DeepCool LS720 Review: Bringing performance and value!

With previous generation Intel CPUs such as the i9-11900k or i9-10900k, a good cooler could handle up to 300w loads – but due to the increased thermal density of the 10nm++ Intel 7 manufacturing process (in comparison to the 14nm process), Alder Lake is much more difficult to cool in the highest wattage loads. For example, I haven’t found a cooler capable of keeping the i9-12900k under TJMax while running the OCCT small set stress test.

Today we’re looking at DeepCool’s newly released LS720. The LS720 is a 360mm AIO cooler with a 4th generation in-house pump design. This is somewhat unique, as most AIO coolers on the market are based on Asetek designs.

Prior to this review, most coolers I’ve tested have struggled to keep the 12900k under TJMax in demanding scenarios when power limits are removed. I tested DeepCool’s previous generation CASTLE 360EX – and while it did alright when power consumption was restricted to 200w, it hit TJMax with higher wattage workloads.

With previous generation Intel CPUs such as the i9-11900k or i9-10900k, a good cooler could handle up to 300w loads – but due to the increased thermal density of the 10nm++ Intel 7 manufacturing process (in comparison to the 14nm process), Alder Lake is much more difficult to cool in the highest wattage loads. For example, I haven’t found a cooler capable of keeping the i9-12900k under TJMax while running the OCCT small set stress test.

Out of all the coolers I’ve tested, only two coolers from MSI have been able to keep the 12900k comfortably under TJMax in workloads like Cinebench. Can DeepCool’s latest cooler, with it’s improved 4th generation water pump, tame the 12900k when power limits are removed? Read on….

DeepCool LS720, a 360mm AIO Liquid Cooler

DeepCool’s LS720 is packaged in box that is slim but wide, with molded cardboard for protection.

Included with the unit are the following:

• 3x 120mm FC120 fans
• Mounts for all modern CPU sockets, including LGA 1700 & AM4
• 360mm radiator & CPU pump
• User Guide
• Thermal Paste (Pre-Applied)
• A blank plate for the CPU pump, for those who would like to create their own designs
• 2x Clips for tubing cable management

Cooler Installation

The installation of this cooler on LGA 1700 is fairly simple – press the backplate against the motherboard, put on the standoffs, attach the CPU pump, and screw in the thumbscrews. DeepCool recommends installing the cooler in a 6 O’clock position for the best thermal performance.

Cooler Specifications

What’s different from other coolers

• DeepCool Anti-Leak Technology

Like previous DeepCool products, the LS720 comes with DeepCool’s Anti-Leak technology. The video below gives an overview on how it works

• 4th generation, in house, water pump

Most liquid coolers on the market today are based on Asetek AIO designs, but DeepCool’s LS720 utilizes an in-house design made by exclusively by DeepCool.

• Cover Customization

The default cover of the water pump can be replaced with a design of the user’s choice.

• FC120 Fans

There’s more to a cooler than just it’s heat sink. The fans included have a huge impact on cooling performance and noise levels.

I don’t feel the equipment I currently have is sufficient to perform a proper loudness test, but I can give a quick overview. In most loads the fans will operate at a fraction of their potential speed, and as such the noise levels are generally low. In intensive scenarios which push the cooler to it’s limits the fans are audible – but not what I would consider annoying. It’s certainly quieter than DeepCool’s previous CASTLE 360EX.

Testing Methodology

To test the limits of thermal capabilities, I have tested Cinebench with 3 TDP settings: no power limits, 200w, and 140w. OCCT small set results include only 200w and 140w results for the i9, because no cooler I have tested can keep the 12900k under TJMax if power limits are removed in this workload. I’ve also tested Cyberpunk 2077 and Assassin’s Creed : Odyssey results, as these are the most thermally demanding games I own.

For each cooler included in my results I used the thermal paste provided by the manufacturer when possible. I tested each cooler inside of BeQuiet’s Silent Base 802 Case

i9-12900k Thermal Results

Since most previously tested coolers have failed to prevent the i9-12900k from reaching TJMax while running Cinebench with power limits removed, that was the first thing I tested.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

DeepCool recommends testing this cooler while installed in a 6 O’clock mounting position. However, due to spacing constraints on my motherboard I tested using a 3 O’Clock mounting position. DeepCool’s internal testing has shown a increase of temperature of up to 3.7c in this position. This means my results will not show the LS720 in it’s most optimal performance configuration.

The LS720 did well in Cinebench testing, running 4 degress behind MSI’s CoreLiquid S280 when power limits are removed – a cooler which costs $100 more than the LS720. However, if we take into consideration the unideal mounting position I tested in – the LK720 should perform on par here when installed in a 6 O’Clock mounting position. At 200w, the LS720 pulls 1c ahead of MSI’s CoreLiquid S280.

OCCT’s small set stability test is very stressful, and with power limits removed will pull 270w before nearly instantly hitting TJmax and throttling. No cooler I have tested is able to keep the 12900k under TJMax in this test – and as such the results here are with TDP-limits set to 200w & 140w. The LS720 also performed well here, running only 2 degrees behind MSI’s CoreLiquid S280. If the cooler were mounted in DeepCool’s officially recommended position, in theory the two coolers should be on par with each other.

Now some folks might scratch their heads when seeing gaming thermal results, but at stock settings the i9-12900k will use up to 123w of power consumption in Cyberpunk 2077- making it a realistic “real life” example of a medium intensity heatload. In these results the LS720 provided equal performance when compared to MSI’s AIO coolers.

Conclusion

DeepCool has created a great product with the LS720. Featuring the 4th generation of DeepCool’s in-house water pump design, the LS720 provides cooling performance of up to 8c+ better than it’s previous generation AIOs. At $149 it provides a great value, providing performance similar to coolers which cost $50+ more.

The Good Stuff

• This is the best performing non-Asetek AIO I have tested
• Reasonably priced at $149

Neutral

• The water pump must be installed in the 6 O’clock position for best performance, but it performs well in other mounting positions

Cons

• None!

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