Final Thoughts
To wrap things up, we must first say that the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML280 Mirror has left us with mixed feelings. On the one hand, this AIO performs quite well, placing in the middle of the pack in our idle testing, and coming in second place overall in our load testing. On the other hand, we were a bit let down by the hype of the infinity mirror due to the bare bones ARGB controller included with this kit. That being said, at the end of the day, we place cooling performance above aesthetics, making the ML280 Mirror a winner in our books. Cooler Master has made improvements to their long-standing dual chamber pump design for quiet and reliable flow, and increased the surface area of their radiators for better heat dissipation, both of which are key items in our opinion. The 280mm radiator is one of the thinnest we have seen at just 27.2mm, but a good fin density ensures adequate airflow for maximum heat dissipation when paired up with two of Cooler Master’s new 140mm SickleFlow fans.
Installation in our AMD test system was very straightforward, and the inclusion of mounting hardware for a variety of Intel and AMD platforms ensures that this system is compatible with a wide variety of systems. Use of the system in our testbed resulted in idle temperatures in the middle of our results range, while the load temperatures placed this unit in second place behind a few other coolers tied for first.
Our only real complaint with this AIO is the lackluster ARGB controller that Cooler Master has included, and maybe the fact that the fans are non-RGB. Both of these improvements would definitely improve the feature set of the cooler, while also increasing the price point. Speaking of price point, the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML280 Mirror is available exclusively through Amazon for $134.99. This AIO did a good job of keeping our CPU cool, and at the end of the day, that is what counts the most around here. The Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML280 Mirror earns an 8 out of 10.
Pros:
- Good Performance
- Infinity Mirror Pump Housing
- Easy Installation
Cons:
- Lackluster ARGB Controller
- Non-RGB Fans