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Best 240mm AIO?
Review Summary
The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 A-RGB is ONE-OF-A-KIND AIO for around 110 dollars. Considering its cooling capabilities and excellent performance, it is a good value for money!
Overall
-
Performance - 9/10
9/10
-
Value - 9/10
9/10
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Quality - 10/10
10/10
-
Design - 8/10
8/10
Pros
- Premium Quality
- Excellent Cooling Capability
- ARGB
- Less Noisy Fans
- Better Overclocking
- Premium Thermal Paste
- Unique Pump Design
Cons
- Small Cold-Plate for some
- Thicker Radiator
- No RGB pump
The market for AIO coolers keeps on growing with newer and better cooling technologies being introduced. These newer, better coolers promote rivalry among tens of manufacturers, who then go to great measures to provide the best AIO coolers. As an example, ARCTIC has released the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II A-RGB liquid cooler which comes in 240mm and 360mm variants. Today, we’ll spotlight the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II’s 240mm variant.
Key Takeaways
- The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 A-RGB is suitable for those who want outstanding cooling capabilities, admirable build quality, and aesthetics in a 240mm AIO cooler, all for around $110.
- This cooler may not be ideal for individuals looking for a smaller or more compact cooler, as it is somewhat heavier and thicker than typical 240mm AIO coolers.
- The standout features of the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 A-RGB include its outstanding cooling performance, unique pump design with a running fan for improved cooling and reduced noise, and superb RGB lighting in the fan blades, making it one of the best 240mm AIO coolers in its price range.
Let’s start by looking at the key specifications of the cooler.
Packaging Box
Let’s see what the box looks looks like.
Accessories
Here are the accessories you get with the cooler.
Design
Let’s dive deeper into the cooler design.
Radiator
Upon close inspection, the 240mm radiator is all-black Aluminum, measuring 38mm thick and 277×120 mm in size. It’s notably 13mm thicker than most 240mm AIO radiators, which could pose space challenges in smaller cases. The increased thickness enhances fin density to 14 fins per inch, offering improved airflow and lower fan RPMs. Consider the dimensions when planning your PC setup.
As I mentioned earlier, ARCTIC has pre-installed the fans on the radiator to simplify installation and keep cable management tidy. The fans are set up for a push flow configuration, promoting airflow out of the case, but you can adjust them in any direction. Looking at the exterior, it is matte black with the ARCTIC logo and branding on either side.
I see the black-silver braided 450mm tubing coming out of the radiator on the left. It’s a good length for most front installations. The tube measures 12.4mm in outer diameter and 6.0mm in inner diameter. These tubes come with aluminum case fittings that ensure a secure and leak-free connection.
The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 A-RGBs fans do not come with separate cables for PWM and RGB; instead, the fan connections are driven through the pump headers, and the connection is created by the manufacturer using the cooling tubes. Also, unlike other low-end AIOs, there is no fill port on either side of the radiator, and the cable management is also barely visible.
Water Block And Pump
The pump head immediately stands out with its futuristic, robotic design — a departure from the norm. Notably, it integrates a fan essential for VRM temperature management. Unlike its non-RGB predecessor, the pump lacks RGB elements. The ARCTIC logo subtly marks both pump head flaps. With silver accents and a distinctive shape resembling a bird or jet between the flaps, it’s a uniquely styled component.
The pump head has two cooling tubes with secure chrome fittings, though they lack flexibility for installation convenience. On the reverse side, we see the same arrangement as the top, featuring the ARCTIC logo and output lines for PWM and RGB controls. Regarding cable management, the cooler excels as it requires only two connections for fan, RGB, and pump power, simplifying the setup process.
We can see the copper cold plate underneath the cooler pump head. It has a smooth finish and a generous surface area. There’s a protective peel on top of it, which is essential if you haven’t applied thermal paste yet. While the cold plate may appear slightly smaller compared to other coolers, it’s still compatible with a wide range of sockets.
Fans
The ARCTIC P12 PWM PST A-RGB Fans are included with the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 A-RGB.
The front fans have a classic design with the company logo in the center and noise-reducing cushions. They offer vibrant RGB lighting with five white blades and require a 4-pin PWM connector and a 3-pin RGB connector. Keep in mind, the AIO doesn’t come with RGB controllers, so you’ll need to use your motherboard software or get a HUB for fan control.
The four arms of the fan are curled in at the back, along with the ARCTIC emblem and certain power ratings. As for the speeds, the minimum is 200 RPM and maximum is 1800 RPM. Cable length isn’t critical in the case of the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 A-RGB because the connection is established with the pump headers through the tubing and all other connections are neatly in place, but if it is, the cables are quite short.
Installation
While reviewing the Arctic Liquid Freezer II 240 A-RGB, I was very worried about installation. However, the installation of the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 A-RGB is simple. Because the package does not include any installation guidelines, we are given a URL on the package to obtain the essential installation instructions.
We’ll be installing the cooler on an Intel 115x socket chipset, so make sure you’re on the same page as us before proceeding, since installation for AMD and other sockets may change. Before you begin, make sure your CPU is free of any previous thermal paste by wiping it off with cotton and rubbing alcohol. With that out of the way, follow these steps for installation:
- Install the radiator in the desired direction of airflow onto the top or front of your case using the 8x screws and flat washers provided.
- Now place the insulating washers on top of the motherboard, surrounding the backplate screw holes.
Screw holes (Image by Tech4Gamers) - Place the backplate in the proper position, making that all holes are exactly aligned, once the insulating washers have adhered to the motherboard.
Backplate in place (Image by Tech4Gamers) - Now, using the Intel Socket 115x standoff, secure the backplate in place, making sure the connection is solid and firm.
Securing the backplate (Image by Tech4Gamers) - Select the right mounting bracket for your CPU socket and use the two included mounting screws to secure it to your pump header. Ensure that both brackets are securely attached to the pump head and that the connection is upright.
Mounting brackets (Image by Tech4Gamers) - Apply some of the included MX-4 or MX-5 thermal paste to the top of your CPU. Remember to remove the plastic label from the copper base before attaching the pump head to your CPU.
Cold plate (Image by Tech4Gamers) - Use the thumb nuts to attach the pump head to your CPU after it’s in position.
Water block is installed (Image by Tech4Gamers) - It’s time to connect the cables after everything is in its proper spot. Connect the 4-pin PWM connection to any available Fan header on your motherboard, then connect the 3-pin A-RGB header to an RGB header.
RGB Gallery
Here are a few snaps of the impressive RGB lighting of the fans.
Performance
We tested the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 A-RGB on the Intel i9-12900K to test the cooler to the limits. The tests were conducted in the Thermaltake View 71t, which has 5 intake fans on the front whilst 3 fans are used for exhaust including the ARCTIC P12 PWM PST A-RGB Fans on top. We used the original MX-5 paste that came with the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 A-RGB in the box.
Test System
The latest Intel Core i9-12900K will be our friend during the testing, the rest of the specs are as below;
- MSI MEG Z690 Unify Motherboard
- Intel Core i9-12900K processor
- G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB Memory @ 5600MHz
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Graphics card
- Windows 11 Pro
- Thermaltake View 71T
Testing Methodology
In BIOS, we set the i9-12900k voltage to 1.15V, the P-Cores to 4.9 GHz, and the E-Cores to 3.9 GHz. By forcing usage of roughly 140W, we enable comparison with basic heatsinks. We then ran the test in Aida64 for 5 minutes with the processor and memory boxes turned on. Finally, delta temperatures between the ambient temperature and the related test are considered for the ranking.
The benchmarks were taken twice: once with the PWM settings and again with the fans and pump set to full speed.
Benchmark Results
In the graph above, we can see that the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 A-RGB outperforms a lot of other competitors. We put the coolers up against the Noctua air coolers and the Thermaltake Toughliquid 240 A-RGB.
The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer is seen crushing all of its competitors by maintaining a maximum temperature of 41.6 degrees under PWM settings, while other coolers were spotted crossing 45 degrees. The cooler managed to drop 2-3 degrees more at the Max settings, down to 38.3 degrees, which was far from amazing.
These tests demonstrated that the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 A-RGB is more than just a good cooler. The cooler is capable of outperforming any 240mm cooler on the market while competing with 360mm AIOs.
Should You Buy It?
With the review out of the way, let’s clearly discuss who the cooler is for and who it isn’t for.
Buy It If:
You want excellent cooling performance: The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 A-RGB offers outstanding cooling capabilities, especially for its price range, making it a solid choice for keeping your PC cool and optimized.
You value build quality and aesthetics: The cooler has a sturdy build and an attractive design with RGB lighting on the fans. It adds a touch of style to your PC while providing efficient cooling.
You prefer an easy-to-install pump design: Despite its unique appearance, the pump design doesn’t interfere with RAM or PCIe clearance and is easier to work with, making installation hassle-free.
Don’t Buy It If:
You have limited space: The cooler’s larger size, including a thicker radiator, may pose installation challenges in smaller PC cases.
You prefer an RGB pump: If you specifically want RGB lighting on the pump itself, this cooler may not meet your preference, as it focuses on RGB lighting in the fan blades.
Final Words
To conclude, here are some of the highlight features offered by the cooler.
- LGA 1700 Compatibility
- In-house Developed Pump
- Premium Class 240mm Radiator
- Smooth VRM Fans
- High-Quality Hose With Integrated Cable Management
- The Right Configuration For Everyone
- Fab Optimized On Static Pressure
- aRGB
Priced at around $110, the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 A-RGB stands out as a top AIO cooler. ARCTIC, a trusted brand in PC cooling, demonstrates its expertise with this cooler, offering excellent cooling performance. Despite its unique pump design, it delivers outstanding results. The package includes essential accessories for various chipsets, but a more detailed installation guide would be helpful. While the fans’ RGB lighting is visually appealing, some users might prefer an RGB pump.
In conclusion, the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 A-RGB is a solid AIO cooler, providing remarkable cooling performance and aesthetics, making it a great value at its price point.
Thanks to ARCTIC for sending out their ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 A-RGB for Review.
Awards Received By The Arctic Liquid Freezer II 240 A-RGB
Here’s the massive Tech4Gamers awards list Received by this Arctic cooler:
- Best AM5 240mm AIO Cooler
- Best 240mm AIO Cooler For Core i7-13700K
- Best 240mm AIO Cooler For Core i9-14900K
- Best 240mm AIO Cooler For Core i5-14600K
- Best 240mm AIO Cooler For Core i5-14600KF
- Best 240mm AIO Cooler For Ryzen 9 7950x
- Best Budget Liquid CPU Cooler For Core i9-12900k
- Best 240mm AIO Cooler
- Best 240mm AIO for Ryzen 9 5900x
- Best 240mm AIO Liquid Cooler for the Ryzen 9 5950x
- Best Budget AIO Cooler For Ryzen 7 5800X3D
- Best AIO CPU Cooler for Ryzen 9 3900x
- Best 240mm Liquid Cooler For Ryzen 7 5800x
Recent Updates
- Nov 6, 2023: Few text changes to improve readability. Also added image galleries.
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Feedback By:
Loved the article. I\'ve been thinking of what AIO to choose for weeks, and now I think I have finally found the absolute best one for my needs. Thank you!!
Trying to decide on 240 vs 360
It would have been nice to see the 240 & 360 test results on a single page. I really liked seeing it put up against the other AIO\'s. I also think that it is very helpful that you included information about the screws. I get the whole paperless thing, save a tree (i live in the Giant California Redwoods) but I didn\'t even see the URL, and had to google the instructions, therefore, I think it was very insightful of you to know that including very thought-out and detailed information about the installation process would help your readers. As I said above, I would of liked to have seen the 360 vs 240. I had to decide on a case that I would have only got a 240 into, and a mid-size case (o11) that I was able to put 360\'s into. I went with the 360 because I wasn\'t sure. After reading this though, I could have certainly got the smaller case.
[CPU Coolers & RAM Expert]
Hayyan Serwer is a tech enthusiast, with a love for PC building and article writing. Hayyan specializes in writing about CPU coolers and RAM kits. Hayyan has been familiar with the tech industry for over half a decade now, and has now stepped into providing quality reviews for the latest and greatest tech.
Get In Touch: hayyan@tech4gamers.com
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