Thermaltake TH280 V2 Ultra EX ARGB Sync AIO Cooler Review

Thermaltake has been prolific with their releases of high-end AIO coolers in the last couple of years, and they’re showing absolutely no signs of slowing down. Albeit, they have so many upgrades and improvements to their popular models, their product names are starting to remind me of game names like Street Fighter EX Plus α, with the release of the Thermaltake TH280 V2 Ultra EX ARGB SYNC, still not as silly as Mortal Kombat The Movie The Game though, as we’ll let them off to some degree. But the version 2, ultra, EX (as in their EX fans), and SYNC version of their award-winning TH-series of coolers is here, and as the name suggests, it’s got quite a lot going on.

First up we have the size, and coming in at 280mm, it will be broadly compatible with many decent PC cases. However, there’s a size for just about everyone, with this cooler available as a 240mm, 280mm, 360mm and a monster-sized 420mm version. As for the V2 part, this implies it’s the latest version, so expect it to run cooler and quieter than the previous model, but also gains some new aesthetics and customization features.

The EX part of the product name comes from the pair of CT140 EX ARGB Sync Fans that come bundled with it. I’ve got a lot of experience with these fans through reviews and in my own PC builds, so I know they’re pretty great, and they’re a solid pairing for an AIO cooler, which is why you’ll find them widely integrated into many Thermaltake coolers and cases right now. With their MagForce 2.0 mounting system, you can daisy chain them together, for quick and clean cable management.

Additionally, the TH280 V2 Ultra EX ARGB Sync has an industrial pump design which features a 480 x 480 resolution LCD, allowing you to display real-time system analytics, weather, time, and other information, or you can simply load it up with images, gifs, and movie files for some unique customisation options.

As for the SYNC side of things, with their desktop software, you can command all the fans, the pump and any other Thermaltake products such as your peripherals and case lighting, all from one central hub.

Launch Trailer

Features and Specifications

Pump

• Motor Speed: PWM 1500~3300 RPM
• Rated Voltage: 12V
• Rated Current: 0.43A
• Power Input: 5.16W

CPU Display

• Rated Voltage: 5V
• Power Input: 1.15W
• Display Type: 2.1” TFT-LCD
• Display Resolution: 480×480 (RGB) px
• Display Support Interface: Micro USB to USB (9PIN)
• System Compatibility: Windows 10 / 11  

Water Block

• Material: Copper

Fan

• Dimension: 140 x 140 x 25 mm
• Speed: PWM 500~2000 R.P.M  
• Rated Voltage: 12V/5V
• Rated Current: 0.3A & 0.32A (one fan)
• Power Input: 3.6W & 1.6W (one fan)
• Air Flow: 90.3 CFM (one fan)
• Static Pressure: 3.07 mm-H2O (one fan)
• Noise Level: 30.7 dB-A

Tube

• Length: 460mm
• Material: Rubber

Radiator

• Dimension: 317 x 139 x 27 mm
• Material: Aluminum

Compatibility

• Intel: LGA 2066/2011-3/2011/1851/1700/1200/1156/1155/1151/1150
• AMD: AM5/AM4/AM3+/AM3/AM2+/AM2/FM2/FM1