Buying Guide
The Best AIO Coolers for AM5
From the Frozen Notte 240 White to the Pure Loop 3 280: five liquid coolers ranked on maximum fan speed and pump speed, with who should skip each one.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
AM5 chips spike to high temperatures by design, and a 240mm or 280mm AIO keeps boost clocks up without a huge radiator. Every pick names AM5 support and uses a 240mm or 280mm radiator.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: max fan speed, max pump speed and fan size come from each maker's published specs; nothing here was tested in-house, and a missing max fan speed is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Highest Pump Speed
Thermalright Frozen Notte 240 White ARGBThe highest pump speed here (5300 RPM).
Best for: Buyers who put pump speed first.
Check price for Thermalright Frozen Notte 240 White ARGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Thermalright Aqua Elite 240 V3An octagonal ARGB pump head.
Best for: Buyers who want octagonal ARGB pump head.
Check price for Thermalright Aqua Elite 240 V3 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ID-COOLING FX280 PRO SEA 27mm aluminium radiator.
Best for: Buyers who want 27mm aluminium radiator.
Check price for ID-COOLING FX280 PRO SE on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
NZXT Kraken Plus 240 RGBNZXT's Turbine pump.
Best for: Buyers who want NZXT's Turbine pump.
Check price for NZXT Kraken Plus 240 RGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
be quiet! Pure Loop 3 280mmThe top of this price range, adding a PWM pump with a six-pole motor.
Best for: Spending more than the Kraken Plus 240 costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Check price for be quiet! Pure Loop 3 280mm on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Highest Pump Speed1 of 5
Thermalright Frozen Notte 240 White ARGB
The Frozen Notte 240 White is the cheapest white AIO here, with a 5,300 RPM pump.
Best for
- Buyers who put pump speed first.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
Nothing else here matches its 5300 RPM pump speed; the FX280 PRO SE comes closest at 2900 RPM. It also offers a white radiator and fans, a mirror-finish copper base and ARGB lighting on the pump and fans. Check that your case offers 240mm radiator support at the front or top, and allow for the radiator's thickness plus fans above the motherboard's heatsinks.
The maker doesn't spell out LGA1851 mounting, so confirm it on the maker's site for a Core Ultra build. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Aqua Elite 240 V3 was closest. If you want a confirmed maximum fan speed, look to the FX280 PRO SE instead: it offers 1800 RPM, while this one gives no figure.
Key specs
- Max pump speed
- 5300 RPM
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, Intel
Pros
- White radiator and fans
- Mirror-finish copper base
- ARGB lighting on the pump and fans
- Highest pump speed of the picks (5300 RPM)
Also Consider2 of 5
Thermalright Aqua Elite 240 V3
The Aqua Elite 240 V3 is a budget AIO with a 2800 RPM pump rated for 40,000 hours and 1500 RPM fans, which favour quiet over headroom.
Best for
- Buyers who want octagonal ARGB pump head.
Skip if
- Skip it if pump speed matters most to you; the Frozen Notte 240 White offers 5300 RPM.
Why we like it
The fourth-generation pump head sits on a 240mm aluminum radiator with mesh-sleeved tubing. Fans and pump sync ARGB through a 5V 3-pin motherboard header. The two TL-C12B-S V2 fans are 120mm PWM units rated at up to 66.17CFM and 25.6dBA or less.
Its 2800 RPM pump speed is the lowest in this group; the Frozen Notte 240 White leads at 5300 RPM. Check that your case offers 240mm radiator support at the front or top, and allow for the radiator's thickness plus fans above the motherboard's heatsinks. The maker doesn't spell out LGA1851 mounting, so confirm it on the maker's site for a Core Ultra build. It was priced above the Frozen Notte 240 White and below the FX280 PRO SE at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Max fan speed
- 1500 RPM
- Max pump speed
- 2800 RPM
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, Intel
Pros
- Octagonal ARGB pump head
- Pump rated for 40,000 hours
- 1500 RPM maximum fan speed
- 2800 RPM pump speed
Cons
- Pump speed trails the Frozen Notte 240 White (5300 RPM)
- Costs more than the Frozen Notte 240 White at the time of writing
The catch
It gives ground on pump speed, where the Frozen Notte 240 White offers 5300 RPM.
Strong Alternative3 of 5
ID-COOLING FX280 PRO SE
The FX280 PRO SE keeps its details simple: a 2900 RPM pump rated at 25dB(A), two 140mm fans at 300 to 1800 RPM and 400mm tubes.
Best for
- Buyers who want 27mm aluminium radiator.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Frozen Notte 240 White was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It is the value route to a 280mm radiator. It is rated for 350W, with a 2,900 RPM pump and 400mm sleeved tubes. On pump speed it sits mid-pack at 2900 RPM: the Frozen Notte 240 White offers 5300 RPM, and the Aqua Elite 240 V3 comes in at 2800 RPM.
It also comes with a 27mm aluminium radiator. Check that your case offers 280mm radiator support at the front or top, and allow for the radiator's thickness plus fans above the motherboard's heatsinks. It supports both AM5 and Intel LGA1851. Its price falls between the Aqua Elite 240 V3 and the Kraken Plus 240, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Max fan speed
- 1800 RPM
- Max pump speed
- 2900 RPM
- Fan size
- 140mm
- Tube length
- 400mm
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- 27mm aluminium radiator
- Pump rated at 25dB(A)
- Highest maximum fan speed of the picks (1800 RPM)
Cons
- Costs more than the Frozen Notte 240 White at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
NZXT Kraken Plus 240 RGB
The Kraken Plus 240 brings NZXT's 1.54-inch LCD pump head to a 240mm radiator for smaller cases.
Best for
- Buyers who want NZXT's Turbine pump.
Skip if
- Pass on it if lighting and display control need NZXT CAM rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
Its 1.54-inch LCD shows temperatures, GIFs or Spotify, and the RGB Core fan frame installs with four screws and one cable. NZXT's Turbine pump targets high flow. It also offers RGB fans.
Check that your case offers 240mm radiator support at the front or top, and allow for the radiator's thickness plus fans above the motherboard's heatsinks. It supports both AM5 and Intel LGA1851. Plan to install NZXT CAM for lighting and display control; fan and pump speed can also run from the motherboard's headers. Its price falls between the FX280 PRO SE and the Pure Loop 3 280, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Pump display
- 1.54-inch
- Software
- NZXT CAM
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- 1.54-inch pump-head display for temperatures or images
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- NZXT's Turbine pump
- RGB fans
Cons
- Lighting and display control need NZXT CAM
- No published pump speed
- Costs more than the Frozen Notte 240 White at the time of writing
The catch
Buyers who need a confirmed maximum fan speed should compare it with the FX280 PRO SE, which offers 1800 RPM.
Premium Pick5 of 5
be quiet! Pure Loop 3 280mm
The Pure Loop 3 280 is be quiet!'s low-noise take, with Pure Wings 3 fans that daisy-chain and a PWM pump.
Best for
- Spending more than the Kraken Plus 240 costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Its pump speed is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It suits quiet builds that skip RGB software. Its PWM pump has a six-pole motor for low vibration, and flexible sleeved tubes make mounting simple. Check that your case offers 280mm radiator support at the front or top, and allow for the radiator's thickness plus fans above the motherboard's heatsinks.
The maker doesn't spell out LGA1851 mounting, so confirm it on the maker's site for a Core Ultra build. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Kraken Plus 240 and the rest. The maker doesn't give its maximum fan speed; if that figure matters, the FX280 PRO SE offers 1800 RPM.
Key specs
- Fan size
- 140mm
- Cabling
- Daisy-chained PWM fans
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, Intel
Pros
- Daisy-chained PWM fans
- PWM pump with a six-pole motor
- Pure Wings 3 fans
- The top of this price range, adding a PWM pump with a six-pole motor
Cons
- No published pump speed
- Costs more than the Frozen Notte 240 White at the time of writing
How We Chose These AIO Coolers for AM5
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- What we compared
- We set side by side five AIO coolers on maximum fan speed, pump speed, fan size and sockets named from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and maximum fan speed and pump speed are missing for at least one pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Frozen Notte 240 White to the Pure Loop 3 280, state fan size and sockets named.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Frozen Notte 240 White, the Kraken Plus 240 and the Pure Loop 3 280 give no maximum fan speed; the Kraken Plus 240 and the Pure Loop 3 280 give no pump speed.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Frozen Notte 240 White (under $50) to the Pure Loop 3 280 ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in an AIO Cooler for AM5
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much pump speed you need
Across these 3 picks pump speed spans 2800 RPM (the Aqua Elite 240 V3) to 5300 RPM (the Frozen Notte 240 White). If pump speed is your first filter, the Frozen Notte 240 White sets the ceiling at 5300 RPM. The Kraken Plus 240 and the Pure Loop 3 280 give no pump speed figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
Maximum fan speed across these picks
Here maximum fan speed runs from 1500 RPM on the Aqua Elite 240 V3 to 1800 RPM on the FX280 PRO SE, a 20% spread. Start with the FX280 PRO SE if maximum fan speed decides it. The Frozen Notte 240 White, the Kraken Plus 240 and the Pure Loop 3 280 give no maximum fan speed figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
A case with purple-lit front fans and the motherboard area behind them Features beyond the spec table
The FX280 PRO SE: a pump rated at 25dB(A). The Kraken Plus 240: RGB fans. The Pure Loop 3 280: Pure Wings 3 fans.
How much to spend
Under $50 buys the Frozen Notte 240 White and the Aqua Elite 240 V3; $50 to $100 buys the FX280 PRO SE, the Kraken Plus 240 and the Pure Loop 3 280 at our last check.
A tower air cooler with brown fans installed in a PC Match the pick to your priority
Buyers who put pump speed first: the Frozen Notte 240 White. Spending more than the Kraken Plus 240 costs for the fullest feature set in this group: the Pure Loop 3 280.
How to Choose an AIO Cooler for AM5
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put pump speed first | Frozen Notte 240 White | The highest pump speed here (5300 RPM) |
| Buyers who want octagonal ARGB pump head | Aqua Elite 240 V3 | An octagonal ARGB pump head |
| Buyers who want 27mm aluminium radiator | FX280 PRO SE | A 27mm aluminium radiator |
| Buyers who want NZXT's Turbine pump | Kraken Plus 240 | NZXT's Turbine pump |
| Spending more than the Kraken Plus 240 costs for the fullest feature set in this group | Pure Loop 3 280 | The top of this price range, adding a PWM pump with a six-pole motor |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Frozen Notte 240 White leads on pump speed at 5300 RPM, ahead of the FX280 PRO SE at 2900 RPM. "Not listed" marks maximum fan speed where the Frozen Notte 240 White, the Kraken Plus 240 and the Pure Loop 3 280 leave the figure out.
| AIO cooler | Max fan speed | Max pump speed | Fan size | Sockets named |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frozen Notte 240 White | Not listed | 5300 RPM | 120mm | AM5, AM4, Intel |
| Aqua Elite 240 V3 | 1500 RPM | 2800 RPM | 120mm | AM5, AM4, Intel |
| FX280 PRO SE | 1800 RPM | 2900 RPM | 140mm | AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700 |
| Kraken Plus 240 | Not listed | Not listed | 120mm | AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700 |
| Pure Loop 3 280 | Not listed | Not listed | 140mm | AM5, AM4, Intel |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Frozen Notte 240 White, sat in the under $50 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the Pure Loop 3 280 at $50 to $100; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | AIO coolers |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Frozen Notte 240 White, Aqua Elite 240 V3 |
| About $50 to $100 | FX280 PRO SE, Kraken Plus 240, Pure Loop 3 280 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest pump speed: the Frozen Notte 240 White or the FX280 PRO SE?
Between the top two, it is 5300 RPM on the Frozen Notte 240 White against 2900 RPM on the FX280 PRO SE, an 83% difference. The Aqua Elite 240 V3 is at the other end of this group with 2800 RPM. The Kraken Plus 240 and the Pure Loop 3 280 don't state a pump speed figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.
How does the Aqua Elite 240 V3 compare with the FX280 PRO SE on maximum fan speed?
The FX280 PRO SE leads at 1800 RPM, with the Aqua Elite 240 V3 at 1500 RPM. No maximum fan speed figure is published for the Frozen Notte 240 White, the Kraken Plus 240 and the Pure Loop 3 280, which leaves 2 of 5 picks ranked here.
What makes the Frozen Notte 240 White the Highest Pump Speed?
It earns the label for the highest pump speed here (5300 RPM). The FX280 PRO SE is next on pump speed at 2900 RPM, so this pick's 5300 RPM is 83% further out. It suits anyone who puts pump speed first.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Frozen Notte 240 White and the Aqua Elite 240 V3 apart?
The Frozen Notte 240 White: a white radiator and fans. The Aqua Elite 240 V3: an octagonal ARGB pump head. The FX280 PRO SE: a 27mm aluminium radiator.
Should I pick the Frozen Notte 240 White or the Pure Loop 3 280?
The Frozen Notte 240 White suits buyers who put pump speed first; the Pure Loop 3 280 suits spending more than the Kraken Plus 240 costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Frozen Notte 240 White, chosen for the highest pump speed here (5300 RPM). Look at the Aqua Elite 240 V3 for an octagonal ARGB pump head, the FX280 PRO SE for a 27mm aluminium radiator and the Kraken Plus 240 for NZXT's Turbine pump if those matter more to you.
AM5 reuses the stock backplate; keep it in place when mounting.
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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