Compare: Frost Commander 140 vs Liquid Freezer III 360

Design and Aesthetics:

Frost Commander 140

The Frost Commander is a sleek CPU cooler with a design reminiscent of the Peerless Assassin 120. This cooler features a dual-tower heatsink with 5 heat pipes for efficient heat dissipation, and uniquely, the heat pipe ends are hidden from view. Sporting gray and silver tones, the Thermalright logo adorns the top of the heatsink. Despite its larger radiator, the Frost Commander uses a single 120mm fan in front and a 140mm fan between the heatsinks, giving it a distinct, asymmetrical look.

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:

Frost Commander 140

The cooler installation is quite similar to other mainstream cooler setups. However, during installation, securing the fans to the heatsink requires more effort (relative to other Thermalright offerings), which is due to the metal securing the fans requiring much more effort to place. For this reason, it's also a lot easier to slightly bend the heatsink fins, but this can be fixed by bending it back with a credit card.

Additionally, like other mainstream coolers, the Frost Frost Commander faces challenges in uninstalling when trying to break the thermal paste seal between the cooler and CPU, as it doesn't easily slide or twist off. This can be an issue if the thermal paste forms a strong bond.

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:

Frost Commander 140

The Frost Commander delivers impressive performance for its size, rivaling premium cooler offerings. Capable of cooling some of the more powerful CPUs without being overly bulky, this cooler can also manage overclocking for specific CPUs. As a result, the Frost Commander is a strong contender for a wide variety of computer setups.

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:

Frost Commander 140

Featuring two differently sized fans, this cooler generates above-average noise levels relative to the cooling it provides, unlike quieter options such as the NH-D15 or the Peerless Assassin 120. If you're seeking a quieter setup, you might want to explore alternative options that better suit your needs.

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:

Frost Commander 140

The Frost Commander is a sleek, dual-tower CPU cooler with an asymmetrical design, featuring 5 heat pipes for efficient heat dissipation and a unique hidden heat pipe end design. It offers impressive performance, capable of cooling powerful CPUs and handling overclocking, making it a strong contender for various computer setups. However, with two differently sized fans, it generates above-average noise levels compared to quieter alternatives, so those seeking a quieter setup may want to consider other options.

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.