© ROOT-NATION.com - Use of content is permitted with a backlink.
For the first time in weeks, I’ve come across a liquid cooling system that fits my test setup perfectly—a 6-core, 12-thread processor. This isn’t to say that the be quiet! Silent Loop 3 240mm is only effective for such CPUs—their thermal design power (TDP) is relatively low. Rather, this cooler stands out as a solid choice for a modern yet budget-friendly PC, especially if reliability takes priority over pushing performance to the limit.
Technical characteristics
- Dimensions of the radiator with fans: 277×120×52 mm
- Total weight: 1380 g
- Support for Intel sockets: LGA 1851 / 1700 / 1200 / 1150 / 1151 / 1155
- Support for AMD sockets: AM4 / AM5
- Operating volume (at 50/75/100% RPM): 18.7 / 29.9 / 36.9 dBA
- Pump speed: from 1700 to 3500 RPM
- Maximum fan speed: 2500 RPM
- Fan endurance: up to 300,000 hours at 25 °C
Video review of be quiet! Silent Loop 3 240mm
Market position
Let’s start with the price. The be quiet! Silent Loop 3 240mm falls into the premium category, with an estimated cost of around $130 or €127. However, the global average price is closer to €140. The actual pricing may vary, and it remains to be seen how much it will cost once it becomes available in Ukraine, as it’s not on the market there yet.
Package contents
Given the number of 360mm liquid coolers on the market at a lower price, the be quiet! Silent Loop 3 240mm needs to justify its cost—and it does, starting with the package contents. One standout inclusion is a bottle of coolant, allowing users to refill or replace the liquid in the radiator, which is a rare feature in all-in-one cooling systems.
There is even a separate twisted hole for this.
Next, the package includes detailed instructions and a warranty. One interesting detail in the manual is that the be quiet! Silent Loop 3 series is officially listed as compatible with Threadripper processors, not just mainstream sockets. However, if the idea of using a 240mm liquid cooler on a 350W TDP CPU seems questionable, you’re not wrong. The manual itself clarifies that HEDT platforms require the 360mm or 420mm models, and the 240mm version does not include a Threadripper mounting bracket.
Fans
However, there are two fans included. And not just any fans – they are Silent Wings 4 PWM High Speed. I’ve reviewed similar models before, where I explained why high-speed fans are better suited for radiators, while low-speed ones are sufficient for standard mesh or perforated designs.
To the question of whether it’s possible to replace the Silent Wings 4 with something like the Light Wings LX, for example, 120mm, my answer would be – why not? The profile of the fans is the same. However, the LX fans will be louder since they don’t have removable vibration dampers with rubber pads. As for why I brought up the LX models in the first place, that should be obvious just from looking at the box.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the era of all-black components from be quiet! is behind us, and no one will be mourning it. That’s because the be quiet! Silent Loop 3 240mm features a sleek RGB lighting system on the pump.
Even without the lighting, the pump looks solid and sleek thanks to its distribution fins – it would pair perfectly, for example, with a professional IRDM Pro Black RAM without lighting and an ASUS ProArt motherboard.
With the lighting, it becomes almost radically different. It starts to resemble the visors on the cyclons from Battlestar Galactica. And… that’s about all the associations I have, as this design is something I’m seeing for the first time. So, I tip my imaginary fedora to be quiet! – because it’s getting harder and harder to come across something this new.
Specifications
As promised in the video review above, I’ll explain the technical specifications. The radiator dimensions with installed fans (for 240/360/420 mm) are 277 mm, 397 mm, and 457 mm, respectively, while the other dimensions remain the same at 120×52 mm. The total weight is 1380 g, 1770 g, and 2010 g for each model. Socket compatibility includes Intel 1851, 1700, 1200, 1150, 1151, and 1155, as well as AMD AM4 and AM5. Additionally, as I mentioned earlier, the larger models also support TR5, sTRX4, and TR4.
The noise levels (at 50/75/100% RPM) are 18.7 / 29.9 / 36.9 dBa for the 240mm model, 19.8 / 31.9 / 38.8 dBa for the 360mm model, and 19.4 / 29.3 / 34.3 dBa for the 420mm model. Yes, the 420mm model should be quieter and more efficient. This is why I’m a fan of 140mm fans. The 6-axis motor speed for the pump ranges from 1700 to 3500 RPM.
The radiator material is aluminum with black paint. The thermal plate is made of copper/nickel. The maximum fan speed is 2500 RPM for the 120mm models and 1900 RPM for the 140mm models. Durability is rated for up to 300,000 hours at 25°C.
Installation process
The installation process for the be quiet! Silent Loop 3 240mm on an AM5 socket is generally standard. You remove the plastic guides, attach the plastic spacers, then install the brackets, and finally secure the pump.
I’d like to point out the size of the thermal plate – it will fit Threadripper without any issues. The included components can be adjusted depending on the radiator size, but the pump design remains largely unchanged.
Testing process
The test bench is still a classic one. The processor is AMD Ryzen 5 7600, the RAM is G.Skill Trident Z5 6000 MHz RAM (2×16 GB). For these components, I am very grateful to the ArtLine store, where you can find new products, assemble a PC, and have a warranty of up to 38 months. The motherboard is ASUS ROG Strix B650E-E Gaming Wi-Fi. The case is made in Ukraine, Gorilla Custom X, and the power supply is also from be quiet!, model Straight Power 12 1200W.
The tests were conducted in two modes with a background temperature of 20°C. The AIDA64 stress test was run on all system components, except for the storage drives, at default power settings (with auto-management) and under overclocking conditions, with all cores boosted to 5300 MHz.
Results
In the first case, the processor maintained a frequency close to 5 GHz on most cores, with minor dips. The average temperature across most sensors was 76°C, and the power consumption for the 7600 was around 90 W.
With the overclock to 5300 MHz, the power consumption of the AMD Ryzen 5 7600 increased to nearly 120 W, part of which was drawn by the integrated GPU. Although the fans became noticeably louder, reaching speeds around 2400 RPM, and the core and CCX temperatures hit 97°C, I wouldn’t describe the noise as uncomfortable, nor the performance as insufficient. The noise and type of sound will be discussed in the video review above.
I’m not specifying the pump speed, as it’s only relevant in idle mode—when the fan noise doesn’t overpower it, and you can actually hear it. The noise is noticeable on an open test bench, in a room with complete silence.
So, not exactly the most realistic conditions. However, I really want to praise the fans because while Silent Wings 4 aren’t the quietest, they are probably the most pleasant-sounding 120mm fans I’ve encountered in liquid cooling setups.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I’ll try to answer the question: Is the be quiet! Silent Loop 3 240mm worth considering? It’s a tough question. Even with the 240mm radiator, this model is highly effective, quiet, and when it is loud, it produces a pleasant sound rather than a high-pitched whine. The RGB lighting on the pump is appealing, and when turned off, the pump itself looks prestigious and solid. Installation is straightforward, and the package is well-equipped.
The main issue with the be quiet! Silent Loop 3 240mm is that there are also the be quiet! Silent Loop 3 360mm and, especially cool, the be quiet! Silent Loop 3 420mm. I can’t even imagine how great these larger options will be, especially the latter. Overall, yes, I recommend it, and I’m looking forward to reviewing the larger radiators.
Read also:
- Analysis of the AMD Ryzen 9000 Series (Using the ArtLine Gaming X86 White Build as an Example)
- Zalman Reserator 5 Z36 ARGB Liquid Cooling Review
- ID-Cooling DX360 Max Liquid Cooling System Review
