Conclusion
What would be the results of standard motherboard tests if we used the MSI MAG CoreLiquid I360 cooler with them? Better. Specifically, lower temperatures would be achieved for the CPU cores, which would then run at higher clock speeds, which naturally means higher computing performance. Not dramatically, but if we are to illustrate the situation with plates of scales, their position is quite clear.
Conclusion
With the MSI cooler, the CPU core temperatures with the MSI MAG CoreLiquid I360 are significantly lower than with the Alphacool cooler (Eisbaer Aurora 360). From the perspective of P-cores (Core Ultra 9 285K), the difference is approximately 10 degrees Celsius. This is achieved while maintaining an all-core boost that is on average about 270 MHz higher, which also corresponds to higher power consumption of the processor. However, this is actually a good thing. It means that the MSI cooler can handle higher power consumption, resulting in increased application performance, especially in computational tasks.
The all-core boost in games is equal across both coolers (MSI and Alphacool), remaining practically the same at 5380 MHz. This is because the load in gaming is significantly lower, with less than half the power consumption, so neither setup reaches thermal limits. The main difference is which cooler can handle the gaming workload at lower temperatures, and that is, of course, the MSI MAG CoreLiquid I360. The temperature difference is smaller since the cooling demands are also lower. In this case, the power consumption of the CPU under gaming load is lower with the MSI cooler, which is due to lower temperature at comparable CPU core clock speeds and overall similar gaming performance. Simply put, the CoreLiquid I360 remains the more attractive choice even in this scenario.
Although this article is not a standard cooler test, it clearly illustrates that the MSI MAG CoreLiquid I360 can handle even a high-performance processor like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K without any limitations. Choosing the right cooler is crucial to prevent computational performance from being reduced due to insufficient cooling capacity. In our motherboard tests with the commonly used Alphacool Eisbaer Aurora 360 liquid cooler, we have observed this issue to some extent. This primarily occurs with more powerful processors that push the limits of performance of the Eisbaer Aurora 360. For this reason, and with this awareness in mind, this comparative test is important – for us and for you, the readers of HWCooling.
When evaluating maximum performance, the cooling capacity of the used cooler is one of the variables shaping the presented results. CPU core frequencies, if not limited by the cooler, can also fluctuate depending on BIOS settings (such as temperature limits, potential negative offsets for AVX loads in benchmarks like Cinebench, etc.), as well as the robustness of the motherboard itself.
The quality of contact between the CPU and its cooler is also influenced by factors like the flexibility (or rigidity) of the PCB and the processor socket. All of this matters. However, as tests have shown, the MSI MAG CoreLiquid I360 is well-prepared even for… let’s say, less-than-ideal conditions, which are common in real-world scenarios. Despite this, it remains a relatively affordable option at around 139 EUR. Especially within the category of fully backlit coolers (featuring ARGB LEDs on both the fans and the liquid block). It is available in two versions, black and white, with a white radiator and white fans.
English translation and edit by Jozef Dudáš
- Contents
- An MSI (CoreLiquid I360) cooler on an MSI (Z890 Ace) board
- CPU and VRM temperatures
- Power consumption without power limits
- Achieved CPU clock speeds
- Conclusion
