Buying Guide
The Best Compact AIOs for Gaming
We weighed four liquid coolers on pump speed and fan size; the Frozen Notte 240 White has the highest pump speed, and it also costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
Small AIOs fit compact cases where large radiators won't. Every pick uses a 240mm or smaller radiator, ordered from the lowest price.
Rankings weigh max pump speed, fan size and sockets named 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
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Highest Pump Speed
Thermalright Frozen Notte 240 White ARGB
The highest pump speed here (5300 RPM).
Best for: Buyers who put pump speed first.
Our take Check price for Thermalright Frozen Notte 240 White ARGB (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Thermalright Aqua Elite 240 V3
An octagonal ARGB pump head.
Best for: Buyers who want octagonal ARGB pump head.
Our take Check price for Thermalright Aqua Elite 240 V3 (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
MSI MAG CORELIQUID A13 240
A split-flow radiator with the pump built into it.
Best for: Buyers who want split-flow radiator with the pump built into it.
Our take Check price for MSI MAG CORELIQUID A13 240 (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
CORSAIR Nautilus II 240 RS ARGB White
The top of this price range, adding RS II fans on a unified frame.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
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 highest pump speed here (5300 RPM). | Buyers who put pump speed first. | Check price for Thermalright Frozen Notte 240 White ARGB (opens in a new tab) |
| An octagonal ARGB pump head. | Buyers who want octagonal ARGB pump head. | Check price for Thermalright Aqua Elite 240 V3 (opens in a new tab) |
| A split-flow radiator with the pump built into it. | Buyers who want split-flow radiator with the pump built into it. | Check price for MSI MAG CORELIQUID A13 240 (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding RS II fans on a unified frame. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for CORSAIR Nautilus II 240 RS ARGB White (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Highest Pump Speed1 of 4
Thermalright Frozen Notte 240 White ARGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Frozen Notte 240 White is the cheapest white AIO here, with a 5,300 RPM pump.
Best for
- Buyers who put pump speed first.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
Its 5300 RPM pump speed is the highest here; the Coreliquid A13 240 comes next at 3800 RPM. You also get a white radiator and fans, a mirror-finish copper base and ARGB lighting on the pump and fans. 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 was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Aqua Elite 240 V3 was the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max pump speed: 5300 RPM
- Fan size: 120mm
- Sockets named: AM5, AM4, Intel
Pros
- White radiator and fans
- Mirror-finish copper base
- ARGB lighting on the pump and fans
- Highest pump speed of the picks (5300 RPM)
Also Consider2 of 4
Thermalright Aqua Elite 240 V3 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Aqua Elite 240 V3 is a budget AIO with a 2800 RPM pump rated for 40,000 hours and 1500 RPM fans, which favour quiet over headroom.
Best for
- Buyers who want octagonal ARGB pump head.
Skip if
- Skip it if pump speed matters most to you; the Frozen Notte 240 White offers 5300 RPM.
Why we like it
The fourth-generation pump head sits on a 240mm aluminum radiator with mesh-sleeved tubing. Fans and pump sync ARGB through a 5V 3-pin motherboard header. On pump speed it trails the group at 2800 RPM, while the Frozen Notte 240 White offers 5300 RPM.
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. On price it sat second of 4, between the cheaper Frozen Notte 240 White and the pricier Coreliquid A13 240, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max fan speed: 1500 RPM
- Max pump speed: 2800 RPM
- Fan size: 120mm
- Sockets named: AM5, AM4, Intel
Pros
- Octagonal ARGB pump head
- Pump rated for 40,000 hours
- 1500 RPM maximum fan speed
- 2800 RPM pump speed
Cons
- Pump speed trails the Frozen Notte 240 White (5300 RPM)
- Costs more than the Frozen Notte 240 White at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 4
MSI MAG CORELIQUID A13 240 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Coreliquid A13 240 puts the pump in the radiator and uses 390mm tubes, which makes front mounting easy in compact cases.
Best for
- Buyers who want split-flow radiator with the pump built into it.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Frozen Notte 240 White was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It supports LGA 1851 out of the box. The split-flow radiator uses an integrated three-phase pump that spins up to 3800RPM on ceramic bearings. Its 3800 RPM pump speed ranks second of 3 here, behind the Frozen Notte 240 White (5300 RPM) and ahead of the Aqua Elite 240 V3 (2800 RPM).
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. It supports both AM5 and Intel LGA1851. It was priced above the Aqua Elite 240 V3 and below the Nautilus II 240 RS White at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max pump speed: 3800 RPM
- 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
- Ceramic pump bearings
- Pump speed of 3800 RPM, ahead of the Aqua Elite 240 V3
Cons
- Costs more than the Frozen Notte 240 White at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 4
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
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- The maker gives no pump speed, so look elsewhere if that figure decides it for you.
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. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Coreliquid A13 240. Buyers who need a confirmed pump speed should compare it with the Frozen Notte 240 White, which offers 5300 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 pump speed
- Costs more than the Frozen Notte 240 White at the time of writing
How We Chose These Compact AIOs for Gaming
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We lined up four AIO coolers on pump speed, fan size and sockets named as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the Frozen Notte 240 White to the Nautilus II 240 RS White, state sockets named.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Nautilus II 240 RS White gives no pump speed; the Coreliquid A13 240 gives no fan size.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Frozen Notte 240 White (under $50) to the Nautilus II 240 RS White ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in a Compact AIO for Gaming
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Pump speed across these picks
Here pump speed runs from 2800 RPM on the Aqua Elite 240 V3 to 5300 RPM on the Frozen Notte 240 White. Start with the Frozen Notte 240 White if pump speed decides it. No figure for the Nautilus II 240 RS White.
Setup checks
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.
Extras that separate them
The Aqua Elite 240 V3: a pump rated for 40,000 hours. The Coreliquid A13 240: ceramic pump bearings. The Nautilus II 240 RS White: a white finish.
Budget
Under $50 buys the Frozen Notte 240 White and the Aqua Elite 240 V3; $50 to $100 buys the Coreliquid A13 240 and the Nautilus II 240 RS White at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Buyers who put pump speed first: the Frozen Notte 240 White. Spending more for the fullest feature set: the Nautilus II 240 RS White.
Count the cables and headers
Some AIOs daisy-chain fans or run everything through one hub; others need several fan headers and a USB header. Check what your motherboard has free.
How to Choose a Compact AIO for Gaming
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put pump speed first | Frozen Notte 240 White | The highest pump speed here (5300 RPM) |
| Buyers who want octagonal ARGB pump head | Aqua Elite 240 V3 | An octagonal ARGB pump head |
| Buyers who want split-flow radiator with the pump built into it | Coreliquid A13 240 | A split-flow radiator with the pump built into it |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | Nautilus II 240 RS White | The top of this price range, adding RS II fans on a unified frame |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Frozen Notte 240 White leads on pump speed at 5300 RPM, ahead of the Coreliquid A13 240 at 3800 RPM. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| AIO cooler | Max pump speed | Fan size | Sockets named |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frozen Notte 240 White | 5300 RPM | 120mm | AM5, AM4, Intel |
| Aqua Elite 240 V3 | 2800 RPM | 120mm | AM5, AM4, Intel |
| Coreliquid A13 240 | 3800 RPM | Not listed | AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700 |
| Nautilus II 240 RS White | Not listed | 120mm | AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Frozen Notte 240 White was the lowest-priced pick and the Nautilus II 240 RS White the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | AIO coolers |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Frozen Notte 240 White, Aqua Elite 240 V3 |
| About $50 to $100 | Coreliquid A13 240, Nautilus II 240 RS White |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest pump speed: the Frozen Notte 240 White or the Coreliquid A13 240?
The Frozen Notte 240 White leads at 5300 RPM, with the Coreliquid A13 240 at 3800 RPM. The Aqua Elite 240 V3 is at the other end of this group with 2800 RPM. The Nautilus II 240 RS White doesn't state a figure, so it sits outside this comparison.
Why is the Frozen Notte 240 White our Highest Pump Speed pick?
It earns the label for the highest pump speed here (5300 RPM). It suits anyone who put pump speed first.
Will the Coreliquid A13 240 work with my setup?
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. It supports both AM5 and Intel LGA1851. In this guide it ranks third of 4.
What extras do the Frozen Notte 240 White and the Aqua Elite 240 V3 include?
The Frozen Notte 240 White: a white radiator and fans. The Aqua Elite 240 V3: an octagonal ARGB pump head. The Coreliquid A13 240: a split-flow radiator with the pump built into it.
Do AIO coolers leak?
Leaks are rare with current sealed units, and several makers cover damage under warranty. Check the terms for your model.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Frozen Notte 240 White, chosen for the highest pump speed here (5300 RPM). Look at the Aqua Elite 240 V3 for an octagonal ARGB pump head, the Coreliquid A13 240 for a split-flow radiator with the pump built into it and the Nautilus II 240 RS White for the top of this price range, adding RS II fans on a unified frame if those matter more to you.
A small AIO suits CPUs up to about 125W.