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The relentless pursuit of peak performance in PC gaming and demanding applications pushes the boundaries of hardware. CPUs, the brains of your system, generate significant heat under load. Efficient thermal management becomes paramount to not only ensure smooth operation but also extend the lifespan of your prized components. Here’s where CPU coolers come into play.
There are two main categories: air coolers, the traditional and cost-effective option, and liquid coolers, known for superior heat dissipation. Among liquid coolers, all-in-one (AIO) coolers like the Arctic Liquid Freezer II 360 ARGB offer a compelling blend of performance, aesthetics, and ease of use. Let’s delve deeper into what this cooler brings to the table.
High Performance Cooling:
The Arctic Liquid Freezer II 360 ARGB tackles the thermal challenge head-on with a robust design focused on exceptional heat removal. Here’s what sets it apart:
Large 360mm Radiator:
This is the heart of the cooling system. A bigger radiator translates to a larger surface area for heat dissipation. The Liquid Freezer II 360 ARGB boasts a massive 360mm radiator, allowing it to efficiently transfer heat away from your CPU. This translates to impressive cooling capabilities, as demonstrated in reviews where it tackled high-powered CPUs like the Intel Core i9-13900K.
Optimized Fan Design:
Two (or three, depending on the configuration) high-performance fans work in tandem with the radiator to pull heat away. These PWM-controlled fans adjust their speed based on CPU temperature, ensuring optimal cooling while minimizing noise output.
Efficient Water Pump:
The Liquid Freezer II 360 ARGB utilizes a specially designed pump that efficiently circulates coolant throughout the closed loop system. This ensures consistent heat transfer from the CPU to the radiator for effective cooling.
Direct Contact Cold Plate:
The base that makes direct contact with your CPU is crucial for heat transfer. The Liquid Freezer II 360 ARGB features a copper cold plate that utilizes a micro-fin structure to maximize heat absorption. Additionally, for AMD Ryzen processors with their offset heat spreader design, Arctic offers a special mounting kit that ensures optimal cold plate placement for even better cooling performance.
Credit: Gamers Nexus
Quiet Operation:
A common concern with PC cooling, especially high-performance setups, is noise. A noisy cooler can be disruptive and detract from the overall user experience. The Liquid Freezer II 360 ARGB addresses this concern with several key features:
PWM-Controlled Fans:
As mentioned earlier, the fans on the Liquid Freezer II 360 ARGB are PWM-controlled. This means they dynamically adjust their speed based on CPU temperature. At idle or low CPU loads, the fans operate at a slower speed, generating minimal noise. They only ramp up when needed to handle increased thermal loads, keeping noise levels in check.
Proprietary Pump Design:
Unlike many AIO coolers that rely on generic pump designs, the Liquid Freezer II 360 ARGB features a pump developed in-house by Arctic. This custom design prioritizes quiet operation while maintaining efficient coolant flow.
High-Quality Fan Bearings:
The fans utilize high-quality fluid dynamic bearings (FDB) that minimize friction and reduce noise output. Additionally, the FDB bearings offer improved longevity compared to sleeve bearing fans found in some coolers.
By combining these elements, the Liquid Freezer II 360 ARGB strives to deliver exceptional cooling performance while maintaining a quiet soundscape, allowing you to focus on your game or task without distraction.
Aesthetics:
It does offer aesthetics with a touch of flair. Here’s what elevates the aesthetics of this cooler:
Addressable RGB Lighting (ARGB):
The most striking visual element is the ARGB lighting. This allows for customization of lighting zones across the radiator fans and the pump itself. You can choose from a variety of colors, effects, and synchronization patterns to match your overall PC theme.
Clean and Sleek Design:
Despite the powerful 360mm radiator, the overall design maintains a clean and sleek aesthetic. The black accents and subtle branding complement a variety of case designs.
Minimalist Cable Management:
AIO coolers can sometimes lead to cluttered cable routing. The Liquid Freezer II 360 ARGB incorporates neatly sleeved cables that simplify installation and contribute to a cleaner overall look inside your case.
With its customizable ARGB lighting, sleek design, and thoughtful cable management, the Liquid Freezer II 360 ARGB caters to users who prioritize aesthetics alongside.
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Compatibility:
This cooler offers impressive cooling performance, but ensuring compatibility with your specific CPU is crucial before purchase. Here’s a breakdown of its socket support:
The Liquid Freezer II 360 ARGB boasts wide-ranging compatibility with modern Intel CPU sockets, including the latest LGA 1700 used by 12th and 13th generation Alder Lake and Raptor Lake processors. This ensures compatibility with high-performance CPUs that generate significant heat. Additionally, it supports older mainstream sockets like LGA 115X (used by 6th to 10th generation Core CPUs) and enthusiast platforms like LGA 2011-3 and 2066 (square ILM only).
In Market and Competitors:
The Liquid Freezer II 360 ARGB faces competition from established AIO giants. One prominent competitor is the Lian Li Galahad 360 Performance. Both coolers offer comparable 360mm radiator sizes and boast strong cooling capabilities for high-end CPUs. However, the Lian Li Galahad often comes at a slightly higher price point.
Another competitor is the EK AIO 360 D-RGB. This premium cooler might outperform the Liquid Freezer II 360 ARGB in benchmark tests, but it comes with a significantly steeper price tag. For users prioritizing raw thermal performance without a budget constraint, the EK AIO might be a better choice.
The Liquid Freezer II 360 ARGB shines with its addressable RGB lighting, allowing customization to match your PC theme. This puts it in direct competition with other coolers like the Corsair iCUE H170i Elite LCD XT. While the Corsair cooler boasts a stunning LCD screen for displaying system information, it pushes the price point considerably higher.
Specs Table:
| Feature | Specification |
| Radiator Size | 398mm (L) x 38mm (W) x 120mm (H) |
| Fan Size | 3x 120mm P12 PWM A-RGB |
| Fan Speed | 200 – 1800 RPM (PWM Controlled) |
| Fan Airflow | 48.8 CFM |
| Fan Static Pressure | 1.85 mm H2O |
| Fan Bearing | Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) |
| Pump Speed | 800 – 2000 RPM (PWM Controlled) |
| Noise Level | Not specified by manufacturer |
| Compatibility – Intel Sockets | LGA 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011-3*, 2066* (*Square ILM) |
| Compatibility – AMD Sockets | AM5, AM4 |
| Cold Plate Material | Copper with micro-fin structure |
| Lighting | Addressable RGB (ARGB) LEDs (12 per Fan) |
| Power Consumption | 0.5 W – 2.7 W (Pump + VRM Fan) |
| Tubing Length | 414mm |
| Tubing Diameter | 14mm |
| Warranty | 6 years |
| Dimensions (Pump Unit) | 78mm (L) x 53mm (W) x 98mm (H) |
| Weight | 2.35 kg |