Cooler Master MasterLiquid PL360 Flux AIO Cooler Review

The Cooler Master PL360 Flux is designed for Intel Socket LGA2066 / 2011 / 1700 / 1200 / 1156 / 1155 / 1150 and all modern AMD processors including TRX40 Threadripper. Here is an overview of the system and testing methodology

ASUS STRIX Z690-E Gaming – Z690 Chipset
Intel Core i7 12700k (3.2Ghz) Sixteen Core 12+12 32KB L2 Cache 9+9 x 1.25MB L3 Cache 25MB 

Coolers
Cooler Master MasterLiquid PL360 Flux
Thermaltake Toughliquid 360 ARGB

The CPUID System Monitor was used to obtain and record system temperature data and being that this is a quad core processor we need something that will work across all of the cores at once.  For this task we're using a new version of Prime95 (p95v255a) that will allow you to spawn (n) instances to test with.

Editors note: Even though the Windows 11 task manager reported 100% processor usage we could never attain a 100% of the rated heat output as documented by Intel when using Prime95 as a basis for that heat production. Knowing this we ran the stress test until the maximum temperature was attainted and stabilized.

Other things to consider when judging software induced heat output.

a) Clock throttling by the processor at high temperatures.
b) Normal software isn't designed to produce maximum heat output.
c) Variances of cooling temperature.
d) Variances in CPU load.
e) Inaccuracies in thermal diode readouts.
Of course the list goes on..

Our testing methodology is aimed to provide a real world look into this heatsink given the test system provided.

A C/W rating can quickly be calculated using this formula.

C/W = (CPU temp - Ambient temp)/(Variance(%) * CPU Watts)
Allowed variance for this test = 85%
CPU Watts = 125W (or 172W due to turbo clock)

0.17 C/W = (49C - 24C)/(.85(172W))

For this next test the CPU speed was cranked up to 5.1Ghz Sync across all performance cores and the test was re-run.

To calculate a new C/W rating for this test we will need to factor in the increased processor wattage.  However, given that the overclock is within the range of the max turbo frequency we will simply use the Max Turbo TDP

The variance still applies for our C/W calculation
Allowed variance for this test = 85%
CPU Watts = 241W

0.21 C/W = (68C - 24C)/(.85(241W))

In our heatsink and waterblock tests we don't really focus on overall load temperatures but rather how well the product can remove heat given a specified heat load. Since this is a real-world testing method, we need to take into consideration real world variables and estimate tolerances. This is why we normally only apply 85% of the total wattage output to our heat calculations.

The resulting C/W number is used to rate how efficient a heatsink or waterblock is based on the given heat load. These numbers can be used to determine heat capacity, the larger the difference the less efficient the heatsink is. (aka not good for overclocking)

Given that Alder Lake is a hybrid CPU the thermal calculations are difficult to figure.  We have a total of 16 Cores with 8 Cores running a much higher frequency than the other 8.  Collectively, the entire package contributes to the total TDP and yet my CPU has yet to hit the Max Turbo Frequency without me forcing it in the UEFI.

For this test I left everything at the ASUS default to represent out of box performance.  Most gamers will tweak the fan curves to increase cooling and is a good practice to get in when tuning your system.  Most processors work best when they are properly cooled and is why those fan controls exist.

Keep in mind these calculations are provided for demonstration purposes only and may not reflect the actual lab tested C/W rating, but we're pretty close.