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Apart from adding new fans in unexpected places, experimenting with pump-less tech, or getting increasingly clever with mirrors and holograms, there's little you can do to spice up an AIO cooler. The basic tech, after all, is pretty settled. That doesn't stop some manufacturers from trying to add a little spice in whatever way they can, though, such as this new prototype that Hyte has been showing off at Computex.
The main feature of note is that the shroud around the radiator fans is transparent. That means you can see through to the fins on the radiator, and it might just add a little more flair to your build if you're going for a transparent/translucent theme. The cap on the pump also looks nice—you can't tell from the still photo, but that RGB spins around, which looks great because the pump is lit up all over.
We weren't given a name for the cooler, given it's just a prototype, but we were told that Hyte is aiming to have it start at $100. And although I'm not certain whether that would be for a triple-fan version pictured or a two-fan 240 mm one, I'd lean towards the former, given that's what they're actually showing off.
The appeal, then, will be the combo of its price tag and aesthetic. For reference, the Cooler Master MasterLiquid Core II—the best budget liquid cooler—has an MSRP of $100, though it's currently selling for $120 at Amazon.
You can certainly get an AIO for cheaper, but for bang for your buck, $100 is about right. Of course, with this one from Hyte, much will come down to how it actually performs. We've had kind of mixed experiences with previous ones from Hyte, so it'll really have to be judged on an individual basis.
The main question one might have about this cooler at this early prototype stage, though, is just how beneficial that transparent shroud is going to be given it's underneath a big radiator, meaning that's all you'll be seeing through it if you happen to look at it head-on. And from the side—which will most likely be how you're viewing it—you might not get a view of much past the RGB fans.
Though maybe that's the point, to see the RGB fans lit up side-on. I suppose we'll just have to wait and see how that looks in practice, in an actual system.
1. Best AIO:
Arctic Liquid Freezer III Pro
2. Best budget AIO:
Cooler Master MasterLiquid Core II
3. Best high-end AIO:
Be Quiet! Light Loop
4. Best screen:
NZXT Kraken Elite RGB (2024)
5. Best stealth:
Corsair Nautilus RS
