The AlphaCool Core Ocean T38 360mm AIO CPU Cooler Review: Loud and Proud

Testing Results, Maximum Fan Speed

Our maximum speed testing is performed with both the fans and the pump of the kit powered via a 12V DC source. This input voltage should have the pump and fans matching the speed ratings of the manufacturer. According to the company’s specifications, the included 120 mm fans should have a rotational speed of 2500 RPM. Our tachometer indicated that the fans were rotating at an average speed of 2510 RPM, very close to the rated specifications and consistent to each other.

The AlphaCool Core Ocean T38 360mm cooler demonstrates strong performance under various load conditions, achieving an average thermal resistance of 0.0632 °C/W at a maximum fan speed of 2510 RPM. Its thermal efficiency remains relatively stable across different loads. It lands at the top spots of our performance chats but we should not forget about the very high speed of the stock fans.

At a maximum fan speed, the AlphaCool Core Ocean T38 360mm cooler registers a noise level of 46.7 dB(A), which is considered high even for a cooler configuration that includes three 120mm fans. Despite its high thermal performance across various loads, the cooler's high noise output is a significant factor, especially for users sensitive to sound levels in their computing environments. We should not forget that the fans feature full range PWM capability and users can adjust their speed at will, so the Core Ocean T38 simply has the capacity of reaching a high thermal performance at the expense of noise, it does not require it.

Testing Results, Low Fan Speed

Using a PWM voltage regulator, we reduced the speed of the fans manually down to half their rated speed. At this setting, the 120 mm JE12025L12V fans of the Core Ocean T38 rotate at 1250 RPM.

The AlphaCool Core Ocean T38 360 mm cooler demonstrates good cooling efficiency, resulting to an average thermal resistance of 0.0814 °C/W. This performance figure positions it competitively, close to the efficiency levels of more complex and costly liquid cooling systems, yet we should not forget that this thermal performance has been achieved with the fans running at 1250 RPM, a figure much higher than that of most similar solutions.

The acoustic performance of the AlphaCool Core Ocean T38 360mm cooler is rather mediocre even when its fans are operating at half speed. At this reduced speed of 1250 RPM, the noise level is 35.5 dB(A), which actually positions it as one of the louder options among cooling solutions that utilize three fans.

Thermal Resistance VS Sound Pressure Level

During our thermal resistance vs. sound pressure level test, we maintain a steady 100W thermal load and assess the overall performance of the coolers by taking multiple temperature and sound pressure level readings within the operating range of the stock cooling fans. The result is a graph that depicts the absolute thermal resistance of the cooler in comparison to the noise generated. For both the sound pressure level and absolute thermal resistance readings, lower figures are better.

The AlphaCool Core Ocean T38, with its full range 2500 RPM fans, offers a broad operational spectrum but does not quite match the thermal-to-noise performance of the Enermax LiqMaxFlo, a product sharing a similar design and radiator thickness. It performs almost similarly to advanced coolers with 27 mm thick radiators and even manages to surpass them, yet at very high fan speeds that push far to the right of the noise scale. This positions the AlphaCool Core Ocean T38 as a powerful, yet noisier alternative, especially under maximal operational conditions.