Raijintek Leto CPU Cooler Review

Introduction & Closer Look

On the test bench today, we have the latest CPU cooler from the guys over at Raijintek, in the shape of the Leto. Our ever-expanding cooler charts have been dominated lately by high end, expensive all-in-one water coolers, so what can a budget, 120mm slimline air cooler add to the party?

The Leto employs the standard air cooler blueprint; aluminium radiator tower and fan stood vertically, and a heatsink infused with copper heat pipes.

The Leto has support for all the major Intel and AMD sockets:

Intel

LGA 775/115x/1366/201x/2066

AMD

AM4/AM3+/AM3/AM2+/AM2/FM2+/FM2/FM1

The heatsink is completely powder coated black, which does set it apart from most other air coolers in this price bracket.

Further enhancing the aesthetics of the Leto, is the LED 120mm fan. The variation we have on test today comes with a blue LED fan, but red and white are also available. The included PWM fan has a speed range of 800 to 1800rpm.

As mentioned before, the heatsink is the usual design, and features 3 copper heat pipes in direct contact with the IHS of the CPU.

Specifications

Dimensions

– 122(W) x 76(D) x 157(H) mm

Heatsink

– Base Material: CPU Direct Contact [C.D.C.]
– Fin Material: Aluminium Alloy; Solder-free fins assembly

Fan

– Dimension: 120(W) x 120(H) x 25(D) mm
– Voltage Rating: 12V (Range: 10.8 – 13.2V)
– Starting Voltage: 7V (Max.)
– Rate Current: 0.28Amp (Max. 0.32 Amp)
– Speed: 800 ~ 1800 R.P.M. (PWM)
– Bearing Type: Sleeve bearing
– Air Flow: 65.5 CFM (Max.)
– Air Pressure: 1.14 mmH2O (Max.)
– LEDs: 8
– Life Expectance: 40,000 hrs
– Noise Level: 28.5 dBA (Max.)
– Weight: 570g (Heat Sink & fan Only)
– Thermal Resistance: 0.13?/W

Thermal Performance

Since our previous cooling reviews prior to November 2016, we have decided to update the method accordingly for better and consistent results. It isn’t ideal running Prime95 for a prolonged period of time and if you get called away to do something, it could be left running for much longer than needed. Our new methodology involves running a very stressful multi-threaded performance benchmark called ROG RealBench.

It should also be noted that the reason we omit acoustic/noise testing is due to an inaccuracy within the readings and method. To provide truly accurate readings, you need a lab setting with the same ambient noise on an hour by hour, day by day and week by week basis. As ambient noise can increase at different times of the day, we believe that it’s pointless providing noise testing if we can’t measure consistent and accurate data due to our office being a busy setting.

Test Setup

• CPU – Intel Core i7 6700k – (4.2GHz at 1.25v & 4.5GHz at 1.38v)
• Motherboard – Asus ROG Maximus VIII Hero Alpha
• GPU – ZOTAC GTX 1060 AMP! Edition
• RAM – Crucial Ballistix Elite 16GB DDR4 3000MHz
• PSU – BeQuiet Dark Power Pro 11 1000w
• SSD – Crucial MX300 525GB SSD
• Case – Cooler Master Test Bench V2
• Monitor – Philips P-Line 241P6 4K Ultra HD

Idle Testing Methodology

To test each cooler at idle, the minimum temperature is taken after leaving the PC with only start-up programs on Windows 10 being allowed to run for 5 minutes. After this, the minimum temperature with the core temperature being offset against the room temperature; thus achieving delta.

Load Testing Methodology

To load test, we run RealBench while selecting the heavy multitasking benchmark only. We run this a maximum of 3 times concurrently and the maximum temperature recorded is taken. This temperature is deducted from the current room temperature and our final delta temperature is provided.

Results

Conclusion

Performance

The Leto didn’t embarrass itself at all in our tests, and performed pretty well for a 120mm air cooler. It was never going to be challenging for the top spot, but for a no-frills cooler, it certainly kept thermals under control pretty well.

Design

The main design of the unit is nothing ground breaking, but the totally black finish of the fin stack, alongside the vibrant LED fan, means that it will look pretty nice in any build.

Value

At the time of review, you can pick up the Leto blue LED version for just £22.99 at Overclockers UK. That places it at a really price point, and certainly offers good value for money given the performance it delivers.

Final Thoughts

The Raijintek Leto looks good, and does exactly what it says on the tin (well the box… it doesn’t come in a tin actually). It performs well, and costing less than £23 in the UK right now, I have no hesitation in giving it the Play3r Recommended award.

Buy from Overclockers UK: £22.99

Huge thanks to Raijintek for sending the Leto in for review.