The Swiftech H240 X3 AIO offers solid performance and an attractive design. While it doesn't take the top spot in our cooling charts, it still provides substantial value considering it is directly competing with many other all-in-one liquid coolers, such as the Alphacool Eisbaer LT 240 and Aerocool P7 L240. While both of those options can be slightly more affordable and similar, or a bit quieter, each lacks features the Swiftech offers. For starters, the H240 X3 is a solid copper design like the Alphacool, but has RGB LEDs which the latter lacks; meanwhile, the Aerocool offering has RGB LEDs but is not expandable and a mixed metal design. When you consider that the Swiftech unit holds up against both, along with other challengers, at a similar price point, it has a slight edge, especially when you factor in overall build quality.

The cooler itself is easy to install to where first-time builders should have no issues working with the H240 X3 AIO. CPU Socket and graphics card clearance are also good with no problems of note, with only the unit's chunky design being a potential problem, yet even that should not be a problem due to its offset nature. Just keep in mind that the entire unit is 90 mm thick with tubing and fittings pushing that to 115 mm give or take. Finally, if your system has the extra room and you want further cooling performance, you can also expand the system if necessary, which is always nice even if that is a road seldom taken.

Noise is a slight issue with the Swiftech kit. While the H240 X3 is one decibel quieter than the H360 X3, it still falls into the middle of the pack. Quieter options exist, including other AIO coolers with similar performance. That said, it does remain relatively quiet up to 75% PWM. Pushing the pump and fans to 100% results in a bit of excess noise, granted, but under regular loads, it will not get anywhere near its maximum RPM unless you are pushing an Intel CPU to its limits. Even then, the problem of noise isn't so much its dBA, but the tonality. Pump noise, while not loud, is distinct with a slightly harsh note I also noticed on the H360 X3. Keeping the pump PWM setting under 75% results in pump noise no longer being detectable, but it is still something worth noting. Using a custom profile to lower the pump RPM while leaving the fans alone improved the noise profile, making it acceptable for even quiet systems.

While overall build quality is exceptional, the barb and clamp fittings, while nice enough, lack that premium feel of compression fittings. However, being price conscious, Swiftech using barb and clamp fittings does mean cost is kept down, which allows them to better compete with the various closed-loop coolers on the market. The use of a solid copper design means expansion is a possibility not just as a marketing point but for real as the pump is powerful enough to actually do the job. Even the coolant has held up well. While I never liked dyes or specialty coolants since their reliability has been suspect over the years, having used the H360 X3 for some time and now testing the H240 X3, I can say Swiftech did an admirable job at least in regards to the base coolant choice. I noticed no issues or degradation of performance over time, and the Pastel White Nanofluid coolant used here looks fantastic with it remaining crisp and bright not only on this unit but its more substantial and longer-running sibling.

The mounting hardware, while easy to work with during installation, still has the same issue I noticed on the H360 X3. The standoffs feature pre-applied washers that stay in place with an adhesive. When you tighten the CPU block down, those washers can stick to the motherboard. This is not a big deal, just something to be aware of. In this case, only one washer stuck to the motherboard. I just removed it by hand, and that was the end of it—a minor quirk and nothing more.

Overall, the Swiftech H240 X3 AIO is an attractive all-in-one expandable liquid CPU cooler that delivers not only good looks but solid performance for the price in the RGB LED era.