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Valkyrie Surge SL125 CPU Cooler Review: Budget-Friendly Cooling for 2025?This video reviews the Valkyrie Surge SL125 CPU cooler, evaluating its cooling performance, noise levels, and build quality. It's positioned as a budget-friendly option for 2025, and the review assesses whether it can compete with established brands. The cooler is suitable as an upgrade from stock coolers but not recommended for overclocking.
Overall, the initial impression is positive, with a focus on the complete package and user-friendly installation guide.
Overall, the initial impression is positive, with a focus on the complete package and user-friendly installation guide.
1. 📦 Unboxing and First Impressions of the Valkyrie Surge SL125
- ✅ The video begins with an introduction to the Valkyrie Surge SL125 CPU cooler, highlighting its 230W TDP.
- ✅ The unboxing reveals a warranty guide, a detailed installation guide, and mounting hardware for both Intel and AMD platforms.
- ✅ The cooler features a single fan with pre-applied thermal paste.
Overall, the initial impression is positive, with a focus on the complete package and user-friendly installation guide.
00:00 - 01:42
1. 📦 Unboxing and First Impressions of the Valkyrie Surge SL125
- ✅ The video begins with an introduction to the Valkyrie Surge SL125 CPU cooler, highlighting its 230W TDP.
- ✅ The unboxing reveals a warranty guide, a detailed installation guide, and mounting hardware for both Intel and AMD platforms.
- ✅ The cooler features a single fan with pre-applied thermal paste.
Overall, the initial impression is positive, with a focus on the complete package and user-friendly installation guide.
01:43 - 03:45
2. ⚙️ Detailed Specifications of the Valkyrie Surge SL125 CPU Cooler
- ✅ Dimensions: 120x72.5x155 mm
- ✅ Heat Pipes: Four 6mm heat pipes
- ✅ Fins: 48 aluminum fins with a 0.4mm gap and 2.2mm thickness
- ✅ Weight: 0.98 kg
- ✅ TDP: 230W
- ✅ Fan: 120x120x25 mm PWM fan
- ✅ Fan Speed: 800-2150 RPM
- ✅ Noise Level: 30.5 dB
- ✅ Air Flow: 81.68 CFM
- ✅ Static Pressure: 4.0 mm H2O
- ✅ Compatibility: Supports Intel LGA 1150/1151/1155/1156/1200/1700/1851 and AMD AM4/AM5 sockets
03:46 - 07:14
3. 🛠️ Installation Process and Cable Connections Explained
- ✅ The installation process is described as straightforward, with standoffs specifically for AM5 sockets.
- ✅ The cooler comes with its own thermal paste, but the reviewer uses the included paste for consistency.
- ✅ The fan is attached using brackets and clips.
- ✅ The cooler uses a proprietary cable for easier cable management, connecting to a 3-pin ARGB header and a 4-pin PWM header.
07:15 - 07:42
4. 🔊 Noise Level Testing: 50% vs. 100% Fan Speed
- ✅ At 50% fan speed, the cooler is very quiet.
- ✅ At 100% fan speed, there is noticeable noise, but it's not likely to be noticeable with a side panel on.
09:04 - 11:31
5. 🌡️ Thermal Performance Results and Comparison with Other Coolers
- ✅ The cooler was tested on an AM5 platform with a Ryzen 9 7900 CPU.
- ✅ Room temperature during testing was 20-23°C.
- ✅ Tests were conducted at default settings (90W power draw) and 100% fan speed (158W power draw).
- ✅ At default settings, the maximum temperature reached 79°C in the 3DMark CPU test.
- ✅ At 100% fan speed, the maximum temperature reached 92°C in Cinebench, with an average of 86°C.
- ✅ A graph is shown comparing the cooler's performance to other single-tower coolers.
11:32 - 12:50
6. 💰 Pricing, Final Thoughts, and Recommendations
- ✅ The cooler is priced at £27 for the white version and £25 for the black version on CCL.
- ✅ The reviewer likes the white color, the RGB lighting, and the mounting system.
- ✅ The proprietary cables are a minor drawback.
- ✅ The cooler is recommended as an upgrade from stock coolers but not for overclocking.
- ✅ For overclocking or unlocking PBO, a dual-tower cooler or AIO is recommended.