120mm aio with lcd display factory

EK 360mm AIO Basic, All-in-One Liquid CPU Cooler with EK-Vardar High-Performance PMW Fans, Water Cooling Computer Parts, 120mm Fan, Intel 115X/1200/2066, AMD AM4, (360mm AIO) LGA 1700 ReadyType: Liquid Cooling System

NZXT Kraken 120 - RL-KR120-B1 - AIO RGB CPU Liquid Cooler - Quiet and Effective - Silent Operation - Ring RGB LEDs - AER P 120mm Radiator Fans (Included)Type: Liquid Cooling System

NZXT Kraken X53 240mm - RL-KRX53-01 - AIO RGB CPU Liquid Cooler - Rotating Infinity Mirror Design - Powered By CAM V4 - RGB Connector - 2 x Aer P120 120mm Radiator Fans LGA 1700 CompatibleType: Liquid Cooling System

ASUS ROG Ryujin II 360 RGB all-in-one liquid CPU cooler 360mm Radiator (3.5" color LCD, 3x Noctua iPPC 2000 PWM 120mm radiator fans, compatible with Intel LGA1700, 1200 and AM4 socket)

MSI MAG Core Liquid 240R V2 AIO Liquid CPU Cooler, 240mm Radiator, Dual PWM, ARGB Lighting Controlled by Software LGA 1700 Ready / AM5 CompatibleType: Liquid Cooling System

Rosewill RGB AIO 240mm CPU Liquid Cooler, Closed Loop PC Water Cooling, Slim Copper Plate, Quiet Addressable RGB Ring Fans, Remote Control, Intel/AMD Compatible, 400mm Sleeved Tubing - PB240-RGBType: Liquid Cooling System

MSI MAG Core Liquid 240R V2 White AIO Liquid CPU Cooler, 240mm Radiator, Dual 120mm PWN Fans, ARGB lighting controled by software LGA 1700 Ready / AM5 CompatibleType: Liquid Cooling System

MSI MAG Core Liquid 360R V2 AIO Liquid CPU Cooler, 360mm Radiator, Triple PWM, ARGB Lighting Controlled by Software LGA 1700 Ready / AM5 CompatibleType: Liquid Cooling System

EK 360mm AIO Elite, D-RGB All-in-One Liquid CPU Cooler with EK-Vardar High-Performance PMW Fans, Water Cooling Computer Parts, 120mm Fan, Intel 115X/1200/2066, AMD AM4, (360mm AIO) LGA 1700 ReadyType: Liquid Cooling System

Whether you’re after higher sustained clock speeds with your shiny Core i9-13900K, or you just a system that remains quiet under load, there are a few key things to consider when choosing the best AIO (all-in-one) cooler for your new build or an upgrade. AIO coolers are far more convenient and affordable than custom liquid cooling loops, and they can generally deliver lower CPU temperatures with less fan noise than air coolers–although that’s not always the case.

You’ll need to make sure there’s room to install an AIO cooler in your case as well, preferably in the top or rear, exhausting your CPU heat out of the case. AIO coolers typically come in three sizes, defined by the dimensions of the radiator and the fans the radiator is designed to fit: 120 (one 120mm fan), 240 (two 120mm fans), or 360mm (three 120mm fans). There are some 140 and 280mm AIO coolers as well, but they are far less common. As you might suspect, the larger the radiator, generally, the greater the cooling potential, although things like radiator thickness, materials, and fan and pump performance factor into cooling capability as well.

If you aren’t running a flagship CPU with lots of cores and 5-6 GHz speeds and you don’t plan on overclocking, a 120mm AIO, which you can usually mount in the rear exhaust fan area of your PC case, should suffice. That said, Intel"s 12th and 13th Gen CPUs are generally more demanding on coolers. And AMD"s Ryzen 7000, while less thermally demanding than Intel"s chips, isn"t exactly easy to cool either. So if you want better temperatures and slower-spinning fans, a good 240mm AIO cooler is a better choice, but won’t fit in as many cases. Generally, a 360mm AIO is your best bet for high-end, overclocked CPUs, to make sure your processor stays reasonably cool while running above its specced speed. But of course, those larger coolers fit in even fewer cases. Be sure to check your system or PC case manual to make sure your AIO cooler of choice will fit before buying.

Also, don"t forget to consider thermal paste or another thermal interface material (TIM) to use with your AIO cooler. Most coolers will come with some kind of paste, either in a small syringe or pre-applied to the metal cold plate. But to make sure you"re getting the most efficient thermal transfer between your CPU and cooler plate, check out the many products we thoroughly tested to find the best thermal paste for your CPU.

11/3/2022 update: We"ve tested some interesting cooling products in recent weeks, including Thermalright"s Contact Frame, designed to correct and protect against the established issue of CPU bending on LGA1700 platforms, and Arctic"s solidly performing and reasonably priced Liquid Freezer II 240 AIO. But at the moment we have hunkered down testing coolers with Intel"s latest flagship, the Core i9-13900K. So stay tuned for a slew of new reviews as we find out what coolers are best for Raptor Lake.

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.

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.

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.

We test dozens of PC coolers a year and while many AIOs offer pretty lights and slick software and some bring quiet fans or solid cooling performance, not all the coolers we test can make the best list. Below are some of the recent AIO coolers we’ve tested that didn’t quite make the cut. It’s possible that one of these may still be a worthwhile option for you, just know that the better options for most people are in the list of Best AIO Coolers above.

The primary downside of this cooler is the price. It’s much more expensive than similar competing coolers, some of which perform better. But its thin radiator makes Cooler Master’s PL240 Flux ideal for small cases, so long as there is mounting space for the radiator and two 120mm fans.

9/10/2022: Corsair H100i EliteCorsair"s 240mm H100i Elite stands out for its extremely silent performance and its robust software controls (via iCue). It handled our Core i9-12900K at up to 200W in our testing, but was one of the many coolers that couldn"t keep up with the CPU when power limits were removed. It"s not the strongest in terms of cooling capabilities and is best paired with a mid-range CPU if you"re going to attempt overclocking. Also, its fan speeds are tied to coolant temp by default, rather than CPU temperature, which seems odd.

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.

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.

The DEEPCOOL Castle 240EX has almost everything you"ll need to keep the latest Intel or AMD processors cool. The 240mm radiator and two 120mm fans are perfect for some overclocking too.

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.

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.

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.

Customize your screen! The LCD display have brand new enthusiast modes and a special Chibi Time Mode. It also supports playing your own MP4/GIF/JPG formats for even more customization.

Through extensive testing, AORUS have developed the most synergistic 120mm fan blade design to go with the 240mm radiator. It will deliver the most efficient heat dissipation while maintaining the lowest noise levels, even at the maximum speeds.

* Product specifications and product appearance may differ from country to country. We recommend that you check with your local dealers for the specifications and appearance of the products available in your country. Colors of products may not be perfectly accurate due to variations caused by photographic variables and monitor settings so it may vary from images shown on this site. Although we endeavor to present the most accurate and comprehensive information at the time of publication, we reserve the right to make changes without prior notice.

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.

In the world of liquid cooling, EK is a name that needs little introduction. The EK Basic series focuses on value for money and performance. Plus, it doesn’t feature any RGB at all, which helps to keep the pricing down too. If this appeals to you then the EK AIO Basic 240 is well worth a look.

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.

If you’re after a 240mm AIO that’s inexpensive and quiet under less demanding loads, then the Deepcool Gammaxx L240 is a great choice. Sure, it’s noise levels can get high if you push it hard, but at this price it comes highly recommended.

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 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.

Offering a variety of models for every type of gamer, ASUS AIO coolers combine incredible performance to keep thermals in check, iconic designs, and the visual effects of Aura-enabled lighting, bringing next-level cooling and style to the heart of your build.

With customizable visuals and top-quality fans that enable comprehensive coverage via air and water cooling, ROG flagship AIO coolers are designed to pair with today’s most powerful CPUs to deliver high-octane cooling with minimal noise.

ROG AIO series features a customizable LCD or OLED panel, which can be tuned to show system information or tailored graphics from center stage in your build.

To overcome the thermal challenges of the latest CPUs and their unprecedented core counts, ROG AIO series offers industrial-grade Noctua radiator fans that deliver high performance and minimal-noise.

The advanced cooling plate on ROG Strix LC series is equipped with micro-channels that provide greater surface area to enhance thermal dissipation and reduce thermal resistance, delivering more efficient performance and cooler temperatures.

ROG radiator fans on ROG Strix LC series are specifically tuned to deliver optimum performance. And with 4-pin PWM control, both the pump and radiator fans can spin at slower speeds when the CPU is idling or under light load, helping to keep noise levels to a minimum.

Intricate designs on ROG Strix LC series showcase the iconic ROG aesthetic, and every detail shines with the spirit of Strix. For showing off your individual style, Aura-enabled lighting allows you to coordinate effects with ROG build components.

The powerhouse AIO liquid CPU coolers in TUF Gaming LC series are designed for mid-sized gaming builds and feature a dynamic Asetek pump, a specialized fan-blade design, and aesthetics that can be tuned to your style.

TUF Gaming LC series coolers add a vibrant burst of color and sleek style to the heart of your build. And with Aura-enabled lighting, colors and effects can be customized to match your system, so you can create a unified look that"s totally your own.

Each radiator fan is specifically tuned to deliver optimum performance with TUF Gaming LC series radiators, and the fan blades are enhanced with a precision-engineered groove on the tip that improves airflow for reduced fan noise.

ASUS AIO series coolers are compatible with a wide range of Intel® and AMD motherboard platforms, giving you the flexibility to pair them with your choice of processor. They also come fitted with 380 mm tubing to make mounting and routing easier.

To help ensure backwards compatibility with as many CPU coolers as possible, ASUS Z690 motherboards include both LGA 1200 and LGA 1700 mounting holes. The LGA 1200 retention kit currently bundled with ASUS AIO liquid coolers creates a smooth upgrade path for ASUS Z690 users.*

Thankfully, you don"t have to be a professional to get a cool (pun intended) rig these days, thanks to the availability of all-in-one (AIO) liquid coolers. These cooling units are self-contained, meaning you don’t have to worry about spilling water on your expensive gaming PC components, and they are incredibly easy to install. As an added bonus, they are usually far quieter and take up less room than air cooling components (making them perfect for mini ITX cases). Read on to find our list of the best liquid CPU coolers.

This 240mm cooler comes with socket support for the latest AMD and Intel processors, including AMD’s Threadripper processors. Pulling heat away from your CPU with a copper cold plate, it pumps liquid into a 240mm radiator fitted with two Corsair ML Series 120mm fans. It runs quietly and efficiently when your CPU is running cool, and it tops out at 37dBA when running at maximum (75CFM).

Managing the AIO cooler is also simple. You can control fan and pump speeds from within Corsair’s iCUE software right on your PC, and monitor CPU temperature to make sure your settings are giving you optimal performance. If visual flair is also your thing, the pump has 16 RGB LEDs on the head, and you can manage each light with the iCUE software, too. Corsair is a well-known and respected brand, and there is a reason for that. This is a high-quality liquid cooler, which is why it gets our top spot.

If you’re looking for a powerful way to cool down your computer at an affordable price, Lian Li Galahad GA-240A is the way to do it. This AIO cooler comes in under $120 but has a sizable 240mm radiator and dual 120mm fans. Those fans generate 2.6 mmH2O of air pressure and 69.17 CFM of airflow, ensuring ample air movement throughout your PC while remaining quiet.

The fans and the water pump housing of Lian Li Galahad GA-240A feature 47 addressable RGB lights to keep your system glowing. It’s also easy to switch between the 17 different lighting effects thanks to a handy little controller. Beyond that, the kit includes thermal paste and ensures compatibility with most major CPU sockets, meaning you’ll have everything you need to get up and running.

Looking for an all-in-one liquid cooler with a 240mm radiator, wide compatibility, RGB options, and a bargain price? The DeepCool LS520 is the one for you. It has a big radiator with two fans designed for higher static pressure and a strong, concentrated airflow. And the water pump has a powerful three-phase drive motor and great coolant flow. This cooler even manages to keep everything running quietly, as the pump noise only reaches 19 dB

Beyond the DeepCool LS520’s cooling prowess, you get adjustable RGB lighting on those fans, and the water pump features an infinity mirror to make its lights really shine. Motherboard connectivity even allows you to link and sync it with your existing RGB setup. And if you’re worried about the cooler working with your CPU, it complements a variety of builds thanks to its extensive socket compatibility, including LGA1700, AM5, and sTR4.

The NZXT Kraken X53 is the successor to our longtime favorite NZXT Kraken X52 that features some major improvements to look better and cool more efficiently. (We"ve seen this cooler easily keep an Intel Core i7-9700K running at full tilt, well under 50-degrees Celsius.) It’s available in 120mm, 240mm, and 360mm.

EVGA is a big name in PC components, and this new 280 CLC is one of the best values available in closed-loop cooling space, and the pump is built with Asetek’s Gen5 tech, which is known for reliability & efficiency. It uses a 280mm radiator with twin whisper-quiet fans and has beautifully designed LED integration on the water block.

If you need the biggest, most powerful liquid cooling unit, look no further. The Corsair iCUE H150i Elite LCD has a large, 360mm radiator to handle the hottest CPUs and the highest overclock speeds. The Corsair ML RGB Elite fans can adjust to higher or lower levels, according to the moment’s cooling needs.

As far as lighting, the fans’ RGB lighting can also be adjusted with Corsair’s iCUE software, but the unit really raises the bar with the pump’s 2.1-inch IPS LCD display. It has 8-bit color depth for millions of color options. The display can show visual effects, and even GIFs or memes, all at 30fps (and, of course, it can display handy system performance data, like your CPU temperature).

When it comes to liquid CPU coolers, there’s a good reason the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240 Illusion stands out. It pairs RGB lights with translucent material for maximum visual impact. Imagine a glow stick dancing in the middle of your PC while it’s running, and you’ll have a good idea.

Cooler Master pairs the dual-chamber radiator with two MasterFan MF120 Halo fans (also translucent), which have a total of 24 ARGB LEDs each, and you can customize your look from the included ARGB controller, so you don’t need to have motherboard RGB controls to make use of it.

The Alphacool Eisbaer Aurora offers just about everything you could want in an AIO water cooler. Its 240mm radiator provides powerful cooling, and the two 120mm Aurora Lux Pro fans are capable of 2.0 mmH2O of static pressure and 61.5 CFM of airflow. The biggest way this cooler sets itself apart is that you can open the fluid chamber and refill it, meaning it can have a longer life as part of your rig.

There’s a good amount of RGB lighting on display here as well, although it’s not as flexible as other options on this list. Both fans sport RGB light rings and the pump includes a transparent window with RGB lighting inside.

Several cooler manufacturers have displays, but NZXT’s Kraken Z63 truly stands above the rest. The display contains important information like the CPU and GPU temperatures, but you can also have it display animated GIFs and other things, letting you truly personalize your setup.

The Kraken Z63 isn’t lacking in power, either, as it comes with a powerful pair of 140mm fans and an advanced Asetek water pump. If you like the idea of having a display, but don’t need tons of RGB light flooding your system, this is the one.

The EKWaterBlocks EK-AIO 240 D-RGB cooler is primed and ready to keep the hottest, high-end gaming rig cool. It"s compatible with Intel and AMD setups, and is easy and quick to set up. The Vardar S 120mm fans on this beast can produce 2.89 mmH2O of static pressure and 66 CFM airflow to enable the 240mm radiator to handle whatever your CPU can throw at it.

Both the included fans and the water block sport RGB, and the whole kit is compatible with a wide range of motherboard RGB controls. So your rig will stay cool and look cool. As an added bonus for those interested in “cable management,” the hoses are very flexible , so you can bend them easily to fit even in smaller cases. These hoses are also wrapped in nylon to make them more resilient than your average rubber tube.

So you’ve finally done it. You’ve built your gaming system from the ground up, incorporating the latest and greatest CPUs and GPUs from the likes of Intel and AMD. The best PC casings, motherboards, RAM, PSUs, you have it all. Alas, you still haven’t decided on your cooling system or as we reckon Best 120mm AIO Liquid Cooler. You’re knowledgeable enough to know there’s no use for all the fancy tech you’re putting together if you don’t possess a decent cooling solution. However, there is nothing to worry about since this is precisely where we come in.

Perhaps you’re unable to make your mind as to whether you should purchase a high-performance air cooler from the likes of industry-leading manufacturers such as Noctua or BeQuiet!. Alternatively, it might be time to splurge on anAll-in-One (AIO) water cooling solution for enhanced cooling performance. An AIO cooler utilizes both air in the form of a fan and liquid combined with a radiator and water pump to cool down your CPU and surrounding PC components. Some AIOs even have dedicated fans which strive to keep your motherboard’s VRMs (Voltage Regulator Module) cool, ultimately paving the way for optimal gaming performance.

Back to where we started – since this might be your first time entering the AIO club, or you just want to save some capital and use it elsewhere, investing in a 120mm AIO would be a very sensible option. If you agree with us, you’re in luck because we have gone through meticulous research, in-depth analytics, and reviews, to present our handpicked list of the Best 120mm AIO coolers suited to each of your requirements.

Specifications: Type: Single-fan 120mm AIO | Fan: 1x Arctic P12 PWM | Fan Speed: 200-1800 RPM | Pump Speed: 800-2000 RPM | Tube Length: 350mm | TDP: 200W | RGB: No | Dimensions: 157 x 120 x 38mm | Socket Support: Intel LGA 1700, 1200, 1155, 1151, 1150, 2011, 2011-3, 2066 & AMD AM4

The name ofArctic is synonymous with top-of-the-line performance. For our first and best pick amongst the bunch, we’ll be starting off hot with the Arctic Liquid Freezer II 120, which is Arctic’s entry-level AIO, part of their extensive Liquid Freezer II AIO Series. The Liquid Freezer II Series is known worldwide for having the most high-performance AIOs amongst the entire industry whilst maintaining a stellar price-to-performance ratio. We’ll be inspecting the 120mm variant in deeper detail, which attempts to lure away gamers from air coolers into the world of liquid cooling at a reasonable price.

To begin with, Arctic has implemented the same in-house developed PWM pump, found in the larger 240 and280mm AIO variants as well, with the pump being automatically or manually controllable between 800-2000 RPM. Arctic has designed the pump such that humming has been majorly reduced while maintaining high efficiency. Combined, this contributes to a lower noise level and decreased power consumption, with the Liquid Freezer II 120 sipping between 0.7W-3.4W for the entire AIO unit depending upon your workload. Even so, the Liquid Freezer II 120 can handle a CPU possessing a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of more than 200W, meaning you could moderately overclock your CPU without worrying whether it’ll burn down to ashes. The Liquid Freezer II 120 accomplishes all of this while keeping sound levels below 25 dB, even under the most extreme conditions.

Moving on, Arctic is utilizing a state-of-the-art 38mm thick radiator (as compared to conventional 28mm thick radiators from rivals) with a high fin density. Thanks to the increased thickness and fin density, a more significant amount of coolant can be used in the circuit, which, in turn, significantly increases the cooling surface area.

In the fan department, Arctic has paired the premium radiator with a single P-12 fan, which has left its mark on the performance charts. The fan is PWM controlled, meaning your motherboard can automatically regulate your fan speeds following your workloads, easing the burden on your shoulder. However, should you wish to manually tweak the speeds, the fan may be set to any speed ranging between 200-1800 RPM. The P-12 uses a fluid dynamic bearing to produce a maximum airflow of 55.6 CFM, simultaneously minimising vibrations while maintaining a high static pressure of 2.2mm H2O for enhanced cooling performance.

One of the main highlights of the Arctic Liquid Freezer II 120mm AIO is the embedded 40mm VRM fan Arctic has added on top of the pump, dedicated to cooling down the VRMs (Voltage Regulator Module) on your motherboard by up to 15C, increasing the amount of overclocking headroom available while also extending componential longevity. Arctic assures us that the fan is as capable as any other despite its tiny size, even going as far so as to promise a free replacement for the VRM fan in the unlikely event it fails to work. Of course, this fan is PWM enabled as well, meaning that the pump and both your fans, all of them can be automatically regulated via your motherboard for your convenience.

For transferring the coolant, Arctic has blessed the Liquid Freezer II 120 with fiber-reinforced, 350mm long, high-quality EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) tubing, with the main benefits of using EPDM tubing being increased longevity and additional durability. It also prevents the coolant from evaporating so that you don’t have to worry about refilling the compact water cooling system, making the whole experience maintenance-free. However, we feel compelled to mention that while the thick tubes (12.4mm) may deceive you, the actual inner diameter where the water flows is just 6mm thick, making it an optimal gimmick of sorts.

In addition, it also hides the cables of your radiator and fans, only requiring you to connect a plug to the mainboard for a user-friendly installation. Everything can be run over a single PWM header, resulting in some very well-thought-out cable management, reducing your view to just the essentials. That being said, you might face a few problems if you try to install the Liquid Freezer II 120mm AIO in big PC cases, as the tubing ends up leaving you asking for more.

With regards to installation, we’re happy to report Arctic has kept it simple. First off, the mounting rails must be attached to the water block. Moving ahead, for Intel users, the usual procedure will be followed where the backplate is placed behind the motherboard, fixing it with the standoffs marked for the complimentary CPU socket. The water block will be placed on top of the CPU, after which you just need to screw it down with the provided thumbscrews, and you’ll be good to go. Don’t forget to use some of the Arctic MX-4 thermal paste you get bundled along in the package. While we feel this is nit-picky, we would’ve loved for Arctic to step up the game by providing its industry-leading MX-5 thermal paste.

As far as AMD users are concerned, the installation used to be tricky on previous occasions since the water block used to interfere with motherboard components placed around the CPU socket. However, Arctic is now including an AMD offset bracket. For installing the Liquid Freezer II 120mm AIO on an AMD CPU, you can re-use the original backplate that came with your processor. Just place the provided standoffs on the cooler’s screw-holes, and situate the AMD off-set bracket on top. At this stage, you’ll have the option to choose between two different mounting options, one which slightly offsets the CPU to the bottom, providing additional clearance for any components installed at the top, which is a highly commendable move from Arctic.

Arctic rounds off the Liquid Freezer II 120 with a 6-year warranty, going as far as promising a 10-year lifespan for the 120mm P-12 fan, if not the entire unit.

There’s a lot to love about the Arctic Liquid Freezer II 120. The 40mm embedded VRM fan, paired with the P-12 fan and the 38mm thick radiator alongside the EPDM tubing, paves the way for best-in-class cooling performance with ample overclocking headroom. The Liquid Freezer II 120 struggles to be audible even under the most trying conditions, making for a genuinely silent cooling experience. It offers excellent cable management because the entire AIO can be run over a single PWM header.

Arctic goes above and beyond with their after-sales services, promising you a free repla