Compare: Liquid Freezer II 240 vs Liquid Freezer III 240

Design and Aesthetics:

Liquid Freezer II 240

Highlighted by its captivating ARGB lighting, this cooler presents a streamlined look with a pair of 120-millimeter fans adorning its 240mm radiator. Cable management concerns are efficiently addressed from the start through the pre-daisy-chained ARGB and RPM cords. A seamless blend is achieved with its black radiator, fan frames, and water pipes, tailored to complement darker cooler setups. It's worth noting that the water pump, though possessing a distinctive design, may exhibit a more understated aesthetic when juxtaposed with AIO coolers showcasing more intricate pump designs.

Liquid Freezer III 240

This cooler showcases a sleek, symmetrical design with a modern aesthetic. While this model doesn’t include RGB lighting, there are versions available that do, allowing you to choose based on your style preferences. Overall, it adds a clean, contemporary look to your PC setup.

Install Notes:

Liquid Freezer II 240

This cooler is relatively easy to install with the fans pre-installed on the radiator with the RPM connectors daisy chained neatly with a single connector coming out of the pump for the Fan inputs. However, this cooler requires it to be offset to the base mount, which can take some time to get right. Additionally, the heat pipes don't pivot from the pump which may make placement in certain setups difficult.

Liquid Freezer III 240

The Arctic Freezer III 240 retains the easy installation features of its predecessor while offering added convenience. What sets this cooler apart is its pre-installed fans on the radiator, simplifying the setup compared to other all-in-one (AIO) coolers. The detachable CPU mounting bracket further enhances the installation process by eliminating interference from aesthetic components. However, attaching the control cable to the motherboard can be challenging once the cooler is mounted. To avoid this, it’s advisable to connect the cable to the motherboard before installing the cooler.

Cooling Performance:

Liquid Freezer II 240

Despite its compact size, this cooler delivers impressive cooling power through its pair of 120mm fans. It matches the cooling performance of leading air coolers, making it an excellent choice for setups that demand efficient cooling while avoiding the bulkiness of traditional air cooling solutions. However, if you're seeking even higher performance beyond what an air cooler can offer, transitioning to a 360mm setup becomes necessary.

Liquid Freezer III 240

The Arctic Freezer III 240 offers some performance improvements over its predecessor, the Arctic Freezer 240, but this comes with increased noise. Relative to other coolers in it's weight class, this cooler outperforms most.

Noise Performance:

Liquid Freezer II 240

Operating with near-silent efficiency, the water pump ensures minimal noise disruption, while the pair of 120mm fans provide exceptional airflow at a manageable noise level. Consequently, the cooler excels in delivering impressive cooling performance with barely perceptible noise during typical usage scenarios. Nevertheless, when pushing a high TDP CPU to its limits, the cooler may produce some noise as it copes with the heightened heat load.

Liquid Freezer III 240

The Arctic Freezer III 240 has a more powerful pump that has the potential to be quite audible. Since our testing was conducted with the AIO pump running at 100% speed, lowering the pump speed during less demanding tasks can help reduce noise levels without sacrificing too much performance.

Summary:

Liquid Freezer II 240

Enhanced by ARGB lighting, this cooler boasts dual 120mm fans situated on a 240mm radiator, ensuring efficient cooling with discreet black components that complement darker setups. The installation process is made convenient through pre-installed fans and daisy-chained RPM connectors. Despite its compact size, it delivers efficient cooling comparable to premium air coolers; however, for heightened performance demands, a 360mm setup might be better suited. Operating with minimal noise, the water pump and fans collaborate to maintain exceptional airflow at manageable sound levels. During regular use, it offers efficient cooling with a slight noise presence, yet handling high TDP CPUs during intensive tasks may result in increased noise due to elevated heat loads.

Liquid Freezer III 240

The Arctic Freezer III retains its user-friendly installation design, featuring pre-attached radiator fans and a detachable CPU mounting bracket for simpler setup. However, connecting the control cable can be challenging once the cooler is installed, so it's best to attach it beforehand. The cooler sports a modern design, with some versions offering RGB lighting for added customization. While it boasts aesthetic improvements and lower noise levels compared to standard coolers and its predecessor, the Arctic Freezer 240, the Arctic Freezer III 240 delivers average performance and struggles to effectively cool high-core CPUs under heavy workloads.