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So let’s start with the packaging. A slight departure from the normal CPU coolers, even most of the high end offerings. This is definitely a premium feel even if a little unorthodox inside. The CPU cooler is held in by a ribbon of stretched plastic and it seemed to do its job without an issue.
You get all the usual accessories, including thermal paste and an Allen key screwdriver combo. The instructions are surprisingly well laid out too, though as with any CPU Cooler instructions, there’s always room for improvement. You’ll get by with then just fine though.
So to the HEX 2.0 CPU cooler, it’s compact and has a nice feel and construction to it. The inner section is where the 92mm fan will go, and there’s internal control electronics in there as well. Unusually, there’s a PCIe connector grouped with the PWM and USB connectors. Some thought about which orientation is required for the HEX cooler, despite its compact size, the cabling will not easily route on the graphics card side, if you install it that way around.
Phononic HEX 2.0 Thermoelectric CPU Cooler Review
Package - 8.5
Performance - 7.5
Price - 6.5
Consumer Experience - 8.1
7.7
If you have a compact set up and you want cutting edge cooling technology, there isn't a better choice. If you are looking for a straight replacement for your Noctua NH-D15 on your X99 build, then it's probably not. Either way, the Phononic HEX 2.0 Thermoelectric CPU cooler is the best implementation of a TEC we have ever seen, and if you are building a small form factor system, this needs consideration.
