Cooler Master’s Nepton 120XL has a mid-range price, but it’s one of the sturdiest coolers on test, being consistently strong, and with smart looks to match its build quality.
Two 120mm fans are supplied, both of which include 4-pin connectors that plug into a splitter that attaches to the board, while another 4-pin connector links the pump to the motherboard. A tube of thermal paste is also provided.
The good build quality and design is backed up by a solid installation procedure. On Intel’s smaller sockets and AMD hardware, an easyto-use universal backplate is deployed: the screws are secured, double-sided nuts are attached and the pump can then be plugged in place. The process of securing the screws to the backplate with plastic clips is a little fiddly, but that was the only complication.
It’s even easier on LGA2011 sockets. No backplate is required, so you just screw the nuts into place, attach the relevant mountings arms and attach the backplate. Every socket uses the same style of simple mounting arm, featuring pre-attached, spring-loaded screws.
Both fans can be fitted to the radiator before you put the unit in your case too, thanks to a clever screwing system: each set has a threaded socket in the end, so one set effectively screws into the other. It’s a neat idea that solves the irritation of having to line up two fans against the radiator while you’re fitting the cooler to your case.
The mid-range price means a couple of enthusiast features are absent though. There isn’t any software, and the fittings don’t match up with standard watercooling kit either.There’s no chance to customise any of the aesthetics either – on some pricier coolers, the LEDs can be changed, for example.
Also, while the Nepton 120XL’s setup was simple, its performance did little to impress. When running at full speed, the 120XL’s LGA1150 delta T of 56°C is towards the bottom of the whole group, and it’s nothing special when lined up with other 120mm coolers either. We saw similar performance in our LGA2011 test, where the Nepton couldn’t ascend beyond a midtable result.
With PWM enabled and the fans running at 75 per cent speed, the situation barely changed. In our LGA1150 rig, its delta T was 1°C warmer, which means you can safely drop the fan speed, but this result was still comparatively disappointing.
Also, with its two fans at full speed, it was disturbingly noisy, and the noise situation with the fans running at 75 per cent speed was only a little better in this respect.
Conclusion
Cooler Master’s Nepton 120XL is sturdy and easy to install, and its mid-range price helps it to compete against pricier rivals. Cooling ability is comparatively mediocre across the board though.
The 120XL isn’t a bad cooler, but it struggles to compete with this month’s award winners. The Raijintek Triton costs just $3 more, and offers a lot more for your money.
Where to Buy
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