Cooler Master Hyper 212 Halo Black Review

[pio]

 

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Today, we have the opportunity to take a look at a revamped prehistoric relic, courtesy of Cooler Master.  I am, of course referring to none other than the legendary Hyper 212, which today we have the latest version of, the Hyper 212 Halo Black.  They claim,

 

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• Improved air flow with stunning dual loop ARGB lighting. Redesigned hybrid frame maintains stability without sacrificing fan operational real estate.
• Increased fan blades to deliver better air flow and cooling performance.
• Intuitive LED detection automatically provides default ARGB spectrum lighting or full ARGB Gen 2 customization via 3-pin header connection.
• Redesigned brackets simplify installation on the latest available platforms

Source

 

Cooler Master was founded in 1992 and they produce computer cases, power supplies, PC cooling for both CPU’s and GPU’s, laptop cooling pads and computer peripherals.  They’ve also produced cooling solutions for other major brands in the industry and they’re a major sponsor of eSports competitions.  The question remains though, is this new version of the Hyper 212 worth looking into in 2023?  Let’s find out!

Read the full review HERE

 

 

[Avacado]

Well done Pio!

[Snakecharmed]

With regard to air cooling, it feels like Cooler Master isn't doing much other than getting by on name recognition. The Hyper 212 series was a good, cheap cooler that fared well against much weaker competition 10+ years ago. It was primarily a good value and a noticeable upgrade over stock Intel/AMD coolers, but it was never an S-tier air cooler. I can't believe we're still even talking about it in 2023, regardless of the variant.

 

Cooler Master needs to start fresh with a new design because they can't make the Hyper 212 a good value proposition anymore, especially not with these black anodized and ARGB add-ons. Not when the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 series, which is an S-tier air cooler, occupies the same price point and steals the Hyper 212's lunch money daily then bullies it relentlessly afterward during recess.

 

Cooler Master has dual-tower coolers, but they're more expensive than comparable Noctua models. Those ain't it either.

 

At this point, I think the Hyper 212 series only makes sense for SFF builds that can't cope with the extra depth of a dual-tower cooler, and even then, I wouldn't be so sure that there aren't better options for the price.

Edited March 16, 2023 by Snakecharmed

[pio]

6 hours ago, Snakecharmed said:

With regard to air cooling, it feels like Cooler Master isn't doing much other than getting by on name recognition. The Hyper 212 series was a good, cheap cooler that fared well against much weaker competition 10+ years ago. It was primarily a good value and a noticeable upgrade over stock Intel/AMD coolers, but it was never an S-tier air cooler. I can't believe we're still even talking about it in 2023, regardless of the variant.

 

Cooler Master needs to start fresh with a new design because they can't make the Hyper 212 a good value proposition anymore, especially not with these black anodized and ARGB add-ons. Not when the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 series, which is an S-tier air cooler, occupies the same price point and steals the Hyper 212's lunch money daily then bullies it relentlessly afterward during recess.

 

Cooler Master has dual-tower coolers, but they're more expensive than comparable Noctua models. Those ain't it either.

 

At this point, I think the Hyper 212 series only makes sense for SFF builds that can't cope with the extra depth of a dual-tower cooler, and even then, I wouldn't be so sure that there aren't better options for the price.

There are so many options that are not only cheaper, but also perform better, look better, whatever the case may be.  I agree whole heartedly that they're trying to sell this cooler based off the naming alone.  Considering the older $30 cooler that they released a decade ago performs better in the same foot print, I just can't say much good about this one.  I'll try though.  

The MF120 Halo fan included LOOKS really nice........once setup and configured, assuming you don't need to buy a 5v ARGB controller just to make it work.  I mean I guess that's why they didn't include older socket compatibility on the box, but they must've forgotten that not many AM4 motherboards came out with ARGB hookups either.  There's lost sales right there on Socket AM3 / AM2 potentially since this would bolt right onto those too the same way it does AM4.  Not many sales, sure, but its just yet another oversight made.

I'd still say the Hyper 212 Halo Black is better than a stock cooler, it absolutely is.  My kiddo's rig with that Ryzen 2600x went from 3.8GHz boost as a 4c / 8t part with the stock AMD Wraith cooler installed, to boosting to over 4GHz as a proper full on 6 core.  So it wasn't a complete waste.  It boosted higher, more consistently with the Hyper 212 Evo v2 though, especially with upgraded fans.  However, for any stock boosting CPU, the new 212 Halo Black is fine.  Review is done with, I've still got the cooler installed on his machine, with the stock ARGB fan now.  It works fine, the CPU boosts properly enough, it does what its supposed to do.  But that's about all it does.  With the older Evo, I'd be running a good overclock, but honestly the new one does look better and mounts easier.

 

To be 100% honest here, had the MSRP on this cooler been $29.99 or even $34.99, AND had it included an ARGB controller or at LEAST a 12v RGB header adapter cable; just something to allow the fan to be connected properly to all capable RGB era motherboards......I'd have a lot more nicer things to say about it, even if the performance is worse than the 212 Evo v2.  At least then its a fair price for its performance and would be being compared to similarly priced competitors.

Sorry /rant I guess.   Stuff I really wanted to put into the article, but it was just too much bias.  I really did try to like the cooler, and I do.  It suits a purpose, and it does "work".  Just grrrr Cooler Master, I know they're capable of better than this.

 

  

10 hours ago, Avacado said:

Well done Pio!

TY.  This one there was a LOT of thought put into it.  I'll just put it that way.  

Edited March 17, 2023 by pioneerisloud

[Sir Beregond]

Been looking forward to this one Pio. Good review. 

[Mr. Fox]

Sorry I am just now getting caught up on things. Really good review. Sad that it wasn't good news for CM this time, but you win some, lose some.

You did a nice job on the review and it was an deserving report of mediocrity.