A Closer Look

Like the majority of AIO liquid coolers, the Sapphire Nitro+ S240-A has an aluminium radiator, but what is different is the use of plastic inserts to protect the radiator fins. This is the first time I have seen this, and honestly, while not a big deal, I still applaud Sapphire for the inclusion. Sure, I can't claim the radiator arrived with pristine fins because of their inclusion, but it certainly didn't hurt. A closer look at the radiator shows the fins are in perfect condition, which is always nice as I expect there to be a few slightly bent no matter which AIO I am looking at. The radiator's fin density clocks in at the industry average of 20 fins per inch; as for the 400 mm tubing, it is your standard EPDM rubber tubing with mesh sleeving.


The pump is a seventh-generation Asetek design, but with Sapphire's twist regarding visual flair. The spider, as it is described, sits in the center while the plastic top acts like its legs with a geometric pattern below. The top is ARGB-equipped for that must-have visual appeal. With that said, I immediately thought the design looked more like a snake for the tiny logo and a cage, but that's just me. Aesthetics aside, what isn't appealing is the massive amount of wiring exiting the pump block. The various connectors handling ARGB lighting, fans, and power via the SATA connector make for a mess of cables that I can already tell will be a pain to route cleanly during installation. As for the pump block, its fittings offer a good range of motion that is more than adequate for routing the tubing cleanly.


Sapphire is using what they call hybrid fan blades with the Nitro+ series of coolers. The blade design is a mix of axial and blower-style to improve airflow and static pressure. To be honest, I am a bit skeptical, but the performance numbers will leave no doubt. That said, Sapphire did not list the airflow for these fans. As such, all we know about them is the model number, FD1225H12D, and that FirstD manufactures them. As for the RPM range, it is listed as 450–2400 (+/-100).