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Keeping your processors cool is important in any computer. There are three ways to do so – active air cooling, passive air cooling, and water cooling. Certainly, water cooling will give you the best performance. However, that kind of cooling solution will cost you a lot of money. Not to mention, your computer case should have mounting holes for its radiator. For most users, air cooling is the most efficient and cost-effective cooling solution.
Aside from keeping your processor from burning, it also helps prevent thermal throttling that may hurt your computer’s performance. In this article, we are going to compare two air cooling solutions from Cooler Master – the Hyper 212 EVO and Hyper 212 LED. Getting a third-party air cooler such as these two Hyper-series coolers will also help you in overclocking your processor. However, the question now is: “Which of these Cooler Master CPU Coolers is better?” Let’s dive into their similarities and differences to answer this question.
| Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo | Cooler Master Hyper 212 LED | |
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| Heat Sink Material | Aluminum Fins, 4 Direct Contact Heat Pipes | Aluminum Fins, Copper Heat Pipes |
| Heat Pipe Dimensions | Ø6mm | Ø6mm |
| Fan Speed | 600 – 2000 RPM (PWM) ± 10% | 600 – 1600 RPM ± 10% |
| Fan Airflow | 24.9 – 82.9 CFM ± 10% | 66.3 CFM ± 10% |
| Fan Noise Level | 9 – 36 dBA | 9 – 31 dBA |
| Fan Bearing Type | Long Life Sleeve Bearing | Rifle Bearing |
| Fan Life Expectancy | 40,000 Hours | 280,000 Hours |
| Connector | 4-pin | 4-pin |
| Heat Sink Dimensions (L x W x H) | 116 x 51 x 159 mm | 116 x 60 x 160 mm |
| Heat Sink Weight | 465g | 468g |
| Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo vs Hyper 212 LED – Similarities
Let’s see how the Hyper 212 Evo and LED are similar.
Aluminum Fins with Copper Heat Pipe
The main components of an air cooler are the fins, heat pipes, and fan/s. In the case of both Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo and LED, both air coolers use aluminum fins and copper heat pipes. The combination of aluminum fins and copper heat pipes is common among higher-end air coolers. Their copper heat pipes have a diameter of 6 millimeters which helps in thermal transfer.
Heatsink Dimensions
Cooler Master Hyper-series air coolers have similar dimensions and weight. Both air coolers stand at 116 x 51 x 159 mm which is decent considering their price. These coolers are large enough to have efficient dissipation of heat. The weight difference between the Hyper 212 Evo and Hyper 212 LED is minimal at 465 grams and 468 grams, respectively.
Wide Motherboard Compatibility
Motherboard compatibility is not a problem with these Cooler Master air coolers since it accommodates almost all major motherboard sockets such as LGA1156, LGA775, and AM4. Whether your processor is made by Intel or AMD, both air coolers include mounting brackets for each motherboard socket.
Differences between Hyper 212 Evo vs Led
Fans Speed
The thermal performance of an air cooler mostly depends on how efficient the heat is transferred and dissipated. Several factors will come into play such as the fan speeds.
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo
The fan speed of the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo ranges from 600 to 2000 revolutions per minute. The airflow that the 212 Evo produces depends on these varying fan speeds. It ranges from 24.9 to 82.9 cubic feet per minute. Moreover, the noise level the fans make also depends on how fast the fans are spinning. The fan noise level varies from 9 to 36 decibels.
Cooler Master Hyper 212 LED
On the other hand, the Cooler Master Hyper 212 LED has a narrower range in terms of fan speed. It only ranges from 600 to 1600 revolutions per minute. The fan of the Hyper 212 LED can create 66.3 cubic feet per minute of airflow. Moreover, the higher end on the fan noise level of the Hyper 212 LED is also lower at only 31 decibels. The Hyper 212 LED has a red LED in its fan. Since thermal performance is paramount to any air cooler, the Hyper 212 Evo slightly edges the Hyper 212 LED in this category.
The Winner Is- Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo
Fan Bearing Type
The type of bearing used in the fan can affect its performance and the noise it produces. Moreover, the fan bearing type can also affect fan life expectancy.
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo
Cooler Master used a Long Life Sleeve Bearings on Hyper 212 Evo’s fan. This bearing type uses oil or grease as its lubrication to decrease friction. Sleeve bearings are believed to be less durable when subjected to a higher temperature. Heat can help accelerate the drying-up process of the lubricant; thus, it will also accelerate the wear of the bearing. The fan included with the Hyper 212 Evo has a life expectancy of around 40,000 hours which is significantly less than the Hyper 212 LED’s fan.
Cooler Master Hyper 212 LED
The Hyper 212 LED uses a Rifle Bearing which is nearly identical to the sleeve bearing. This type of bearing is a lot quieter, explaining why the lower maximum noise level the Hyper 212 LED produces. The Cooler Master Hyper 212 LED has a mean time to failures or MTTF of roughly 280,000 hours which is seven times longer than the Hyper 212 Evo.
The Winner Is- Cooler Master Hyper 212 LED
Copper Heat Pipes Gap
The layout of the copper heat pipes of the Hyper 212 Evo and LED is different from each other. One has gaps, while the other has not.
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo
The 4 copper pipes that have direct contact with the processor are placed gapless right next to each other. Cooler Master calls this Continuous Direct Contact. According to Cooler Master, this heat pipe configuration provides excellent heat dissipation. This layout offers 6% more contact while keeping the processor 5% cooler.
Cooler Master Hyper 212 LED
Surprisingly, although the CDC is a trademark of Cooler Master, they did not use it with the Hyper 212 LED. The gaps between heat pipes can result in uneven heat distribution. Therefore, the Hyper 212 LED has a more inefficient thermal transfer affecting its thermal performance.
The Winner Is- Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo
Pros and Cons
Hyper 212 Evo
Pros:
- The Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo is a popular choice among low-budget consumers and computer enthusiasts alike.
- It can reach higher fan speeds that will cool the processor down.
- The Hyper 212 Evo uses Cooler Master’s trademark Continuous Direct Contact technology that helps increase the contact surface by 6% and decrease system temperature by 5%.
Cons:
- The fan included with the Evo does not have LED lighting and has a lower life expectancy.
Hyper 212 LED
Pros:
- The Cooler Master Hyper 212 LED can lower your processor temperature using its copper heat pipes.
- It is quieter due to its rifle bearing.
- The Hyper 212 LED will last you longer for about 280,000 hours.
Cons:
- Although it has LED lighting, it is only available in red.
Which Cooler Master CPU Cooler is Better?
Inadequate cooling for your processor will give you a lot of problems. A toasted processor is the worst-case scenario when not cooled properly. If you are looking to overclock your processor, I recommend the Hyper 212 Evo. Many computer enthusiasts highly recommend the Hyper 212 Evo for its superior thermal performance. Even if you do not intend to overclock your processor, I still recommend the Hyper 212 Evo just because it will give your system better temperatures. Moreover, the Hyper 212 Evo has priced identically with the Hyper 212 LED. There is no reason why you will choose the Hyper 212 LED over the Hyper 212 Evo.