Head-to-head · Best Aio Liquid Cpu Coolers

ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB vs Noctua NL-LC1-36

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Noctua NL-LC1-36 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.6 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about users prioritizing thermal efficiency and quiet operation — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #2 in Best Aio Liquid Cpu Coolers

ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB

4.5

6 sources2 derived$80.19as of Oct 2

The Arctic Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB builds upon its predecessor with enhanced cooling performance and improved mounting solutions. TechPowerUp noted its larger pump cap and integrated fan design, while Vortez.net highlighted the forced AMD offset mounting and Intel contact frame as significant upgrades. The cooler's design aims to optimize thermal contact distribution, particularly for high-end processors. However, the installation process is noted to be more complex than previous models, requiring careful attention to threading. This cooler is best suited for enthusiasts seeking premium AIO cooling solutions for high-performance systems.

Strengths

— Features a larger pump cap with integrated fan compared to previous models
— Includes forced AMD offset mounting with dedicated installation kit
— Provides forced Intel contact frame for improved thermal contact distribution

Watch-outs

— Installation process requires careful threading and may be challenging for beginners
— Uneven CPU pressure and difficult AMD installation

$80.19 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Aio Liquid Cpu Coolers

Noctua NL-LC1-36

4.6

6 sources$249.95as of Oct 2

Noctua's NL-LC1-36 delivers exceptional cooling performance with near-silent operation, featuring the Asetek Emma V2 pump and a sophisticated multi-layer noise absorber system. TweakTown praised it as a superior solution that outperforms previous AIO offerings, though at a premium cost. The cooler's design emphasizes reliability and acoustics over visual flair, making it ideal for users prioritizing thermal efficiency and quiet operation over flashy aesthetics.

Strengths

— Chart-topping thermal performance and noise suppression
— Premium build quality with Asetek Emma V2 pump and ceramic sleeve bearing
— Near-silent operation with 14.9 dB(A) maximum acoustic noise

Watch-outs

— Premium price point compared to competitors
— No RGB lighting or LCD displays

$249.95 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB

The Arctic Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB offers significant upgrades over the MSI MAG CoreLiquid E360 with its larger pump cap and integrated fan design, but it's more complex to install than the NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB which provides a simpler setup experience. Compared to the Noctua NL-LC1-36, it lacks the premium build quality and near-silent operation, though it excels in mounting precision for high-end CPUs.

Noctua NL-LC1-36

The Noctua NL-LC1-36 delivers unmatched thermal performance and near-silent operation compared to the NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB, which lacks the premium build quality and noise suppression. While it doesn't feature the OLED display or wireless fan options of the Lian Li HydroShift II OLED Curved 360TL, it provides superior acoustics and reliability at a premium price point.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB	Noctua NL-LC1-36
Fan Size	120mm	120mm
Radiator Size	38 mm	360mm
Fan Speed	600-3000 rpm	0-1800 rpm
Pump Speed	800-2800 rpm	2100 rpm
Fan Count	3	3x NF-A12x25 G2
Compatibility	AMD AM5, AM4, Intel LGA1851, LGA1700	AMD AM4/AM5, Intel LGA1700/1851, LGA1954
Dimensions	4.7"L x 15.7"W x 2.9"H	15.75"L x 4.72"W x 2.32"H
Voltage	12 volts	12 volts
Wattage	3.96 watts	1.8 watts
Material	Aluminum, Brass, Metal, Plastic, Rubber	Copper (base) & aluminium (radiator)
Pump Model	—	Asetek Emma V2
Noise Level	—	14.9 dB(A)

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