Antec Kuhler Box Review

Performance Analysis

Despite our concerns about the Kuhler Box's mount in our AM3 test system, our Phenom II CPU didn't spontaneously combust when we on switched our test PC. In fact, the Kuhler Box actually cooled our test CPU comparatively well.

It managed a delta T of 32°C, which was enough to put the Kuhler Box in the top half of the coolers we've tested, putting it above coolers such as the Be Quiet! Dark Rock Advanced and the Gelid Tranquillo. However, this result was still a good 12°C off the all-conquering Frio's imperious delta T of 20°C, making its AM3 performance comparatively uncompetitive.

It was a similar story in our LGA1155 system, where the Kuhler Box achieved a load delta T of 54°C. This was enough to put it in front of the Thermolab Bada 2010 and the Xigmatek Dark Knight, and a long way in front of the reference cooler. However, the result was still 5°C off the Frio's 49°C load temperature.

Conclusion

Two slightly damning factors were obvious once we'd finished testing the Kuhler Box. First, it's very loud with its fan at full speed. It probably won't be running flat out all the time, but in contrast, the Be Quiet! Dark Rock Advanced C1 produced similar results while barely making a sound.

In our LGA1155 system, the Gelid Tranquillo proved to be its nemesis, though, equalling the Kuhler Box's performance while being quieter and costing £13 less. Ultimately, the Kuhler Box is outdone in several fields, primarily noise and price, which means there's little to distinguish it from the rest of the field.

AMD Socket AM3 Scores

• Cooling
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• -
• -
• 7/10

• Design
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• -
• -
• 7/10

• Value
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• -
• -
• -
• -
• 5/10

• Overall
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• -
• -
• -
• 6/10

Intel LGA1155 Scores

• Cooling
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• 9/10

• Design
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• -
• -
• 7/10

• Value
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• -
• -
• -
• -
• 5/10

• Overall
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• -
• -
• 7/10

Score Guide