Review: Be Quiet! LIGHT LOOP

Be Quiet! LIGHT LOOP

Welcome to our review of the Light Loop from Be Quiet! This is a liquid cooling system for your CPU. If you love RGB, this could be the perfect liquid cooler for you. Why? Because the block that sits on your CPU is packed with RGB lighting. When I unpacked the Light Loop, my first thought was how big the block looked, but it actually turned out to be quite manageable. The Light Loop block is not excessively long, which I consider a plus. In this review, I will play two games and measure temperatures so we can compare results and give you an idea of how this cooler performed in our system. I have also tested another liquid cooler, the Pure Loop 2 Fx. Curious about how that cooler performed? Read that review to compare. I will compare the temperatures to reach a verdict and explain what I like and dislike. First, let's start with first impressions!

First impressions

We made an unboxing video, which you can watch on our YouTube channel. Here is a quick summary of my first impressions.

Good packaging
I like the way the box opens, and everything is well packaged. Everything you need for installation is included, apart from screwdrivers and other tools, of course. I inspected and handled all the parts, and everything felt sturdy and robust, so there were no concerns there. The included thermal paste is useful because none is pre-applied to the block, something you do see on some other brands and models. Before getting started, I was worried I would have to buy it separately.

Brackets
Two sets of brackets are included, for AMD and Intel sockets. If I ever want to switch to AMD, I can do so easily without having to change my cooler, so make sure you keep these parts safe. Overall, my first impression was positive.

Hub
A handy hub is also included with this Bequiet! Light Loop. Almost every manufacturer supplies one as standard, and its absence would certainly be felt. You connect all your fans to this hub, giving you one central controller to manage them.

It is worth noting that we will be using the Intel brackets for our installation.

 

Setup

I will use the following setup to test the games:

CPU: intel i5-11400f

GPU: RTX 3060

Motherboard: ROG STRIX B560-G GAMING WIFI

RAM: Hyperx predator 8 gb

Bear in mind that your results may differ… Why? Because every system is different. Factors include the fans, the case itself and the hardware. Overall, we believe our testing and results provide a good indication of how the Light Loop performs, giving you a useful idea of what to expect from this liquid cooler.

Light Loop specifications

Model	Light Loop 240mm
Color option	Black
Dimensions radiator, incl. fan (H x W x D), (mm)	277 x 120 x 52
Dimensions cooling block (H x W x D), (mm)	75 x 94 x 82
Total weight (kg)	1.2
Socket compatibility Intel	1700 / 1200 / 1150 / 1151 / 1155
Socket compatibility AMD	AM5 / AM4
Noise level (dB(A)) at 50% / 75% /100% rpm	15.4 / 27.2 / 34.9
Number of fans	2
Lighting connector	3 Pin 5V Adressable
Tube length (mm)	400
Refill port	✓

What's in the box?

• 2x 240 mm Light Wings LX 120mm
• Mounts for all modern CPU sockets, including LGA1700 and upcoming AM5 motherboards
• Zip ties
• Thermal paste
• Manual
• aRGB and fan controller hub
• Extra coolant

 

Fitting and installation

It is worth mentioning that we also had the opportunity to review the latest case from Be Quiet, the Light Base 600 lx. Curious about everything the Light Base has to offer? Be sure to watch the unboxing video and read the review. I transferred everything from my old case into the Light Base 600 Lx. That went really well, but for more on that, I will point you to the review :).

Swapping the liquid cooler was easy because I could use the same brackets. A tip: check how the block needs to be positioned and where the screws line up, so you can install the brackets in the correct orientation. The manual was easy enough to follow, and I recommend keeping it handy to make sure you complete every step. It is especially useful to have your motherboard manual nearby so you know where all the cables need to go. Next, you need to find a location for the radiator. Depending on your case, there may only be one suitable mounting position. Once you have decided, you can screw the fans onto the radiator, paying close attention to the direction of airflow. If you are unfamiliar with airflow, read up on it first, as it can affect your cooling performance. My final tip is to watch a few liquid cooler installation videos to see how it is done.

Testing and results

Now for the best part: testing! I got to play some games! GTA and Call of Duty Warzone were on the agenda, and the results really surprised me:

Lightloop:

Call of Duty: 52 degrees at 1440p

GTA V: 52 degrees at 1440p

In GTA V at 1440p, I measured the following temperatures:
Coolermaster: 58 degrees
Be Quiet!: 51 degrees
Light Loop: 52 degrees

 

In COD WARZONE at 1440p, I measured the following temperatures:
Coolermaster: 65
Be Quiet!: 59
Light Loop: 52 degrees

What stands out is that I averaged 52 degrees in both games. In Warzone, the temperature difference was substantial: 7 degrees cooler! In GTA, it was 1 degree warmer. All in all, that is very good performance.

 

Conclusion

I am very positive about the Light Loop for several reasons. First, it has attractive RGB lighting, and the CPU block looks good and feels solid. Second, of course, there are the results: the Light Loop performed brilliantly in Warzone! Installation is straightforward, although I would like to see the fans' airflow direction marked more clearly.

The price is around 140 euros (12 October 2024), which I personally feel is a little on the high side. That said, the performance is certainly good.

Thanks for reading!