Compare: Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB vs Liquid Freezer III 360

Design and Aesthetics:

Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB

This cooler boasts a sleek appearance, enhanced by its ARGB fans. The convenience of pre-daisy-chained ARGB and RPM cords eliminates cable management concerns right from the start. Its black radiator, fan frames, and water pipes complement a darker cooler setup perfectly. However, while the water pump features a unique design, it may appear more understated compared to other AIO coolers that showcase more elaborate pump designs.

Liquid Freezer III 360

This cooler features a contemporary, symmetrical design. Although this particular model does not include RGB lighting, other versions do, providing options based on your preferences. Overall, this cooler enhances your PC with a sleek and modern appearance.

Install Notes:

Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB

This cooler is relatively easy to install with the fans pre-installed on the radiator with the RPM and RGB connectors daisy chained neatly with a single connector coming out of the pump for both the RGB and 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 360

The Arctic Freezer III maintains the user-friendly installation features of its predecessor. This cooler distinguishes itself by having fans pre-attached to the radiator, which streamlines the installation process compared to other all-in-one (AIO) coolers. Additionally, the CPU mounting component is detachable, allowing for easier installation without interference from aesthetic parts. However, connecting the control cable to the motherboard can be tricky when the cooler is already mounted. Therefore, it is recommended to attach the desired cable to the motherboard before installing the cooler.

Cooling Performance:

Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB

With its expansive radiator and impressive fan quality, this cooler delivers exceptional performance across various fan speeds, making it capable of handling substantial overclocking tasks. If your aim is to surpass the cooling capacity of air coolers, this option is worth considering. Keep in mind that not all CPUs demand the level of cooling this cooler provides. However, it stands out as an excellent selection for high-TDP CPUs, if you're planning on doing some serious overclocking, or if you prioritize outstanding cooling coupled with quiet operation (thanks to its effective cooling even at lower RPMs).

Liquid Freezer III 360

The Arctic Freezer III 360 offers improved performance over the previous model, though it does generate more noise. Despite this, it outperforms most coolers in its class on a cooling basis.

Noise Performance:

Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB

Equipped with three fans, this cooler can generate some noise. Nevertheless, due to the smaller size of the fans, it's notably quieter than certain air coolers, all while providing superior cooling efficiency at a similar noise level. If your priority is exceptional cooling combined with a quiet setup, this cooler might be a suitable option. However, it's worth noting that its noise level is on par with other 360mm AIOs.

Liquid Freezer III 360

The Arctic Freezer III 240 comes equipped with a more powerful pump, which can become noticeably audible at higher speeds. As our testing was done with the pump running at 100% speed, reducing the pump speed during less demanding tasks can help minimize noise without significantly compromising performance.

Summary:

Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB

This cooler offers easy installation with pre-installed fans and neatly daisy-chained connectors. Its sleek design and ARGB fans simplify cable management. It excels at overclocking, especially for high-TDP CPUs, offering effective cooling at lower noise levels. While the cooler generates some noise due to its three fans, they're smaller and quieter than certain air coolers. This cooler is a solid choice for effective and quieter cooling, even though its noise level is similar to other 360mm AIOs.

Liquid Freezer III 360

The Arctic Freezer III maintains user-friendly installation features, with pre-attached fans on the radiator and a detachable CPU mounting component for easier setup. However, connecting the control cable can be tricky once the cooler is mounted, so it's recommended to attach the cable before installation. It features a contemporary design, with some versions offering RGB lighting. Despite aesthetic improvements and lower noise levels compared to typical coolers and the previous Arctic Freezer 360, the Arctic Freezer III 360 has average performance and struggles to cool high-core CPUs under heavy loads.