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 |
|
||||||||||||||
Pump |
|
||||||||||||||
Hose length | 400 mm | ||||||||||||||
Special features | ARGB fan, illuminated pump cover (rotatable) | ||||||||||||||
Warranty | 5 years | ||||||||||||||
Price | ? 119.99 |
This time, we’re checking out a mid-sized ATX tower PC chassis –a Fractal Design NORTH. The look is inspired by a Scandinavian design, with bespoke details like brass (Charcoal), steel (Chalk), or faux leather tab for easy access to the top of the chassis. It introduces fusing design and airflow engineering. Natural materials like genuine walnut (Charcoal) or oak (Chalk) panels make this gaming case a stylish addition to the living space.
Fractal Design Focus 2 chassis review
This time, we're checking out the Fractal Design Focus 2, a successor of the Focus G chassis (ATX compatible), which we reviewed back in 2017. A Mini version was also available, dedicated to the mATX motherboards. The Fractal Design Focus 2 appears to have changed quite a lot from the original.
Fractal Design Pop Air RGB Black TG review
We're taking a look at the Fractal Design Pop Air RGB Black TG review today, a tower PC chassis with a mesh front design that promotes airflow. Its design emphasizes flexibility and space and airfl...
Fractal Torrent Nano mITX chassis review
We review the Fractal Design Torrent Nanop in a white finish, a silent PC housing for small form factor motherboards. For this Mini-ITX ready chassis can you'll be surprised about storage, style, USB...