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The ID-Cooling FX280 Pro SE is part of a new wave of liquid cooling systems aimed at delivering maximum performance at a minimal price. The manufacturer offers a range of similarly priced models, many of which come with few extra features. But does it really matter if your pump lights up in rainbow colors, as long as your CPU stays cool and the fans stay quiet?
Technical characteristics
- Radiator materials: aluminium/copper
- Fan diameter: 140 mm
- Fan bearing: Hydrodynamic bearing
- Maximum fan speed: 1800 rpm
- Airflow: 72.2 CFM
- Noise level: 24.9 dB
- Power connectors: 4-pin
- Fan dimensions: 140×140×25 mm
- Warranty period: 3 years
Price and package contents
Especially considering the low cost. The 280mm ID-Cooling FX280 Pro SE is priced around \$65 or €60. ID-Cooling also offers cheaper options, such as 240mm models, as well as significantly more expensive ones that feature RGB lighting.
The system arrived with some minor damage, which clearly highlights the value of using foam polypropylene for packaging protection. Inside, there’s a thick layer surrounding the key components – specifically the mounting kits, the user manual, and the cooling system itself.
The downside is that, although the package is complete and even includes thermal paste, the components aren’t organized in tidy, clear plastic containers. On the plus side, the ID-Cooling FX280 Pro SE comes with the fans already pre-installed.
Design and fans
The cooling system has a simple design, which aligns with its budget-friendly price – comparable to mid-range air tower coolers. There’s no RGB lighting, but it includes two 140mm ID-Cooling AS-120-K fans. These fans use hydraulic bearings, operate between 300 and 1800 RPM, produce up to 25 dB of noise, and provide airflow of up to 72.2 cubic feet per minute.
The pump design is also noteworthy – its concentric rings on the front face give it a clean and subtle look that blends well with the overall aesthetic.
Specifications
The cooler supports Intel sockets LGA1851, 1700, 1200, 115X, and 20XX, as well as AMD AM5 and AM4. It’s rated for a TDP of up to 350W. The radiator measures 311×140×27 mm, while the pump dimensions are 72×72×50 mm. The tubing length is 400 mm. The pump operates at speeds up to 2800 RPM, with a noise level up to 25 dB, and features a 6-axis motor.
Interestingly, the pump uses a 3-pin connector rather than the 4-pin connectors found on the fans. However, the fans are connected in series, which should simplify cable management. The manufacturer provides a two-year warranty.
Test bench
The test setup included an AMD Ryzen 9 9900X processor, an ASUS ROG B650E-E Gaming WiFi motherboard, and 32GB of G.Skill Trident Z5 6000 MT/s RAM. Power was supplied by a be quiet! Power Zone 2 1000W unit, all housed in a Gorilla Custom X case made by a Ukrainian manufacturer. The processor was running in automatic mode with an ambient temperature of 23°C.
A 20-minute stress test using AIDA64, targeting all components except storage and the GPU, showed that the ID-Cooling FX280 Pro SE can effectively cool a 12-core processor drawing around 140W. During the test, CPU temperatures stabilized at 75°C, with the fans running at 1200 RPM.
It’s unusual that the pump speed increased from 2200 RPM to 2800 RPM. This is notable because, as a reminder, the pump uses a 3-pin connector and doesn’t support PWM control. As a result, speed regulation is handled via voltage control (DC mode) rather than PWM.
The downside is that the pump noise level was roughly on par with the fans. The upside, however, is that during the stress test on a 12-core processor, the fans were quiet enough that the pump ended up being just as loud as they were.
Conclusions
Overall, this cooling system fulfills its intended role as one of the most affordable liquid coolers supporting 140mm fans. Fortunately, both the fans and radiator size make the ID-Cooling FX280 Pro SE one of the most efficient liquid cooling solutions under $100 that I’ve seen. The remaining question is whether air cooler manufacturers can compete with this level of performance.
Read also:
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