Buying Guide
The Best CPU Coolers for Core i9
We weighed five liquid coolers on fan size and pump display, and the Titan 360 RX White costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Core i9 chips draw a lot of power, so every pick uses a 360mm radiator or larger.
Rankings weigh fan size, pump display and software as the makers state them; we did not test these liquid coolers ourselves, and if a maker skips pump display, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Premium Pick
ASUS ROG Ryujin III ARGB Extreme WhiteThe highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an Asetek Gen8 V2 pump.
Best for: Buyers who want an Asetek Gen8 V2 pump and can spend more than the Kraken Elite 360 costs.
Check price for ASUS ROG Ryujin III ARGB Extreme White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB WhiteA 640x640 LCD with a 60Hz refresh rate.
Best for: Buyers who want 640x640 LCD with a 60Hz refresh rate.
Check price for NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
LIAN LI Galahad II LCD 360 WhiteSL-INF daisy-chain fans.
Best for: Buyers who want SL-INF daisy-chain fans.
Check price for LIAN LI Galahad II LCD 360 White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
LIAN LI Galahad II Trinity 360 WhiteA 27mm radiator.
Best for: Buyers who want 27mm radiator.
Check price for LIAN LI Galahad II Trinity 360 White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
CORSAIR iCUE LINK TITAN 360 RX RGB WhiteThe lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the Galahad II Trinity 360 the next step up.
Check price for CORSAIR iCUE LINK TITAN 360 RX RGB White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Premium Pick1 of 5
ASUS ROG Ryujin III ARGB Extreme White
The ROG Ryujin III Extreme White has a 3.5-inch LCD and a fan in the pump housing that cools the VRM area.
Best for
- Buyers who want an Asetek Gen8 V2 pump and can spend more than the Kraken Elite 360 costs.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Titan 360 RX White cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its 3.5-inch 640x480 screen shows custom GIFs or live readings, and magnet-snap fans speed up installation. Software controls pump and fan speed. A 3.5-inch pump display is unique to it among these picks, while the Galahad II LCD 360 uses a 2.88-inch IPS pump display.
It also offers an Asetek Gen8 V2 pump. Check that your case offers 360mm 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. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Kraken Elite 360.
Key specs
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Pump display
- 3.5-inch
- VRM fan
- Yes
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- 3.5-inch pump-head display for temperatures or images
- Built-in fan that cools the motherboard's power stages
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- Asetek Gen8 V2 pump
Cons
- Costs more than the Titan 360 RX White at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB White
The Kraken Elite 360 has a 2.72-inch LCD that can show temperatures, images or GIFs.
Best for
- Buyers who want 640x640 LCD with a 60Hz refresh rate.
Skip if
- Pass on it if lighting and display control need NZXT CAM rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
You pay mainly for the screen. You get a 2.72-inch IPS pump display here, which sets it apart from the Galahad II LCD 360 and its a 2.88-inch IPS pump display. NZXT CAM software is unique to it among these picks, while the Galahad II LCD 360 uses L-Connect software.
It also comes with a 640x640 LCD with a 60Hz refresh rate and a white finish. Check that your case offers 360mm 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. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Galahad II LCD 360 and the pricier Ryujin III Extreme White, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Pump display
- 2.72-inch IPS
- Software
- NZXT CAM
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- 2.72-inch IPS pump-head display for temperatures or images
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- 640x640 LCD with a 60Hz refresh rate
- White finish
Cons
- Lighting and display control need NZXT CAM
- Costs more than the Titan 360 RX White at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
LIAN LI Galahad II LCD 360 White
The Galahad II LCD 360 has a 2.88-inch screen on an Asetek-based pump and SL-INF fans that daisy-chain.
Best for
- Buyers who want SL-INF daisy-chain fans.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: lighting and display control need L-Connect.
Why we like it
No other pick in this guide offers a 2.88-inch IPS pump display; compare the Ryujin III Extreme White, which has a 3.5-inch pump display. Like the Galahad II Trinity 360, it has L-Connect software, while the Kraken Elite 360 uses NZXT CAM software. You also get a white finish.
Check that your case offers 360mm 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. Plan to install L-Connect for lighting and display control; fan and pump speed can also run from the motherboard's headers. It was priced above the Galahad II Trinity 360 and below the Kraken Elite 360 at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Max pump speed
- 3600 RPM
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Pump display
- 2.88-inch IPS
- Software
- L-Connect
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, Intel
Pros
- 2.88-inch IPS pump-head display for temperatures or images
- SL-INF daisy-chain fans
- White finish
Cons
- Lighting and display control need L-Connect
- Costs more than the Titan 360 RX White at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
LIAN LI Galahad II Trinity 360 White
The Galahad II Trinity 360 uses a 27mm radiator with SL-INF fans and three interchangeable pump caps.
Best for
- Buyers who want 27mm radiator.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: lighting and display control need L-Connect.
Why we like it
It shares L-Connect software with the Galahad II LCD 360; the Titan 360 RX White goes with iCUE software. Check that your case offers 360mm 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.
Plan to install L-Connect for lighting control; fan and pump speed can also run from the motherboard's headers. Its price falls between the Titan 360 RX White and the Galahad II LCD 360, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Software
- L-Connect
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, Intel
Pros
- 27mm radiator
- Three interchangeable pump cap designs
- SL-INF fans
Cons
- Lighting and display control need L-Connect
- Costs more than the Titan 360 RX White at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
CORSAIR iCUE LINK TITAN 360 RX RGB White
The Titan 360 RX White is the white version of Corsair's one-cable iCUE LINK cooler.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the Galahad II Trinity 360 the next step up.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: lighting and display control need iCUE.
Why we like it
ICUE software is unique to it among these picks, while the Kraken Elite 360 uses NZXT CAM software. It also comes with a FlowDrive pump with a three-phase motor. Check that your case offers 360mm 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 iCUE for lighting control; fan and pump speed can also run from the motherboard's headers. Another plus: zero RPM mode stops the fans at light load. It undercut the Galahad II Trinity 360 and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Max fan speed
- 2100 RPM
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Zero RPM mode
- Yes
- Cabling
- One-cable iCUE LINK hub for pump and fans
- Software
- iCUE
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- Zero RPM mode stops the fans at light load
- One-cable iCUE LINK hub for pump and fans
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- White finish
Cons
- Lighting and display control need iCUE
How We Chose These CPU Coolers for Core i9
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 fan size, pump display, software and sockets named, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and pump display and software are missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Ryujin III Extreme White to the Titan 360 RX White, state fan size and sockets named.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Galahad II Trinity 360 and the Titan 360 RX White give no pump display; the Ryujin III Extreme White gives no software.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Titan 360 RX White ($150 to $250) to the Ryujin III Extreme White ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a CPU Cooler for Core i9
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Software
The Kraken Elite 360 lists NZXT CAM; the Galahad II LCD 360 and the Galahad II Trinity 360 list L-Connect; the Titan 360 RX White lists iCUE. Sort out software before price: it splits 4 stated picks into groups of 2, 1 and 1.
Extras that separate them
The Kraken Elite 360: a white finish. The Galahad II Trinity 360: three interchangeable pump cap designs. The Titan 360 RX White: a FlowDrive pump with a three-phase motor.
A tower air cooler with brown fans installed in a PC Budget
$150 to $250 buys the Titan 360 RX White, the Galahad II Trinity 360 and the Galahad II LCD 360; $250 to $500 buys the Kraken Elite 360 and the Ryujin III Extreme White at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Buyers who want an Asetek Gen8 V2 pump and can spend more than the Kraken Elite 360 costs: the Ryujin III Extreme White. Spending as little as possible, with the Galahad II Trinity 360 the next step up: the Titan 360 RX White.
A tower air cooler in a case with red-lit fans Software is optional but useful
LCD screens and lighting usually need the maker's software. Pump and fan speeds can run from motherboard headers instead.
How to Choose a CPU Cooler for Core i9
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want an Asetek Gen8 V2 pump and can spend more than the Kraken Elite 360 costs | Ryujin III Extreme White | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an Asetek Gen8 V2 pump |
| Buyers who want 640x640 LCD with a 60Hz refresh rate | Kraken Elite 360 | A 640x640 LCD with a 60Hz refresh rate |
| Buyers who want SL-INF daisy-chain fans | Galahad II LCD 360 | SL-INF daisy-chain fans |
| Buyers who want 27mm radiator | Galahad II Trinity 360 | A 27mm radiator |
| Spending as little as possible, with the Galahad II Trinity 360 the next step up | Titan 360 RX White | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryujin III Extreme White, the Kraken Elite 360 and the rest, as their makers list them.
| AIO cooler | Fan size | Pump display | Software | Sockets named |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryujin III Extreme White | 120mm | 3.5-inch | Not listed | AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700 |
| Kraken Elite 360 | 120mm | 2.72-inch IPS | NZXT CAM | AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700 |
| Galahad II LCD 360 | 120mm | 2.88-inch IPS | L-Connect | AM5, AM4, Intel |
| Galahad II Trinity 360 | 120mm | Not listed | L-Connect | AM5, AM4, Intel |
| Titan 360 RX White | 120mm | Not listed | iCUE | AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Titan 360 RX White was the lowest-priced pick ($150 to $250) and the Ryujin III Extreme White the highest ($250 to $500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | AIO coolers |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Titan 360 RX White, Galahad II Trinity 360, Galahad II LCD 360 |
| About $250 to $500 | Kraken Elite 360, Ryujin III Extreme White |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Titan 360 RX White our Lowest Price Here pick?
It earns the label for the lowest price of the group at our last check. It is aimed at spending as little as possible, with the Galahad II Trinity 360 the next step up.
Do the Ryujin III Extreme White and the Kraken Elite 360 differ on pump display?
The Ryujin III Extreme White uses 3.5-inch; the Kraken Elite 360 uses 2.72-inch IPS; the Galahad II LCD 360 uses 2.88-inch IPS. The Galahad II Trinity 360 and the Titan 360 RX White have no pump display listed, so 3 of 5 picks are covered here.
What extras do the Ryujin III Extreme White and the Kraken Elite 360 include?
The Ryujin III Extreme White: an Asetek Gen8 V2 pump. The Kraken Elite 360: a 640x640 LCD with a 60Hz refresh rate. The Galahad II LCD 360: SL-INF daisy-chain fans.
Who should choose the Ryujin III Extreme White?
The Ryujin III Extreme White carries our Premium Pick label for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an Asetek Gen8 V2 pump. It ranks first of 5 here and sat in the $250 to $500 tier at our last price check; it suits anyone who wants an Asetek Gen8 V2 pump and can spend more than the Kraken Elite 360 costs.
Should I pick the Ryujin III Extreme White or the Titan 360 RX White?
The Ryujin III Extreme White suits buyers who want an Asetek Gen8 V2 pump and can spend more than the Kraken Elite 360 costs; the Titan 360 RX White suits spending as little as possible, with the Galahad II Trinity 360 the next step up.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryujin III Extreme White, chosen for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an Asetek Gen8 V2 pump. Look at the Kraken Elite 360 for a 640x640 LCD with a 60Hz refresh rate, the Galahad II LCD 360 for SL-INF daisy-chain fans and the Galahad II Trinity 360 for a 27mm radiator if those matter more to you.
Check the LGA1700 or LGA1851 mounting kit is included.
Related Guides
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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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