bag on the outlet. This bag, immersed in coolant on one side and exposed to air on the other, expands the loop’s volume when internal pressure equals or exceeds atmospheric pressure. This prevents AIO leakage by releasing excess pressure through the valve.

This cooler is using two barbed fittings with metallic covers for reinforcement and better aesthetics. Also, take note of the plastic-made black color tube holder. DeepCool has provided 2x such holders which are easy to remove and their position can be adjusted as well. The far head of the radiator has a sticker pasted on it; this is not an Asetek design.

The soft tubing is made from an upgraded anti-explosion rubber tube manufactured using an anti-corrosion, crush resistant and thermostable material. The soft material tubing is flexible and doesn’t produce kinking which is always a plus. Deepcool is using mesh sleeves on the hoses to give them clean look. The length of the tube is approximately 410mm.

Pump/Block

Let’s take a look at the main element of this cooler. It is the water block with the pump housing. We have a different outlook on the LT series compared to the LS and Castle series AIOs.

The block has a size of 94×60/88mm. There is a DeepCool logo on the top and the top cover is completely removable. Though it seems like the cover is made of aluminum, it is not. There is a light gray color housing of the cover with geometrical cutouts exposing the infinity mirror design. This design has a multi-faceted geometric reflection creating a 3D effect.

Looking at the block from the side, we can see the harmony in the flow of the design as these cutouts and the exposed mirror infinity design look quite good in person.

The picture on the left shows the block with the top cover removed. Looking inside the cover, the frosted diffuser is covering the three sides. The geometric shapes are placed under the diffuser. The 6x A-RGB LEDs are installed vertically to the top diffuser. To be honest, there is nothing futuristic about it as it is a simple design. 

Here’s a look at the pump specifications:

Analyzing the base of the block, it has a size of 53x53mm approximately which is quite large given the size of the CPU IHS that we will be using for the testing. The unit comes with the pre-applied thermal paste. Notice the 4x mounting holes on the base surrounding the housing. This is where the mounting brackets are installed.

The tubes are installed in a 90° mount on the base of the block so that they can be rotated as per the requirement to the left or right side position. There is one cable coming out of the pump housing while the second is coming out of the removable top.

To power the pump, the pump housing has a 3-pin power cable. In addition, there are standard 3-pin 5V, A-RGB connectors to power the LEDs and daisy chain the A-RGB elements.

Here’s a look at what’s going on inside the block.

Fans

The LT520 comes with 2x FK120 (non-RGB) fans.

The square-framed fans elevate the cooler’s bold, stylish aesthetic. With nine sleek black blades and a centered DeepCool branding sticker, they stand out. To reduce vibration, each corner features a custom-cut rubber pad. Examining the back reveals a four-arm assembly securing the blades and center, with one arm wider to accommodate the power cable. These fans are manufactured in China.

There is a black color flat cable with a 4-pin PWM header coming out of the hub. This cable powers the fan. This is another difference between the LT and LS series. The LS series fans even if not A-RGB are still using the 6-pin proprietary connectors. I think DeepCool has made a wise decision of using a standard connector on these fans.

The salient specifications of the fans are:

A-RGB Lighting

There is no dedicated A-RGB controller provided with the cooler. There is no hub provided with the cooler either. The terminal connectors are 4-pin PWM and 3-pin, 5V, and A-RGB ones. The A-RGB lighting is compatible with:

• ASUS AURA SYNC
• GIGABYTE RGB FUSION 2.0
• MSI MYSTIC SYNC
• ASROCK POLYCHROME SYNC
• BIOSTAR RGB

Here are some pictures for your eye pleasure.

Installation

We have tested the cooler on the AM5 platform using the GIGABYTE X670E AORUS MASTER Motherboard and AMD Ryzen 7 7700X CPU. The installation is simple and convenient. We need 14 components to set up the mounting hardware for the block. Please refer to the user manual for detailed installation instructions.

Clearance

The cooler is an AIO and has no clearance issue for the RAM and PCIe slot. However, make sure that your case supports 240mm AIO. The dimension of the radiator without fans is 282x120x27mm (LxWxH). With fans, the dimension is 282x120x53mm (height is increased).

Performance Benchmarks

It’s time to put this cooler to the test.

Test Bench

The following test bench is used:

• AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
• GIGABYTE X670E AORUS MASTER
• XPG Lancer RGB 2x16GB @ 6000MHz
• MSI GeForce RTX 3090 Gaming X Trio 24G
• Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus 2TB NVMe SSD [For OS]
• be quiet! Straight Power 11 850W Platinum PSU
• Thermaltake Core P6 TG Snow Edition in an open-frame layout

Here is the settings table for testing:

Results

This is our first regular cooler being tested on this platform hence there is no other cooler in the graph at present. We have been testing this platform for some time and based on our testing we can confirm that the DeepCool LT520 has a fantastic performance. Previously, the Alphacool 360mm AIO which I tested for other media site was doing 85°C at an ambient of 24°C. This is almost a similar performance from both coolers which makes LT520 a better one given its size of 240mm. 

Noise

We recorded 50 dB(A) noise output from these fans at an ambient of 32 dB(A). The fans are loud at full speed and I would suggest PWM Auto control or custom fan curve.

Should You Buy It?

Let’s quickly review whether or not this cooler is for you.

Buy It If:

You Prioritize Efficient Cooling: The cooler is ideal for those valuing efficient heat transfer with a 6’o clock orientation.

You Seek Sleek Customization: The Deepcool LT520 240mm cooler has a sleek design with a removable, customizable block cover for an aesthetically pleasing setup.

You Prefer Easy Installation: The cooler offers installation with 14 components for AMD CPUs, suitable for users valuing straightforward setup.

Don’t Buy It If:

You Need a White Option: Only black themes are available, so the cooler is not suitable if you’re specifically looking for a white cooler. For that, we recommend our best white CPU cooler guide.

You Require Low Noise: It has a fairly high overall noise output, so may not be suitable for users prioritizing a quieter system.

You’re On a Tight Budget: With an MSRP of $109, it’s positioned in the mid-range; consider more budget-friendly options if cost is a primary concern. Consider reading our best budget CPU coolers guide for that.

Verdict

We tested the DeepCool LT series cooler on the AMD platform. Both the 240mm (LT520) and the 360mm (LT720) come in a black theme, featuring a 27mm thick aluminum radiator with a 20 FPI count. The Anti-Leak technology and flexible, kink-resistant tubing, along with mesh sleeves for a clean appearance, are notable features. The geometric design under the diffuser and the 6x A-RGB LEDs contribute to the cooler’s futuristic aesthetic. The LT520 includes two FK120 non-A-RGB fans, which despite using Fluid Dynamic Bearings, exhibit a peculiar humming noise at full speed.

Installing the pump block on an AMD CPU (AM5 Platform) is simplified with only 14 components. DeepCool’s implementation of the LT series, with basic connectors and a straightforward design, stands out. Priced at $109 with a 5-year limited warranty, the cooler showed impressive performance AMD Ryzen 7 7700X. However, users should be mindful of the overall high noise output and consider using auto PWM or a custom fan curve. The pump block displayed flawless RGB lighting using the GIGABYTE RGB FUSION 2 software.

We are thankful to DeepCool for providing the testing unit.

Awards Received By The Deepcool LT520 Cooler

The following Tech4Gamers awards have been received by this cooler after testing:

1. Best Budget 240mm AIO Cooler
2. Best White CPU Coolers for Ryzen 7 7800X3D

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Nauman Siddique

[How-To Guides Expert]

Laiba, our tech guru at HI Digital, simplifies and crafts How-To Guides with a Google IT Support Certificate. Beyond tech, she captures the city’s aesthetics through her lens. Join her journey where tech meets creativity!

Get In Touch: Laiba@hidgt.com