Inter-Tech ARGUS SU-280 – Affordable CPU cooler with two fans and RGB

Simon Lüthje23. March 2021

Inter-Tech Elektronik Handels GmbH is a company based in Germany and was founded in 1996. Since then, the main focus has been on a Europe-wide distribution of OEM and retail hardware for PC systems. Originally, the portfolio mainly included PC cases and power supplies. However, this has since been expanded to include numerous divisions (fans, peripherals, hard drive enclosures, etc.). In March 2020, Inter-Tech added another CPU cooler from the manufacturer Argus to its portfolio.

The Inter-Tech ARGUS SU-280 is a full-size tower cooler that is supposed to convince both in terms of looks and cooling. This is supposed to be achieved by a completely black heatsink with six heatpipes and two fans with digitally addressable RGB lighting. In terms of price, Inter-Tech quotes € 28.99 * for the ARGUS SU-280. Whether the ARGUS SU-280 can convince us, you can find out in this review.

Technical details

Cooler Specifications

Dimensions (with fan)	130 x 160 x 100 mm (W x H x D)
Weight (with fan)	780 g
Material	Copper (heat pipes, black anodized), aluminum (cooling fins, black anodized)
Heatpipes	6x Ø 6 mm
Cooling capacity	180W
Compatibility AMD	AM2(+), AM3(+), AM4, FM1, FM2(+)
Compatibility Intel	LGA1200, LGA115x, LGA1366
Price	€ 28.99 *

Fan Specifications

Fan name	ARGUS SU-280 PWM
Bearing type	N/A
Dimensions	120 x 120 x 25 mm
Speed	600 – 1200 rpm
Volume	26 dB(A)
Delivery volume	59.5 m³/h
Air pressure	1.7 mmH²O

Inter-Tech Inter-Tech Kühler ARGUS SU-280 RGB aktiv 120x25mm Lüfter

€ 36.40

Auf Lager

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Dynatron / Inter-Tech Argus SU-280 / SU280 (88885545)

€ 27.89

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Dynatron / Inter-Tech Argus SU-280 / SU280 (88885545)

€ 28.85

ab Lager

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Inter-Tech Argus SU-280 RGB, CPU-Kühler

€ 28.99

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Packaging & Scope of delivery

The design of the packaging is kept rather simple and has been colored in Inter-Tech’s colors, i.e. green and white. In addition, a product picture of the cooler and all relevant technical data about the ARGUS SU-280 can be found on the box.

Opening the lid of the box, you are directly greeted by the assembly instructions and a soft foam mat. Directly underneath is the heatsink with the two pre-mounted RGB fans. However, the first saving measure can be seen right here. The cooler is not covered by additional foam or cardboard. Only the box with the mounting accessories prevents the CPU cooler from flying back and forth in the box. Inside the box, it is also clearly arranged. Present are a plastic backplate and yellow frame, mounting screws, a small tube of thermal paste, and a 4-pin PWM splitter.

Design & Workmanship

The heat sink on the SU-280 cooling tower consists of a total of 46 aluminum fins. The tower is placed symmetrically above the base and is barely wider than the base itself. The heat is supposed to be absorbed by a total of six heat pipes, each with a diameter of six millimeters. These technical features are then joined by a heatsink base with Heatpipe Direct Touch technology. The heatpipes have been ground flat, but slight grooves between the tubes can still be seen. The top plate of the cooling tower is matte black and the ends of the heatpipes are visible.

The included SU-280 fans are also from ARGUS and have a frame width of 120 millimeters. Compared to the heatsink, however, they have a very striking design. Thus, the fan is composed of a black frame and a transparent-black rotor. Rubberized corners are supposed to prevent vibrations from being transmitted to the heatsink. The power is supplied via a 4-pin PWM connector. A Y-splitter is included in the scope of delivery.

Another highlight of the fans or the cooler is of course the RGB lighting. This is realized via LEDs in the fan hub and three LED strips in the fan frame. The transparent fan blades distribute the light evenly on the rotor. Due to the RGB lighting and the matte black cooling tower, the ARGUS SU-280 should be a good visual addition to any case with glass windows.

A test system on a benchtable is used for the review. This allows us to rule out factors such as heat buildup in the case. The test system consists of the following components.

For AMD systems with a retention module, mounting the Argus SU-280 is as easy as can be. At the base of the socket, there is a silver bracket with retaining lugs. After applying the thermal paste to the heatspreader of the CPU, the cooling tower can be placed on the processor. Afterwards, the eyelets have to be hooked onto the retention module’s retaining lugs. However, due to the bracket tension, the latter in particular is a bit tricky and can definitely be a bit frustrating. After that, however, the SU-280 holds perfectly.

Intel systems use the backplate and the yellow plastic frame. The backplate is placed behind the motherboard and screwed to the frame at the front. This frame also has retaining lugs for the eyelets on the CPU cooler. The further assembly is therefore analogous to the AMD system.

The mounting system has definitely fallen victim to the necessary cost-cutting measures. Basically, the system works, but it can lead to frustration during both assembly and disassembly, as an enormous amount of pressure has to be applied to the retaining clips with the thumb. In addition, there is a risk that the CPU will be pulled out of the socket when the clamps are released when disassembling it on an AMD socket. Finally, there is of course the optics. The yellow plastic frame required for Intel sockets unfortunately doesn’t match the otherwise matte black cooler at all.

Loudness and cooling performance

As pointed out in the previous chapter, we are using an AM4 system based on the Ryzen 5 1400 and the MSI B350 PC Mate as our test hardware. The Ryzen runs at 3.8 GHz at 1.25V. To warm up the processor, it was loaded with Prime95 for 15 minutes. The CPU’s temperature was then read with the CPUID hardware monitor and the room temperature was around 19 °C during the measurements.

Cooler	Operating scenario	RPM	Temperature
AMD Wraith Stealth	50% PWM	1600 rpm	102 °C (crash)
AMD Wraith Stealth	100% PWM	2650 rpm	86 °C
Enermax ETS-F40-FS	50% PWM	700 rpm	56 °C
Enermax ETS-F40-FS	100% PWM	1300 rpm	54 °C
Inter-Tech Argus SU-280	50% PWM	750 rpm	62° C
Inter-Tech Argus SU-280	100% PWM	1400 rpm	56 °C

In terms of its size, the Inter-Tech Argus SU-280 does quite well in our test scenario, but does not achieve top performance. Against the similarly priced Enermax ETS-F40-FS, it clearly has to admit defeat at lower fan speeds. The included fans are barely audible at 750 rpm, but produce slight bearing noise. At full speed, the fans are audible but not at all annoying.

Summary of the Inter-Tech ARGUS SU-280 review

Finally, let’s come to the conclusion. In our view, the Inter-Tech ARGUS SU-280 is a thoroughly usable CPU cooler. The SU-280 has a solid cooling performance and does not reach annoying noise levels despite its dual ventilation. In addition, the CPU cooler can of course still convince with its appearance. Due to the black anodized fins or heatpipes and the two included RGB fans, it fits seamlessly into existing RGB systems. Through the 3-pin 5V standard connectors, it can also be controlled via the motherboard. However, this requires two headers on the motherboard.

With a price of only € 28.99 there can’t be only positive points though. First of all, there is the mounting system. While this works and is basically quite simple in design, it also requires an enormous amount of force. This could quickly lead to frustration. Furthermore, the yellow mounting frame on Intel systems clearly destroys the otherwise chic look of the SU-280.

If one is looking for a chic CPU cooler for a mid-range CPU that does not break the budget at the same time, the Inter-Tech ARGUS SU-280 would be a good but not perfect product.