Compare: NH-L9x65 vs Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB

Design and Aesthetics:

NH-L9x65

The NH-L9x65 features a low-profile design with a slim aluminum heatsink and a 92mm NF-A9x14 PWM fan. With a height of only 65mm, the cooler is compatible with a wide range of PC cases, including mini-ITX and HTPC builds. Aesthetically, the NH-L9x65 maintains Noctua's signature beige and brown color scheme, reflecting the brand's reputation for quality and performance.

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.

Install Notes:

NH-L9x65

This cooler is designed to be a typical Noctua cooler installation, which is easy to do and rather straightforward. This means that if you're new to installing a CPU cooler, there is little room to make a mistake. For AMD is uses the original AMD backplate. Only downside to the Noctua installation is that the cooler may stick to your CPU and given how the screws are setup, you can't slide the cooler off the CPU like other brands.

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.

Cooling Performance:

NH-L9x65

The performance of the NH-L9x65 is suitable for most mainstream CPUs and everyday tasks. It has four heat pipes that efficiently transfer heat away from the CPU to the heatsink. While the cooler may not be the best choice for high-end CPUs with high TDPs or extreme overclocking scenarios, it provides adequate cooling for lower TDP CPUs, especially in small form factor builds with limited space.

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).

Noise Performance:

NH-L9x65

The 92mm NF-A9x14 PWM fan included with the NH-L9x65 is designed for quiet operation while maintaining good airflow for its size. Noctua fans are well-known for their excellent acoustic performance, and the NH-L9x65 is no exception. Users can expect quiet cooling even during low workloads, however due to it's limited cooling abilities, it may have to run louder moderate workloads or gaming sessions.

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.

Summary:

NH-L9x65

The Noctua NH-L9x65 is a compact and efficient air cooler that's well-suited for small form factor builds and systems with limited space. Its low-profile design, adequate cooling performance, and quiet operation make it an attractive option for those looking for a space-saving and reliable cooling solution.

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.