CM Hyper 212 Evo V2 – Evolution of the legend among coolers

Key features

At the end of 2020, I prepared another review of a middle-class cooler for you. The Hyper 212 Evo V2 from Cooler Master is the latest model from the popular Hyper 212 series. This latest upgrade offers a simplified mounting system, 100% compatibility with RAM modules and also a quiet fan. Its construction and specifications place it in the same group as the SPC Fera 3 or Arctic Freezer 34. So I’m expecting a very tight fight.

Key features of the cooler

A large aluminum block with several firm fins serves as the cooler’s base. Four six-millimeter copper heatpipes run from this block through fifty-seven densely bundled aluminum fins. These heatpipes use direct contact (DC) with the processor’s integrated heat spreader (IHS). Around the heatpipes you will find four elongated openings on each fin of the heatsink.

These openings help create turbulent flow near the heatpipes and improve heat exchange with the surrounding air. The entire fin bundle is slightly offset, so that the cooler, including the fan in its front part, does not protrude beyond the space of the processor socket. This ensures virtually 100% compatibility with RAM modules that have high heatsinks.

From above, the whole fin bundle resembles the shape of an hourglass. There is therefore a small gap between the center of the fan and the fins. This design aims to reduce noise, but also slightly impairs the overall efficiency of the cooler.

The uppermost fin of the heatsink is decorated with an embossed manufacturer’s logo. Due to the fact that this cooler aims at the best possible price-performance ratio, you will not find any RGB elements here. These would only unnecessarily increase the price without providing more efficient cooling or quieter fan operation.

The appearance of this cooler is thus minimalistically industrial, so it fits seamlessly into a build of any color scheme. The mounting of the fan is also interestingly designed. Instead of the commonly used metal clips, plastic frames are used here, which are attached to the fan with common screws. Foam pads are then glued over the screws to prevent unnecessary transmission of vibrations from the fan to the fins. The fan is then simply attached to the sides of the heatsink using these frames. Overall, this system works better than classic metal clips that can be found on most coolers.

The contents of the cooler package include standard accessories. The mounting system for Intel and AMD processor sockets is complemented by a small tube of thermal paste and a well-arranged user manual. You will also find here another set of plastic clips and foam pads for attaching the second fan. Of course, there is also a splitter for connecting both fans to a single connector on the motherboard. The actual assembly of this cooler is really very simple, it can even be done without using any tools.

Specs of the cooler and fan

The dimensions and weight of the Hyper 212 Evo V2 cooler are very similar to the SPC Fera 3 or Arctic Freezer 34 coolers I recently tested. The Hyper 212 Evo V2 offers an offset offset design and should not interfere with high heatsinks on RAM modules. In addition, its overall height should not cause any compatibility issues with most common ATX cases. You can install the cooler on all motherboards with sockets for current Intel and AMD processors except the TR4/sTR4 socket.

The 120 mm SickleFlow fan offers solid airflow and static pressure specs. Its wide speed range can be regulated by PWM. The stated noise level is at a pleasantly low level, but unfortunately each manufacturer has a different measurement methodology. This data is therefore only indicative and it will be necessary to perform measurements according to a standardized methodology to make the results comparable.

At the end of 2020, I prepared another review of a middle-class cooler for you. The Hyper 212 Evo V2 from Cooler Master is the latest model from the popular Hyper 212 series. This latest upgrade offers a simplified mounting system, 100% compatibility with RAM modules and also a quiet fan. Its construction and specifications place it in the same group as the SPC Fera 3 or Arctic Freezer 34. So I’m expecting a very tight fight.

Testing methodology

The testing methodology is still the same for comparability of results. Intel Core i7-5820K processor on the ASRock X99 Taichi motherboard serves as a heat generator. The whole build is placed on a Streacom BC1 benchtable without fans that would provide airflow. Stress tests are performed using the Aida64 Extreme application with a duration of 45–60 minutes. Coolers are tested at three speed levels (800, 1200 and maximum) at a processor frequency of 4.200 MHz with a voltage of 1.150 V. This is followed by another set of tests at 4.500 MHz with a voltage of 1.350 V. Processor’s power draw at these frequencies is approx. 200 W. The second set of tests is already a really big burden for most coolers. Therefore, it cannot be expected that all tested coolers will be able to cool the processor at all speed levels.

Noise is measured using a calibrated Voltcraft SL-100 sound level meter in fast measurement mode (125 ms) with a sensitivity range of 30–100 dBA approx. 50 cm from the cooler. Measurements are performed at three fan speed levels, namely 800, 1200 and maximum RPM. Speed control is provided by the Noctua NA-FC1 controller. The ambient noise level is below 33.0 dBA. At the end of the test, the highest temperature reached is always noted down. All data regarding temperatures and power draw of the processor are obtained from the HWiNFO64 application. The results are then corrected for ambient temperature as the final Delta T value. The test success limit is set at 80 °C. Any higher value means a processor temperature above 100 °C and a risk of thermal throttling. Therefore, if the cooler does not pass the stress test with the Delta T value below 80 °C, such a test is marked as failed.

Test results

It can already be seen here that a high amount of waste heat in combination with low speeds means that most coolers are not able to prevent the processor from overheating and subsequent throttling. This is not unexpected, it is simply the physical limit of the cooler and does not mean that the cooler is of poor quality.

At the end of 2020, I prepared another review of a middle-class cooler for you. The Hyper 212 Evo V2 from Cooler Master is the latest model from the popular Hyper 212 series. This latest upgrade offers a simplified mounting system, 100% compatibility with RAM modules and also a quiet fan. Its construction and specifications place it in the same group as the SPC Fera 3 or Arctic Freezer 34. So I’m expecting a very tight fight.

Conclusion and rating

Hyper 212 Evo V2 is a good cooler overall. Pleasantly quiet fan operation is complemented by solid cooling efficiency. The build quality is on a high level and the overall appearance is minimalistic and calm.

I was pleasantly surprised by the simple and straightforward mounting system as well as the non-traditional mounting of the fan. The only negatives that I can think of are a slightly higher price compared to the direct competition and also, unfortunately, the very limited availability of the cooler on the Czech and Slovak markets.

All things considered, however, it is a solid cooler and you will not make a mistake by purchasing one. For this, the cooler receives our award ‘Approved’ , which we will now award to all products that pass our tests without any serious flaws.

English translation and edit by Lukáš Terényi

• Contents
• Key features
• Measurement methodology and test results
• Conclusion and rating