CONCLUSION

   Just like the Corsair H150i Pro RGB which we reviewed a couple of weeks ago the Fractal Design Celsius S36 is a high-end AIO liquid CPU cooler aimed towards people who are after top cooling efficiency. Sure it may not have RGB color illumination for its pump and/or fans (no illumination at all actually) but it has nothing to be jealous of in terms of performance (not even when compared to the H150i Pro RGB) and ontop of that it’s one of the very few expandable tri-fan models currently in the market. Of course we’d all like to see Fractal Design provide control software for the pump and fans (like the LINK used by Corsair) but the PWM/Auto mode selection knob is a rather easy way to choose between high-performance and a good balance between performance and noise. As for the intergrated fan hub we think it was a good idea but its implementation quite frankly could be better (either that or the fan cables could be longer). Finally the fans are a bit louder than we were expecting and ontop of that as you’ve seen in our product pictures they were mounted exactly as Fractal Design showcases on their box (sucking cold air from the outside) something which may have given the Celsius S36 a tiny performance boost.

   The Fractal Design Celsius S36 Pre-Filled CPU Water Cooling System currently retails for USD147.14 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 139Euros inside the EU (Amazon.co.uk) a price tag which is roughly 15-25% beneath what Corsair asks for their H150i Pro RGB model. Granted the H150i Pro RGB with its slimmer radiator, lower-noise fans, RGB illumination for its pump and LINK control software is a more “complete” solution but in terms of price/performance ratio the Celsius S36 finishes first and for that it gets our Golden Award.

PROS

- Build Quality
- Very Good Cooling Efficiency (PWM Mode)
- Expandable Loop (Aluminum Fittings)
- Up To Six 120mm Fans In Push & Pull
- PWM & Auto Mode
- Integrated Fan Hub
- 400mm Long Sleeved Tubes
- Price (For Some)

CONS

- Long Radiator
- Fan Hub Location / Fan Cable Length
- Noise Levels (PWM Mode)
- No Illumination (For Some)