Final thoughts and rating

If it's high-performance CPU cooling you're after, take a good look at Antec's KÜHLER H₂O 920 - it provides the lowest temperatures we've ever seen from a self-contained, liquid-cooled unit, and it arrives in an easy-to-install package that requires no maintenance.

The use of Asetek's third-generation pump and high-speed 2,400RPM fans enable the cooler to nudge past Corsair's Hydro H70 in the performance stakes, and a dusting of new features - including flexible rubber tubing and software-controlled fan speeds - further enhance the KÜHLER 920's appeal.

But despite the upgrades, it's not quite perfect; the cooler's bundled 120mm fans can become deafeningly loud at full tilt, cooling performance is average at low speed, and then there's the price tag. No matter how you look at it, £80 is a hefty fee for a device that cools a single component. And that brings us on to a wider issue: there's a growing concern over the value of all-in-one liquid-cooling solutions for the modern-day PC. Today's CPUs are developed to draw less power and generate less heat, and the efficiency of an up-to-date air cooler is such that most users will find a £5 solution to be more than sufficient.

Bottom line: if you're itching to dabble in liquid cooling and you're disinclined to build your own loop, the Antec's KÜHLER H₂O 920's excellent cooling performance makes it a strong choice for enthusiast users who have a tendency to overclock and overvolt their CPU.

The Good

Excellent cooling performance
Applies minimal load to the motherboard
ChillControl customisation
Easy to install

The Bad

Expensive for a CPU-only cooler
Can get extremely loud

HEXUS Rating

Antec KÜHLER H₂O 920

HEXUS Awards

Antec KÜHLER H₂O 920

HEXUS Where2Buy

The Antec KÜHLER H₂O 920 CPU cooler is available to purchase from SCAN.co.uk*.

HEXUS Right2Reply

At HEXUS, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If any company representatives for the products reviewed choose to respond, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.

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I'm not sure if this is an issue or not with them being sealed units but the in/out on the top of the rad/fan unit is at the top, I would of thought you'd want it at the bottom incase the systems not completely full?

Thats how my H50's fitted anyways…

'[GSV
Trig;2100070']I'm not sure if this is an issue or not with them being sealed units but the in/out on the top of the rad/fan unit is at the top, I would of thought you'd want it at the bottom incase the systems not completely full?

Thats how my H50's fitted anyways…

It shouldn't matter as the pump will push fluid from the block to the rad. As long as there is adequate fluid to keep the pump primed it'll be fine.

I see no reason why it couldn't be mounted with the ports at the bottom…. Is there one?

Nice review. Looks like a decent bit of kit.

The combination of two fans and the radiator do make that one bulky unit sticking on the inside of your case - personally looks horrible.

Same arguments also apply to what was discussed recently over in the Corsair H80, H100 story. Its alot of money to spend on a CPU only cooler that doesn't perform any better than a good air cooler and isn't even silent.

Its interesting the price creep from the H50 @ £50 to the 920 @ £80, which is a significant premimum,

I await a possible H100 review with interest.. the dual rad should lower noise and temperatures :)