Deepcool LS520 can truly be credited with solutions that do not “age” even a few years after their release. Why this model is worth recommending, even though it is not a “hot” novelty on the market, you will find out by reading this review to the end.
Deepcool LS520: Packaging and shipping kit
But let’s take it one step at a time. The user receives the product in a small box made of recycled material. In the design of the packaging itself, the manufacturer is a proponent of simplicity and restraint. However, on top of it there is a colorful case with an illustration of the product, a list of technical characteristics and features, and other equally important “things” – all of which I personally recommend paying attention to.
As for the package, it is traditionally quite large for this type of solution. Inside the box, the user will find the following items:
- universal steel backplate for Intel platforms;
- four backplane screws;
- four plastic plugs for fixing the backplane screws;
- four adapter bushings for AMD AM4 platforms;
- four adapter bushings for AMD TR4 platforms;
- four adapter bushings for Intel LGA2011/2066 platforms;
- four adapter bushings for Intel LGA1700 platforms;
- four screws for mounting the mounting plates;
- two mounting plates for Intel;
- two mounting plates for AMD;
- a set of screws for mounting the radiator and fans;
- six-pin cable extension;
- multifunctional cable for power supply and backlight synchronization;
- installation instructions;
- support information.
I also noticed the lack of a hub for fans. But there is no need to look for a “betrayal” here, because we are dealing with a new connection mechanism. What I personally don’t like (but that’s a matter of taste) is the thermal paste that comes with the unit. Again, it’s a matter of personal preference – some people like it, some people don’t. As for the quality of the application, there are no questions here – it was done with real expertise.
The radiator, tubes and water block are all in one piece. The only things that need to be added are the fans and the appropriate bracket for the water block. We will come back to this later. Stay tuned!
Deepcool LS520 Technical Specifications
- for processors – Intel, AMD;
- sockets – 1150, 1151, 1155, 1200, 1700, 2011-3, 2066, AM4, AM5, TR4, TRX4, 2011;
- number of fans – 2;
- fan diameter – 120 mm;
- backlight – ARGB;
- maximum speed – 2250 rpm;
- radiator material – aluminum;
- bearing type – hydrodynamic (FDB Bearing);
- pressure – 3.27 mm H2O;
- air flow – 85.85 CFM;
- rotation speed control;
- noise level – 32.9 dB;
- power connectors – 4-pin PWM, 3-pin, 3-pin (pump);
- supply voltage for fans – 12 V;
- length of hoses – 410 mm;
- Dimensions of radiators – 282x120x27 mm;
- Fan dimensions: 120x120x25 mm;
- water block dimensions: 86x74x57 mm;
- weight – 1305 g.
Materials and construction quality
So, as I said above, the user will receive the product “out of the box” almost completely assembled – the radiator, the corresponding tubes, the water block system – all this is a classic unified design like any other manufacturer. We’ll see how to mount the fans later. The same goes for the water block.
If we talk about the radiator plus the above-mentioned tubes, there are few visual changes even compared to the Deepcool Maelstrom 120 model, which we reviewed back in 2018. The familiar style of aluminum fins stacking, the case design itself, and even the fixing points for the tubes. We have already seen all this on the aforementioned Maelstrom 120. However, on the other hand, this particular radiator format with the aforementioned mounts is a trademark of Deepcool. And, as for me, it is successful.
The placement of the refrigerant charge door in the cabinet body is interesting from both a design and construction standpoint. We have taken a step forward.
It doesn’t make much sense to talk about specific builds. Deepcool is not an outsider in the field of liquid cooling systems, if not ahead of the curve, then certainly not an outsider, and from time to time they prove it with new examples, one of which is the Deepcool LS520 – no comments, even in the format of outright nitpicking.
Lighting Features and Design Impressions
The Deepcool LS520 has surprisingly good backlighting. The latter is implemented on the fans as well as the water block.
By their design, the fans personally reminded me of the one used in the AK620 model; I tested it once in the Zero Dark Black version with the difference in the presence of a backlight for the fan of our system and its absence in the “turntable” for AK620 + different speeds.
Other features of the fans include excellent balance, anti-vibration pads, etc. The fan is attached to the cooler with four screws.
The backlight is AGRB. For switching, the manufacturer used special connectors with a serial connection. For power supply we have 6-pin connectors. The water pump is powered by two cables – a 3-pin FAN cable and a 6-pin ARGB 5B cable. As for the backlighting, it is the perimeter on the top and the lid with the logo. The latter is removable, so if you want to, you can take it off and put a logo of, for example, the manufacturer of the motherboard on the empty lid that comes with the package.
The LS520’s backlight can be controlled via the motherboard software. It is also possible to synchronize the backlighting of all components into a single “system”.
As for the design impressions. The main “weather” here is of course the lighting, we’ve already talked about that. What did you like individually? The surprisingly stylish look of the water block system, a good combination of tubes, and the exquisite look of the fans. When you put all that together and add a really remarkable backlight as a “cherry on top”, you end up with the closest thing to a premium solution for open cases or transparent or translucent systems; one of the best deals I’ve personally seen.
It’s even a bit of a pity that I didn’t get this model earlier – it would have been interesting to see how it works in the be quiet! Pure Base 500DX.
Assembly into a single structure and installation in a PC
In general, there are no difficulties as such; assembly and installation are available in several stages.
You should start with the mounting bracket on the back of the motherboard. Next, locate the support brackets and secure them with screws. After that, install and secure the pump. Finally, the last step is to mount the fans and connect the appropriate power cables. In our case, the cooler with fans was placed on top of the case.
Test bench
In addition to our liquid cooler model, the rest of the component base of the test PC is as follows:
- Be Quiet! case;
- Gigabyte G1.Sniper M5 motherboard;
- Intel Core i5 10400F processor;
- RAM – ADATA DDR3 8GB 2x4GB 2400MHz XPG Gaming v2.0 (AX3U2400GC4G10-DG2);
- HDD – Western Digital Blue 1TB;
- video card – MSI GeForce GTX;
- Deepcool DQ750ST power supply unit;
- IR-SSDPR-P34B-512-80
- SSD – PATRIOT SATA 1TB.
Software platform – Windows 10 Home Edition.
Test results
The test results are shown in the illustrations below.
Expert Opinion
The result is an efficient cooling system with premium fans, an unconventional approach to power management, and remarkable lighting. Quiet enough to satisfy even the most demanding users of advanced gaming PCs, and to complement the lighting of other components. It’s a wise investment that pays dividends in terms of both cooling performance and aesthetics.
The estimated cost is 4350 UAH (100 USD).
