ARCTICLiquid Freezer II 420 A-RGB - Multi-Compatible CPU AIO Water Cooler with A-RGB, efficient PWM-Controlled Pump, CPU Cooler, AIO Cooler, CPU Liquid Cooler - Black

This AIO is installed on a 14900K in an Antec Performance1 FT case. Upgrading from a CoolerMaster ML280 with upgraded fans and contact frame. Results of testing and my impressions of the product below:Installed two more fans in push/pull and it dropped a few C and a few watts. Did not install a fan in the lower position because of clearance issues. Might get a slim fan, there is about 26mm of clearance on the inside in the Antec case. (Or potentially case mod.)// Running 56x in Cinebench, Open case, open front. 100% fans. 24C ambient.CoolerMaster ML280 w/ 2x Artic P140 Bionix and Thermalrite contact frame: (R23: 41216, 86C, 272W)Arctic LF3 420 w/ 3x stock A-RGB fans, front mount: (R23: 41153, 77C, 264W)Arctic LF3 420 plus 2x Antec Storm 140 in push/pull: (R23: 41228, 74C, 260W)(This result is very close to the "250W" benchmark performed by STS with his 6x push/pull on a 13900K. In his review he shows that a push/pull setup makes the LF3 best in class, especially when considering noise/performance.)There are 3x stock Arctic A-rgb fans on the outside, and 2x Antec Storm T3 fans on the inside. The Antec Storm fans are not really SP fans, but they have good specs otherwise and are 30mm.Overall 12C lower than what I had before with the upgraded 280mm and Thermalrite contact frame. With non-rgb SP fans in six positions it should do even better.I am happy with this. For $120 this is equivalant to other top performers like the EK Nucleus CR360 or Lian Li Galahad II. I have the option to run 57x or (maybe) 58x, or can probably tune a silent 56x profile.The RGB pump cover looks great and while it is not a spinning fan, it has the same look as RGB fans, so it doesn't introduce anything distracting. No infinity mirrors or weird "objects" in your case. Looks like just another fan and can be set to look like them.The tubes are quite a bit longer than the previous AIO and have no problem looping around to a front install. There is plenty of slack in the Antec Performance1 FT case.Gamers Nexus was critical of the Arctic Contact Frame, and did some sort of lazer scan to prove there wasn't even pressure everywhere (unknown how he came to this conclusion), but you have to take everything as a whole. The performance is good, and its idling 2C lower than it did before, so I think contact is good. If you didn't watch the GN video, you might think the installation is excellent, as do I. There isn't a separate bracket to install, just the contact frame, so this makes alot of sense to simplify installation. And nothing was janky or loose. It tightened down in a confidence inspiring way.You also get the vrm cooling which may help the lifespan of your motherboard.I won't claim this is best in class (it might lose to an EK 360 in push pull), but everything it gives you for introductory $120 price is a great deal. If you can fit a 420, this is almost a no brainer unless you plan to run direct die. When they raise the price back to msrp, I think thats the point you maybe consider an EK direct die aio, or maybe an EK CR360 if you can't fit a 420.Finally, there is the six year warranty from a company with a good reputation. I would recommend this. I had reservations initially, but after the install, seeing it in my build and the performance that it gives, makes me glad I took a risk. I was able to get the RGB wired correctly without an extension, but there is absolutely no extra slack and cable runs are not ideal. If they just made the RGB connection 2" longer it would alleviate the "head scratcher" everyone will encounter when doing a front mount. (When fans are front installed, the integrated RGB cable loops over the top of the radiator which makes it too short.)It will be interesting if Arctic improves this product in the future. Certainly, better fans would make it even stronger, but any performance gap is probably remedied by push/pull. And if you have a case that fits a 420mm AIO, you probably also have the space to make it push/pull.

Review: The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 420 A-RGB is hands down one of the best AIO water coolers I’ve ever used. From exceptional cooling to the mesmerizing RGB lighting, this cooler ticks all the boxes for anyone serious about maintaining peak CPU performance while adding a touch of style to their build.Cooling Performance: I installed this on my Intel i9-12900K, and the difference was night and day. My CPU temperatures have significantly dropped, even under heavy loads while gaming and rendering. The triple 140mm fans provide excellent airflow, and the pump design ensures efficient cooling. It’s quieter than my previous AIO, even when running at full capacity. If you’re looking to overclock your CPU, this cooler has your back with impressive thermal management.Installation: The setup was straightforward, with clear instructions included. It’s compatible with both Intel and AMD sockets, so there’s no need to worry about compatibility issues. The flexible tubes make installation easy, even in more cramped cases. Just make sure your case can accommodate the 420mm radiator size!RGB Lighting: The A-RGB lighting is simply gorgeous. It’s customizable, allowing you to create your desired lighting effects and match them with your other RGB components. The lights are bright and vivid but not overpowering, giving a subtle yet elegant glow to my build.Build Quality: The build quality of the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 420 A-RGB is top-notch. The fans feel solid, and the overall design exudes durability. It also comes with a VRM fan, which is a unique addition to keep the components around the CPU cooler, enhancing the longevity of your system.Conclusion: I’ve been using this cooler for a few weeks now, and it has exceeded my expectations in every way. It keeps my CPU cool, runs quietly, and looks stunning inside my case. If you’re on the fence about upgrading your cooling solution, I highly recommend giving this a try. The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 420 A-RGB delivers exceptional performance and aesthetics at a competitive price point.Pro Tip: Make sure your case can accommodate a 420mm radiator before purchasing, as it’s larger than most standard radiators. For the best RGB synchronization, use software from your motherboard manufacturer to manage the lighting.

Replaced my motherboard, which moved the "main" PCIe slot (for my graphics card) one slot higher, and my Thermalright Le Grand Macho air cooler no longer fit. Replaced that otherwise faultless air-cooler with this triple-fan closed-loop cooler, and I've had no issues. Keeps my core i9-9900k slightly cooler (~3-5°C) during normal workloads (gaming), and idle temps are now around ambient vs ~5-8°C over ambient. No noticable difference in sound levels under heavy load, but all fans on both the old air cooler and the new liquid cooler are spinning so slow they're not noticeable over my home HVAC anyway. Both the radiator and the pump/coldplate/vrm cooler assembly (the chunk that mounts to the CPU itself) "feel" really high quality and durable. The braided hoses' sheathing feel cheap as hell, but that's entirely subjective and doesn't affect performance. Hoses are a little stiff, and more than long enough to put the radiator anywhere in the case. Installing into a Lian-Li Lancool III is an absolute nightmare to get the radiator mounted, but the coldplate/backplate/wiring is all entirely painless. Looks decent in my case, but it'd be properly gorgeous if it was offered in white. Speaking of white, the ARGB white balance is crap, but is fine for me in my system. The default "rainbow" display looks cool. Got it for a steal (~$99 at time of purchase) as Arctic seems to be trying to liquidate their old stock with the release of the Liquid Freezer III. At that price, it's a solid unit - IF you have the room for it.