Buying Guide
The Best High-Performance CPU Coolers
From the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 to the Kraken Plus 360 RGB White: five liquid coolers ranked on fan size and pump display, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
The strongest coolers pair a 360mm or 420mm radiator with extras such as a VRM fan or a pump display. Every pick has one of those, ordered by radiator size.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: fan size, pump display and VRM fan come from each maker's published specs; nothing here was tested in-house, and a missing pump display is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 A-RGB
P14 PRO fans.
Best for: Buyers who want P14 PRO fans.
Our take Check price for ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 A-RGB (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360
The cheapest way into this group, below the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Our take Check price for ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB
P12 PRO A-RGB fans.
Best for: Buyers who want P12 PRO A-RGB fans.
Our take Check price for ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Thermalright Peerless Vision 360 ARGB
A magnetic screen with a 60Hz refresh rate.
Best for: Buyers who want magnetic screen with a 60Hz refresh rate.
Our take Check price for Thermalright Peerless Vision 360 ARGB (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
NZXT Kraken Plus 360 RGB White
A white finish with RGB fans at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for NZXT Kraken Plus 360 RGB White (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 A-RGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 uses three 140mm fans on a larger radiator.
Best for
- Buyers who want P14 PRO fans.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 was cheaper at our last price check.
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.
It also brings fan cables routed inside the tube sleeving. It was priced above the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB and below the Peerless Vision 360 at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & 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 at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here2 of 5
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
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. It undercut the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & 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
Strong Alternative3 of 5
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 Liquid Freezer III Pro 360, 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. 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.
Key dimensions & 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 Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
Thermalright Peerless Vision 360 ARGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Peerless Vision 360 has a 3.95-inch magnetic screen at a lower price than most screen AIOs.
Best for
- Buyers who want magnetic screen with a 60Hz refresh rate.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
A 3.95-inch magnetic screen sits on the pump head, and three TL-M12Q fans splice together to reduce cables. The fans have infinity-mirror lighting. The 480x480 screen can show system stats or custom images.
It also offers a magnetic screen with a 60Hz refresh rate. 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 fourth of 5, between the cheaper Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 and the pricier Kraken Plus 360 RGB White, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Fan size: 120mm
- Pump display: 3.95-inch
- Sockets named: AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- 3.95-inch pump-head display for temperatures or images
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- Magnetic screen with a 60Hz refresh rate
- Splice-connected fans
Cons
- Costs more than the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
NZXT Kraken Plus 360 RGB White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Kraken Plus 360 RGB White pairs NZXT's small LCD pump with RGB fans in white.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when lighting and display control need NZXT CA is a problem.
Why we like it
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.
Worth noting too: 1.54-inch pump-head display for temperatures or images. It makes the most sense for buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since it offers a white finish with RGB fans at the highest price in the group. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Peerless Vision 360.
Key dimensions & specs
- Fan size: 120mm
- Pump display: 1.54-inch
- Software: NZXT CAM
- Sockets named: AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- 1.54-inch pump-head display for temperatures or images
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- White finish with RGB fans
- NZXT's Turbine pump
Cons
- Lighting and display control need NZXT CAM
- Costs more than the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 at the time of writing
How We Chose These High-Performance CPU Coolers
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Setup
- We compared cabling, hubs and the software each unit needs.
- Pump and fans
- We noted listed pump and fan speeds and fan size.
- Fit and mounting
- We checked radiator size and listed socket support, including AM5 and LGA1851.
- Extras
- We recorded pump displays, VRM fans and zero RPM modes where listed.
What to Look for in a High-Performance CPU Cooler
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
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.
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.
Software is optional but useful
LCD screens and lighting usually need the maker's software. Pump and fan speeds can run from motherboard headers instead.
Mount the pump below the radiator's top
Air collects at the highest point of the loop. Keep the radiator's top edge above the pump, or tubes-down at the front, to avoid pump noise and wear.
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.
AIOs have a finite life
Pumps and coolant age over years of use. Warranty length is a fair guide to how long the maker expects the unit to last.
How to Choose a High-Performance CPU Cooler
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want P14 PRO fans | Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 | P14 PRO fans |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 | The cheapest way into this group, below the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB |
| Buyers who want P12 PRO A-RGB fans | Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB | P12 PRO A-RGB fans |
| Buyers who want magnetic screen with a 60Hz refresh rate | Peerless Vision 360 | A magnetic screen with a 60Hz refresh rate |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | Kraken Plus 360 RGB White | A white finish with RGB fans at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states 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 |
| Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 | 120mm | Not listed | Yes | Fan cables routed inside the tube sleeving |
| Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB | 120mm | Not listed | Yes | Fan cables routed inside the tube sleeving |
| Peerless Vision 360 | 120mm | 3.95-inch | Not listed | Not listed |
| Kraken Plus 360 RGB White | 120mm | 1.54-inch | Not listed | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | AIO coolers |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | Liquid Freezer III Pro 360, Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB, Liquid Freezer III Pro 420, Peerless Vision 360 |
| About $100 to $150 | Kraken Plus 360 RGB White |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which pick costs the least here?
The Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 cost the least when we checked, and the Kraken Plus 360 RGB White sat at the top of the range. Prices move often, so check the current listing before buying.
Do AIO coolers leak?
Leaks are rare with current sealed units, and several makers cover damage under warranty. Check the terms for your model.
Is an LCD pump head worth it?
Only for looks or quick temperature readouts. It does not change cooling performance.
Where do I plug in the pump?
Use the motherboard's AIO_PUMP or CPU_FAN header, set to full speed or DC mode as the maker recommends.
Should the radiator be at the front or top?
Either works. Top-mounted exhausts keep warm air out of the case; front-mounted intake gives the CPU cooler air. Keep the pump below the radiator's top.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Liquid Freezer III Pro 420, chosen for P14 PRO fans. Look at the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 for the cheapest way into this group, below the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB, the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB for P12 PRO A-RGB fans and the Peerless Vision 360 for a magnetic screen with a 60Hz refresh rate if those matter more to you.
Plan the radiator position before buying the case.