MSI MAG CORELIQUID C360 Review

Introduction to the MSI MAG CORELIQUID C360

In the review of MSI MAG CORELIQUID C360 we will find the most advanced model of the brand before its more elaborate versions of the MEG and MPG range based on Asetek integrated pump and exchanger technology. This model maintains the design of the most basic models of the brand, with a pump integrated in the radiator, but adding very interesting quality elements that place it in a superior position to the rest of its brothers in the MAG CORELIQUID range.

MSI’s MAG CORELIQUID C series It is sold in three radiator sizes: 240, 280 and 360mm, the latter being the one that we have had the opportunity to assemble and test. It has a fairly balanced price, for its features, equipping some of the best fans of the brand and making a powerful ARGB lighting system available to the user.

Like all his brothers in the range MSI MAG CORELIQUIDthe C series mounts the delivery pump on the radiator, integrated into its own body, separating the exchange and delivery points in search of important advantages such as the elimination of the thermal impact suffered by this mechanical component being close to the heat produced by the processor.

This version tops off its good equipment with quality fans, which in this edition includes Addressable RGB lighting with 8 LEDs per fan and an exchange block with the same lighting capacity and some extra elements as we will see in our analysis of its exchange block. The Serie MSI MAG CORELIQUID C has support for Intel LGA1700 processors as well as the upcoming AMD AM5.

Integrated radiator and pump

Its large 360mm radiator it is completely made of aluminium, the pump is embedded in a central area, in a physical configuration that we have already tested before, here you have an example, with excellent overall results.

The installed radiator is completely conventional, in its structure, with flat ducts covered by more sheets of wave-shaped aluminum strip that increases the heat exchange surface while maintaining good air flow. The only difference is that MSI places a boost pump close to the coolant intakes and centered on the radiator.. In this way, the hot liquid enters through the sides of the radiator, where the fans have the most effect, and is pushed back into the circuit through the central area where the pump is located.

It is an intelligent design that concentrates all the mechanical elements of the kit in one place, reducing vibrations and noise. In addition, the pump is also more ventilated which increases its lifespan than if we install it near the point of heat exchange with the CPU.

For this MSI uses a motor with three phases, with six poles, which eliminates resonance producing minimal vibrations for long-lasting operation capacity. The pump works at a fixed frequency of 4200rpm and it is powered by a three-pin molex connector, its position on the radiator means that cable management is totally concentrated in that area since the fans will also be fixed there.

The connections to the radiator are made by means of low permeability fixed fittings. It has a filling hole that is sealed by the brand for warranty control. MSI offers up to three years on these models.

heat exchanger and tubes

The tubes in this kit, 400mm long for a comfortable installation, are the usual ones made of synthetic rubber with internal reinforcement. They are very low permeability tubes and they will not have any reaction no matter how aggressive the environment or the liquid that runs through them. Their internal reinforcement prevents the tube from pinching and they are also finished with a nylon cover that protects the inner tube. and also offers a more elaborate aesthetic finish.

The tubes are fixed to the exchange block in unions that allow rotation and in the radiator in a perpendicular entry. They are all low permeability fittings that offer a long durability to the system and with a very low risk of leaks during its useful life. Twist on block allows for easier, neater placementand do not pose any risk due to the design of the fitting.

The heat exchanger is very similar to the P-series, at least in the form of its angled design. The main difference is that this model has with a cover designed to enhance, through a light-diffusing material, the powerful ARGB LEDs installed inside.

The heat exchanger in this unit has limited functions because the usual pump has been moved, as we have already explained, to the radiator. Therefore, its only function is to provide some refrigerant storage in a micro-reservoir and to support the heat exchanger plate.

MSI the factory completely in copper, with a good brushed finish perfect for the application of thermal paste which also includes the mounting kit. Inside, the sheet is micro channeled to improve turbulence and the exchange surface.

The argb lighting it is completely independent from the different motors in the cooling kit so it has its own wiring. This also happens in the swap block. The advantage is that MSI has designed the wiring well so that we can easily concentrate it in a single point on the motherboard through “Y” connections on all the lighting cables, both for the block and for the three fans.

The block has everything you need to dock with any existing processor except AMD’s Threadripper, and this includes Intel’s LGA1700 socket processors and AMD’s upcoming AM5.

Dual Ball Bearing ARGB Fans

In this model we have three 120mm fans to cool the 360mm radiatorwe could install another three in the rear area of ​​the radiator in a “push-pull” configuration that we would have to buy separately, in addition the screws are not included, although they are not difficult to find for mounting on the radiator.

The three included fans are specially designed for mounting on radiators. Its 9-blade configuration with a steep angle of attack produces a very healthy static pressure and good airflow. Specifically, they get up to 2.39mm-H2O at its maximum frequency of 2000rpm with an airflow of almost 80CFM.

The speeds of these fans with a rotor supported by double ball bearings are between 500 and 2000 revolutions per minute. Connectivity is PWM type with adjustment capacity between 7 and 12v and a maximum consumption of 0.18A. With this range of frequencies we can achieve a very balanced operation that will result in very pleasant noise in any situation of use, its large radiator size also helps in this regard. They have an average lifespan of up to 70,000 hours, which is a good figure, no doubt.

The cables are also generous, up to 350mm for the PWM connector and 500mm for the ARGB in “Y”which makes them easy to manage in any type of installation and also MSI adds a cascade cable that maintains PWM connectivity so that we can manage the three fans as if they were one and also reducing the need for multiple connectors on the motherboard. .

The only drawback, at the level of managing the wiring, is that we will have two cables per fan, one for motor power and one for ARGB connectivity. The advantage of the latter is that they come with input and output on each fan, so we can connect them in cascade and control them all from the same 5v ARGB port.

MSI MAG CORELIQUID C360 performance tests

In any cooling system size matters and in a liquid cooling system the most important size is the size of the radiator. More exchange surface means more performance and more performance with less airflow which also allows us to better adjust the fans to our liking. It must also be said that three fans, in addition to this lighting potential, achieve a spectacular effect on our test table.

Having a 360mm radiator is an important advantage in any cooling kit, but it is also a disadvantage due to the space it consumes in the case. Despite this, it is easy to find cases today, semi-tower sized and quite compact, with the capacity to house one or more radiators of this size.

PWM tuning the fans to achieve our perfect performance curve is usually easy with the right motherboard or software. With this size and these fans, we are able to keep a 100W processor below its proper usage range, allowing it to deliver its full potential in the form of turbo frequencies, while keeping system noise more than under control. It is a solid and pleasant performance.

With the resistor accessory to limit the voltage of the fans by “hardware” we will find an extra solution to reduce noise without the need to parameterize anything, we have added performance tests with this limiter, which reduces the maximum frequency to 1600rpm.

Results

Idle Noise (dBA)

Load noise (dBA)

CPU Temp (Idle)

Idle (rpm)

Radiator Temp (Load)

CPU Temp (Load)

Load (rpm)

Analysis and conclusion

This latest analysis has confirmed to us that MSI has a well-balanced and very solid range of cooling products with different well-structured models to cover the different needs of each user. This particular model undoubtedly has one of its main strengths and differences in its powerful lighting system, truly unique.

It’s easy to mount, compatible with any processor, mounts easily, and has very good overall performance. It is a highly recommended solution that we can also usually find below its 173 euros recommended price. A good bet if we want power, controlled noise and size at a very adequate price.

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