EK-Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB Overview
Out of the box, the CR360 Lux D-RGB is a pretty basic looking AIO. From a quick look, there isn’t really anything that stands out about this cooler. Upon further inspection however, I found that EK has implemented features here and there that make this AIO stand out from the rest of the field. As mentioned earlier, the CR360 is a 360mm AIO cooler, though EK does offer a 240mm version if you need a smaller solution. EK has provided three of their 120mm EK-FPT D-RGB fans which are paired up with a 27mm thick 360mm radiator. With the overall look out of the way, let’s take a closer look at the individual components of this AIO.
First up we have the aforementioned 360mm aluminum radiator. At just 27mm thick, the radiator on the CR360 is on the thin side of what I have seen from other manufacturers, though I have been quite impressed with many of the recent AIOs I have looked at that include a thinner radiator. With 20 fins-per-inch, the fin density is slightly less dense that many of the other AIOs I have seen with 22 fins-per-inch, but it should still be able to provide adequate surface area while still confined to a 27mm thickness. The 120mm EK-FPT fans included with this AIO have a static pressure rating of 2.7mm-H2O, and should provide plenty of airflow through the radiator while still keeping things pretty quiet at a maximum noise level of 36 dB. This maximum level comes at the top of the PWM fan’s operating range of 550-2,300 RPM.
The entire radiator exterior is painted black to match the rest of the cooler, and along the long sides of the radiator is a nice brushed aluminum trim plate with a polished edge. This look is definitely an upgrade compared to other AIOs, in my opinion.
Each braided cooling line exits from one end of the radiator’s extended end cap, and these lines are connected to the radiator via a hidden connection.
The reason I say they are hidden is because EK has added a cover on to the endcap of the radiator which conceals the standard look and also lines up with the installed fans, resulting in a nicer fit and finish. I found the cooling lines to be quite flexible during installation, and their 400mm length was adequate enough to provide flexibility during installation, while also not being so long as to be in the way.
Taking a look at the CPU water block and pump combination unit provides us with a look at the heart and soul of this AIO. Of note on the pump are a rotatable top that allows for 90-degree orientation adjustments, as well as new positioning of the rotary fittings for better installation options. More on both of these as we continue. House in this housing is the pump that runs at a maximum of 3,100 RPM, and is powered via a 4-pin PWM connection. Taking a look at the pump and reservoir combo from the top down, you will see a mostly circular design with a tinted/frosted cover. EK calls their lighting design around the pump “fan-like”, with twelve D-RGB LEDs, and an additional one to illuminate the small EKWB logo on the bottom right of the pump top.
Speaking of the pump top, it is actually removable, and can be installed in 90-degree increments depending on your installation needs. I always find these customizations to be a nice touch, and it really helps your build look just right. Nothing worse than a crooked or upside down component to screw up your look.
A fairly simple design of magnets and pogo-pin connections make sure the pump top stays in place and has the right connections available to light up your build.
Making my way around the cooler, exiting from the right side we have the two cooling lines. Each line is paired up with a rotary fitting to make installation and fitment much easier than with fixed connections. Again, EK has adjusted their design to place the fittings next to each other instead of on top of each other to allow for more flexibility and installation ease with this new cooler. A nice touch to the fittings is their brushed aluminum look with a polished edge – similar to that of the radiator trim plates.
In-between the two rotary connections is where the lighting and power cables exit the pump housing.
Taking a look at the underside of the cooler, we see a copper cold plate, secured to the pump via 12 screws. Pre-applied thermal material is present, though EK does provide a small syringe of thermal paste for future installation needs. Four threaded openings are also present to allow for the appropriate mounting hardware to be installed.
EK-FPT Fans
Included with the CR360 are three of EKWB’s EK-FPT 120mm fans. With an operating range of 500-2,300 RPM, and up to 72 CFM of airflow, these seven-blade fans should provide plenty of power when paired with the 360mm radiator. These fans have a slightly lower CFM rating than some previous AIOs I have reviewed, but with the wider radiator fin spacing, I expect they will work just fine when paired up. Each fan features multiple ARGB LEDs, which work to illuminate the semi-transparent fan blades.
The black frame of the EK-FPT fans is continues at each corner of the fan, where a rubber mount is placed to reduce vibration and noise output of the fan. Additionally, the interconnecting fan connections and cables are also all black.
Speaking of those interconnecting cables, the EK-FPTs feature the ability to daisy chain to one another, reducing the overall cable management needed with this AIO. This is a pretty handy feature, though the custom connections do pose some limits on how the fans connect to the rest of your build. Thankfully EK provides all of the adapters needed to supply lighting and power to the fans in this kit, in a non-proprietary way. Split off of the 8-pin connection on the fan is a 4-pin WPM line for connecting to your motherboard’s CPU fan header, while a standard 3-pin 5V line is present for lighting.
