I remember the distinct feeling of frustration. We had just finished a beautiful small form factor (SFF) build for a media center PC. The case was sleek, the components were carefully chosen for a balance of power and efficiency, but there was one problem: the noise. The wheezing, high-pitched whine of the stock Intel cooler under any load was maddening. It turned an otherwise silent and elegant machine into a miniature jet engine every time we tried to stream a 4K video or launch a lightweight game. The thermal performance was just as disappointing, with CPU temperatures creeping into the high 80s, threatening to throttle performance and shorten the chip’s lifespan. This is a story familiar to countless builders; you invest in a powerful processor only to have its potential suffocated by the inadequate, afterthought cooler that came in the box. It’s a bottleneck that not only limits performance but actively degrades the user experience.
- 【Fit for Flexibile Form Factors】An ideal choice for SFF builds or even full sized builds, coming in at 72mm in height compatibility is not an issue.
- 【Intel Optimized】Ensured compatibility with Intel LGA 1851/1700/1200/1156/1155/1151/1150.
- 【Infinity Mirror】Adding depth to lighting we installed an infinity mirror to the center hub of the fan for an extra effect.
What to Consider Before Buying a CPU Air Cooler
A CPU air cooler is more than just a fan on a block of metal; it’s the single most important component for ensuring your processor’s stability, performance, and longevity. It’s a key solution for dissipating the immense heat generated by modern CPUs, preventing thermal throttling (where the CPU slows itself down to avoid overheating), and allowing for potential overclocking. The main benefits are immediately noticeable: lower operating temperatures, a significantly quieter system, and the peace of mind that your expensive processor is protected. Upgrading from a stock cooler is often one of the most cost-effective performance boosts you can give your PC, unlocking the power you already paid for but couldn’t safely access.
The ideal customer for a product like the Thermaltake UX150 ARGB CPU Cooler is someone facing the exact issues we described. This includes first-time builders moving beyond stock cooling, system upgraders looking to quiet down a noisy prebuilt PC, or SFF enthusiasts who need effective cooling within tight space constraints. It’s also perfect for those who want to add a touch of customizable RGB flair without breaking the bank. However, this type of cooler might not be suitable for extreme overclockers pushing high-end CPUs like an Intel Core i9 or AMD Ryzen 9 to their absolute limits. Those users generate well over the 130W TDP rating and would be better served by a high-performance dual-tower air cooler or an All-In-One (AIO) liquid cooling solution.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Socket Compatibility & Clearance: This is non-negotiable. Ensure the cooler explicitly supports your motherboard’s CPU socket (e.g., LGA 1700 for modern Intel, AM5 for modern AMD). Beyond that, check the cooler’s height against your case’s maximum CPU cooler height specification. Lastly, consider its width to ensure it doesn’t overhang and block your RAM slots, a problem the UX150 is specifically designed to avoid.
- Thermal Design Power (TDP): TDP is a measure of the maximum heat a component is expected to generate. Your cooler’s TDP rating must meet or exceed your CPU’s TDP. For example, the Thermaltake UX150 ARGB CPU Cooler is rated for 130W, making it suitable for a wide range of mid-range CPUs, but insufficient for heavily overclocked, high-core-count processors.
- Heatsink & Fan Design: The cooler’s effectiveness comes from its materials and construction. A copper base provides excellent heat transfer from the CPU, while aluminum fins offer a large surface area to dissipate that heat into the air. The fan’s size (larger is often quieter), speed range (measured in RPM), and bearing type (hydraulic bearings are a good balance of quiet operation and longevity) all contribute to the final performance and noise profile.
- Aesthetics & Connectivity: In an era of tempered glass cases, looks matter. Decide if you want RGB lighting. If so, check the connector type. Addressable RGB (ARGB) typically uses a 3-pin 5V header on your motherboard, allowing for individual LED control and synchronization with other components. Standard RGB uses a 4-pin 12V header with more limited color options. Ensure your motherboard has the correct header.
While the Thermaltake UX150 ARGB CPU Cooler is an excellent choice for many builds, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, from compact budget options to high-end liquid coolers, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- [Brand Overview] Thermalright is a Taiwan brand with more than 20 years of development. It has a certain popularity in the domestic and foreign markets and has a pivotal influence in the player...
- Cool for R7 | i7: Four heat pipes and a copper base ensure optimal cooling performance for AMD R7 and *Intel i7.
- 【Ø6mm Copper Heat Pipes】For effective heat dissapation Six Copper Heat Pipes oriented in a U-Shape join up in an Aluminum Fin Stack, for a TDP of up to 500W.
First Impressions: Compact Power with a Mesmerizing Glow
Unboxing the Thermaltake UX150 ARGB CPU Cooler, the first thing we noticed was its surprising density. For a low-profile cooler with a height of just 72mm, it has a reassuring heft. The black-coated aluminum fins are cleanly stacked, and the copper base plate, while not a mirror finish, is smooth and flat for optimal contact with the CPU. The centerpiece is, without a doubt, the 130mm fan with its integrated infinity mirror hub. Even unpowered, it hints at the impressive visual effect to come. The packaging is straightforward, including a universal mounting bracket for various Intel sockets, plastic push-pins, and a small tube of thermal paste. The non-interference design is immediately apparent; its top-down airflow configuration is clearly engineered to stay within the CPU socket’s designated keep-out zone, ensuring it won’t conflict with even tall RAM modules. Compared to a stock cooler, it’s a night-and-day difference in build quality and visual appeal. The thoughtful design promises both performance and style, a combination often missing in this price bracket.
What We Like
- Excellent thermal performance for its 130W TDP rating
- Stunning ARGB infinity mirror effect adds premium aesthetics
- Compact 72mm height ensures wide compatibility with SFF cases
- Quiet operation under normal loads thanks to the hydraulic bearing fan
- Great value proposition, offering a huge upgrade over stock coolers
Potential Drawbacks
- Installation can be challenging, especially with the AMD mounting clips
- Inconsistent inclusion of AMD mounting brackets reported by some users
A Deep Dive into the Thermaltake UX150 ARGB CPU Cooler’s Performance
Aesthetics are great, but a CPU cooler has one primary job: to keep the processor cool. We put the Thermaltake UX150 ARGB CPU Cooler through its paces in a real-world build to see if its performance lives up to its striking looks. Our test bench consisted of an Intel Core i5-12400 processor, a popular mid-range chip known for its efficiency but which can still get toasty under sustained load with a stock cooler. We mounted it on a Micro-ATX motherboard inside a compact case to simulate a typical SFF or budget gaming build where this cooler would feel most at home.
Installation and Compatibility: A Tale of Two Sockets
The installation process is where we encountered the most friction, a sentiment echoed in numerous user experiences. For our Intel LGA 1700 setup, the process was manageable but required some patience. As one user correctly noted, you absolutely must remove the motherboard from the case to install the included universal backplate. From there, you place the bracket on top, apply thermal paste, position the cooler, and secure it using the somewhat finicky plastic push-pins. It holds securely, but metal standoffs and thumbscrews would have inspired more confidence. We managed it without issue, but it’s a less premium mounting system than you’d find on more expensive coolers.
However, the story for AMD users seems more complicated. We found numerous reports of users struggling with the mounting hardware. Several users mentioned the AMD mounting clamp was “super tight,” requiring an “uncomfortable amount of force to snap it on.” One user even reported breaking a mounting tab on their motherboard’s bracket. An even more concerning issue is the repeated claim that some boxes are shipping without the necessary AM4/AM5 bracket altogether, despite the product being advertised as compatible. While our review unit was focused on Intel, this is a significant potential issue for AMD builders. The takeaway is clear: for Intel, the installation is doable but requires motherboard removal. For AMD, it seems to be a gamble, with a potentially frustrating installation process or missing hardware. Despite these hurdles, the cooler’s physical compatibility is excellent. Its 72mm height fit into our compact case with room to spare, and as advertised, there was zero interference with our RAM modules, which is a critical advantage for compact builds.
Thermal Performance: From Roasting to Relaxed
Once installed, the performance of the Thermaltake UX150 ARGB CPU Cooler was nothing short of a revelation compared to the stock Intel cooler. Before the swap, our Core i5-12400 would idle around 40-45°C and quickly shoot up to 85°C+ under a sustained Cinebench R23 multi-core stress test, with the fan screaming. After installing the UX150, idle temperatures dropped to a stable 32-35°C. The real test, however, was the stress test. The cooler held the CPU to a maximum temperature of 68°C, an incredible drop of over 17 degrees. The fan, while audible at its full 2400 RPM, was a low hum rather than the high-pitched whine of the stock cooler.
This experience directly validates the feedback from a user with a prebuilt ROG G15 who saw their gaming temperatures plummet from “80+” down to a “cool 67-70” at max settings. This is precisely the target audience and the expected result. For CPUs within its 130W TDP rating, this cooler doesn’t just manage the heat; it decisively tames it. It transforms a thermally-limited system into one that can run at its full potential without throttling. We even found it provided enough headroom for some light overclocking on compatible chips, though pushing a high-end CPU would be asking too much. For mainstream gaming, media consumption, and general productivity, the cooling capability is exceptional for its price point and size.
Acoustics and Aesthetics: The Alluring Infinity Mirror
Beyond raw cooling power, the user experience is defined by noise and visuals, and the Thermaltake UX150 ARGB CPU Cooler delivers on both fronts. The 130mm fan uses a hydraulic bearing, which is known for its quiet operation and long lifespan. During idle and light tasks like web browsing or video playback, the cooler is effectively silent, often outdone by the ambient noise of case fans, just as one user noted. It’s a massive quality-of-life improvement over a stock cooler that audibly ramps up and down with every minor task. Under heavy gaming load, the fan is certainly audible, but it’s a consistent, low-frequency rush of air that is far less intrusive than the high-pitched whine of smaller, lower-quality fans.
Of course, the star of the show is the ARGB infinity mirror. Connected via a standard 3-pin 5V ARGB header, it synced flawlessly with our motherboard’s control software. The effect is genuinely mesmerizing. It creates a deep, tunnel-like illusion of light that serves as a stunning visual centerpiece for any build with a side panel window. The six LEDs are bright and produce vibrant, well-saturated colors that transition smoothly. It elevates the look of the entire system from a simple collection of parts to a curated piece of hardware. It’s a premium feature on a budget-friendly cooler, and for builders who care about aesthetics, this alone could be the deciding factor. It’s important to note, however, that one user reported their RGB failed after some time, which suggests that while beautiful, long-term component reliability could be a minor concern, though our unit performed perfectly throughout testing. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to gauge overall satisfaction.
What Other Users Are Saying
Across the board, the user sentiment for the Thermaltake UX150 ARGB CPU Cooler is largely positive, centering on its incredible value. Many users, like one who simply stated it “Tanked my CPU temps,” were thrilled with the dramatic improvement in cooling performance over their OEM solutions. Another reviewer who used it to replace a stock FX-8320 cooler called it a “decent quiet cooler” that bought them a few more years of life from an aging CPU. Its effectiveness in cooling chips like the Ryzen 7 5700X and Ryzen 5 2400G was also highly praised, with users reporting gaming temperatures in the low 60s.
The negative feedback almost universally revolves around the installation hardware. The primary pain point is the AMD mounting system. We saw multiple complaints about the extreme force needed to attach the clips and, more critically, the baffling exclusion of the AMD bracket in some packages. One disappointed buyer noted, “Shows AMD compatibility sockets, but doesn’t come with or show and AMD bracket on the box.” This is a significant quality control issue that prospective buyers, especially those on the AMD platform, need to be aware of. While the cooler itself performs admirably, the installation experience can clearly range from straightforward to intensely frustrating depending on your system and luck of the draw with the included hardware.
How Does the Thermaltake UX150 ARGB CPU Cooler Compare to the Alternatives?
The Thermaltake UX150 ARGB CPU Cooler occupies a competitive space, but its unique combination of low-profile design, strong 130W performance, and infinity mirror aesthetics helps it stand out. However, different builds have different needs, and it’s important to see how it stacks up against other popular options. Looking at the current market for CPU coolers shows a wide range of choices.
1. Corsair iCUE Link Titan 420 RX AIO Liquid CPU Cooler
- All-in-One CPU Cooling Made Easy with iCUE LINK: High-performance, low-noise AIO cooling helps you get the most out of your CPU, taking advantage of the iCUE LINK ecosystem for simplified, streamlined...
- Effortless Connectivity and Intelligent Design: iCUE LINK technology lets you connect all your components in sequence using universal connectors, all plugged into a single port on the included iCUE...
- FlowDrive Cooling Engine: A performance pump powered by a three-phase motor, combined with a precision engineered cold plate surface profile to ensure maximum contact with your CPU’s integrated heat...
Comparing the UX150 to the Corsair Titan 420 RX is like comparing a sports sedan to a Formula 1 car. The Corsair is a premium 420mm All-In-One (AIO) liquid cooler designed for maximum thermal dissipation. It’s aimed at enthusiasts with high-end, overclocked CPUs who demand the absolute best performance and are willing to pay a significant premium for it. The UX150 is not in the same league for raw cooling power, but that’s not its purpose. You would choose the Corsair for a flagship gaming rig with a Core i9 or Ryzen 9. You choose the Thermaltake UX150 for a budget-conscious, SFF, or mid-range build where the Corsair would be overkill in both price and size.
2. ID-COOLING SE-224-XTS CPU Air Cooler
- 【Better Heat Dissipation】The CPU cooler comes with 4 heat pipes and 120mm PWM fan to make sure excellent heat transfer from CPU
- 【PWM Fan】The 120mm PWM fan delivers Low-Noise for automatic speed control and ultra-quiet operation for extreme CPU cooling performance. Max. Air Flow: 70CFM ; Noise Level: 28.9dB(A) Max
- 【RAM Compatibility】Non-interference with memory mounting even in mini-ITX motherboards due to the heatsink slant design
The ID-COOLING SE-224-XTS is a much more direct competitor. It’s a traditional 120mm tower-style air cooler, also aimed at the budget-to-mid-range market. In terms of pure thermal performance, a tower cooler like the SE-224-XTS will often have a slight edge over a low-profile, top-down cooler like the UX150 due to its larger heatsink mass and more direct airflow path towards the rear case fan. However, the UX150’s key advantage is its compact, 72mm SFF-friendly design and its non-interference with RAM. The SE-224-XTS is taller and may present clearance issues in smaller cases. The choice here comes down to priorities: if you have a slim case or value the infinity mirror aesthetic, the UX150 is the clear winner. If you have a standard ATX case and prioritize squeezing out every last degree of cooling performance for the price, the SE-224-XTS is a strong contender.
3. Thermalright PS120SE CPU Air Cooler
- 【Brand Overview】Thermalright is a Taiwanese brand with more than 20 years of development history. It has a certain popularity in the domestic and international markets and has a decisive influence...
- 【AGHP technique】7x6mm heatpipe with AGHP upgraded 4th generation technology, the Inverse gravity effect caused by vertical / horizontal orientation, cpu cooler TDP is 105W to 280W. Up to 20000...
- 【Product specification】 PS120SE; CPU Cooler dimensions:125(L)x135(W)x154(H)mm (4.92x5.31.06 inch); Product weight:0.9kg(1.98lb); heat sink material: aluminum,the main body is made of anodized...
The Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120SE represents the next tier up in air cooling. As a dual-tower, dual-fan cooler with seven heat pipes, its performance capabilities significantly exceed the UX150’s. This cooler is for users who want to push their CPUs harder, perhaps with moderate overclocking, but aren’t ready to jump to liquid cooling. It can handle much higher TDP loads than the UX150, making it suitable for more powerful processors. The trade-offs are size, complexity, and price. The PS120SE is a massive cooler that requires a wide case and careful checking of RAM clearance. The Thermaltake UX150 is the simpler, more compact, and more affordable solution for builds that don’t require this level of extreme cooling performance.
Our Final Verdict: A Worthy Upgrade with a Few Caveats
After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the Thermaltake UX150 ARGB CPU Cooler is overwhelmingly positive, with a few important asterisks. It succeeds brilliantly in its mission to be a high-value, aesthetically pleasing, and effective replacement for stock CPU coolers. The thermal performance is a massive leap forward, bringing temperatures on mid-range CPUs down to safe, quiet, and performance-enabling levels. The ARGB infinity mirror is not just a gimmick; it’s a genuinely beautiful effect that can be the visual anchor of a budget or SFF build. Its compact size makes it a go-to option for builders working in tight spaces where traditional tower coolers simply won’t fit.
The primary drawbacks lie entirely in its mounting hardware. The installation process can be less than ideal, and the reports of missing AMD brackets are a serious concern that Thermaltake needs to address. If you’re an Intel user comfortable with removing your motherboard, or an AMD user willing to potentially face a tight fit, the reward is well worth the effort. For its price, you are getting a cooler that keeps your CPU chilled, your PC quiet, and your case looking fantastic. If you’re tired of your stock cooler’s noise and thermal limitations, the Thermaltake UX150 ARGB CPU Cooler is an excellent and highly recommended upgrade. Check the latest price and availability to give your PC the cooling and style it deserves.
Last update on 2025-11-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API