Buying Guide

The Best RGB Liquid CPU Coolers

Seven RGB AIO coolers compared on lighting control, fan cabling, pump displays and socket support.

By , PC Hardware Editor

13 min read7 products evaluated

PC components laid out on a workbench ready for a build
Illustrative image

RGB AIOs differ more in how their lighting is controlled than in how it looks. Some use the motherboard's ARGB header; others need a hub and their own software.

We compared seven RGB AIOs on lighting control, cabling, displays and socket support, using the makers' specifications.

Quick Picks

Which of the 7 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.

  1. Best RGB Liquid Cooler

    CORSAIR iCUE LINK TITAN II 360 RX RGB

    RX II RGB fans on one iCUE LINK cable.

    Best for: Corsair ecosystems.

    Check price for CORSAIR iCUE LINK TITAN II 360 RX RGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
  2. Best Performance With RGB

    ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB

    A thick radiator with A-RGB fans.

    Best for: Cooling first, lighting second.

    Check price for ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
  3. Well-Rounded Choice

    CORSAIR Nautilus 360 RS ARGB

    The Nautilus 360 RS keeps Corsair's lighting but drops the iCUE hub, so the fans connect straight to the motherboard.

    Best for: Buyers who want daisy-chained fans that connect straight to the motherboard.

    Check price for CORSAIR Nautilus 360 RS ARGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
  4. Solid Alternative

    MSI MAG CORELIQUID A13 360

    The Coreliquid A13 360 moves the pump into the radiator, leaving a slim block on the CPU.

    Best for: Buyers who want mounts on both am5 and intel lga1851.

    Check price for MSI MAG CORELIQUID A13 360 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Our Picks

Best RGB Liquid Cooler1 of 7

CORSAIR iCUE LINK TITAN II 360 RX RGB

The Titan II 360 RX moves to a second-generation FlowDrive pump and RX II fans on a unified frame, still on one iCUE LINK cable.

Best for

Corsair ecosystems.

Skip if

Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: lighting and display control need iCUE.
CORSAIR iCUE LINK TITAN II 360 RX RGB

Why we like it

iCUE LINK chains all components to one hub port, and the unified fan frame means fewer screws and cables. 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 iCUE for lighting control; fan and pump speed can also run from the motherboard's headers.

You also get this: FlowDrive Gen 2 pump. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Aqua Elite 360 V6 at the time of writing. When we checked, only the Nautilus 360 RS and cheaper picks cost less, and the Galahad II Trinity 360 cost more.

Key specs

Fan size
120mm
Cabling
One-cable iCUE LINK hub for pump and fans
Software
iCUE
Sockets named
AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700

Pros

  • One-cable iCUE LINK hub for pump and fans
  • Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
  • FlowDrive Gen 2 pump
  • RX II fans on a unified frame

Cons

  • Lighting and display control need iCUE
  • Costs more than the Aqua Elite 360 V6 at the time of writing

The catch

If you want a confirmed pump speed, look to the Coreliquid A13 360 instead: it offers 3800 RPM, while this one gives no figure.

Best Performance With RGB2 of 7

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

Cooling first, lighting second.

Skip if

If budget leads, the Aqua Elite 360 V6 was cheaper at our last price check.
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB

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. On price it sat second of 7, between the cheaper Aqua Elite 360 V6 and the pricier Coreliquid A13 360, at the time of writing.

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 Aqua Elite 360 V6 at the time of writing

The catch

The maker doesn't give its pump speed; if that figure matters, the Coreliquid A13 360 offers 3800 RPM.

Best Custom Look3 of 7

LIAN LI Galahad II Trinity 360 White

The Galahad II Trinity 360 uses a 27mm radiator with SL-INF fans and three interchangeable pump caps.

Best for

Themed builds.

Skip if

Look at the others if this bothers you: lighting and display control need L-Connect.
LIAN LI Galahad II Trinity 360 White

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. The maker doesn't spell out LGA1851 mounting, so confirm it on the maker's site for a Core Ultra build. Plan to install L-Connect for lighting control; fan and pump speed can also run from the motherboard's headers.

It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Titan II 360 RX. Buyers who need a confirmed pump speed should compare it with the Coreliquid A13 360, which offers 3800 RPM.

Key specs

Fan size
120mm
Software
L-Connect
Sockets named
AM5, AM4, Intel

Pros

  • 27mm radiator
  • Three interchangeable pump cap designs
  • SL-INF fans

Cons

  • Lighting and display control need L-Connect
  • Costs more than the Aqua Elite 360 V6 at the time of writing

Best Screen on a Budget4 of 7

Thermalright Peerless Vision 360 ARGB

The Peerless Vision 360 has a 3.95-inch magnetic screen at a lower price than most screen AIOs.

Best for

Showcase builds.

Skip if

Price-first buyers should look at the Aqua Elite 360 V6, which cost less when we checked.
Thermalright Peerless Vision 360 ARGB

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.

You also get 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.

Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Aqua Elite 360 V6 at the time of writing. It was priced above the Coreliquid A13 360 and below the Nautilus 360 RS at the time of writing.

Key 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 Aqua Elite 360 V6 at the time of writing

The catch

There is no published pump speed figure, whereas the Coreliquid A13 360 offers 3800 RPM.

Well-Rounded Choice5 of 7

CORSAIR Nautilus 360 RS ARGB

The Nautilus 360 RS keeps Corsair's lighting but drops the iCUE hub, so the fans connect straight to the motherboard.

Best for

Buyers who want daisy-chained fans that connect straight to the motherboard.

Skip if

Skip it if price comes first: the Aqua Elite 360 V6 cost less when we checked.
CORSAIR Nautilus 360 RS ARGB

Why we like it

Its convex cold plate comes with pre-applied paste in an optimised pattern, and the RS120 ARGB fans use magnetic dome bearings for low noise. You also get a pump rated at 20 dBA. 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 Peerless Vision 360 and below the Titan II 360 RX at the time of writing. There is no published pump speed figure, whereas the Coreliquid A13 360 offers 3800 RPM.

Key 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
  • Pump rated at 20 dBA

Cons

  • Costs more than the Aqua Elite 360 V6 at the time of writing

Cheapest RGB 3606 of 7

Thermalright Aqua Elite 360 V6 ARGB

The Aqua Elite 360 V6 is one of the cheapest 360mm AIOs on sale, with three 2,000 RPM fans.

Best for

Tight budgets.

Skip if

Look at the others if this bothers you: pump speed of 2800 RPM, behind the Coreliquid A13 360 (3800 RPM).
Thermalright Aqua Elite 360 V6 ARGB

Why we like it

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. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB was closest. What it gives up: pump speed of 2800 RPM, behind the Coreliquid A13 360 (3800 RPM); by contrast, the Coreliquid A13 360 offers 3800 RPM.

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
  • ARGB fans at the lowest price here

Cons

  • Pump speed of 2800 RPM, behind the Coreliquid A13 360 (3800 RPM)

Solid Alternative7 of 7

MSI MAG CORELIQUID A13 360

The Coreliquid A13 360 moves the pump into the radiator, leaving a slim block on the CPU.

Best for

Buyers who want mounts on both am5 and intel lga1851.

Skip if

If budget leads, the Aqua Elite 360 V6 was cheaper at our last price check.
MSI MAG CORELIQUID A13 360

Why we like it

Its 390mm tubes use a triple-layer, evaporation-proof design, and the mount fits AM5, AM4 and LGA1700 with paste included. Its split-flow radiator has the pump built in, which keeps the CPU block slim. You also get ceramic pump bearings.

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. Worth noting: highest pump speed of the picks (3800 RPM). On price it sat third of 7, between the cheaper Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB and the pricier Peerless Vision 360, at the time of writing.

Key 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
  • Highest pump speed of the picks (3800 RPM)

Cons

  • Costs more than the Aqua Elite 360 V6 at the time of writing

How We Chose These RGB Liquid Coolers

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.

A case with purple-lit front fans and the motherboard area behind them
A case with purple-lit front fans and the motherboard area behind them
The figures behind the order
We compared seven AIO coolers on pump speed, fan size, cabling and software from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 1 of the 5 fields compared are stated for every pick, while pump speed and fan size have gaps.
What every pick has in common
All 7, from the Titan II 360 RX to the Coreliquid A13 360, state sockets named.
Where the specs have gaps
The Titan II 360 RX, the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB, the Galahad II Trinity 360, the Peerless Vision 360 and the Nautilus 360 RS give no pump speed; the Coreliquid A13 360 gives no fan size.
Price range
At our last check the picks ran from the Aqua Elite 360 V6 ($50 to $100) to the Galahad II Trinity 360 ($150 to $250).

What to Look for in an RGB Liquid Cooler

Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.

  1. How much pump speed you need

    Across these 2 picks pump speed spans 2800 RPM (the Aqua Elite 360 V6) to 3800 RPM (the Coreliquid A13 360). If pump speed is your first filter, the Coreliquid A13 360 sets the ceiling at 3800 RPM. The Titan II 360 RX, the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB, the Galahad II Trinity 360, the Peerless Vision 360 and the Nautilus 360 RS give no pump speed figure, so 2 of 7 picks are compared here.

  2. Extras that separate them

    The Nautilus 360 RS: a pump rated at 20 dBA. The Aqua Elite 360 V6: a round ARGB pump head. The Coreliquid A13 360: ceramic pump bearings.

    A tower air cooler with brown fans installed in a PC
    A tower air cooler with brown fans installed in a PC
  3. How much to spend

    $50 to $100 buys the Aqua Elite 360 V6, the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB, the Coreliquid A13 360, the Peerless Vision 360 and the Nautilus 360 RS; $150 to $250 buys the Titan II 360 RX and the Galahad II Trinity 360 at our last check.

  4. Start from what matters most

    Corsair ecosystems: the Titan II 360 RX. Cooling first, lighting second: the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB. Themed builds: the Galahad II Trinity 360.

    A tower air cooler in a case with red-lit fans
    A tower air cooler in a case with red-lit fans
  5. 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 an RGB Liquid Cooler

By priority

PriorityConsiderWhy
Corsair ecosystemsTitan II 360 RXRX II RGB fans on one iCUE LINK cable
Cooling first, lighting secondLiquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGBA thick radiator with A-RGB fans
Themed buildsGalahad II Trinity 360Three interchangeable pump caps
Showcase buildsPeerless Vision 360A 3.95-inch pump screen
Tight budgetsAqua Elite 360 V6ARGB fans at the lowest price here

Scroll sideways to see every column.

An all-in-one liquid cooler pump block above a graphics card
An all-in-one liquid cooler pump block above a graphics card

Key specs side by side

The Coreliquid A13 360 leads on pump speed at 3800 RPM, ahead of the Aqua Elite 360 V6 at 2800 RPM. "Not listed" marks pump speed where the Titan II 360 RX, the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB, the Galahad II Trinity 360, the Peerless Vision 360 and the Nautilus 360 RS leave the figure out.

AIO coolerMax pump speedFan sizeCablingSoftware
Titan II 360 RXNot listed120mmOne-cable iCUE LINK hub for pump and fansiCUE
Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGBNot listed120mmFan cables routed inside the tube sleevingNot listed
Galahad II Trinity 360Not listed120mmNot listedL-Connect
Peerless Vision 360Not listed120mmNot listedNot listed
Nautilus 360 RSNot listed120mmDaisy-chained fans that connect straight to the motherboardNot listed
Aqua Elite 360 V62800 RPM120mmNot listedNot listed
Coreliquid A13 3603800 RPMNot listedNot listedNot listed

Scroll sideways to see every column.

By price at the time of writing

The Aqua Elite 360 V6 was the lowest-priced pick ($50 to $100) and the Galahad II Trinity 360 the highest ($150 to $250) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.

Price tierAIO coolers
About $50 to $100Aqua Elite 360 V6, Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB, Coreliquid A13 360, Peerless Vision 360, Nautilus 360 RS
About $150 to $250Titan II 360 RX, Galahad II Trinity 360

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Coreliquid A13 360 ahead of the Aqua Elite 360 V6 on pump speed?

The Coreliquid A13 360 leads at 3800 RPM, with the Aqua Elite 360 V6 at 2800 RPM. The Titan II 360 RX, the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB, the Galahad II Trinity 360, the Peerless Vision 360 and the Nautilus 360 RS don't state a pump speed figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 2 of 7 picks are ranked.

Why is the Peerless Vision 360 our Best Screen on a Budget pick?

It earns the label for a 3.95-inch pump screen. It is aimed at showcase builds.

Do the Titan II 360 RX and the Galahad II Trinity 360 differ on software?

The Titan II 360 RX uses iCUE; the Galahad II Trinity 360 uses L-Connect. The Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB, the Peerless Vision 360, the Nautilus 360 RS, the Aqua Elite 360 V6 and the Coreliquid A13 360 have no software listed, so 2 of 7 picks are covered here.

What extras do the Titan II 360 RX and the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB include?

The Titan II 360 RX: a FlowDrive Gen 2 pump. The Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB: P12 PRO A-RGB fans. The Galahad II Trinity 360: a 27mm radiator.

Who should choose the Titan II 360 RX?

The Titan II 360 RX carries our Best RGB Liquid Cooler label for RX II RGB fans on one iCUE LINK cable. It ranks first of 7 here and sat in the $150 to $250 tier at our last price check; it suits corsair ecosystems.

Bottom Line

The Titan II 360 RX is the pick for iCUE builds, and the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB for cooling first. Choose the Galahad II Trinity for a custom look, and the Aqua Elite 360 V6 for a budget.

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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