The Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280 A-RGB White AIO Review: Refined Design Brings Stand-Out Cooler

Although the testing of a cooler appears to be a simple task, that could not be much further from the truth. Proper thermal testing cannot be performed with a cooler mounted on a single chip, for multiple reasons. Some of these reasons include the instability of the thermal load and the inability to fully control and or monitor it, as well as the inaccuracy of the chip-integrated sensors. It is also impossible to compare results taken on different chips, let alone entirely different systems, which is a great problem when testing computer coolers, as the hardware changes every several months. Finally, testing a cooler on a typical system prevents the tester from assessing the most vital characteristic of a cooler, its absolute thermal resistance.

The absolute thermal resistance defines the absolute performance of a heatsink by indicating the temperature rise per unit of power, in our case in degrees Celsius per Watt (°C/W). In layman’s terms, if the thermal resistance of a heatsink is known, the user can assess the highest possible temperature rise of a chip over ambient by simply multiplying the maximum thermal design power (TDP) rating of the chip with it. Extracting the absolute thermal resistance of a cooler however is no simple task, as the load has to be perfectly even, steady and variable, as the thermal resistance also varies depending on the magnitude of the thermal load. Therefore, even if it would be possible to assess the thermal resistance of a cooler while it is mounted on a working chip, it would not suffice, as a large change of the thermal load can yield much different results.

Appropriate thermal testing requires the creation of a proper testing station and the use of laboratory-grade equipment. Therefore, we created a thermal testing platform with a fully controllable thermal energy source that may be used to test any kind of cooler, regardless of its design and or compatibility. The thermal cartridge inside the core of our testing station can have its power adjusted between 60 W and 340 W, in 2 W increments (and it never throttles). Furthermore, monitoring and logging of the testing process via software minimizes the possibility of human errors during testing. A multifunction data acquisition module (DAQ) is responsible for the automatic or the manual control of the testing equipment, the acquisition of the ambient and the in-core temperatures via PT100 sensors, the logging of the test results and the mathematical extraction of performance figures.

Finally, as noise measurements are a bit tricky, their measurement is being performed manually. Fans can have significant variations in speed from their rated values, thus their actual speed during the thermal testing is being recorded via a laser tachometer. The fans (and pumps, when applicable) are being powered via an adjustable, fanless desktop DC power supply and noise measurements are being taken 1 meter away from the cooler, in a straight line ahead from its fan engine. At this point we should also note that the Decibel scale is logarithmic, which means that roughly every 3 dB(A) the sound pressure doubles. Therefore, the difference of sound pressure between 30 dB(A) and 60 dB(A) is not “twice as much” but nearly a thousand times greater. The table below should help you cross-reference our test results with real-life situations.

The noise floor of our recording equipment is 30.2-30.4 dB(A), which represents a medium-sized room without any active noise sources. All of our acoustic testing takes place during night hours, minimizing the possibility of external disruptions.

*noise levels above this are not suggested for daily use

Our maximum speed testing is performed with both the fans and the pump of the kit powered via a 12V DC source. This input voltage should have the pump and fans matching the speed ratings of the manufacturer. According to ARCTIC’s P14 PST fan specifications, the fans should have a maximum rotational speed of 1900 RPM. Our tachometer indicated that the fans were rotating at an average speed of exactly 1880 RPM, very close to their rated specifications.

The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 280 mm has an average thermal resistance of 0.075 °C/W with its fans running at maximum speed, outperforming most similarly sized offerings in terms of raw thermal performance, especially older products. Although its raw thermal performance seems to be barely matching that of the older and smaller Liquid Freezer II 240 mm model, the Liquid Freezer III is significantly quieter under the same operating conditions.

The Sound Pressure Level (SPL) of the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 280 mm with all of its components running at maximum speed is 40.4 dB(A), which is a good figure, yet it could have been better. Having a dedicated VRM fan plays a role here, as it contributes to the overall SPL level of the entire setup.

Using a PWM voltage regulator, we reduced the speed of the fans manually down to half their rated speed. At this setting, the 140 mm fans of the Liquid Freezer III 280 mm rotate at 950 RPM. Note that this also affects the speed of the pump and VRM fan as well.

The high mass of the radiator gives the Liquid Freezer III 280 mm a strong advantage here, with its average thermal resistance rising to just 0.0836 °C/W. Its thermal resistance is fairly stable regardless of the load, suggesting a good thermal transfer design, despite its small contact plate. This places ARCTIC’s latest 280 mm cooler in direct competition with 360 mm AIO coolers and even close to the 420 mm version of the Liquid Freezer II, which used to perform a little better but at a much higher noise level.

With the fans at half speed, the noise levels drop to 33.1 dB(A), a figure that may not be as low as that of other similarly sized products that were engineered toward quiet operation, yet it is perfectly comfortable for even the most sensitive of ears. Under typical conditions, it should be nearly impossible for a user to discern the sound coming from the Liquid Freezer III 280 mm.

During our thermal resistance vs. sound pressure level test, we maintain a steady 100W thermal load and assess the overall performance of the coolers by taking multiple temperature and sound pressure level readings within the operating range of the stock cooling fans. The result is a graph that depicts the absolute thermal resistance of the cooler in comparison to the noise generated. For both the sound pressure level and absolute thermal resistance readings, lower figures are better.

This chart is highly revealing regarding the overall performance of the Liquid Freezer III 280 mm, with the cooler having one of the smallest inclinations we have ever seen. What that translates to is that the thermal performance of the Liquid Freezer III 280 mm is only slightly affected by the speed of the cooling fans. At first sight, this would suggest that the size of the heat exchange area is disproportionally low compared to the cooler’s capability to transfer thermal energy from the CPU to the radiator – however, manipulating the speed of the fans also affects the speed of the pump, which should play a significant role to the rate of transfer between the block and the radiator. From the above, we can only surmise that the contact plate is what limits the overall performance of the Liquid Freezer III 280 mm, which does perform very well under typical conditions but has little-to-no room for further improvement. 

In a densely populated market of cooling options, ARCTIC’s Liquid Freezer III 280 A-RGB White AIO cooler manages to stand out, highlighting the company’s persistence on releasing ever more competitive products. ARCTIC’s A-RGB White AIO model focuses on a blend of high performance and visual elegance with its A-RGB features and all-white appearance, suitable for users who prioritize both efficiency and aesthetics in their setup.

A key feature of the Liquid Freezer III is its seamless aesthetic appeal, particularly in the A-RGB White version, which offers a visually stunning setup without the clutter of excessive cables. The Liquid Freezer III 280 A-RGB White also features a 38mm thick radiator that improves its heat dissipation capabilities, although its size might pose compatibility considerations for some cases. Nonetheless, this design choice significantly increases the heat exchange area, promoting superior cooling performance. Its fans and main block are designed for optimal airflow and cooling efficiency, with the added benefit of a small fan for VRM heatsink cooling – a thoughtful inclusion not commonly found in AIO coolers.

The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 280 mm cooler exhibits commendable performance under standard operational condition – however, adjustments to fan speeds result in a minimal impact on its cooling efficiency. This phenomenon suggests a disconnect between the size of the heat exchange area and the cooler’s capability to transfer thermal energy from the CPU to the radiator – that the two parts have been disproportionally sized in capacity. Notably, the primary limitation appears to be the contact plate, indicating that while the cooler performs adequately within its designed parameters, it possesses limited potential for further enhancement. Consequently, for users accustomed to having access to a range of thermal performance levels through fan speed adjustments and/or upgrades, the Liquid Freezer III 280 mm may not meet their expectations. It is very a solid performer – there’s no doubt about that – but the design is playing close to the edge of its potential right out of the box.

Perhaps the strongest competitive point of the Liquid Freezer III 280 mm cooler, and that of the entire series, is its comparatively low retail price, especially with the prices ARCTIC announced with the release of the series. In celebration of 23 years of ARCTIC’s presence in the cooling industry, a special 23% discount is available until the 20^th of May, making the Liquid Freezer III an even more attractive option for consumers looking for a solid AIO cooling solution without breaking the bank. ARCTIC managed to lower their build costs so much mainly through the strategic use of materials and the minimization of the product’s packaging and bundled items. Among other things, ARCTIC has passed on including a printed manual or RGB driver with the kit, which reduces the production cost of the coolers a little bit as well. Overall, while the extensive use of plastic might raise questions about quality for some, ARCTIC addresses these concerns head-on with a generous 6-year warranty, offering peace-of-mind for consumers.

In conclusion, the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 280 A-RGB White AIO cooler not only offers competitive cooling efficiency and a striking visual design but also represents a smart investment with its current promotional pricing of $99. Its thoughtful design and the inclusion the small VRM cooling fan, sets it apart in the crowded cooling market. For those seeking a blend of aesthetics, performance, and value, the Liquid Freezer III emerges as a compelling choice.