Buying Guide
The Best CPU Coolers for Overclocking
Six large AIO coolers for overclocked CPUs, compared on radiator size, fans, pump and VRM cooling.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
Overclocking raises CPU power, and the motherboard's power stages heat up too. Large radiators and a VRM fan help with both.
We compared six AIOs on radiator size, fans, pump and VRM cooling, using the makers' specifications.
Quick Picks
Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best for Overclocking
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 A-RGBA 420mm radiator and a VRM fan.
Best for: Cases with 420mm support.
Check price for ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 A-RGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Premium Pick
ASUS ROG Ryujin III ARGB Extreme WhiteAn Asetek Gen8 V2 pump and a VRM fan.
Best for: Showcase ASUS builds.
Check price for ASUS ROG Ryujin III ARGB Extreme White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best High-Speed Fans
be quiet! Silent Loop 3 360mmSilent Wings 4 high-speed fans and Threadripper coverage.
Best for: Tuners with large CPUs.
Check price for be quiet! Silent Loop 3 360mm on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best iCUE Pick
CORSAIR iCUE LINK TITAN II 360 RX RGBOne-cable wiring with a Gen 2 pump.
Best for: Corsair ecosystems.
Check price for CORSAIR iCUE LINK TITAN II 360 RX RGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Solid Alternative
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGBThe Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB is the lit version of ARCTIC's thick-radiator 360, with the same VRM fan and offset mounting.
Best for: Buyers who want built-in fan that cools the motherboard's power stages.
Check price for ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth Considering
NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB WhiteThe Kraken Elite 360 has a 2.72-inch LCD that can show temperatures, images or GIFs.
Best for: Buyers who want 2.72-inch ips pump-head display for temperatures or images.
Check price for NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best for Overclocking1 of 6
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 A-RGB
The Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 uses three 140mm fans on a larger radiator.
Best for
- Cases with 420mm support.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Check that your case offers 420mm radiator support. Its 420mm radiator uses 140mm P14 PRO fans, and an integrated VRM fan cools the power stage. A contact frame for LGA1851 and LGA1700 is included.
You also get native offset mounting. Check that your case offers 420mm 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.
You also get this: fan cables routed inside the tube sleeving. Its price falls between the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB and the Silent Loop 3 360, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Fan size
- 140mm
- VRM fan
- Yes
- Cabling
- Fan cables routed inside the tube sleeving
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- Built-in fan that cools the motherboard's power stages
- Fan cables routed inside the tube sleeving
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- P14 PRO fans
Cons
- Costs more than the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB at the time of writing
Best Premium Pick2 of 6
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
- Showcase ASUS builds.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB 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. It also comes with 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. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB at the time of writing. It was the highest-priced of the 6 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Kraken Elite 360 and the rest.
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 Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB at the time of writing
Best High-Speed Fans3 of 6
be quiet! Silent Loop 3 360mm
The Silent Loop 3 360 uses three high-speed Silent Wings 4 fans and a dampened pump; its cold plate also covers Threadripper.
Best for
- Tuners with large CPUs.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
A three-chamber pump reduces turbulence and noise, and three Silent Wings 4 fans are tuned for quiet running. The pump can be dampened and adjusted, which helps if pump noise bothers you at idle. Its engineered cooling block targets high-power CPUs.
Its radiator corners hold the fans flush for quieter airflow. 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. On price it sat third of 6, between the cheaper Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 and the pricier Titan II 360 RX, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- Three Silent Wings 4 high-speed fans
- Dampened, adjustable pump
- Threadripper cold-plate coverage
Cons
- Costs more than the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB at the time of writing
Best iCUE Pick4 of 6
CORSAIR iCUE LINK TITAN II 360 RX RGB
The Titan II 360 RX moves to a second-generation FlowDrive pump and RX II fans on a unified frame, still on one iCUE LINK cable.
Best for
- Corsair ecosystems.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: lighting and display control need iCUE.
Why we like it
iCUE LINK chains all components to one hub port, and the unified fan frame means fewer screws and cables. 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.
It makes the most sense for corsair ecosystems, since it offers one-cable wiring with a Gen 2 pump. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB at the time of writing. It was priced above the Silent Loop 3 360 and below the Kraken Elite 360 at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Cabling
- One-cable iCUE LINK hub for pump and fans
- Software
- iCUE
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- One-cable iCUE LINK hub for pump and fans
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- FlowDrive Gen 2 pump
- RX II fans on a unified frame
Cons
- Lighting and display control need iCUE
- Costs more than the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB at the time of writing
Solid Alternative5 of 6
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB
The Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB is the lit version of ARCTIC's thick-radiator 360, with the same VRM fan and offset mounting.
Best for
- Buyers who want built-in fan that cools the motherboard's power stages.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
An integrated VRM fan cools the motherboard power stage, and the offset cold plate targets the CPU hotspot. The A-RGB P12 PRO fans add lighting without losing airflow. The contact frame spreads pressure evenly on Intel LGA1851 and LGA1700 chips.
Its fan cables run inside the tube sleeve, so only one cable reaches the motherboard. The P12 PRO fans spin faster than the standard P12 when needed. The VRM fan is PWM-controlled, and the contact frame is aimed at longer CPU life on Intel LGA1851 and LGA1700.
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 cheapest of the group when we checked; the Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 was the next step up.
Key specs
- Fan size
- 120mm
- VRM fan
- Yes
- Cabling
- Fan cables routed inside the tube sleeving
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- Built-in fan that cools the motherboard's power stages
- Fan cables routed inside the tube sleeving
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- P12 PRO A-RGB fans
Worth Considering6 of 6
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 2.72-inch ips pump-head display for temperatures or images.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: lighting and display control need NZXT CAM.
Why we like it
You pay mainly for the screen. It also offers 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. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB at the time of writing. Its price falls between the Titan II 360 RX and the Ryujin III Extreme White, based on our last check.
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 Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB at the time of writing
How We Chose These Coolers for Overclocking
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.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared six AIO coolers on fan size, pump display, VRM fan and cabling as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 4 of 6 picks leave out pump display.
- What every pick has in common
- All 6, from the Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 to the Kraken Elite 360, state fan size and sockets named.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Liquid Freezer III Pro 420, the Silent Loop 3 360, the Titan II 360 RX and the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB give no pump display; the Silent Loop 3 360, the Titan II 360 RX and the Kraken Elite 360 give no VRM fan.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB ($50 to $100) to the Ryujin III Extreme White ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a Cooler for Overclocking
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
VRM fan
The Liquid Freezer III Pro 420, the Ryujin III Extreme White and the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB have it. Settling VRM fan first narrows 3 picks to 3.
Software
The Titan II 360 RX lists iCUE; the Kraken Elite 360 lists NZXT CAM. Settling software first narrows 2 picks to 1 or 1.
An all-in-one liquid cooler pump block above a graphics card Extras that separate them
The Titan II 360 RX: RX II fans on a unified frame. The Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB: native offset mounting toward the CPU hotspot. The Kraken Elite 360: a white finish.
Budget
$50 to $100 buys the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB and the Liquid Freezer III Pro 420; $100 to $150 buys the Silent Loop 3 360; $150 to $250 buys the Titan II 360 RX; $250 to $500 buys the Kraken Elite 360 and the Ryujin III Extreme White at our last check.
A case with purple-lit front fans and the motherboard area behind them Start from what matters most
Cases with 420mm support: the Liquid Freezer III Pro 420. Showcase ASUS builds: the Ryujin III Extreme White. Tuners with large CPUs: the Silent Loop 3 360.
How to Choose a Cooler for Overclocking
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Cases with 420mm support | Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 | A 420mm radiator and a VRM fan |
| Showcase ASUS builds | Ryujin III Extreme White | An Asetek Gen8 V2 pump and a VRM fan |
| Tuners with large CPUs | Silent Loop 3 360 | Silent Wings 4 high-speed fans and Threadripper coverage |
| Corsair ecosystems | Titan II 360 RX | One-cable wiring with a Gen 2 pump |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Liquid Freezer III Pro 420, the Ryujin III Extreme White and the rest, as their makers list them.
| AIO cooler | Fan size | Pump display | VRM fan | Cabling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 | 140mm | Not listed | Yes | Fan cables routed inside the tube sleeving |
| Ryujin III Extreme White | 120mm | 3.5-inch | Yes | Not listed |
| Silent Loop 3 360 | 120mm | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Titan II 360 RX | 120mm | Not listed | Not listed | One-cable iCUE LINK hub for pump and fans |
| Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB | 120mm | Not listed | Yes | Fan cables routed inside the tube sleeving |
| Kraken Elite 360 | 120mm | 2.72-inch IPS | Not listed | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB was the lowest-priced pick ($50 to $100) and the Ryujin III Extreme White the highest ($250 to $500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | AIO coolers |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB, Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 |
| About $100 to $150 | Silent Loop 3 360 |
| About $150 to $250 | Titan II 360 RX |
| About $250 to $500 | Kraken Elite 360, Ryujin III Extreme White |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Ryujin III Extreme White our Best Premium Pick?
It carries the badge for an Asetek Gen8 V2 pump and a VRM fan. The Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB, the cheapest pick, sat in the $50 to $100 tier against $250 to $500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It makes sense for showcase ASUS builds.
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 Liquid Freezer III Pro 420, the Silent Loop 3 360, the Titan II 360 RX and the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB have no pump display listed, so 2 of 6 picks are covered here.
What extras do the Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 and the Ryujin III Extreme White include?
The Liquid Freezer III Pro 420: P14 PRO fans. The Ryujin III Extreme White: an Asetek Gen8 V2 pump. The Silent Loop 3 360: three Silent Wings 4 high-speed fans.
Who should choose the Liquid Freezer III Pro 420?
The Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 carries our Best for Overclocking label for a 420mm radiator and a VRM fan. It ranks first of 6 here and sat in the $50 to $100 tier at our last price check; it suits cases with 420mm support.
Should I pick the Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 or the Titan II 360 RX?
The Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 suits cases with 420mm support; the Titan II 360 RX suits corsair ecosystems.
Bottom Line
The Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 is the pick for overclocking if your case fits it. The Ryujin III adds a screen and VRM fan, and the Silent Loop 3 suits Threadripper.
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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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