Test Setup
We will use our standard AIO test rig which you can read more about in its introduction article. We will set up each cooler in the same manner with the radiator attached to the case and the fans blowing into the radiator. The water blocks will be mounted per the manufacturer’s instructions except that we will use Arctic Cooling MX-2 thermal paste (2019 Edition). We will utilize ASUS AI Suite 3 to control fan speeds, setting the fans at a fixed RPM for each test. We will also compare it to the other coolers we have tested thus far.
Installation
Installation was a straight forward bit of business with the radiator being put on first and then the water block going on without argument. SilverStone’s fan cables were on the longer side which made it easy to make all of the necessary connections.
With everything comfortably situated, let’s start seeing what kind of numbers the SilverStone IceGem 280 can put up today!