Compare: Liquid Freezer III 360 vs Peerless Assassin 140

Design and Aesthetics:

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.

Peerless Assassin 140

The Peerless Assassin 140 shares a similar design with other 140mm coolers from Thermalright, featuring two 140mm heatsinks paired with a 120mm fan at the front and a 140mm fan in the middle. The difference in fan sizes helps reduce RAM clearance issues, which are common with most 140mm air coolers. This model has a polished top and comes in an all-black design, though other color options may be available.

Install Notes:

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.

Peerless Assassin 140

The Peerless Assassin 140 CPU cooler features installation components similar to many mainstream Thermalright designs, making it relatively easy to install. However, it encounters a challenge when uninstalling, as it doesn't allow for sliding or twisting to break the thermal paste seal. This can be problematic if the thermal paste creates a strong bond between the cooler and the CPU.

Cooling Performance:

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.

Peerless Assassin 140

While the cooler offers similar peak performance to its competitors, its main advantage lies in its efficiency at lower RPMs, where it provides slightly better cooling. This translates to a noticeable edge in noise-to-performance ratio compared to smaller coolers, making it quieter under lower loads while still maintaining strong cooling capabilities.

Noise Performance:

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.

Peerless Assassin 140

Due to its larger fans, this cooler becomes more audible at higher RPMs. However, because the fans move more air, lower RPMs are generally sufficient for cooling under most moderate CPU loads, allowing for quieter operation without sacrificing performance.

Summary:

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.

Peerless Assassin 140

The Peerless Assassin 140 CPU cooler is easy to install, thanks to its design resembling other mainstream Thermalright models, but it presents a challenge during uninstallation as it doesn’t allow for sliding or twisting to break the thermal paste seal. It features two 140mm heatsinks, a 120mm fan at the front, and a 140mm fan in the middle, which helps reduce RAM clearance issues common with larger coolers. While its peak performance is on par with competitors, it excels at lower RPMs, offering better cooling and a superior noise-to-performance ratio compared to smaller coolers. Although more audible at higher RPMs due to its larger fans, the slower speeds still provide sufficient cooling for most moderate CPU loads, ensuring quieter operation without compromising performance.