Enermax ETS-T40fit CPU Coolers Review

Enermax's ETS-T40fit CPU coolers go under the chopping block today as we investigate the Black Twist and White Cluster versions.

Published
Updated
Manufacturer: Enermax
12 minutes & 40 seconds read time
TweakTown's Rating: 90%
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The Bottom Line

While the Enermax ETS-T40Fit coolers aren't topping the performance charts, they bring options, style, and flair to air cooling. At less than $50, these coolers fits the needs of the masses and is well worth the investment.

Introduction, Specifications, and Pricing

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Enermax has delivered a whole new lineup and series of coolers based on a design they released back in 2013, the ETS-T40 CPU cooler. The idea this time is to build upon the success of the original design, yet bring it back with many fan options to choose from, allowing it to adapt to particular needs. This is done by offering one version with a single 140mm Twister Fan, and then there is another version with a single 120mm fan, and both of these two coolers are left in their natural copper and aluminum states. The coolers we were sent to look at however are a fair bit different. Not only do the two we have to look at offer LED fans where the others do not, but they also are covered in a Thermal Conductive Coating, one black, and one in white.

We can see why these coolers were chosen out of the group of four, as they are the most attractive of the series in our opinion. Looks are not everything, though, and Enermax knows this and employs other tricks of the trade to help this cooler contend with the masses in our charts. Along with the TCC being applied to the base, heat pipes, and the fins, the fin arrangement is meant to be blown through in only one direction. There is a visible arrow on top to note this, and the reason for this is that each fin has tabs punched into them to help distribute the air as it passes through this single tower cooler. They also make sure to offer varying performance in these last two versions outside of just the color of them too. They send one of these coolers with a pair of Cluster PWM fans while the black version is cooled with a single TB Vegas like fan, but there is only one LED mode for this version.

Today as we bring forward two of the four Enermax ETS-T40fit coolers, the ETS-T40F-BK, and the ETS-T40F-W, and their main selling feature is that they "fit" on most motherboards. They are sure to keep away from the memory in this design, in any of the four designs actually. They were also sure to mind the room needed to populate the top PCI-e slot on motherboards. However, this does not apply to Mini-ITX motherboards. The last think we can think of that should keep you wanting to read more is that all the versions online will cost you less than $50.

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The ETS-T40F-BK is where we will start. This cooler will fit anything since and including AM2 sockets for AMD, and on the Intel side of it, LGA775 and newer sockets. The cooler assembly measures in at 126mm long, 40mm wide, and stands 161.7mm tall, not including the fan. Using four 6mm diameter copper heat pipes, an aluminum base plate, and a stack of aluminum fins, this cooler weighs in at just 460 grams. The fan included in this kit is a Twister bearing fan that is 120mm in size. With the fan powered with 12V, it can spin at 1800RPM delivering 75.98CFM with 2.28mmH2O of static pressure. This fan is also powered via a 4-pin connection, and once powered also offers many blue LEDs around it much like the TB Vegas fan does.

When it comes to the ETS-T40F-W cooler, however, there are some slight changes to note. This time, we are given not one but two fans that are 120mm in size. These fans produce 105.9CFM each at speeds near 2200RPM, and the static pressure also increases to 3.6mmH2O this time. These two are Twister bearing fans, but these are Cluster fans with the Enermax name in the metal band around the frame. The only other thing that changes with this design is that rather than a black TCC being applied, they opted to make this cooler white, and matched the fans and LEDs to that as well.

When it comes to shopping, do so wisely. We are seeing that at Amazon pricing starts at $39.99 for the vanilla ETS-T40fit-TB, and we are seeing $85 for the white version you are about to see, and an astounding $120 listing for the ETS-T40fit-RF that comes with a 140mm fan. Then again if you decide to give Newegg a shot at taking your money, they seem to have supplied us with a much better system. They decided rather than to gouge customers; they have the entire line for sale for just $44.99 including shipping. For our intents and purposes, we will be looking at Newegg pricing as we move onward.

Packaging

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On the left we have the ETS-T40F-BK cooled with a Black Twister fan, offers a 180W TDP and tells us it also affords 100% RAM compatibility. To the right, we find the ETS-T40F-W with White Cluster fans included, and we also see the additional notation if dual Cluster fan included in this box.

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The next panel on both boxes is identical. In thirteen languages, Enermax says this is a high-performance compact CPU cooler with patented Vortex Generator Flow, Vacuum Effect Radiator, and Heat pipe Direct Touch base. This is also what the icons at the bottom of the front panels addressed.

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The back offers a full list of features to be found with these coolers cover ten things. One of them changes, though, as the black version says dual fans can be used while the white version shows two Cluster fans are included. As to the images, they address the patented technologies used as well as a picture of the memory clearance.

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We already covered this, but here it is displayed in full form on the box as well. The specifications vary slightly from box to box, but at the bottom we are given the same renderings showing the measurements. This leaves the black version now 67.9mm thick, and the white version 95.8mm thick with both fans on the tower.

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Both coolers are packaged identically down to one detail. The plastic on either side supports the cooler in the middle of the box to keep it from taking the hits in transportation. The hardware is maintained in a box on one side while the instructions are found on the other side. As to that difference between the two, the empty compartment is filled with a fan in front of the cooler in the white coolers box.

Enermax ETS-T40F-BK & ETS-T40F-W CPU Coolers

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Looking at the front of both towers as they come out of the box, we see the 120mm fans cover the fin area well. The black frame and blue blades are a good match to the BK version, and again on the W, the white Cluster fan fits the theme so well.

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At the bottom, the pipes are evenly spaced and run vertically through the tower of fins. These fins and the pipes get the TCC treatment, as does the fin array with its closed off sides. The open area at either end is to allow the plastic fan clips to attach.

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The front edges mimic what we see here as well. Evenly spaced fins that are narrower in the center than they are at the edges of the tower. Pointing your eye towards the bases, Enermax uses a crossbar that locks into the tabs seen on the top of them.

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Getting around to the last side of these coolers, we find the same as we saw before. Both coolers are ready and willing to accept a second fan, although the white version comes with that second fan. This side too is closed off to take the most advantage of the air flow each fan provides.

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The top of the ETS-T40F coolers is the same across the board. At the left edge, we see an arrow point the direction air flow needs to pass through this cooler. This is due to the fins behind each pipe that directs air to the next pipe and so on until it exits out the back.

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The fins appear to have been pressed into the cooler before the TCC application is done. We can tell the base and pipes are assembled before the surfacing, which is currently protected by a plastic sticker.

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The finished surface of the base leaves the machining marks, and while the surface is flat, there are plenty of gaps on the sides of each pipe. We also find no residue of TIM being used between the pipes and the aluminum base.

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Unique to the ETS-T40F-W, we were sent two fans for this cooler, and with a few bits from the hardware box, we now have it shown with both fans attached. This is where we come up with that 95.8mm thickness overall.

Accessories and Documentation

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In the box of hardware, we find quite a lot to cover. First out of the bag of goodies we set up the Intel head unit brackets to the left with the thickly padded universal backplate in the middle. That leaves the brackets off to the left for Intel sockets, and for AMD the Intel and brackets on the right need screwed together. At the bottom, we have the crossbar that locks the cooler to all the other hardware.

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Here are black plastic spacers at the top above the thermal paste that are used on the studs at the bottom right. The rest of the gear includes the LGA2011 standoffs, eight screws you need to make the AMD top bracket, and the nuts and springs at the right that lock the remaining hardware into place.

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The user manual supplied is sufficient with its basic text explanations of each step along with the renderings that go along with it makes it relatively easy to get this cooler installed quickly and correctly.

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Inside of both boxes of hardware, we find a kit like this one. The black version has black plastic fan clips where we have the white versions shown. The package also includes four fan screws and a set of pads to cover the screws and work as an anti-vibration pad.

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In the back of both fans, you will also find a built-in fan controller. This allows the user to limit the fans speed and dial in a good cooling range with the least amount of noise. For our purposes, the selector switch is moved to full range or 800 to 2200RPM in this instance.

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Since we had to put it all together, we figured we would just show off how all of the parts come together when adding in the second fan to either cooler.

Installation and Finished Product

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The studs have a side removed to allow them to lock against a raised bit of the backplate so they will not spin when we flip this over. The use of plastic for the plate also means there is no need for isolation materials as it does that already.

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At this point, we slid on the black plastic spacers, lined up the brackets on either side and secured it all with the nuts with a spring until they ran out of threads. The hardware at this point is already rock solid.

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While some may consider it a pain to have to remove the fans from the cooler to install it, with the plastic clips used, taking the fans off and replacing them is simple. When it came to tightening this nut, we alternated sides a few turns until we again ran out of threads.

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From this angle, both versions of the cooler take up the same amount of room. The cooler is narrow at only 120mm in width, and not only allows room for the top PCI-e slot, but it also leaves room to connect the fans and get to the 8-pin EPS plug.

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As all of the publications on site as well as on the box described to us, the ETS-T40fit coolers do indeed stay clear of the memory, allowing all slots to be populated.

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One thing you will have to deal with is a lot of fan cabling to hide. The black version offers black sleeve on it, so it blends a bit better. While we like fans with longer leads, when they are white like these, bundling them is not an option.

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We chose to finish with the ETS-T40F-W in the test rig as it pops against all of the red and black, whereas you would hardly distinguish the black version in this system. Even opting to use two fans, though, there is still plenty of room to access screws, slots, and RAM with the cooler still mounted in place.

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We also wanted to show these coolers off with their LED lighting displayed. The soft white glow of the ETS-T40F-W is hard to beat. The extra lighting helps to brighten things up, and we dig how it shows of the Enermax cut out of the fan frames.

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The ETS-T40F-BK, however, displays a whole different look. When powered, twelve blue LEDs come on. This, combined with the blue translucent fins, allows this fan to display bright blue curves across the fins. Also an attractive look, but we still prefer the look of the white one.

Test System Setup, Thermal Tests and Noise Results

Chad's CPU Cooler Test System Specifications

I would like to thank ASUS, InWin, Patriot, and Fractal Design for supplying products for me to test with.

To see our testing methodology and to find out what goes into making our charts, please refer to our CPU Cooler Testing and Methodology article for more information.

Thermal Results

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In idle testing, we find the dual fan White Cluster version come in at 51.75 degrees. As to the single fan model, the Black Twister showed us only one-degree increase between them.

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Again the chart seems unfavorable, but with only twenty degrees between the top and bottom, the 74.75-degree result of the White Cluster is right in the middle. As for the Black Twister version, it lost a bit of ground but is still respectable at 76.33 degrees.

Noise Level Results

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The ETS-T40F-BK is the more silent of the two delivering 31dB of noise in our idle testing. At this point, the Black Twister fan was only spinning at 1259RPM. The White Cluster fans were a tad louder with 39dB heard from both fans at a speed of 1600RPM.

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Again the Black Twister fan comes in right about on the average line of noise at 55dB. The White Cluster fans, however, with a higher top speed reported at 2140RPM, much more air flow, and static pressure, plus there being two of them, they do get a bit on the loud side.

Final Thoughts

So, whatever you desire, a more plain design with exposed metals with an option to a black 120mm fan or a gray framed 140mm fan, Enermax has your basic needs covered there in the ETS-40F-TB and -TF respectively. If you want something with a bit more flash and flair, the ETS-T40F-W and -BK coolers are more what you are looking for in this series. Since they both get the TCC treatment, one white, and one black, the choice is pretty easy to make based on your system. On top of all of this, with motherboards excluding Mini-ITX, you have full access to everything around the cooler with room left for the memory and video cards to populate the slots closest to it. And even with the cooler on the motherboard, accessing screws to mount it in the chassis is also easy.

While you look at the charts and feel like these coolers may not perform so hot, but the reality is that we have found many a cooler that cannot keep our 4770K under wraps. Even with a solid overclock applied, the ETS-T40F-W and ETS-T40F-BK are both able to keep our processor in its happy, safe temperature range, with no worries of throttling the CPU. Of course, we tend to gravitate towards the best of the best, or in this instance, the better bang for the buck, we are finding ourselves leaning to the ETS-T40F-W cooler for this.

It offers two fans rather than one; both fans are serious business when it comes to their specifications, and the LED fan effect is something we just really liked seeing. On the flip side of things, where we would usually have one or two comments about the cooler or the way it installs, this time however Enermax hits the nail on the head and could not have made it easier to install. We know it is rare that a company gets all their ducks in the same organized row, but this refresh of the ETS-T40 series of coolers is as on point as a company can get.

The other reason we are leaning to the ETS-T40fit cooler in white is that this is the best bang for the buck out of the two we tested. Sure, the black version will go with more builds, and blue LEDs are classic, and we do admit we liked the curved pattern displayed there too. But looking at it strictly based on the fact that we can get any of the four versions at just $44.99, why not go for the one that performs the best out of the bunch, and in our opinion delivers the best aesthetic appeal to a system.

The thing is, though, the choice is up to you as to what fan and cooler style fits your needs the most. Outside of just a few select other coolers that come in at a slightly better price point, you will be hard-pressed to find this level of style and performance in any other cooler in this price range. It is a perfect stock replacement cooler for beginners who still have style, and when it comes to eventually overclocking, these coolers still have a lot to give and will do just fine under either condition.

TweakTown award
Performance 83%
Quality including Design and Build 93%
General Features 92%
Bundle and Packaging 90%
Value for Money 94%
Overall 90%

The Bottom Line: While the Enermax ETS-T40Fit coolers aren't topping the performance charts, they bring options, style, and flair to air cooling. At less than $50, these coolers fits the needs of the masses and is well worth the investment.

PRICING: You can find products similar to this one for sale below.

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DEDeutschland: Finde andere Technik- und Computerprodukte wie dieses auf Amazon.de

Chad joined the TweakTown team in 2009 and has since reviewed 100s of new techy items. After a year of gaming, Chad caught the OC bug. With overclocking comes the need for better cooling, and Chad has had many air and water setups. With a few years of abusing computer parts, he decided to take his chances and try to get a review job. As an avid overclocker, Chad is always looking for the next leg up in RAM and coolers.

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