Fractal Design Lumen S28 RGB review (LCS) - Article

Fractal Design Lumen S28 RGB review

It's been a while since we've put a Fractal Design cooling unit through its paces. The most recent items, on the other hand, feature enhanced cooling, a pump that is integrated into the radiator, and an improved RGB appearance. 

Yes, the pump resides in the radiator surface area. Patent battles in the all-in-one sector cooler are well-documented, and with Asetek claiming patents for pumps that are placed within the CPU block, competitors are being forced to think outside the box to compete and bypass that patent. This is how Apaltek (the ODM behind these coolers) got around it: they slid the pump right in between the radiators, as shown in the photos on the next page above. Is that optimal? No, we believe that, even though you will surely lose a small amount of radiator surface area, the steady hum will be more audible to our ears due to the pump's location at the outside edges of the PC. Anyhow with the release of Lumen, the Swedish company is refocusing its attention on the mid-range market segment. In terms of price, the AiOs start at 99.99 € for the Lumen S24, the next larger model follows with a surcharge of 10 € in each case. For RGB, another €10 surcharge is due, so the Lumen S36 RGB is the most expensive model at €129.99. Aspect RGB fans are included in the box for each of the three form factors, with 280mm and 360mm variants.

With its newly introduced Aspect PWM fans and daisy-chainable power/ARGB connectors, Lumen is an attractive AIO solution for both new and experienced builders. It is also pre-applied with excellent thermal paste coverage, making it an appealing AIO solution for both new and experienced builders. In addition to Asus AURA and Gigabyte Fusion support, MSI Mystic Light support, Razer Chroma support, and ASRock Polychrome support are also available for manipulating the pump's integrated ARGB effects. With a pump and radiator, ship pressure tested, pre-filled, and sealed directly from the factory to provide maintenance-free operation for years, it all sounds good. This ease of use extends to its support of the latest Intel and AMD sockets, including the latest Intel LGA 1155/1156/1200/2011 and AMD AM3/AM4 sockets, but not thread ripper or Alder Lake. The series is equipped with a high-density water microchannel and copper finish block to offer efficient thermal conduct along with an Aluminum fin to maximize its cooling performance. Fan replacement is available with the standard built-in mounting holes.  

We took a closer look at the Lumen S28 in both its RGB and monochrome variations. In the next test, we will determine whether or not the Lumen is a convincing choice in terms of cooling performance and volume.

Model	Fractal Design Lumen S28 RGB
Dimensions Radiator ( H x W x D)	312 x 140 x 27 mm (without fan)312 x 140 x 52 mm (with fans)
Compatible sockets	Intel LGA 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1200, 1366, 2011, 2011-3, 2066AMD AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, AM4, FM1, FM2, FM2+
Fan	type 2x 140 mm ARGB (Aspect 14 RGB PWM) Color Fan blades: semi-opaque white, frame: black RPM 500 ? 1700 rpm Static pressure max. 2.05 mmH?O Volumetric flow 78 CFM / 132.52 m³/h Loudness 35.5 dB(A) Connection 4-pin PWM, 3-pin RGB
Pump	speed 4000 ± 10% rpm adjustable no start-up voltage 12 V Bottom plate Copper Dimensions (block with connectors) 79 x 67 x 43 mm
Hose length	400 mm
Special features	ARGB fan, illuminated pump cover (rotatable)
Warranty	5 years
Price	? 119.99