XPG Levante 240 Liquid CPU Cooler Review

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Hayyan Serwer

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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In this review, we will be testing their Levante series 240mm AIO cooler. This cooler features an Asetek design (OEM) with digital RGB lighting on the block and the fans. We have an aluminum radiator, much like any other Asetek-designed cooler with a sleeved rubber tube.

Key Takeaways

• The XPG Levante 240 is ideal for anyone looking for a capable 240mm AIO liquid cooler that comes with RGB lighting and solid build quality.
• The XPG Levante 240 is not for those who want a completely silent experience.
• The XPG Levante 240 offers excellent PCIe and RAM clearance, fantastic cooling performance, as well as RGB lighting on the pump and the fans.

Here are the specifications.

Packaging and Unboxing

Here is the complete unboxing experience you get with the cooler.

Accessories

Let’s take a look at the bundled accessories.

Unfortunately, there is no dedicated controller provided with the cooler and I was expecting one in this price range. If you are buying this cooler then make sure you have a motherboard with a 5V digital lighting header otherwise say bye-bye to the lighting show

Closer Look

Let’s take a closer look at the cooler.

Radiator

The XPG Levante 240 is a 240mm CLC cooling solution. It has a 240mm radiator with two digital RGB fans.

The radiator comes with dimensions 272 x 121 x 27mm and a thickness of 27mm. Adding 25mm fans makes the overall thickness 53mm. However, the radiator has barbs, making its total thickness 63mm. It features a 20 FPI design and a 105mm gap between fan mounting holes. My sleeved rubber tubes, excluding the barb, are approximately 320mm long.

The XPG Levante’s aluminum radiator is lightweight, with unique rounded-edge blocks. The dense fin stack has 11 coolant channels. During fan installation, I noticed the absence of protective sheets over the fins, emphasizing the need for careful handling to avoid potential damage and maintain cooler performance.

The label indicates that it is an Asetek design. The pump is drawing 3.9W power.

There is a sticker on the block end of the radiator showing the part no or serial no of the unit with the warning that removing the sticker would void the warranty. The barbs have a nice fitting to them.

Pump/Block

The XPG Levante’s block sports a stylish circular design, measuring 86x72x36mm. The matte black housing features a unique rounded and edged top section with a triangular diffuser. At the center of the triangle, the XPG logo is surrounded by digital RGB LEDs, adding a vibrant touch to the design.

The above picture shows the tear-up of the pump housing.

The tubes are installed in a 90° mount on the base of the block to make them rotatable giving the user some room to play with the tubes while installing the cooler for the best fitment. The circular housing and the overall finishing show a good machining job.

Two cables, a 3-pin power cable, and an RGB cable, emerge from the left side of the XPG Levante’s housing. The block features a 53mm diameter copper base plate with Asetek’s high-performance thermal paste pre-applied. While details on the pump’s performance are lacking, its power is specified at 3.9W.

The RGB cable coming out of the block has dual connectors. Both are 3-pin (5V) ones. The 3-pin power cable has a length of approximately 295mm. the RGB cable has a length of approximately 575mm+102mm.

Fan

XPG includes two ARGB 120mm fans with the cooler, and I’m impressed by their design. Each fan features 7 translucent blades with a dual-layer design, including a second layer on the trailing side. The translucent white center, adorned with an XPG-branded sticker, ensures even light diffusion. The main housing has an additional ring, creating a stunning dual-lighting effect that adds flair to the overall aesthetic.

Anti-vibration pads on each mounting corner contribute to a solid build quality without any noticeable frame flex. Despite the absence of arrow symbols, the channels on the blades enhance airflow, making the overall fan design impressive. The extended central ring also enhances the lighting effect from the sides, creating a captivating aura of lighting.

There is a 4-arm assembly on the backside. The cables are routed through one arm with a latch. VENTO PRO seems to be the name of the fans given by the XPG. The fans are made in China. The RGB ring extends towards the rear side as well.

Each XPG fan comes with two flat cables. The first one, measuring 106 mm+66 mm, combines a 4-pin PWM connector and a 4-pin PWM header. The second cable, approximately 102 mm+68 mm, is the RGB cable, featuring a 3-pin RGB LED connector and a corresponding header.

Speaking of the specifications of the fans, here they are:

RGB Lighting

Here are some pictures.

Installation

We have tested the cooler on the X99 platform using the 2011-3 socket. The installation mechanism is as under:

1. Install the fans on the radiator.
2. Install the Intel 2011/66 standoffs.
3. Mount the Intel ring to the housing of the block. Place the block on the CPU and secure the installation using 4x thumb nuts.
4. Connect the 3-pin power cable of the pump to the header on the motherboard.
5. Daisy-chain the 4-pin PWM connector cables and connect them to the CPU Fan header or any other 4-pin PWM header of the motherboard.

Clearance

There is no clearance issue with respect to the DIMM slots and the first PCIe slot. Make sure your chassis has clearance for 240mm radiator mounting.

Testing Methodology

Following test benches have been used:

• Asus Rampage V Edition 10
• Intel i7 6850K
• XPG Spectrix D41 32GB @ 2666MHz
• Colorful GeForce GTX 1050Ti Vulkan
• Samsung 840 EVO 250GB SSD
• Cooler Master MWE 650W Gold
• Custom Open Air Testbench

The software used for testing and monitoring include:

• Asus Real Bench v 2.56 (Intel)
• Real Temp GT v 3.70 (Intel)

Here is the settings table for testing:

We maintain consistency by using Noctua NT-H1 thermal paste for testing all coolers, ensuring standardization. Graphs depict delta temperatures. Testing occurs on an open-air bench system, and results may vary due to factors like mounting pressure, thermal paste application, and ambient temperature fluctuations.

Variations in silicon among the same chip category are also considered. The testing methodology, including these specifics, is crucial for accurate interpretation.

Let’s take a look at the results.

Results

Both Asektek coolers namely ASUS ROG RYUO 240 and XPG Levante 240 are sitting next to each other trailing with a difference of over 1°C from non Asetek coolers from CORSAIR and DeepCool.

On Auto PWM, the Levante fans were doing at 1400 RPM range speed. The cooler does a fair job if not better on Auto settings.

Acoustic

The noise level at 100% PWM duty cycle was measured at 49 dB(A) with an ambient sound level of 34 dB(A).

Should You Buy It?

Is the XPG Levante 240 Liquid Cooler actually worth buying?

Buy It If:

✅ You prioritize Aesthetics: The XPG Levante 240 excels in looks, making it an ideal choice for users who want to enhance the visual appeal of their gaming rig with vibrant ARGB lighting.

✅You want a powerful 240mm cooler: In our tests, the XPG Levante 240 provided phenomenal thermal performance.

✅You want good clearance and compatibility: The XPG Levante 240 provides uncompromised RAM and PCIe clearance, making it suitable for various PC configurations.

Don’t Buy It If:

❌You want silent fans: The fans on the XPG Levante 240 can get loud, especially at higher speeds.

Conclusion

In summary, my experience with the XPG Levante 240 CPU liquid cooler has been positive. Its Asetek design ensures a straightforward installation process, offering compatibility with Intel and AMD sockets. The cooler’s aluminum radiator, measuring 272x121x27mm, performed well during tests on an Intel i7 6850k.

The block’s aesthetics are appealing, featuring a black and gray finish, ARGB LEDs, and a distinctive triangular design. However, a notable drawback is the absence of a dedicated lighting controller, relying on a 5V digital lighting header on the motherboard. The cooler competes well in its price range but could benefit from improvements in bundled fans’ air pressure ratings.

The XPG Levante 240 offers a reliable balance of performance, aesthetics, and ease of installation. While lacking a dedicated lighting controller, it stands as a competitive option in the liquid cooler market with room for enhancement in certain aspects.

We are thankful to XPG for giving us the opportunity to review their Levante 240 CPU Liquid Cooler.

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Hayyan Serwer

[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