Believe it or not, the SAMA XW360 all-in-one water-cooler indeed does not include a fan. It’s not a manufacturing oversight. When you see that this integrated water-cooler with a display costs significantly less than half the price of similar products currently available, you’ll understand. Whether it comes with a fan or not doesn’t bother me. The SAMA XW360 features a water-cooling block with a 2.1-inch LCD screen boasting a resolution of 480×480. Coupled with the SamaMonitor software, you have the ability to display your own custom GIFs, MP4s, and other images or videos, greatly enhancing its appeal and functionality.
SAMA XW360 Specifications
Supported Platforms:
Intel 1366/2011/115x/1200/1700
AMD FM1/FM2/FM3/AM2/AM3/AM4/AM5
Radiator Material: Aluminum
Radiator Size: 390x120x27mm
Water Pump Size: 74×89.2×51.8mm
Pump Speed : 2500RPM
Water pump interface: PWM 4-Pin + USB2.0
Fan: No fan included
Cooler screen: 2.1” 480×480 LCD screen
XT128D Specifications
Bearing: FDB
size: 120x120x28mm
Speed: 0~2500RPM
Air volume: 80CFM
Air pressure: 5.08H2O
noise : 35dBA
connector: 4-pin PWM+3-pin ARGB
Operating voltage: 12V DC
No fan attached, screen water cooling | SAMA XW360 unpacking
Do you typically opt for the conventional fan or do you prefer to purchase your preferred fan when you utilize an all-in-one water cooling system? SAMA has recently launched a water cooling variant without a fan, which is cheaper due to the absence of three fans. This allows users the flexibility to pair it with a fan of their own liking. SAMA also offers a model with an ARGB fan, giving consumers the freedom to choose according to their preference.
SAMA’s XW360 comes in two shades – black and white. The XW360 fanless model is retailing at 649 RMB (roughly NT$2,879) on JD.com, whereas the fan-equipped XW360D is priced at 749 RMB (approximately NT$3,323). The fan included with the XW360D is the XT128D. Considering the standalone fan is priced at 239 yuan, it appears that the model with the fan provides better value for money.
The unique selling proposition of the SAMA XW360 is its 2.1-inch LCD display on the water block, boasting a 480×480 resolution. Historically, similar products have commanded a high price. It remains to be seen how SAMA’s competitive pricing stacks up against its rivals.
The design of the water cooling block is circular, with beveled edges that give it a highly refined and textured appearance.
The XW360 water block needs to be connected to the motherboard’s pump socket using a 3-pin connector, and a USB 2.0 is needed to control the screen. However, the cable is not detachable.
The water cooling block features a pure copper base, and it’s crucial to remember to remove the protective layer before installation. This is a step of paramount importance and needs to be reiterated thrice to ensure it’s not overlooked.
The water pipe’s outlet uses a 90-degree connector, and the pipe itself is encased in a high-density woven mesh for added durability.
The XT128D follows the 120x120x28mm specifications, and its 28mm thickness could theoretically deliver superior performance, a fact to be ascertained in forthcoming practical tests. Additionally, the XT128D combines the fan and lighting wires into one unique socket, simplifying the setup process. For the three fans, only 2 wires (4-pin PWM and 3-pin ARGB) need to be connected to the motherboard. This leads to a streamlined installation process and a clean look.
Please note, the three-fan pack I received this time is a commercially available product and may differ from the fan variant included in the XW360D model.
Two sides of the XT128D are constructed from brushed aluminum alloy panels, while the remaining two sides are made of plastic. The overall form is quite rectangular, exuding a simple and minimalist aesthetic without any superfluous design elements.
XW360 and XT128D Installation Instructions
The XT128D three-pack version includes a set of cables for three fans and another set for two fans. Additionally, each fan comes with its own fan cable, mounting screws, and radiator screws. Given the 28mm thickness of the fan, the standard radiator screws might not be sufficient, which is why XT128D provides longer radiator screws to facilitate easy installation.
The XW360 is compatible with Intel’s 1366/2011/115x/1200/1700 and AMD’s FM1/FM2/FM3/AM2/AM3/AM4/AM5 sockets, thus supporting the majority of mainstream Intel and AMD platforms. When using with AMD, the original clips and back panel are required. The screw clasps are sorted and labeled in zip bags, simplifying the installation process.
Once installed, it’s advisable to disassemble and inspect whether the thermal paste has been applied evenly. This also gives you an opportunity to check if the clasp pressure is sufficient and uniform. In the case of the XW360, the distribution appears to be quite even.
SAMA XW360 + XT128D display and SamaMonitor software
The XT128D cleverly conceals the ARGB LEDs at the fan’s hub, using translucent fan blades to create a homogenous lighting effect. The cooling block’s 2.1-inch LCD circular screen boasts impressive brightness and a high degree of display smoothness.
SamaMonitor is software specifically developed by SAMA for this water cooling system and, as such, is exclusive to this model. The fan’s lighting effect relies on the motherboard’s control software. The overall interface is straightforward, making operation intuitive.
The software allows you to adjust the screen orientation, eliminating concerns about installation direction. Currently, there are about 20 styles available, and each can be customized in terms of font color and background color. The theme editing page even permits the use of personal gif or MP4 files, providing a platform for creative expression with various data and patterns. Its potential for personalization is indeed considerable.
However, a few shortcomings were noticed during its use. For instance, switching styles takes approximately five seconds, and the window size cannot be adjusted. Also, if you choose a system-provided style and modify its background, you won’t be able to revert to the original background, suggesting the need for a restore function.
SAMA XW360 + XT128D temperature measurement
For this round of testing, an open platform equipped with an i7-13700 is utilized to evaluate the cooling performance. All BIOS settings are preset. To push the cooling system to its limits, AIDA64 and Cinebench R23 Multi Core tests are carried out. Furthermore, 3D Mark Time Spy is used to replicate the thermal conditions during gaming. The monitoring data is then gathered using HWiNFO64.
Test Platform
Processor: Intel Core i7 13700
Radiator: SAMA XW360 + XT128D
Motherboard: GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS XTREME
Memory: Kingston DDR5-6000 16GBx2
Operating System: Windows 11 Professional Edition 21H2
Power Supply: be quiet! 850W
Under maximum load during the AIDA64 FPU test, the CPU consumes approximately 230W, averaging a temperature of 95 degrees Celsius, while maintaining a steady frequency of 5.1GHz with no throttling. In the Cinebench R23 Multi Core test, the peak temperature reaches 85 degrees Celsius, with an average temperature of 58 degrees Celsius. In the less intensive AIDA64 CPU test, the maximum temperature is a mere 64 degrees Celsius, while the highest temperature during the simulated gaming test with 3D Mark Time Spy is 75 degrees Celsius.
Following this, the performance of the XT128D at different speeds of 100%, 75%, and 50% was evaluated using Cinebench R23 Multi Core. The method involved calculating the average temperature over a 10-minute span for each round.
At full speed (100%), which is actually 2500RPM, the XT128D maintains an average temperature of 85 degrees Celsius. At 75% speed, equating to 1900RPM, the average temperature is only marginally higher at 86 degrees Celsius. At half speed (50%), which is 1500RPM, the average temperature increases to 90 degrees Celsius.
Given that the fan generates significant noise when operating at maximum speed, and the impact on temperature is negligible, it is suggested that for daily use, the fan speed should be manually controlled to be within the 1000RPM to 2000RPM range.
Conclusion
The SAMA XW360 is a budget-friendly water cooler featuring a screen block. Initially, concerns were raised regarding its potential performance shortcomings and the possible limitations of its dedicated software. However, the software exceeded expectations, offering a variety of customizable styles and user-friendly navigation. This is especially notable as many internationally renowned brands often have complex software interfaces. SAMA’s achievement in providing such functional software for this particular water cooler is commendable.
The XT128D fan is also praiseworthy for its ease of use, requiring only two cables to connect three fans to the motherboard and delivering solid airflow performance. However, it falls a bit short in terms of noise control and ARGB lighting performance. Given that it’s sold separately at a relatively high price point, its appeal may be somewhat diminished if not used in conjunction with the water cooler.
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Title: The budget-friendly SAMA XW360 & XT128D screen water cooler come without a fan included in the package
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