Buying Guide
The Best CPU Coolers for Video Editing
We weighed four liquid coolers on pump speed and fan size, and the Frozen Notte 360 White costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read4 products evaluated
Exports hold the CPU at full load for minutes at a time, which is where a 360mm radiator earns its place. Every pick has a 360mm radiator and cost $110 or less.
We ranked these liquid coolers on max pump speed, fan size and sockets named using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these liquid coolers ourselves, and where a maker leaves out max pump speed, we say so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 4 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
Thermalright Frozen Notte 360 White ARGB V2The cheapest way into this group, below the Aqua Elite 360 V6.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the Aqua Elite 360 V6 the next step up.
Check price for Thermalright Frozen Notte 360 White ARGB V2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Thermalright Aqua Elite 360 V6 ARGBA round ARGB pump head.
Best for: Buyers who want round ARGB pump head.
Check price for Thermalright Aqua Elite 360 V6 ARGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ID-COOLING FX360 PROA 350W rating.
Best for: Buyers who want 350W rating.
Check price for ID-COOLING FX360 PRO on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Cooler Master 360L Core ARGBThe highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a Gen S dual-chamber pump.
Best for: Buyers who want a Gen S dual-chamber pump and can spend more than the FX360 PRO costs.
Check price for Cooler Master 360L Core ARGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The cheapest way into this group, below the Aqua Elite 360 V6. | Spending as little as possible, with the Aqua Elite 360 V6 the next step up. | Check price for Thermalright Frozen Notte 360 White ARGB V2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A round ARGB pump head. | Buyers who want round ARGB pump head. | Check price for Thermalright Aqua Elite 360 V6 ARGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A 350W rating. | Buyers who want 350W rating. | Check price for ID-COOLING FX360 PRO on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a Gen S dual-chamber pump. | Buyers who want a Gen S dual-chamber pump and can spend more than the FX360 PRO costs. | Check price for Cooler Master 360L Core ARGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
Thermalright Frozen Notte 360 White ARGB V2
The Frozen Notte 360 White stands out for a white radiator and fans.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the Aqua Elite 360 V6 the next step up.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
It also offers a 5300 RPM pump speed and offers a 120mm fan size. Its copper mirror base sits under a white 360mm radiator with 450mm braided tubes. Long tubes suit front-mounted radiators in large cases.
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. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Aqua Elite 360 V6 was the next step up.
Key specs
- Max pump speed
- 5300 RPM
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Tube length
- 450mm
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, Intel
Pros
- White radiator and fans
- Highest pump speed of the picks (5300 RPM)
- The cheapest way into this group, below the Aqua Elite 360 V6
Also Consider2 of 4
Thermalright Aqua Elite 360 V6 ARGB
The Aqua Elite 360 V6 is the budget route to a 360mm radiator, listing a 2800 RPM pump and 2000 RPM fans.
Best for
- Buyers who want round ARGB pump head.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Frozen Notte 360 White, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It suits a hot CPU when the budget is tight. Its round pump head uses Thermalright's fourth-generation pump, and the fans and block sync to a 5V ARGB header. The radiator moves up to 70.84 CFM.
The fans are pre-installed and daisy-chained, which saves motherboard headers. 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 priced above the Frozen Notte 360 White and below the FX360 PRO at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Max fan speed
- 2000 RPM
- Max pump speed
- 2800 RPM
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- Round ARGB pump head
- 2000 RPM maximum fan speed
- 2800 RPM pump speed
Cons
- Costs more than the Frozen Notte 360 White at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 4
ID-COOLING FX360 PRO
The FX360 PRO is ID-COOLING's budget 360 rated at 350W.
Best for
- Buyers who want 350W rating.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its pump speed before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
ID-COOLING rates it for 350W, and its three 120mm fans move up to 82.5 CFM. The all-black finish suits dark cases. Its fans daisy-chain to each other, which cuts down on cables to the motherboard.
The fans are rated at 2.55mmH2O static pressure. You also get simple fan cable management. 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. When we checked, only the Aqua Elite 360 V6 and cheaper picks cost less, and the 360L Core cost more. If you want a confirmed pump speed, look to the Frozen Notte 360 White instead: it offers 5300 RPM, while this one gives no figure.
Key specs
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- 350W rating
- Simple fan cable management
Cons
- No published pump speed
- Costs more than the Frozen Notte 360 White at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 4
Cooler Master 360L Core ARGB
The 360L Core uses Cooler Master's dual-chamber pump and includes CryoFuze paste.
Best for
- Buyers who want a Gen S dual-chamber pump and can spend more than the FX360 PRO costs.
Skip if
- Its pump speed is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
Its frosted fan blades spread ARGB light evenly, and the PWM blade design improves airflow and pressure. The minimalist pump cap keeps the look clean. 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 highest-priced of the 4 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the FX360 PRO and the rest. The maker doesn't give its pump speed; if that figure matters, the Frozen Notte 360 White offers 5300 RPM.
Key specs
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- Gen S dual-chamber pump
- CryoFuze paste in the box
- The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a Gen S dual-chamber pump
Cons
- No published pump speed
- Costs more than the Frozen Notte 360 White at the time of writing
How We Chose These CPU Coolers for Video Editing
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.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared four AIO coolers on pump speed, fan size and sockets named as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 2 of 4 picks leave out pump speed.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the Frozen Notte 360 White to the 360L Core, state fan size and sockets named.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The FX360 PRO and the 360L Core give no pump speed.
- Price range
- From the Frozen Notte 360 White to the 360L Core, all sat in the $50 to $100 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a CPU Cooler for Video Editing
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Pump speed across these picks
Across these 2 picks pump speed spans 2800 RPM (the Aqua Elite 360 V6) to 5300 RPM (the Frozen Notte 360 White). The Frozen Notte 360 White is the pick for pump speed. The FX360 PRO and the 360L Core give no pump speed figure, so 2 of 4 picks are compared here.
Extras that separate them
The Aqua Elite 360 V6: a round ARGB pump head. The FX360 PRO: simple fan cable management. The 360L Core: CryoFuze paste in the box.
A tower air cooler with brown fans installed in a PC How much to spend
All 4 sat in the $50 to $100 tier when we checked, from the Frozen Notte 360 White at the low end to the 360L Core at the top, so decide on features first.
Start from what matters most
Spending as little as possible, with the Aqua Elite 360 V6 the next step up: the Frozen Notte 360 White. Buyers who want a Gen S dual-chamber pump and can spend more than the FX360 PRO costs: the 360L Core.
A tower air cooler in a case with red-lit fans Match radiator size to the CPU
A 240mm radiator handles most gaming CPUs. 280mm and 360mm units give more headroom for 170W chips and let fans run slower.
How to Choose a CPU Cooler for Video Editing
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible, with the Aqua Elite 360 V6 the next step up | Frozen Notte 360 White | The cheapest way into this group, below the Aqua Elite 360 V6 |
| Buyers who want round ARGB pump head | Aqua Elite 360 V6 | A round ARGB pump head |
| Buyers who want 350W rating | FX360 PRO | A 350W rating |
| Buyers who want a Gen S dual-chamber pump and can spend more than the FX360 PRO costs | 360L Core | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a Gen S dual-chamber pump |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Frozen Notte 360 White leads on pump speed at 5300 RPM, ahead of the Aqua Elite 360 V6 at 2800 RPM. "Not listed" marks pump speed where the FX360 PRO and the 360L Core leave the figure out.
| AIO cooler | Max pump speed | Fan size | Sockets named |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frozen Notte 360 White | 5300 RPM | 120mm | AM5, AM4, Intel |
| Aqua Elite 360 V6 | 2800 RPM | 120mm | AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700 |
| FX360 PRO | Not listed | 120mm | AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700 |
| 360L Core | Not listed | 120mm | AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Aqua Elite 360 V6 compare with the Frozen Notte 360 White on pump speed?
The Frozen Notte 360 White leads at 5300 RPM, with the Aqua Elite 360 V6 at 2800 RPM. The FX360 PRO and the 360L Core don't state a pump speed figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 2 of 4 picks are ranked.
Why is the Frozen Notte 360 White our Lowest Price Here pick?
It earns the label for the cheapest way into this group, below the Aqua Elite 360 V6. It suits spending as little as possible, with the Aqua Elite 360 V6 the next step up.
What extras do the Frozen Notte 360 White and the Aqua Elite 360 V6 include?
The Frozen Notte 360 White: a white radiator and fans. The Aqua Elite 360 V6: a round ARGB pump head. The FX360 PRO: a 350W rating.
Should I pick the Frozen Notte 360 White or the 360L Core?
The Frozen Notte 360 White suits spending as little as possible, with the Aqua Elite 360 V6 the next step up; the 360L Core suits buyers who want a Gen S dual-chamber pump and can spend more than the FX360 PRO costs.
What else do the FX360 PRO and the 360L Core offer?
The FX360 PRO: simple fan cable management. The 360L Core: CryoFuze paste in the box.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Frozen Notte 360 White, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the Aqua Elite 360 V6. Look at the Aqua Elite 360 V6 for a round ARGB pump head, the FX360 PRO for a 350W rating and the 360L Core for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a Gen S dual-chamber pump if those matter more to you.
Mount the radiator at the top as exhaust so warm air leaves the case.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best 360mm AIO Liquid Coolers
- Related guideThe Best 240mm AIO Liquid Coolers
- Related guideThe Best CPU Air Coolers
- Lower budgetThe Best CPU Coolers Under $30
- Similar guideThe Best Black CPU Coolers
- ExplainerPC Airflow Explained
- ExplainerHow Many Case Fans Do You Need?
- Check compatibility: processorsCPU Specs Explained: Cores, Threads, Clock Speed, Cache, and TDP
- Similar guideThe Best AIO Coolers for AM5
- Topic hubAll cpu coolers and cooling guides
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
View all articles