How Much Does it Cost?
The Valkyrie Surge SL125 CPU Cooler is available now, although the number of available retailers in the UK is currently a little limited. However, I did find stock of the white and the black versions at CCL Computers. It’s currently listed for just £22.99 for the black and £24.99 for the white, which is frankly an absolute bargain. However, competition is fierce in this price range, with SAMA, ID-Cooling, Thermalright and Cooler Master, to name but a few, all having similarly priced products, and in a lot of cases, £5 cheaper products of a similar size. However, with its premium paint job, that lovely top plate, and the full RGB fan, the Surge SL125 is a little better equipped than most, and still represents excellent value for money.
Overview
The Valkyrie Surge SL125 is a surprisingly capable and aesthetically pleasing single-tower air cooler, especially considering its budget price point of around £22.99. It’s clearly targeting the competitive entry-level market but elevates its offering with a stylish look and a surprisingly high-quality fan. The design prioritises compatibility, ensuring it fits well within most PC cases and doesn’t interfere with tall RAM modules. It’s rated 230W TDP is ambitious for a cooler of this size, but the included fan works hard to make it a reality; I’d still be inclined to use it on lower TDP CPUs, though.
Build Quality
For its price, the build quality of the Surge SL125 is excellent. The cooler feels solid, and the inclusion of four high-efficiency composite heatpipes and a dense aluminium heatsink makes a solid foundation. The mounting mechanism is simple, secure, and intuitive for both first-time builders and enthusiasts, with a built-in retention bar. The fan, which features a fluid dynamic bearing (FDB) and a detachable cable, is a nice touch. The top plate, which covers the ends of the heatpipes, significantly improves the overall aesthetic, making it look far more expensive than it is.
Aesthetics
Aesthetics are a strong point for the Surge SL125. However, keep in mind that the black or white variant mostly applies to the fan and the top plate, rather the aluminium fins. The integrated ARGB lighting in the B12 fan and the small Valkyrie logo on the top plate are subtle yet effective, allowing for customisation without being garish.
Performance
The Surge SL125’s performance is strong for a single-fan and compact cooler. While it doesn’t challenge the top-tier twin-tower or AIO solutions, its thermal results on our demanding test bench (Intel Core i9-12900K) were highly impressive. At stock settings, it performed on par with or even slightly better than larger, more expensive competitors like the be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 and the Noctua NH-U12A in some scenarios. Its ability to maintain acceptable temperatures on a high-end CPU is impressive.
Acoustically, the cooler is quiet at idle and lower loads. However, to handle the thermal load of our i9, the fan had to ramp up significantly, making it more audible than some of its larger, slower-spinning rivals. This is a common trade-off for compact, high-TDP coolers. In a more appropriate system, like a mid-range Core i5 or Ryzen 5/7, the fan would rarely need to hit its maximum speeds, ensuring a much quieter day-to-day experience while still delivering excellent cooling.
Should I Buy One?
The Valkyrie Surge SL125 is a fantastic proposition. It takes a proven, compact single-tower design and adorns it with a stylish top plate, premium fan, and excellent mounting system. With pre-applied thermal paste, and extra included in the box, it’s excellent value at just £22.99 (black) and £24.99 (white).
