Performance Analysis

We have some tough tests in our arsenal for any cooler, and first up is our overclocked Core i5-7600K, which sits at 4.8GHz with a vcore of 1.225V, which is fairly typical of what your average overclocking enthusiast will be sporting. Here, the MasterLiquid ML240R RGB managed a delta T of 46°C, which matched the likes of the Corsair Hydro Series H115i Pro RGB on its balanced fan profile and also topped the Raijintek Orcus 240 by a degree too. However, the Hydro Series H115i Pro RGB was 3°C cooler once we enabled its maximum pump and fan speeds.

In our monstrous LGA 2066 system with an overclocked Core i9-7980XE, things were decidedly toasty, with a CPU delta T of 68°C. This was again lower than the Raijintek Orcus, but the larger Corsair coolers had a distinct advantage here, with their extra surface areas being better-able to deal with the heat from this 18-core CPU.

Our AMD Socket AM4 rig saw a good result from the cooler at a delta T of 50°C, which was 8°C cooler than the Be Quiet! Dark Rock 4 air cooler and only 3°C off the result of the H115i Pro RGB's best result too. The closer results here probably explain the fact that it also matched the Raijintek Orcus, whereas in the other systems it beat it, but this could also be due to the somewhat basic two-point mounting mechanism. There were no unpleasant, low-quality sounds from the pump or fans either. The latter certainly ramped up at full speed and produced a steady but not unpleasant airflow noise at 2,000 RPM, but the pump was inaudible more than a few feet away.

Seriously vivid #RGB lighting on the @coolermaster.uk MasterLiquid ML240R RGB! #argb #coolermaster #pchardware #cpucooler

A post shared by bit-tech.net (@bit_tech) on Jun 13, 2018 at 3:18am PDT

Conclusion

We can't deny that the RGB force is strong with the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240R RGB, but you're certainly paying a premium for the addressable lighting and controller. In its defence, while a tad complicated and cable-laiden, the lighting system is very flexible and has room for expansion too, so in a sense you're not just buying an AIO liquid-cooler here but a cooler and an addressable RGB lighting system. 

That goes some way to justifying the price tag, but the fact of the matter is that Corsair's Hydro Series H115i Pro RGB cooler costs just a little more but has a larger radiator and is much more capable, especially when dealing with overclocked high-end desktop CPUs. As a result, if performance is your main concern, it's a much better buy. If, on the other hand, you're after cutting-edge RGB lighting as well as a capable cooler for a mainstream desktop CPU (or maybe you don't have room for a 280mm radiator), then the MasterLiquid ML240R RGB should definitely be on your shortlist.