Buying Guide
The Best 240mm AIO Coolers by Fan Speed
Three liquid coolers ranked on maximum fan speed and fan size; the Frozen Notte 240 is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
Fan speed sets how much air a 240mm radiator moves, and how loud it gets. Every pick has a 240mm radiator, ordered by listed fan speed.
Rankings weigh max fan speed, fan size and cabling as the makers state them; if a maker skips max fan speed, the guide says so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Premium Pick
CORSAIR iCUE LINK H100i RGB
The top of this price range, adding QX120 RGB fans.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for CORSAIR iCUE LINK H100i RGB (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Thermalright Frozen Notte 240 V2
A lower price than the Nautilus II 240 RS White and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for Thermalright Frozen Notte 240 V2 (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
CORSAIR Nautilus II 240 RS ARGB White
RS II fans on a unified frame.
Best for: Buyers who want RS II fans on a unified frame.
Our take Check price for CORSAIR Nautilus II 240 RS ARGB White (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The top of this price range, adding QX120 RGB fans. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for CORSAIR iCUE LINK H100i RGB (opens in a new tab) |
| A lower price than the Nautilus II 240 RS White and the rest when we checked. | Keeping the budget tight. | Check price for Thermalright Frozen Notte 240 V2 (opens in a new tab) |
| RS II fans on a unified frame. | Buyers who want RS II fans on a unified frame. | Check price for CORSAIR Nautilus II 240 RS ARGB White (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Premium Pick1 of 3
CORSAIR iCUE LINK H100i RGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The H100i RGB lists the fastest fans here at 2400 RPM, with zero RPM mode for idle.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: lighting and display control need iCUE.
Why we like it
It runs through Corsair's iCUE LINK hub. It also offers a 20-LED pump cap. 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. Plan to install iCUE for lighting control; fan and pump speed can also run from the motherboard's headers. It was the highest-priced of the 3 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Nautilus II 240 RS White and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max fan speed: 2400 RPM
- Fan size: 120mm
- Zero RPM mode: Yes
- Cabling: One-cable iCUE LINK hub for pump and fans
- Software: iCUE
- Sockets named: AM5, AM4, LGA1700
Pros
- Zero RPM mode stops the fans at light load
- One-cable iCUE LINK hub for pump and fans
- QX120 RGB fans
- 20-LED pump cap
Cons
- Lighting and display control need iCUE
- Costs more than the Frozen Notte 240 at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here2 of 3
Thermalright Frozen Notte 240 V2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Frozen Notte 240 offers a pump up to 5300 RPM and 2000 RPM fans at a budget price.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: maximum fan speed of 2000 RPM, behind the H100i RGB (2400 RPM).
Why we like it
Thermalright recommends a case wider than 250mm, so check the width. Its two fans reach 2,000 RPM at under 27.7dBA, and the ARGB syncs to a 5V header. It also comes with a pump rated for 40,000 hours and braided tubing.
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 undercut the Nautilus II 240 RS White and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The main gap: maximum fan speed of 2000 RPM, behind the H100i RGB (2400 RPM). If that matters, the H100i RGB offers 2400 RPM.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max fan speed: 2000 RPM
- Max pump speed: 5300 RPM
- Fan size: 120mm
- Sockets named: AM5, AM4, Intel
Pros
- Pump rated for 40,000 hours
- Braided tubing
- A lower price than the Nautilus II 240 RS White and the rest when we checked
Cons
- Maximum fan speed of 2000 RPM, behind the H100i RGB (2400 RPM)
Also Consider3 of 3
CORSAIR Nautilus II 240 RS ARGB White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Nautilus II 240 RS White stands out for RS II fans on a unified frame, and it adds a white finish.
Best for
- Buyers who want RS II fans on a unified frame.
Skip if
- Its maximum fan speed is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It also offers a 120mm fan size. It is tuned for AM5 and also fits AM4 and Intel LGA 1851/1700. Unified-frame RS II fans daisy-chain with standard 4-pin PWM and 5V ARGB connections to the motherboard.
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. On price it sat second of 3, between the cheaper Frozen Notte 240 and the pricier H100i RGB, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its maximum fan speed; if that figure matters, the H100i RGB offers 2400 RPM.
Key dimensions & specs
- Fan size: 120mm
- Cabling: Daisy-chained fans that connect straight to the motherboard
- Sockets named: AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- Daisy-chained fans that connect straight to the motherboard
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- RS II fans on a unified frame
- White finish
Cons
- No published maximum fan speed
- Costs more than the Frozen Notte 240 at the time of writing
How We Chose These 240mm AIO Coolers by Fan Speed
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We lined up three AIO coolers on maximum fan speed, fan size, cabling and sockets named, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the H100i RGB to the Nautilus II 240 RS White, state fan size and sockets named.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Nautilus II 240 RS White gives no maximum fan speed; the Frozen Notte 240 gives no cabling.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Frozen Notte 240 (under $50) to the H100i RGB ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in a 240mm AIO Cooler by Fan Speed
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Maximum fan speed across these picks
Here maximum fan speed runs from 2000 RPM on the Frozen Notte 240 to 2400 RPM on the H100i RGB. Start with the H100i RGB if maximum fan speed decides it. No figure for the Nautilus II 240 RS White.
Extras that separate them
The H100i RGB: a 20-LED pump cap. The Frozen Notte 240: braided tubing. The Nautilus II 240 RS White: a white finish.
How much to spend
Under $50 buys the Frozen Notte 240; $50 to $100 buys the Nautilus II 240 RS White; $100 to $150 buys the H100i RGB at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Spending more for the fullest feature set: the H100i RGB. Keeping the budget tight: the Frozen Notte 240.
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 240mm AIO Cooler by Fan Speed
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | H100i RGB | The top of this price range, adding QX120 RGB fans |
| Keeping the budget tight | Frozen Notte 240 | A lower price than the Nautilus II 240 RS White and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want RS II fans on a unified frame | Nautilus II 240 RS White | RS II fans on a unified frame |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The H100i RGB leads on maximum fan speed at 2400 RPM, ahead of the Frozen Notte 240 at 2000 RPM. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| AIO cooler | Max fan speed | Fan size | Cabling | Sockets named |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H100i RGB | 2400 RPM | 120mm | One-cable iCUE LINK hub for pump and fans | AM5, AM4, LGA1700 |
| Frozen Notte 240 | 2000 RPM | 120mm | Not listed | AM5, AM4, Intel |
| Nautilus II 240 RS White | Not listed | 120mm | Daisy-chained fans that connect straight to the motherboard | AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Frozen Notte 240 was the lowest-priced pick and the H100i RGB the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | AIO coolers |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Frozen Notte 240 |
| About $50 to $100 | Nautilus II 240 RS White |
| About $100 to $150 | H100i RGB |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Frozen Notte 240 compare with the H100i RGB on maximum fan speed?
The H100i RGB leads at 2400 RPM, with the Frozen Notte 240 at 2000 RPM. The Nautilus II 240 RS White doesn't state a figure, so it sits outside this comparison.
What does the H100i RGB add over the Frozen Notte 240?
On paper it adds maximum fan speed (2400 RPM against 2000 RPM). The Frozen Notte 240 was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the Frozen Notte 240 our Lowest Price Here pick?
It earns the label for a lower price than the Nautilus II 240 RS White and the rest when we checked. It suits keeping the budget tight.
What extras do the H100i RGB and the Frozen Notte 240 include?
The H100i RGB: QX120 RGB fans. The Frozen Notte 240: a pump rated for 40,000 hours. The Nautilus II 240 RS White: RS II fans on a unified frame.
Who should choose the H100i RGB?
The H100i RGB carries our Premium Pick label for the top of this price range, adding QX120 RGB fans. It ranks first of 3 here.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the H100i RGB, chosen for the top of this price range, adding QX120 RGB fans. Look at the Frozen Notte 240 for a lower price than the Nautilus II 240 RS White and the rest when we checked and the Nautilus II 240 RS White for RS II fans on a unified frame if those matter more to you.
Set a fan curve; full speed is rarely needed in games.