Fractal Design has done a fairly good job with the Celsius lineup. The S36 offers some new features and top-tier performance. Meanwhile, the Celsius S24 offers those same features but in a more accommodating form factor. Not all cases can fit a 360 mm radiator, which makes the S24 and its standard 240 mm radiator a more attractive option as almost every case on the market can fit a 240 mm liquid cooler. Speaking of memory and GPU clearance - as with most liquid coolers, both are fantastic, making the Celsius 24 a good fit for just about any system, including mini-ITX.

Performance-wise, the Celsius S24 falls a bit behind. While it still offers fantastic performance, it falls ever so slightly behind the competition. That said, the S24 is quieter than most liquid coolers on the market with only the Alphacool Eisbaer and Aerocool P7-L240 being quieter. Under intense FPU work loads, the Celsius S24 kept our Intel 6700k at 78°C, which is just 1°C behind the Alphacool and Aerocool offerings. As such, in terms of performance and noise, the system is fairly well balanced. The other all-in-one liquid coolers that beat it tend to be a fair bit louder. Finally, the option for auto or PWM control of the pump and fans is also a nice touch since it allows for a bit of customization in terms of maximum performance or ultra-low noise output.

Build quality is also quite good. The built-in fan controller keeps cabling neat and tidy with the wire running to the pump being hidden in the tubing's sleeve, showing fantastic attention to detail. Even the power cable has a rubber piece to keep it from being put under too much strain near the pump. Add all this together and you have a clean, attractive design adding value. It doesn't hurt that the unit is very easy to install. Those planning to build or use AMD systems are also in luck as the Celsius S24 does in fact support socket AM4 out of box. TR4 is also supported due to the included bracket with Threadripper CPUs. When it comes to backing their product, the 5-year warranty, while not industry leading, is still awesome and a massive step up from the more typical 1-3 year warranties seen elsewhere.

I do have a few complaints. The flow rate of the pump is just 40 l/h. This means expanding the Celsius S24, while possible, could very well result in a flow rate that's far too low for proper performance. More testing of that feature would likely be needed to determine viability. However, very few users actually expand their liquid coolers, so it's not a huge problem. That said, it is still something end users should be aware of if planning to go that route as block/radiator restriction will likely come into play. Continuing on with the pump, the fitting on the pump itself cannot be changed; you are stuck with the factory fitting in that location. Meanwhile, the radiator fittings are standard G 1/4". Why all fittings can't be changed is a bit of a head scratcher to me.

My only other thoughts come down to the lack of RGB lighting. As everyone is aware, it's the new industry feature everyone is flocking to. As such, for some, the lack will be a negative, but for others, it will be a positive. It's a nice feature to have when it can be disabled for those who do not need it. That said, Fractal Design leaving RGB by the wayside will be a love-it or hate-it issue for some. However, the lack of RGB allows them to be a bit more aggressive in terms of pricing. The question here will be whether you want RGB LEDs or a more professional and classy appearance. I for one lean towards the latter rather than the former. Having reviewed both the S24 and S36, if space is not an issue, the S36 is the better offering in my opinion. Still, for the majority of users, the S24 will be the sweet spot since it fits a wider range of cases.

When it comes to all-in-one liquid coolers, those wanting extra features and a professional look without sacrificing low noise levels or performance will find the Fractal Design Celsius S24 to be a solid choice.