Montech NX400 / NX400 ARGB CPU Air Cooler Review

1. Montech NX400 / NX400 ARGB2. Intallation: AM53. Test Results4. Closing Thoughts5. View All Pages

If you want an affordable air cooler for a low-power CPU, you simply cannot go wrong with the Montech NX400 or NX400 ARGB. Thermal performance from these coolers is excellent; even when running the Ryzen 7 7700 with PBO enabled, the cooler handles it without issues, and for under £20 there isn’t much else on the market that offers better value for money. We tested it against the be quiet! Pure Rock 3, which is £10 more expensive, but that cooler's thermal performance barely matches the NX400, so it makes sense to save that tenner and use it elsewhere in your system.

The only real downside is the noise when the fan runs at full tilt. We measured the maximum noise output, with the fan at 100% duty cycle, hitting 45dBA, which is quite loud for a single 120mm fan. However, if you adjust the fan curve to keep the noise at a more reasonable 40dBA, the cooler's performance drops only slightly, allowing you to tame the noise without compromising thermal performance. Plus, with the extra RPM available if needed, you can crank it up to 100% for a bit more performance.

Aside from its solid performance, it is also easy to install. Montech uses a universal bracket system compatible with both Intel and AMD platforms. There is an additional backplate needed for Intel installations, but either way, installation only takes a few minutes. Wiring connects to standard motherboard headers, so there’s no need for pesky hubs or software. It’s a straightforward, fit-and-forget setup.

As it's a single tower cooler, there's no issue with RAM clearance either – tall RGB RAM modules can be used with the NX400. So, if you're looking for a small, inexpensive CPU cooler, you really can’t go wrong with the NX400 or NX400 ARGB. Both versions cost under £20, an absolute bargain, and you can choose between black or white colour schemes to match your system. What’s not to like?

You can see the different models and colour options on Scan HERE.

Pros:

• Solid thermal performance on low-power CPUs.
• Very competitive price.
• Available in two colours and with or without ARGB lighting.

Cons:

• A little loud at max fan speed.

KitGuru says: For under £20 you'll struggle to find more of an air cooler bargain than the NX400 or NX400 ARGB from Montech.

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