GAMDIAS CHIONE M3 240 CPU Liquid Cooler Review

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Awais Khan

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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Today, I’ll be testing the Gamdias Chione M3-240 AIO Liquid Cooler, a 240mm AIO designed for those who value aesthetics as well as superior cooling performance. The CHIONE M3-240W AIO is renowned for its high performance and stunning visual effects. This is a mid-range model as well as the only cooler from GADIAS that comes in white.

Key Takeaways

• The CHIONE M3-240W is designed for those who want a white CPU Cooler with excellent RGB aesthetics that does not break the bank. 
• The CHIONE M3-240W is not for anyone looking for an easy-to-install cooler.
• The CHIONE M3-240W provides fantastic value, excellent PCIe and RAM clearance, as well as ARGB lighting.

Detailed specifications of the GAMDIAS CHIONE M3-240W

Unboxing 

Here is the unboxing experience the cooler offers.

Accessories

Here are the included accessories.

Other Accessories Include:

• 1x Y-Cable for 2 to 1 fan header
• 1x RGB Controller
• 1x 3-pin RGB connector for Hub

Some ziplock bags are labeled, while others aren’t, which may be confusing at times. Users should be cautious while installing the AIO.

Closer Look

The GGamdias Chione M3-240W is one of the most affordable 240mm AIOs on the market, costing less than some air coolers.

Radiator

When it comes to the radiator, it’s an all-white aluminum radiator with outstanding fin quality; while there are a few flaws here and there, the quality is far superior to the price tag

Upon close inspection, I find the radiator comparable to high-end 240mm models. Its aluminum build, white finish, and 120mm fan compatibility make it seem both premium and lightweight. Despite lacking GAMDIAS or CHIONE markings, the overall appearance is impressive. The thick fin quality and minor bends are typical for radiators. My scrutiny reveals no compromises in quality or size.

The Teflon tubing is securely sealed with rubber, though straight-fit metal caps would have felt more robust. Considering the price, it’s satisfactory. A convenient fill port sits to the right of the Teflon braided tubes. Personally, I notice that the tubing might be a bit short for those placing the radiator at the front, especially in larger cases.

The radiator, measuring 277x119x27mm, expands to 277x119x52mm with fans installed—still compact for a 240mm radiator. It’s neatly finished, lacking visible branding on either side, enhancing user-friendliness. The Teflon tubing feels strong and leak-free with its rubber coating. However, for some, it might be deemed too short.

Pump

The infinity mirror pump head has a big copper base plate, allowing it to work with a variety of CPU sockets.

Taking a closer look at the AIO, the real Infinity mirror pump head stands out. It boasts a highly polished mirror effect, showcasing the GAMDIAS logo on top. The entire top is free of plastic parts, presenting a rare and spotless round pump head. However, I noticed a drawback, dust tends to accumulate quickly on the top, resulting in scratches.

Despite a slightly distorted GAMDIAS logo, it seems intentional, as it appears clean when the RGBs are on. The pump head offers various RGB effects, from rainbow to static colors. Thanks to the GAMDIAS AEOLUS control box and ARGB sync option, I can easily operate the pump head with a single click.

The CHIONE M3-240W AIO boasts secure Teflon tubing with a sleek design. It’s low-maintenance and easy to install with rotatable tubing. Output cables are adequately long, and the pump head, featuring an infinity mirror and GAMDIAS logo, offers various RGB effects.

Dust accumulation on top can lead to scratches. The intentionally distorted logo looks clean with RGBs on. The GAMDIAS AEOLUS control box allows easy operation with a single click. Installation requires separate thermal paste and screws for the CPU bracket.

Fan

The Gamdias Chione M3-240W comes with two ARGB 120mm fans, each individually packaged without sealing. The fans feature 7 blades for optimal ventilation and showcase the GAMDIAS trademark and logo in yellow on a black backdrop.

On the backside, you’ll find four support arms and ARGB + 4-pin PWM connections, utilizing the same 3-pin ARGB connector as the pump head. I appreciate the CHIONE M3 logo on the rear, along with the power ratings. The fans come with lengthy wires, easily reaching every part of my case.

The CHIONE M3 fans include rubber padding on all eight corners to reduce noise, and the fan also has a hydraulic bearing to reduce noise. The RGB lights are in the center of the fans and are bright enough to reach the edges.

Installation

Installing the Gamdias Chione M3-240W, especially for novice users, might be difficult. The procedure includes a number of bracket installations as well as the use of a number of screws that all appear to be the same. Only an installation instruction for Intel LGA 1700 is included with the CHIONE M3-240W, whereas guides for other sockets may be acquired Here.

The installation is as follows:

1. To begin, select the correct backplate for your Socket; after you have the correct backplate, mount it using the necessary thumb screws with the insulating plate facing the motherboard. Also, make sure to select the appropriate hole position on the backplate.
2. Make sure your CPU is free of any prior thermal paste residue before continuing on to bracket installation.
3. Now attach the necessary bracket and screws to your CPU pump head, being sure to screw the screws in from the bottom or they’ll fall out.
4. Now install both fans on your radiator, making sure they are facing in the direction you want the airflow to go. It’s worth noting that the fans don’t have any airflow direction indications.
5. With both the fans and brackets installed, install the radiator in your case. Apply some thermal paste to your CPU using the supplied thermal paste. Remove the plastic label from the base plate of the CPU pump, then attach and secure the pump on top of your CPU.
6. Make sure the screws are tight and the pump head is securely attached to the CPU.
7. One thing to keep in mind is that the Radiator screw heads are small and do not have any washers, so the connection to the case may be a little weak.

RGB Lighting

The ARGB lighting in the fans is evenly illuminated with no bright spots, and the package includes a controller for limited RGB effect control on the AIO. The RGB infinity pump lives up to its name, offering endless effects with subtle and sleek illumination.

Below are attached some snapshots of the Gamdias Chione M3-240W in action. 

Test System

We’ll be utilizing the Intel Core i5-8600K in our tests, and we’ll only be testing the Gamdias Chione M3-240W on standard Intel settings because the cooler isn’t designed for aggressive overclocking.

The remaining system specifications are as follows:

• Intel Core i5-8600K
• Gigabyte Aorus B360M
• 16GB Corsair Vengeance 3200Mhz
• Nvidia Geforce RTX 3060
• Windows 10 running off of SATA SSD
• Corsair RM750X PSU
• Thermaltake View 71t Case (3x front, 2x bottom fans for intake), (1x rear, 2x CHIONE top fans for exhaust)

Temperature Benchmarks

The Gamdias Chione M3-240W is an excellent choice for a 240mm white AIO in the high-end air cooler range. After testing on an Intel Core i5-8600K at factory settings, it proved to be a definite bargain, delivering temperatures comparable to true mid-range or high-end 240mm AIOs.

Testing Methodology

We understand that the Gamdias Chione M3-240W isn’t a high-end AIO, which is why we’ll just be evaluating it in default CPU settings. The cooler should be able to justify its modest price of roughly 90 dollars. The AIO will be put to the test on an Intel Core i5-8600K with stock 3.6GHz settings. We’ll put the cooler to the test in two scenarios: one with the CPU at idle and the other with the CPU under full load using the AIDA64 Extreme bench.

To help you understand the cooler better, we’ll compare it to some of its competitors on the market to see how well it does on the charts.

Thermal Performance @ Stock 3.6GHz

The Gamdias Chione M3-240W underwent two tests. In idle conditions, the cooler maintained the CPU at around 48 degrees with a 34-degree ambient temperature, slightly higher but acceptable considering its affordability. Under a 100% load CPU stress test, the Intel i5 8600K reached 78 degrees with the same ambient temperature.

While it may not outperform higher-end 240mm coolers, the CHIONE M3-240W performed well within its limits, offering satisfactory results for its price.

Should You Buy It?

Who is the Gamdias Chione M3-240W designed for?

Buy It If:

✅You want a value-oriented 240mm cooler: The Gamdias Chione M3-240W provides an excellent price-to-performance ratio when compared to other 240mm AIO liquid coolers.

✅You are building a white PC: Its white design coupled with RGB lighting makes it an ideal addition to a white system.

Don’t Buy It If:

❌You want easy installation: Installation can be a bit tricky on the cooler, especially for beginners.

❌You are interested in extreme overclocking: While the Gamdias Chione M3-240W is a capable cooler, it might not be the best option for extreme overclocking.

Conclusion

GAMDIAS is making waves in the cooling scene, and the CHIONE M3-240W is their standout 240mm AIO cooler. As their inaugural white-built cooler, it not only boasts top-notch construction but also nails the aesthetics and cooling game. The all-white design with an Infinity ARGB pump and ARGB fans gives it a sleek look.

The unique pump design leans towards appearance, making it a hit for those who prioritize style. The white frost blades in the ARGB fans add a cool touch to the illumination, standing out from the competition. Beyond looks, the radiator and tubing exceed expectations in terms of construction quality.

Having dealt with various AIO coolers, I can tell that GAMDIAS still has room to improve; the installation procedure was a touch tedious even for us since there were no installation instructions or components labeled. While the cooling performance on the cooler is adequate, it is obvious that Gamdias has placed a larger focus on the aesthetics, which was a bit disappointing. 

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Awais Khan

[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