INTRODUCTION

   Up until even just a couple of years back when people went out to get a brand new CPU cooler they'd consider three things before doing so cooling efficiency/performance, noise levels and size (leaving out the all-time classic factor price). Lately however thanks to the introduction of RGB lighting a fourth factor has come into play and it is no other than looks. Now as expected to achieve the optimal result most manufacturers choose the "easy" way by bundling their CPU coolers (both air and AIO liquid ones) with RGB fans but lucky for all of us there are always those who take things just a step further by also adding RGB LEDs in the main body of the cooler. Jonsbo aims to be one such manufacturer with all their latest RGB models including the CR-201 RGB CPU Cooler which today's review is all about.

   Jonsbo, a professional team with full of passion and innovation, is established in 2010. Our developed team possesses over a decade experience in computer case development and 7 years’ experience in HTPC product's R&D. We have always been focusing on the users’ actual needs to develop and produce professional high-end computer cases with distinctive characteristics. Currently we use JONSBO as the brand for global marketing, moreover we provide OEM and ODM services for many famous brands in Japan, Germany, Sweden, etc. Jonsbo always focus on the real needs of users. By pragmatic and even stubborn selection of materials, combined with aesthetic simplicity of design and perfect craftsmanship, we provide users with the most valuable solution.

   As the name clearly states the CR-201 RGB CPU cooler is pretty much identical to the "regular" CR-201 model minus the RGB feature of course (also currently available in white and black colors). As mentioned earlier to achieve the best possible looks Jonsbo didn't just strap a RGB fan onto the main body of the cooler but they also added RGB LEDs on top of the heatsink under a tempered glass cover. Both the RGB LEDs on the fan and beneath the tempered glass cover can be controlled either via your mainboard 4-pin RGB header or via a bundled LED controller which allows you to choose between 7 different colors (if your mainboard doesn't have an RGB header). Thanks to the medium-sized heatsink, direct-touch base, four 6mm copper-heatpipes and a 120mm PWM fan (1600RPM/45.08CFM/26.1dBA) the CR-201 RGB CPU Cooler by Jonsbo sports a TDP (thermal design power) of 135W.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

Jonsbo ships the CR-201 RGB inside a plain cardboard box that has a product drawing at the top right beneath their logo and an AURA RGB Sync compatibility sticker.

The specifications table is printed on the left side of the box and the product features on the right.

Packaging could be better since only the rear of the cooler is sufficiently protected by a piece of foam.

Along with the CR-201 RGB CPU cooler (heatsink and fan) also contained in the box is the LED controller, thermal paste tube, two back plates, user's manual and all the necessary screws and mounts to install the CR-201 RGB onto Intel LGA775/1150/1151/1155/1156 and AMD AM2/AM2+/AM3/AM3+/AM4/FM1/FM2 mainboards.

THE CR-201 RGB

Measuring 160mm in height, 129mm in length and 93mm in width the 964g heavy CR-201 RGB is a medium-sized CPU cooler.

The tempered glass cover placed at the top of the heatsink is a nice touch.

The heatsink is made out of 48 aluminum fins evenly spaced.

Part of the fins faces inwards to keep air from leaving the heatsink.

Just like the rest of the cooler the four 6mm copper heatpipes are painted white (this paint is not just for show since it can also help prevent oxidation).

The direct touch base should help even slightly with heat transfer to the 48 aluminum fins of the heatsink.

Jonsbo has mounted the 120mm PWM RGB fan onto two pieces of plastic rather than directly onto the heatsink (easier to remove and reduces vibrations).

Once the fan is removed you can see the cable leading up to the top RGB LEDs.

The RGB LED controller has 3 small switches on it which when combined result to 6 color combinations (7 if you also count completely off).

Here we can see all 6 available color combinations (via the controller that is).

TEST BED

TESTING METHODOLOGY

   As we have stated in the past the Intel I7-3770k system is not placed in our lab and so it's obviously not our primary choice when testing CPU Coolers. Still since HTPC oriented models shouldn’t be used with our overclocked Core I7-3930k we have decided to take this path whenever one such model lands at our doorstep. As always our first concern is ambient temperatures so once again we keep the room temperature to around 21-23 degrees (not really hard but unfortunately not 100% accurate as in our lab) and as always to successfully record the load temperatures we use the latest OCCT application (for around 6-10 minutes) to push the processor to its limits so we can record its temperatures. After that is done we wait for about 10-20 minutes for the CPU to cool down and record the idle temperatures. This is done to allow time for the thermal conductive material to achieve the optimal performance level. Same procedure was then repeated with the Passmark BurnIn Test as a failsafe just in case the OCCT results were off. As many of you have pointed out time and again this procedure takes a lot more time than the usual peltier/thermometer tests but this way not only can we deliver real world results based on real CPUs but we can also triple check the results using a variety of programs. Last but not least the temperatures are recorded using both the latest versions of AIDA64 and RealTemp while the noise level tests are performed using a high precision ExTech HD600 Decibel Meter placed about 10-15cm above the CPU Cooler.

TEST RESULTS

CONCLUSION

   When the CR-201 RGB arrived in our lab roughly 3 months ago we had no idea that it wasn’t compatible with our LGA2011 test rig since its size is not normally what we see with HTPC targeted models (thus it took quite a while for us to be able to use the LGA1155 test rig). Of course its TDP of 135W was a clear indication but again we didn’t even know that back then. With that out of the way it’s clear that the CR-201 RGB is not a performance oriented model and although it comes really close to the H7 by Cryorig it’s far from what we’re testing on our LGA2011 rig. That being said however what the CR-201 RGB lacks in performance it more than makes up with its low noise levels and looks since honestly it’s one of the best looking CPU air coolers to ever pass from our lab. This is not just due to its RGB fan but also the top RGB LEDs placed beneath the tempered glass something which Jonsbo was right in doing so.

   Availability has always been one of the issues with Jonsbo and the same is true for the CR-201 RGB CPU cooler since currently it isn’t available in the USA (at least we couldn’t find it). Still both the white and black versions are available inside the EU for just 52.99Euros (PC-Cooling.de) a price which isn’t at all bad for a CPU cooler like the CR-201 RGB. Granted with a TDP of 135W it may not be the highest performance model in its class but if you’re looking for a CPU cooler like no other the Jonsbo has you covered with our Gold Award winner the CR-201 RGB.

PROS

- Excellent Build Quality
- Extensive RGB Lighting
- Good Performance
- Noise Levels 
- Bundled RGB LED Controller (6 Available Colors)
- Overall Size
- Available In Black And White

CONS

- Socket Compatibility
- Availability