water cooler with lcd screen factory

Gone were those days when the CPU coolers were only about taming down the temperatures of a gaming rig. Nowadays, most gamers aren’t only satisfied with optimum cooling performance. After testing over 167 CPU Coolers, I shortlisted the best ones. Among them, NZXT Kraken Z63 are considered the overall best CPU Cooler with Screens.

What’s great about this type of CPU cooling solution is that you would be able to view various performance metrics through the screens. Also, the flairs that you will be able to add are worth mentioning.

NZXT, as a brand, is well known for the innovation that is pretty much evident in its products. Most of the components under its belt come with excellent aesthetics. The Kraken series of CPU coolers from them is one of the best things to get in the market.

The model here I am reviewing comes with a sleekest-looking radiator with a black texture. Also, it consists of 2x Aer P radiator fans, which move out the heat trapped inside very efficiently.

What I liked about this cooler is that it ensures proper cooling management. Compared to the other ones in the Kraken series like X53 or Z73, efficiency and consistency are much emphasized in this model. Whether it is for gaming, video edit, or HD streams, the heat produced is quickly brought under control through this cooler.

The best part is the CAM software that you can incorporate with this cooler. Though the software can get a bit problematic to handle at times, it’s a perfect option to tweak the configurations. The process of altering fan speeds, temps, power management, etc. becomes quite flexible.

Aesthetics-wise, I would say that this model has one of the finest implementations. It looks minimalist yet elegant. In my opinion, it seems better than the Kraken X53. Also, the 2.36” LCD adds a new dimension to the overall styling. Other than viewing the system stats, you can even display gifs.

Now, the installation of this product is relatively easy. It is lightweight, and since it comes with braided sleeves, you will find it easy to maneuver. Also, under loads, the temps don’t get beyond 65 C. Therefore, you can be highly assured about the quality performance it is going to deliver.

The second cooler on my list is from MSI. They are a pretty big name among the gaming community, and this model from them lives up to the expectations.

As a liquid cooler, this is one of the finest options that sports a top-quality LCD. It sports an additional VRM fan that you can find under the LCD, which provides enough airflow to the socket area. Not in many AIO’s you’ll find this option, which eventually gives this cooler a slight edge. That said, this same feature makes this cooler highly suitable for systems that possess lower-tier VRMs and a PC case with inadequate airflow.

The shroud looks pretty decent. It protects the display and creates an integrated look for the cooler by eradicating everything that may give it a bits and pieces type of outlook. Also, it plays a big part in moving the airflow to the RAM and VRM areas.

You’ll also love to know that with this cooler, you’ll always find sufficient clearance below the socket. The best part is that this trait allows you to use M.2 drives with massive heatsinks with ease. About the radiator, what I have found is that the fins are pretty standard. And the non-dense look makes it look aesthetically quite pleasing.

What I have found out with this cooler, at the silent mode, the pump spins at a speed of 2000 RPM, and the CPU remains under 65 C. Besides, the temps around VRM also stay under 50 degree Celsius.

The temps have a slight spike at the balanced mode, but I would say it’s well under control if you compare it to the extreme mode. However, in extreme mode, it can get a bit noisy. In my i7-10700K build, it went up to 48 dBA. It happened mainly due to ye extra fans, which at times do get noisy. Also, another thing you need to know about this cooler is its cable management, which can get tricky at times.

But what makes this cooler special is its high affordability compared to the other contemporaries. You may feel that you’re going to get cheaper models at the same performance level. But trust me, with those models, you’re gonna miss out on a lot of features.

As a PC hardware brand, ASUS doesn’t need any introduction. They have been here in the market for a long time and became a symbol of trust for gamers. That said, this version from the ROG Ryujin series is a serious contender if you want to buy a cooler with a screen.

Performance-wise, I would say that the overclockers will experience a performance boost by using this cooler. The cooling head and pump are incorporated into a much larger pumping station, which is one reason why such outputs are there.

The temps that I found on my testing were at a considerable level. But the problem with this cooler is that you’ll only be able to use full features if you have other products from ASUS in your system. In short, it isn’t quite that versatile when it comes to offering great values. That said, the cost for this cooler is also on the higher side.

The Aorus line of CPU coolers from Gigabyte is good enough to match the level required for high-end CPUs. This model from them exactly promises that level of output, and it consists of the following features:

One of the main attractions of this liquid cooler is its high aesthetic value. It will easily blend with your RGB gaming build, thanks to its top-notch RGB LEDs. It comes with an Asetek base design and consists of locking mechanisms on the mounting brackets. Eventually, such brackets make the installation process quite flexible.

The temps were pretty good. I had previously used Corsair H60, and compared to that model, the Gigabyte Aorus Liquid cooler is well off in terms of temps and noise. The RGB Fusion 2.0 software does have some issues, and the applied stock thermal paste isn’t that great, to be honest. But overall, the cooler doesn’t suck in terms of performance.

Performance-wise this cooler is one of the highly reliable options under the category that it comes. It has a visually attractive OLED panel, which is highly customizable. You can try out all the predefined options. Also, if you want, you can display memes or GIFs and play around the tiny screen.

Overall, I would say that the cooler is a pretty good option to consider. Just the price is a tad high, which won’t be an issue if you are not short of budget.

Answer:Yes, you can display GIFs in your CPU cooler that has a screen. The software interface that you use to control various aspects of the cooler now allows you to customize the screen of your cooler to add more aesthetic value.

So, these are the top five CPU coolers with screens that you can get for your gaming build. Among all these, my best pick is the NZXT Kraken Z63. It fares up in all aspects and has a considerable competitive edge over other coolers on the list. If you look for affordability, I would suggest the MSI MPG Core Liquid K360. Other than these, the rest of the options are also good to go with.

The Kraken Z73 RGB is an all-in-one liquid cooler that combines powerful cooling performance with ultimate personalization. The 2.36" LCD screen on the pump shows the content you choose via NZXT CAM software, such as image, animated gif and CAM system information. With dazzling RGB lighting , the Kraken Z73 RGB gives a fantastic look to any build.

The all-new Kraken Z Series lets you personalize your all-in-one liquid cooler like never before. Through CAM’s unique software interface, you can do more than simply fine-tune settings; you can now display your favorite images and animated gifs, or CAM system information, allowing for total customization. Backed by a 6-year warranty, the Kraken Z series provides superior performance in liquid cooling, simple installation, and a look that is uniquely your own.

When it comes to keeping overclocked CPU load temperatures in check, Cooler Master’s MasterLiquid ML360R RGB is the new chilling champ. As the 360 variant of our previously reviewed MasterLiquid ML240R RGB, the newly available MasterLiquid ML360R adds 33 percent more radiator surface area for even more cooling prowess. The result? It cools even better than the mighty NZXT Kraken X72.

The Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 360 features a full-cover CPU block sizable enough to fully cover Threadripper’s ample surface area, although it supports mainstream sockets like AM4 as well. There’s also a powerful, fast-flowing pump with built-in reservoir and an all-copper radiator, allowing the Eisbaer Pro Aurora 360 to morph into a custom cooling loop, one piece at a time.

Priced around $217, it"s more costly than some other solutions, but does provide hands-down the absolute best cooling potential. And power users building high-end AMD Threadripper or Intel HEDT desktop workstation or gaming systems will have higher budgets, with a different focus than those looking for a more frugal desktop gaming or mainstream PC build.

Considering the cost associated with most of the CPUs and motherboards alone supported by the Eisbaer Pro Aurora, system builders in this realm of performance usually draw from a unique set of criteria, which a frequent aim for ‘the best at any price." And that, quite simply, is what the Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 360 exemplifies. Whether you intend to run it as is, or expand into a custom cooling loop, you won"t be let down by this versatile piece of cooling kit.

MSI"s MEG CoreLiquid S360 delivers top-notch cooling performance, quiet(er) cooling fans and an excellent implementation of a simple-to-use MSI Center UI and a brilliant display above your CPU to deliver system performance stats, or even your favorite photo or animated GIF. At $280, it’s definitely a premium cooler, but MSI backs up that price with some real performance clout.

The Corsair H100i RGB PRO XT takes over where the H100i Pro left off by providing enthusiast levels of thermal load management from a 240mm AIO and making use of Corsair’s iCUE software suite for RGB lighting control, fan curve configuration and pump performance settings. Paring the capability of the cooler with a set of user-friendly software tools provides a great deal of value for system builders of any technical proficiency, in real time.

The NZXT Kraken M22 is an incredibly compact, high-performance liquid cooler that delivers sleek styling and vibrant RGB lighting options, while offering support for current AMD and Intel processor sockets. Specifically, if you"re building a small home-theater PC or a compact gaming build, the Kraken M22 offers surprising cooling potential in a condensed cooling package.

With an enormous 3x 140mm radiator, this kit allows for enough thermal expansion of the loop to include a graphics card waterblock (or even two), if desired. By using industry standard G1/4 threaded fittings for all components, the cooling loop almost begs you to add more components to the party. A radiator of this size and potential allows for this kind of load because of the quality design and engineering that went into building it. A pump of this pedigree pushes coolant like few others are capable. Quality-milled components and attention to detail are seen on each and every piece within the kit.

For anyone looking for a complete, high-quality watercooling kit in a single box, this Alphacool Eissturm Hurricane Copper 45 kit is an excellent choice for those with room in their chassis for the monstrous 3x 140mm radiator and large pump/reservoir combo.

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The latest addition to the Haws emergency response product offering. The freeze protected, combination shower and eye/face wash offers AXION® technology with a user and maintenance friendly design. The unit is ideal for extreme weather conditions and offers enhanced legionella prevention with the Easy Activation, Easy Return™ technology.

Marketing InformationThe all-new Kraken Z Series lets you personalize your all-in-one liquid cooler like never before. Through CAM"s unique software interface, you can do more than simply fine-tune settings; you can now display your favorite animated gifs or CAM system information, allowing for total customization. Backed by a 6-year warranty, the Kraken Z series provides superior performance in liquid cooling, simple installation, and a look that is uniquely your own.

With a bright, 2.36" LCD screen capable of displaying 24-bit color, you can now completely customize the look of your CPU cooler. Whether it"s a funny gif or CAM data, you can use your Kraken to express yourself in an exciting new way.

CAM"s elegant, user-friendly software makes you the master of your PC. With simple-to-use, intuitive controls, you can manage your Kraken"s performance and appearance with ease.

Fine nylon mesh sleeves strengthen the rubber tubing, providing durability and protection against mishandling. With the fully programmable display, the pump can be rotated to fit the needs of your motherboard without affecting the direction of the logo or image.

When planning to push the best CPU beyond its factory-set limits, you"re going to require some serious cooling. Air coolers that consist of a heatsink and fan are generally good enough for standard use, but when you"re looking to up clock speeds and power draw, a closed-loop all-in-one (AIO) liquid cooler is the preferred option. The processor is usually the component that pumps out the most heat, unless you"re rocking the latest and greatest graphics card, and we need to ensure the cooling solution has ample thermal capacity to handle the heat output.

In this guide, we"ll be taking a look at some of the best AIO liquid coolers you can buy. We"ll primarily be focusing on closed-loop, all-in-one (AIO) liquid coolers that come prepped and ready for installation.

It"s no secret that Cooler Master makes some of the finest CPU coolers. The company has a wide variety of coolers including both closed-loop liquid as well as air coolers. We"ve already added a few of Cooler Master"s fan coolers in our best fan coolers collection and it"s now time to get into some of their best liquid coolers. We crowned the MasterLiquid ML360 Illusion as our best overall liquid cooler in the best CPU cooler collection, so it"s hardly a surprise this one made it into this list as our top pick as well.

The Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Illusion is a closed-loop AIO liquid cooler with a 360mm radiator. The kit, as you can see, is fully decked out with RGB lights. Cooler Master is using ARGB Gen 2 RGB LEDs for this kit which means they can be controlled individually to create a mini light show in the PC case. You can connect these directly to your motherboard and pass them through an RGB controller to control them. They work with Cooler Master"s Master+ software that lets you customize each individual LED in color, effect, brightness, and more. The software also acts as a central hub for all your other Cooler Master components like the case, headphones, keyboard, and more.

The MasterLiquid ML360 uses 120mm Master Halo MF120 fans that are mounted on the radiator. You"ll need a decent-sized PC case to make clearance for the radiator since it"s now 25% wider compared to the older one for increased cooling surface area. The radiator is connected to the water pump block via pipes that carry the coolant. The ML360 Illusion features the 3rd generation Dual Chamber Pump for excellent cooling performance. The pump also features RGB lights. In fact, the ML360 Illusion has 12 addressable RGB LEDs and it"s been integrated into a new translucent pump. The new pump design exposes more diffused lights as opposed to the older one in which only the front portion of the pump was lit.

Cooler Master says this new pump offers reliable performance while keeping the noise output low. We"re looking at a pump noise level of <10 dBA and it has an MTTF time of 70,000 hours, which is good. The fans connected to the radiator have a max RPM of 1800 RPM and we"re looking at a fan noise level of 30 dBA max. The MasterLiquid ML360 is compatible with a variety of CPU sockets -- LGA2066, LGA2011-v3, LGA2011, LGA1700*, LGA1200, LGA1151, LGA1150, LGA1155, LGA1156, AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, FM2+, FM2, FM1. Yes, this particular cooler is also compatible with the new LGA 1700 socket, which is good for those looking to build a new PC using one of the new Intel Alder CPUs.

Cooler Master also has smaller versions of this cooler with a 240mm and 120mm radiator. The 240mm variant is more suitable for mid-tower cases whereas the 120mm is recommended for those working with an SFF build. All these coolers are also available in white color which is great for those who"re building a PC with white aesthetics.

The Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Illusion is our pick for the best AIO liquid cooler you can buy right now. It"s also available in 240mm and 120mm radiator sizes for more compact builds.

Corsair"s CPU coolers are quite popular in the marketplace, and rightfully so. The H150i Elite Capellix"s performance is on-par, or sometimes, even better than some of the top 360mm coolers around. Also, the Capellix in the name means it"s fully kitted with Corsair"s Capellix RGB LEDs, which it has now started using in almost all components. Why, not? They look so damn cool and it adds to the overall appeal of the product. Corsair adds more value to the product with its Commander CORE hub/control module that lets you seamlessly control everything in one place.

One of the best things about the Corsair h150i Elite Capellix AIO cooler is that it"s compatible with AMD AM4, Threadripper TR4 (gen1 and 2) and even the Threadripper sTRX4 socket. On the Intel side, it"s compatible with Intel LGA 1700, 1200, 115x, 2066 and 2011x. You also get a Corsair logo faceplate, mounting brackets along retention hardware. The Commander CORE hub module is also included with this kit, as mentioned earlier. Corsair also gives you five years of warranty the H150i Elite Capellix AIO, which is great.

Unlike, the ML360 Illusion AIO from Cooler Master, the Corsair H150i Elite Capellix cooler has a rather simple looking water pump block out of the box. It only features the Corsair logo as a clear part with opaque backing. You can change this by switching it with the included translucent faceplate. The pump is backed by 33RGB LED lights that can be customized using the iCUE software to match your system scheme. The base of the H150i Elite Capellix features a brushed copper cold plate and it"s connected to nylon-sleeved tubing for the cooler.

You also get a trio of 120mm ML120 RGB fans that are mounted on the 360mm radiator. These fans are rated up to 2400RPM and the speeds are managed via a 4-pin PWM. The 360mm aluminum radiator is also easy to install provided your chassis has enough space to accommodate it. The commander Core Hub is also fairly easy to use and it gives you more control over everything. The H150i Elite Capellix is also a solid cooler when it comes to performance. It"s capable of handling everything from a low-powered Celeron processor to a fully unlocked Core i9-12900K CPU. 360mm is also the sweet spot for high-end PCs, but there"s also a 420mm variant if that fits your boat.

Those with a small system with limited space can also opt for either the 240mm or the 120mm variants. 240mm seems just about right for most and it"s also well-priced in the market among other options. Even the 120mm cooler is no slouch, but that"s only recommended for SFF builds or those with very limited space inside their cabinets. There"s also a white-colored variant of this particular cooler, which is always nice to have as an option. Additionally, Corsair has also launched a new variant of this particular unit with an LCD screen for the pump. That variant obviously costs more than the regular one, but it adds to the overall user experience. Existing Corsair H150i Elite users can also buy the LCD screen pump as an upgrade.

The Corsair iCUE H150i Elite Capellix AIO is also a solid 360mm AIO for high-end builds. It"s also available in two other radiator sizes for PCs with smaller form-factor.

NZXT is one of the few manufacturers that makes a lot of AIO liquid coolers. You can either pick up a budget-friendly barebones cooler from them or go all-in by spending plenty of money to enjoy all the RGB lights you want. They even have liquid coolers with LCDs that you can use to show memes or GIFs. It"s great. Out of the available NZXT coolers, we think the company"s 240mm Kraken Z53 is a fantastic option that"s worth considering. As such it"s our pick for the best 240mm AIO liquid cooler you can buy right now. The Kraken Z53 is a part of NZXT"s premium range, which means you get NZXT"s Aer fans and an LCD included in the kit too.

The Kraken Z63 is also a great choice but it costs a bit more for adding 140mm fans instead of 120mm fans on the Z53. Is it worth it? Well, that depends on your build but we think 120mm fans are a great pair for a 240mm radiator. A mid-tower PC case like the Corsair Airflow 4000D is perfect for a 240mm cooler. It"s a great fit for PCs with compact and narrow radiator support. The cooler features the 7th gen Asetek pump along with an LCD display. This is the company"s new cooler which is it says is capable of cooling even the most demanding CPUs on the market. It"s also compatible with a lot of CPU sockets including newer AMD and Intel CPUs. Existing Z53 Kraken users can also get a free LGA 1700 kit from NZXT, though Threadripper brackets aren"t included.

The LCD is the star of the show here, really. You can control the panel through the CAM software and make it display a bunch of different data including the CPU and the GPU temperature. You can also use it to display media, which opens up a new world of customization for a lot of people. As a content creator, for instance, you can display your brand"s logo. The nylon-sleeved pipes pass the coolant to the 240mm aluminum radiator. The addition of Aer RGB fans makes it an excellent option. These are some well-built fans that"ll last you for quite some time. The fan RGB lighting can also be controlled via CAM software. These Fluid Dynamic Bearing fans have a max speed of 2,000RPM and have a noise output of 33 dBA at max RPM.

The Kraken Z53 is excellent when it comes to cooling too. They can easily handle the load of even the high-performance CPUs on the market. Overclockers might want to look at either the Kraken Z63 or even the Kraken Z73 for the best cooling performance. The 240mm cooler, as we mentioned earlier, isn"t ideal for a fully decked out high-performance rig. In that case, you"re better off getting a 360mm AIO or bigger. NZXT also has a variant of this cooler without any RGB bling. That"s perfect for those who don"t necessarily want RGB lights or for those who"re looking to save some money by opting out of RGB. Both variants, however, have the same cooling performance out of the box.

The Corsair iCUE H150i Elite Capellix AIO is also a solid 360mm AIO for high-end builds. It"s also available in two other radiator sizes for PCs with smaller form-factor.

EK is a brand that needs no introduction, does it? It"s a premium liquid cooling solution provider renown for its sophisticated open-loop liquid cooling kits and parts. They essentially sell the kind of stuff that enthusiasts PC builders like to play with. Well, guess what? EK also has a bunch of closed-loop AIO coolers on offer, and you can grab them right from now from their website or the retail partners. We"re adding the EK-AIO 240 D-RGB AIO cooler as our alternate pick for the best 240mm AIO cooler you can buy right now. As the name suggests, this is a 240mm liquid cooler, but the company also sells 360mm and a 120mm variant of the same too.

As an AIO, the EK-AIO 240 D-RGB is ready to go out of the box without a complex installation process. It"s also universally compatible which means you"ll only need the right mounting brackets to pair with the CPU of choice. EK hasn"t mentioned anything about the support for LGA 1700 socket yet, but we"re expecting an upgrade kit making them compatible with the new socket soon. Considering how popular EK really is in the enthusiast community, it"s only a matter of time till they add support for the new socket. The EK-AIO cooler supports Intel LGA 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1200, 2011, 2011-3, 2066, as well as AMD AM4 and AM5 sockets. An LGA 1700 upgrade kit is available separately.

The EK-AIO 240 D-RGB cooler, as you can see, comes with RGB lights -- both on the fans and the CPU water block itself. These are fully addressable D-RGB lights that offer a range of color configurations. It can be controlled from either your motherboard or standalone RGB controller. The CPU block features a full acrylic cover which also acts as a diffuser for the lights with its frosted finish. It"s one of the most beautiful-looking CPU blocks you can get for your PC. The cooler is compatible with popular RGB sync technologies from all major motherboard manufacturers, so that"s awesome too. You just have to connect the 3-pin LED connector to an RGB header on the board.

The EK-AIO comes with two 120mm fans for the radiator. These are EK-Vardar S fans that are included with the cooler. These are industrial grade high-static PWM fans that can be controlled either by your motherboard or a dedicated fan controller. These fans have a max RPM of 2200, which is a lot higher than most other cooler fans we see on the market.

Coming from a reliable brand that"s known for liquid cooling, the overall cooling performance of the EK-AIO 240 D-RGB is also excellent and is on par with most other 240mm CPU coolers. EK also has a 360mm variant of the cooler that"s more suitable for high-end systems. The 240mm version is plenty for a mid to high-end PC with modern components. The EK-AIO 240 isn"t as fancy as some other coolers on the marketplace that have LCDs. But the EK unit works as advertised and it also looks good without being overly obnoxious. EK is planning to bring new AIO units on the market, so keep an eye on this space as we"ll end up updating with newer and better options over time.

The EK-AIO 240 D-RGB CPU cooler is an excellent cooler for most users who"re looking to get reliable cooling performance and a minimal design with just the right amount of RGB.

There"s no shortage of closed-loop AIO liquid coolers on the market, but a lot of them tend to be on the expensive side. A lot of these products in this collection cost upwards of $100, which may be expensive for a lot of people looking to step into the world of liquid cooling. Well, that"s why we wanted to add an item that offers a reliable cooling performance without burning a huge hole in your pockets. And we think the DEEPCOOL Castle 240EX AIO fit that boat very well. The DEEPCOOL Castle 240EX is a 240mm AIO liquid cooler and it"s one of the best in the market when it comes to cooling. It"s also priced at $90, which is significantly less than some other options like the NZXT Kraken Z53 AIO.

The DEEPCOOL Castle 240EX covers most of the popular sockets on the market which includes both Intel and AMD options. The AIO uses a 282 x 120 x 27 mm aluminum radiator with braided tubes. You also get two 120mm PWM fans capable of reaching speeds up to 1,800 RPM. This particular AIO, as you can see, also supports RGB lighting and it can be controlled directly via the motherboard software. All you need to do is simply connect the LED connector to the RGB header on the board and you should be good to go.

This is a barebones cooler, so there"s no dedicated software for lighting control. The unit isn"t even bundled with a SATA controller, so you"ll need LED headers on your motherboard to control the lighting. That"s not really a surprise considering it only costs $90 or less depending on where you buy it. The DEEPCOOL Castle 240EX is using a normal-sized CPU block as opposed to a super-sized unit with a powerful pump used for its more expensive AIO unit. The block has a built-in lighting system, so that"s good. The bundled PWM fans are essentially Deepcool"s case fans which you can buy separately from their website for your chassis.

The DEEPCOOL Castle 240EX is an entry-level AIO closed-loop liquid cooler that"s suitable for a lot of low to mid-ranged builds. We won"t recommend using this to cool a high-performance overclocked CPU, but a mid-range processor like, say, an AMD Ryzen 5 7600X will work well. The DEEPCOOL Castle 240EX may not help you shave off a lot of temperatures, but we think it"s plenty to keep the CPU temperatures under acceptable limits. The overall kit itself is nothing fancy, but it"s aesthetically pleasing enough to look good while it"s doing the job. It"s also fairly easy to assemble the cooler and the radiator will fit into most PC cases without any issues as long as there"s mounting space for a 240mm unit.

The best thing about the DEEPCOOL Castle 240EX is its $90 price tag. Sure, it"s not the most affordable CPU cooler you can buy on the market right now, but it offers good value as an AIO for the price. We think this is a good place to start as an entry-level user before investing in more expensive coolers for your rig.

Compact PCs and SFF builds have very limited options when it comes to CPU cooling solutions. You can either pick up a low profile CPU air cooler like the Noctua NH-L9i or go with a small, compact AIO. The problem is, there aren"t too many compact AIOs in the market. And the available ones are either too expensive or don"t offer the best cooling performance to maintain the thermal output. After doing a little bit of research around the compact AIOs, we think the NZXT Kraken 120 is a reliable 120mm cooler you can grab for your small form factor builds. Unlike the rest of the Kraken series, the NZXT Kraken 120 isn"t a high-end cooler aimed at powerful rigs. It"s a small 120mm cooler that can easily fit into most builds without a hitch.

The NZXT Kraken 120 comes with a single 120mm radiator along with a 120mm Aer fan that"s bundled with other Kraken coolers. It"s a P120mm fan rated for 2000RPM. The fans don"t have RGB lights though, so you might want to look elsewhere you want to add more bling to your build. The only RGB light you get as a part of NZXT Kraken 120 is built into the CPU block. The LED lights behind the mirror cooler top can be controlled via CAM software. You can use the same software to monitor your PCs performance too, but it sadly doesn"t allow you to control the pump speed of the cooler.

The cooling plate at the bottom of the Kraken 120 CPU block is milled copper and arrives with a factory-applied thermal compound. A lot of AIO have pre-installed thermal compounds so this isn"t out of the ordinary. But it"s indeed nice to see NZXT not skimping on it considering this is a relatively small cooler. The overall footprint of the NZXT Kraken 120 is small and it should have no issues fitting into most PCs. The installation process is also fairly simple and the small 120mm radiator isn"t going to take too much effort to mount.

The cooling performance of this small-sized cooler is on par with a lot of air coolers on the market, if not better. It"s proven to be as powerful as some of the big-sized air coolers like the "be quiet!" Dark Rock 4. That"s commendable because the Dark Rock 4 is a chunky piece of equipment. The fact that a small 120mm AIO is able to keep up with that is quite impressive. This means the NZXT Kraken 120 should have absolutely no issues cooling even the most demanding SFF builds out there. We obviously don"t recommend it for high-performance overclocked CPUs, but it shouldn"t have any major pushing mid-range CPUs in a tightly packed cabinet.

The NZXT Kraken 120 is a little on the expensive side though. It costs over $100 which means it"s more expensive than the Deepcool Gammaxx L240 cooler that we picked as our best value for money liquid cooler. That being said, a lot of these compact coolers are similarly priced unless you"re willing to step down to relatively older coolers.

If you"re building a compact PC or server that doesn"t pump out much heat, an AIO liquid cooler like the NZXT Kraken 120 would be a decent solution. It"s small, affordable, and is capable of handling some loads.

The only disadvantage of having a closed-loop AIO liquid cooler is that it doesn"t leave any room for customization, whatsoever. All you get is a radiator with fans, connected to a CPU block that cool the CPU itself. You can"t disconnect the fittings or add cooling blocks, to upgrade the setup. You"ll be forced to go for a more sophisticated open-cooling cooling solution to achieve any degree of customization. But the Alphacool Eisbaer Aurora 240 CPU cooler wants to change that. This is essentially a modular AIO cooler which means it"s expandable and can be used with other Alphacool components that utilize its quick-disconnect system.

As an end-user Alphacool will let you change the radiator or use the Eiswolf AIO water cooler for graphics cards. This is the only AIO in the market that allows you to swap out an existing component for a new or a different one, which is fantastic and unique. The end result is still not as robust as an open-loop cooler, but having some degree of customization allows it to be a unique offering in the market. You can swap out the radiator at any point or even use a GPU water block in place of the CPU one. While this forces you to stay within the Alphacool ecosystem, but it"s pretty neat nonetheless. It makes it somewhat easier for you to transition into larger liquid cooling loops.

You can entirely ignore the customization part and use the Eisbaer cooling as a closed-loop AIO too. That"s not going to take away from the cooler"s performance. The base cooling kit comes with a radiator, a set of 120mm fans with RGB lights and the CPU block itself. The CPU block also has built-in lights but you"ll have to rely on the motherboard software to control the lighting. The cooling performance of the Eisbaer Aurora 240 is on par with many other 240mm AIO coolers out there. It"s plenty for those who"re getting started with a closed-loop cooler for the first time. The Eisbaer Aurora works well with the majority of CPUs on the market and it"s also compatible with a lot of sockets.

We think the Aurora 240 cooler is a great fit for those building their first gaming PC. The modular nature will allow you to expand the loop further in future when you"re ready for the upgrades. Adding a new radiator or a GPU block to the loop is as simple as detaching the existing tubes and channelling them again to over the required components. Alphacool says you"re bound to lose some coolant when you detach the tubes, but we don"t think it"s something to worry about. As long as you"re giving it enough time to rest after turning the system off, it should be fine.

The Alphacool Eisbaer Aurora 240 is by no means a replacement for an open-loop cooler. Those are still considered to be the best when it comes to customization. However, this will save you a lot of money transitioning from a closed-loop to an open-loop solution as you get to keep a lot of existing components.

The Alphacool Eisbaer Aurora 240 AIO is a modular AIO cooler that lets you add a better radiator or even a GPU block to the existing loop without replacing the entire unit.

Closed-loop AIO liquid coolers have their own advantages but there"s nothing satisfying than building your custom loop from scratch for the ultimate custom-cooling PC build of your dreams. Sure, the Alphacool Eisbaer Aurora offers a degree of customization that other closed-loop AIO on the market lack, but we think open-loop cooling is the most reliable cooling solution you can have inside your PC to keep the temperatures in check. As such, we"re adding the Alphacool Eissturm Hurricane Copper 45 custom cooling kit to this collection.

The Alphacool Eissturm Hurricane Copper 45 is essentially a custom cooling loop kit that"ll give you all the tools you possibly need to build a new open-loop cooling solution for your PC. Buying a bundled kit like the Hurricane Copper 45 makes it easier to have everything in place as opposed to combing through multiple pages on the internet to find compatible fittings for your loop. This is as good as it gets for those looking for a complete, high-quality water cooling kit in a single box. It"s quite an elaborate solution, so it goes without saying you will need a full tower case to fit in the loop.

The kit comes with enough mounting hardware for complete installation on nearly every existing AMD and Intel CPU socket with the exception of Threadripper. As a part of the kit, you get coolant for the loop, a 3-way fan splitter, thermal compound, a handy funnel to pour the coolant, and an ATX 24-pin jumper module for priming and filling the cooling loop. Not to mention, you also get the core components of the loop like a radiator, tubes, a reservoir, CPU water block, and more.

The Alphacool Eisblock XPX CPU block features a solid top with G1/4 standard fittings. There"s also a backlit logo powered by 3-pin PWM. The bottom of the water block is a nickel-plated copper base that is polished to a mirror finish. You also get an incredibly powerful VPP755 pump to power the entire cooling system. There"s also a 250mm acrylic reservoir in the package. One of the highlights of this particular cooling system is the massive 3x 140 (420) NexXxos 45 radiator featuring seven, G1/4 fittings. This is plenty for almost any loop configuration or mounting option desired. You also get additional plugs to close any unused radiator ports. This is one of the biggest radiators you can buy right now, and it is more than enough to cool even the most demanding rigs.

As an open-loop cooling system, the installation demands a lot of effort. As such you"ll have to channel the coolant through each part that you"re trying to cool and put everything in place by finding space for the components in the chassis. It"s safe to say this kind of sophisticated system is not for beginners. It"s better to start with a closed-loop AIO before making your way to an open-loop if you need one. Also, a cooling solution like this isn"t necessarily for entry-level to mid-range builds anyway. At $380, this is the most expensive cooling solution in this collection, but it’s also more than just a CPU cooler.

Choosing the best CPU cooler comes down to how much you wish to spend, the size of your case, what radiators it supports, and what processor you plan on cooling. The Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Illusion is a fantastic cooler for most high-end builds whereas a 240mm AIO like the Kraken Z53 RGB is enough to cool a mid-range build. We"ve also added some other affordable options like the DEEPCOOL Castle 240EX cooler that"s worth considering if you"re too strapped cash.

We"d recommend at least 120mm worth of radiator surface area per component cooled. But we will also include one caveat here. Don"t buy an AIO liquid cooler with a 120mm or 140mm radiator. If you"re cooling your CPU, go for a kit with a 240mm or 240mm radiator. The same goes for the GPU with aftermarket blocks. When it comes to custom loop construction, the same rules apply. Start with 240mm for a single component and add an additional 120mm per component thereafter.

If you"re cooling just the CPU, we"ll go with a 240mm radiator much like our AIO recommendation. If you"re cooling the CPU and GPU with the same open loop, go with a 360mm or 480mm (420mm or 560mm if using 140mm fans). This way you will ensure the loop has enough thermal capacity to handle sustained loads from all the connected components.

The debate regarding air vs. AIO liquid coolers has been ongoing for many years. Both coolers work in different ways to dissipate heat, have different form factors, and, most importantly, are priced very differently. Both will perform about the same with quick bursts of power (and subsequent heat) from the processor. It"s only when sustained loads are introduced is when AIO liquid coolers can really take off with the additional thermal capacity of the liquid and radiator surface area.

A "closed-loop" AIO liquid cooler essentially means it"s prefilled and sealed. You won"t need to top up the liquid, nor will you be able to take the loop apart. It"s sealed for use throughout the lifespan of the product. If you wanted to make some edits at a later date, perhaps to install a new radiator, or to add another device into the loop, you will need to create and maintain a custom DIY water-cooling loop.

Closed AIO coolers also usually only support the cooling of a single component, be it the CPU or GPU. For connecting both together in the same loop, you will need to plan out a custom DIY open loop solution.

The best AIO cooler does it all in one. It keeps your CPU down at an appropriate temperature and saves you the hassle of setting up a liquid cooling solution yourself. A low-temperature gaming PC is essential if you plan on pushing it with high-graphics settings in the latest games. An AIO cooler can handle toasty CPUs and help you hold onto any overclocks you plan to do. A good quality AIO cooler not only keeps your rig cool and quiet, it can also directly impact the performance of your system.

What follows is a list of our favourite AIO coolers, all of which have been tested by us. We know our readers have different wants and needs, so we’ve picked a range of options to suit all budgets and use cases. Which one you go for will depend on your particular needs. There"s a lot to consider; there"s the radiator size and case compatibility, the cooling capacity, value for money, noise levels, reliability, and yes, looks are important too.

Perhaps the most important consideration of all is choosing one that will fit your case. Can it house larger radiators? You’ll also want to choose a cooler that can handle the TDP of your processor. A 120mm cooler is a no-no with an AMD Ryzen 9 5950X(opens in new tab) or Intel Core i9 12900K(opens in new tab). Do you overclock? Are low noise levels a priority or is cooling ability your main concern? You’ll want to look at the fan specifications and noise ratings.

Once you’ve settled on a list of criteria, then you can consider whether you want RGB or not or whether you have other components from the same manufacturer (so you don’t have to install yet another control app). Some AIOs even come with LCD or OLED screens atop the pump, so you can really tailor your own unique look. They’re pretty, but pricey. If AIO doesn"t seem to be for you, our all-encompassing Best CPU coolers(opens in new tab) list might be more up your street.

What really impresses us is the cooling performance on offer. We find it goes very close to 360mm levels of cooling capability, It does get noisy if you try to push an overclocked Rocket Lake CPU, but then pretty much every other cooler does too.

The EK-AIO basic 240 is perfect for builds with a stealthy focus or closed case builds where lighting doesn’t matter. With its build quality and high performance, it"s a cooler that you can surely set and forget, out of sight, out of mind and out of earshot.

Deepcool is well known for its capable AIOs at affordable prices, and the Gammaxx L240 V2 is one of the cheaper 240mm coolers on the market. That makes it a great option for users looking to step up from air cooling into the world of AIO cooling.

The Gammaxx 240 is capable of cooling most processors, too, though like many of the chip chillers on this list it draws the line at AMD"s Threadripper beasts. But it keeps the rest running with remarkably low noise levels, which is one of the main reasons we recommend it.

At idle the L240 is effectively silent. As you’d expect, you will start to see an increase in temperatures and noise levels with high TDP processors, especially when overclocking. Our 5800X CPU with PBO enabled is about the maximum we’d consider appropriate for a 240mm cooler. Under load, the fans can and do ramp up quite a bit.

Many AIO coolers come with fancy screens or ARGB fans, but those features usually push up the cost and add exactly zero to the actual cooling capability of the unit. Enter the MSI MAG CoreLiquid P240. It won"t win the local AIO beauty pageant, but it will cool your CPU and do it at a great price.

The P240 is a newer model which means it comes with LGA 1700 compatibility right out of the box. It will fit pretty much any socket from the last 10 years, with the exception of AMD"s Threadripper models.

Sometimes, less is more. If unicorns dancing on rainbows isn"t your thing or you"re looking for a capable and quiet AIO cooler that you can install and forget, then the MSI CoreLiquid P240 is an easy recommendation.

Asus wouldn"t be the first name on most people lips when it comes to affordability, but the TUF Gaming LC 240 offers great value for money and, thanks to its support for addressable RGB, it"s a good way to add colour and capable cooling at the same time, all without having to spend a whole lot of your hard earned cash.

As an Asetek-built unit underneath, it is in many ways similar to a lot of other coolers, but Asus has chosen to include fans that are tuned for low noise operation, with a maximum noise rating of just 29dB(A). Even when it"s running at full speed, it stays very quiet, though this also means that it won"t deliver the low temperatures of some other 240mm units. But unless you"re loading up a high core count processor for long periods, this won"t be a concern.

If you"re looking for an affordable AIO with ARGB support that"s also quiet and affordable, then the LC 240 ARGB is well worth a look. Install it and you"ll forget you’re even running a liquid cooler. One of the other key characteristics of the TUF brand is reliability, and the LC 240 ARGB comes with a six-year warranty for that little bit of extra peace of mind.

The Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R RGB isn"t the newest cooler on the market, but it"s been one of our favourites for a long time. It offers a good blend of cooling performance and ARGB customisable good looks. It just so happens to be one of the better value RGB-supporting 360mm coolers on the market. What"s not to like?

The ML360R comes with its own RGB controller, which is great if you hate installing too much software on your system. There might be a bit of cable spaghetti, but with some careful routing, this shouldn"t be a problem.

Performance-wise, the ML360R is very good, though AIO manufacturing has come a long way and it"s no longer the class-leading performer it once was. That probably sounds too harsh, because the ML360R is certainly no dud and it will handle a modern high core count processor with ease.

The Cooler Master ML360R is a very good all rounder. If your case can handle a 360mm rad, you"ll find it offers a great blend of cooling ability, good noise levels, ARGB good looks, and as it is now a mature market entrant, offers very good value for money. The ML360R is an oldie but goodie, and it remains a favourite AIO of ours.

Sometimes only the best will do, and short of a fully custom loop, it"s hard to go past the NXZT Kraken Z73. It"s pricey to be sure, but is oh-so-pretty, and has awesome performance to go with it.

The highlight of the Z73 is its head mounted LCD. It can display monitoring info in conjunction with NZXT’s CAM software, or you can use your own custom GIFs. It adds a lot of cost to the unit, but it really does look great. Do note that the fans don’t have any lighting at all. This one is allabout the pump head.

The Kraken Z73 is pricey, no doubt about it, but it’s the kind of cooler you’ll want to show off. It provides great cooling performance, there’s a lot of headroom for OC and once you’re done with that, you’ll spend ages playing with the LCD display on the way to creating a truly unique look for your rig.

Best AIO coolerIs an AIO cooler worth it?If you really want to go all out, you’re maybe better off with a fully custom water-cooling loop, but they are complicated, expensive, require maintenance, and have far more points of failure. AIOs are simple, they’re all but maintenance free, they"re cheaper, and cool almost as well, at least the 360mm ones do anyway.Is an AIO better than an air cooler?The first question people have is usually this: Air or water? Air cooling is generally cheaper and simpler. High end air coolers are better than ever but they"re very bulky, and good quality AIOs generally outperform them. Water cooling is more efficient, as water is a better thermal conductor, which means it"s better at transferring heat away from your CPU. There remains a tiny risk of leakage, but this is becoming exceedingly rare.

Noise levels are highly dependent on the fans used, but other than outliers, such as comparing a 120mm AIO to a twin tower/fan combo, a good quality AIO will be quieter than an air cooler when presented with a high heat load.

In terms of actual peak cooling performance there"s not a lot in it between the best of each category, but AIOs are generally quicker at getting from peak to idle temperatures than a straight air cooler is.Do you need to refill AIO coolers?The reliability of AIO coolers has come a long way. AIO leaks are exceedingly rare. Like any other mechanical device, there’s always the low possibility of a pump failure but luckily modern CPUs have protection built in should it get too hot. The bottom line is that you can run an AIO in your system with peace of mind. Coolers can "degrade" over time, as coolant very slowly evaporates or falls out of solution but these kinds of things are becoming less of a concern as manufacturers learn new tricks and methods after years of testing and feedback. A modern AIO should serve you well for many years.Can you use an AIO on any CPU?As we move towards late 2021, an important thing to consider is socket support. LGA1700 compatibility is only just becoming a topic of discussion. So, if you"re planning on building a 12th Generation system, pay close attention to the list of supported sockets. Stock from earlier in 2021 will lack support. You can expect manufacturers to offer compatible mounting kits and updated SKU"s but if you"re in doubt, make sure to check with the retailer or manufacturer to ensure your choice of cooler includes LGA 1700 support.Round up of today"s best deals

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