Buying Guide
The Best Budget 360mm AIOs for Gaming
We weighed five liquid coolers on pump speed and fan size, and the Frozen Notte 360 White costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
A 360mm AIO under $100 keeps hot gaming CPUs cool. Every pick has a 360mm radiator and cost $100 or less.
Rankings weigh max pump speed, fan size and VRM fan as the makers state them; we did not test these liquid coolers ourselves, and if a maker skips max pump speed, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 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
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360P12 PRO fans.
Best for: Buyers who want P12 PRO fans.
Check price for ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGBP12 PRO A-RGB fans.
Best for: Buyers who want P12 PRO A-RGB fans.
Check price for ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
MSI MAG CORELIQUID A13 360 WhiteA split-flow radiator with the pump built into it at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Frozen Notte 360 White costs less.
Check price for MSI MAG CORELIQUID A13 360 White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
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 5
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
- If budget leads, the Frozen Notte 360 White was cheaper at our last price check.
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 Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 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 5
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360
The Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 is built around cooling rather than lighting: offset mounting over the CPU hotspot, a contact frame for Intel and a small fan for the board's power stages.
Best for
- Buyers who want P12 PRO fans.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Frozen Notte 360 White, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its fan cables run inside the tube sleeve for a tidy build. Its integrated VRM fan cools the motherboard power stage, which a standard AIO leaves without airflow. The offset cold plate sits over the CPU hotspot rather than the centre of the heatspreader.
The fan cables run inside the tube sleeving, so only one cable reaches the motherboard. 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 Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB cost more.
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 fans
Cons
- Costs more than the Frozen Notte 360 White at the time of writing
The catch
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.
Worth a Look4 of 5
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 P12 PRO A-RGB fans.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Frozen Notte 360 White, which cost less when we checked.
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. Its price falls between the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 and the Coreliquid A13 360 White, based on our last check.
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
Cons
- Costs more than the Frozen Notte 360 White at the time of writing
The catch
Buyers who need a confirmed pump speed should compare it with the Frozen Notte 360 White, which offers 5300 RPM.
Premium Pick5 of 5
MSI MAG CORELIQUID A13 360 White
The Coreliquid A13 360 White is the white version of MSI's radiator-pump design.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Frozen Notte 360 White costs less.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Frozen Notte 360 White was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
Its split-flow radiator has the pump built in, with a three-phase motor for durability, and it supports LGA1851 out of the box. The white finish suits light builds. Ceramic pump bearings and a three-phase motor are built for long service.
Its 390mm tubes suit most front and top radiator positions. 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.
At our last price check it topped the group, with the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB the nearest cheaper option. 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
- Tube length
- 390mm
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- Split-flow radiator with the pump built into it
- White finish
- A split-flow radiator with the pump built into it at the highest price in the group
Cons
- Costs more than the Frozen Notte 360 White at the time of writing
How We Chose These Budget 360mm AIOs for Gaming
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 lined up five AIO coolers on pump speed, fan size, VRM fan and cabling, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and pump speed and fan size are missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Frozen Notte 360 White to the Coreliquid A13 360 White, state sockets named.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Liquid Freezer III Pro 360, the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB and the Coreliquid A13 360 White give no pump speed; the Coreliquid A13 360 White gives no fan size.
- Price range
- From the Frozen Notte 360 White to the Coreliquid A13 360 White, all sat in the $50 to $100 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Budget 360mm AIO for Gaming
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much pump speed you need
The Frozen Notte 360 White tops pump speed at 5300 RPM and the Aqua Elite 360 V6 sits lowest at 2800 RPM. Start with the Frozen Notte 360 White if pump speed decides it. The Liquid Freezer III Pro 360, the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB and the Coreliquid A13 360 White give no pump speed figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Extras that separate them
The Aqua Elite 360 V6: a round ARGB pump head. The Liquid Freezer III Pro 360: native offset mounting toward the CPU hotspot. The Coreliquid A13 360 White: a white finish.
An all-in-one liquid cooler pump block above a graphics card Where your budget lands
All 5 sat in the $50 to $100 tier when we checked, from the Frozen Notte 360 White at the low end to the Coreliquid A13 360 White 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 for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Frozen Notte 360 White costs less: the Coreliquid A13 360 White.
A case with purple-lit front fans and the motherboard area behind them Confirm radiator support in your case
Cases list which radiator sizes fit at the front, top and side. A top mount also has to clear the motherboard's heatsinks and tall RAM.
Check the case's clearance figure for radiator plus fans.
How to Choose a Budget 360mm AIO for Gaming
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 P12 PRO fans | Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 | P12 PRO fans |
| Buyers who want P12 PRO A-RGB fans | Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB | P12 PRO A-RGB fans |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Frozen Notte 360 White costs less | Coreliquid A13 360 White | A split-flow radiator with the pump built into it at the highest price in the group |
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 Liquid Freezer III Pro 360, the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB and the Coreliquid A13 360 White leave the figure out.
| AIO cooler | Max pump speed | Fan size | VRM fan | Cabling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frozen Notte 360 White | 5300 RPM | 120mm | Not listed | Not listed |
| Aqua Elite 360 V6 | 2800 RPM | 120mm | Not listed | Not listed |
| Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 | Not listed | 120mm | Yes | Fan cables routed inside the tube sleeving |
| Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB | Not listed | 120mm | Yes | Fan cables routed inside the tube sleeving |
| Coreliquid A13 360 White | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest pump speed: the Frozen Notte 360 White or the Aqua Elite 360 V6?
Between the top two, it is 5300 RPM on the Frozen Notte 360 White against 2800 RPM on the Aqua Elite 360 V6, an 89% difference. The Liquid Freezer III Pro 360, the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB and the Coreliquid A13 360 White are left out of this ranking because their pump speed isn't stated; 2 of 5 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.
Does the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 have VRM fan, and which others do?
The Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 and the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB have it. The Frozen Notte 360 White, the Aqua Elite 360 V6 and the Coreliquid A13 360 White have no VRM fan listed, so 2 of 5 picks are covered here.
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 Liquid Freezer III Pro 360: P12 PRO fans.
Should I pick the Frozen Notte 360 White or the Coreliquid A13 360 White?
The Frozen Notte 360 White suits spending as little as possible, with the Aqua Elite 360 V6 the next step up; the Coreliquid A13 360 White suits buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Frozen Notte 360 White costs less.
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 Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 for P12 PRO fans and the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB for P12 PRO A-RGB fans if those matter more to you.
Mount the radiator at the top as exhaust.
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 AIO Coolers Under $60
- Similar guideThe Best 360mm AIO Coolers by Price
- ExplainerPC Airflow Explained
- ExplainerHow Many Case Fans Do You Need?
- Check compatibility: processorsHow to Check CPU and Motherboard Compatibility
- Similar guideThe Best 360mm AIO Coolers by Pump Speed
- 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
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