The Montech NX600 CPU cooler is a dual-tower air cooling solution positioned to offer excellent value. It aims to deliver robust thermal performance, wide compatibility with various CPU sockets, and a clean, understated aesthetic. This review will subject the NX600 to thorough thermal and noise testing to assess its real-world performance against other budget and premium coolers.
Rating: 9.0.
Timestamps:
- 00:00 Intro
- 00:50 Pricing and Info
- 02:00 Up Close
- 03:16 Heatsink and plastic top details
- 04:15 Fans
- 05:30 Accessories
- 06:26 Test System and Installation
- 07:59 Thermal and Noise Performance
- 10:11 Worth buying?
Features
- Dual-Tower Cooling — The NX600 incorporates dual heatsink fin stacks, each with 52 fins, six heat pipes, and two high-performance 28mm thick fans. This design maximizes heat dissipation and airflow for optimal temperatures, even under heavy loads.
- Soldered Copper Base for Efficient Heat Transfer — A flat copper base is directly soldered to the six heat pipes, ensuring efficient and even heat transfer from the CPU to the heatsink, effectively managing CPU temperatures.
- Dual E28 PWM Performance Fans — Two MONTECH E28 (ARGB) PWM fans are included, engineered for strong airflow and static pressure, providing effective cooling with or without RGB lighting effects.
- Broad CPU Socket Compatibility — The cooler supports all major current Intel and AMD sockets, including Intel LGA115X / 1200 / 1700 / 1851 and AMD AM4 / AM5, simplifying installation and future upgrades.
Specifications
- Colour Options: Black / White
- Dimensions: 120 × 132.5 × 160 mm (cooler) / 203 × 146 × 200 mm (package)
- Weight: 1440 g
- CPU Socket Support: Intel: LGA115X, 1200, 1700, 1851, AMD: AM4, AM5
- Heat Pipes: 6
- Fan Support: Up to 2 fans
- Fan Speed: 800–2000 RPM (±10%)
- Bearing Type: HDB
- Voltage Range: 12 V
- Connector: 4-pin PWM
- Maximum Airflow: 85.09 CFM
- Maximum Static Pressure: 3.35 mmH₂O
- Maximum Noise Level: 34.17 dBA
- Warranty: 1 year
Test System Specifications
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Motherboard: ASRock X870E Taichi Lite
- Memory: 32GB (2 x 16GB Modules) Kingston Fury DDR5-6000
- Graphics card: Gigabyte RTX 4070 Gaming OC
- Storage: 1TB Corsair MP600 Elite PCIe Gen4x4 NVME M.2 SSD
- Power Supply: Seasonic Prime TX-1600
- Chassis: Open Test Bench
- Thermal Compound: Arctic MX-6
- O/S: Windows 11 Version 24H2
Testing Methodology
The primary focus is on cooler performance at 100% fan speed and when adjusted to a 40dBA noise output. Cooling performance is evaluated using a manual overclock with all-core frequency and VCORE locked to 5.2GHz/1.3v (AMD) and 5.5GHz/1.3v (Intel), as well as Precision Boost Overdrive performance.
- Test data is logged using HWINFO, and the average CPU temperature and CPU clock multiplier (for AMD PBO Test) are calculated from the final 10 minutes of data, then plotted in charts.
- A 30-minute looped run of Cinebench R23 is used for testing, with the steady-state CPU temperature recorded at the end. This ensures the CPU reaches a stable temperature under all coolers.
- Ambient temperature is maintained at 19-21 degrees Celsius. Any variation beyond this range prompts additional repeated tests for consistency, though this is now well-controlled with A/C.
- Each cooler undergoes at least two fresh installations (typically three) to minimize the impact of poor mounting on results.
- Ambient temperature and humidity are controlled via a mini-split air conditioning system in the test room, maintained between 22-23°C. Temperature delta figures are presented in the charts (ambient temperature is subtracted from the measured component temperature).
Test Results: Acoustics
Regarding noise output, the Montech NX600 registers 54dBA at peak, positioning it as the loudest air cooler tested so far. This is notably louder than premium alternatives like the NH-U12A, Dark Rock 5, AK620, SK260V, and the current budget leader, the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE V3. The NX600 prioritizes fan speed, indicating it is not designed for silent PC builds, although adjusting the fan curve could help.
Thermal Performance: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
At maximum fan speed, the Montech NX600 delivers solid, though not class-leading, thermal performance, achieving a steady-state CPU temperature of 61°C over ambient. This places it alongside established air coolers such as the be quiet! Dark Rock 5 and Corsair A115, and on par with its primary competitor, the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120. However, the NX600 is the loudest cooler in this particular test.
When noise is normalized to 40 dBA, thermal performance decreases to 65 °C. The NX600 maintains a mid-pack position, slightly behind the AK620 Digital Pro and the Sudokoo SK620V. Crucially, the NX600 outperforms the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 12 SE in this noise-normalized test, which is often a more practical metric as users typically configure fan curves rather than running fans at maximum speed.
In AMD PBO testing, the Montech NX600 records a steady-state temperature of 63 °C over ambient, with an average CPU clock multiplier of 51.3x. This again places it in the middle of the chart. It sustains a respectable boost frequency but lags behind more efficient dual-tower coolers that achieve slightly higher clocks at lower temperatures. Nevertheless, it competes closely with the Thermalright Peerless Assassin, widely considered a top-value cooler.
The Montech NX600 offers a compelling choice for users seeking a great value budget air cooler, providing performance levels very similar to its main competitor.
The Montech NX600/NX600 ARGB is available for purchase from Scan. The regular version is priced at £24.98 HERE, and the ARGB model costs £29.99 HERE.
Pros:
- Very low cost.
- Decent thermal performance when noise is normalised.
- ARGB effects are good.
Cons:
- Fiddly fan installation.
- Loud at max fan speed.
- Build quality isn’t perfect.
