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To get the best performance out of the PC, it’s essential to get the best possible CPU cooler on your budget.
Though air coolers are adequate to cool down even high-end CPUs, you need a liquid cooler to get that extra bit of performance and stay at the top of the game.
There are a plethora of options available on the market and they differ a lot on various aspects which will affect your experience.
Here we have gone through many AIOs from top brands and only picked the best ones for different use cases. The ASUS ROG RYUJIN II 360 turns out to be the best overall option.
Let’s take a detailed look at each of them.
Best RGB CPU AIO Coolers
| Award | Model | Radiator Size |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | ASUS ROG RYUJIN II 360 | 360mm |
| Best Value | DeepCool LT720 | 360mm |
| Best Looks | Corsair iCUE H170i Elite LCD XT | 420mm |
| Best Mid-range | Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R RGB | 360mm |
| Best Budget | ID-COOLING Frostflow X 240 | 240mm |
While buying any PC hardware, we try to choose based on some criteria. What is your preference for the RGB AIO cooler?
Are you looking for something high-end, or something mid-range is enough? Is aesthetics your prime focus, or do you prioritize performance the most?
A lot of questions to answer. Isn’t it?
Let’s not waste our time and jump right into the answers you are looking for.
Here are the best RGB CPU liquid coolers for your gaming rig:
1. Best Overall: ASUS ROG RYUJIN II 360
Key Specifications
Dimensions: 121 x 394 x 27 mm
Noise level: 29.7 dBA
Socket support: Intel – LGA 1700, 1200, 115x; AMD – AM5, AM4, TR4
Warranty: 6 years
- »Best in both performance and aesthetics
- »3.5″ LCD display
- »6 years warranty
- »Quite expensive
Why We Picked It
We picked the ASUS ROG RYUJIN II 360 as it’s the best AIO available on the market now. It aces both the design/looks and provides excellent cooling performance.
The 360mm AIO has a 7th Gen Asetek pump which is battle-tested and performs quite well. The embedded fan in the pump runs at a speed of 4800 RPM which increases the thermal efficiency of the cooler.
It can handle all the latest and greatest CPUs from both Intel and AMD, thanks to its great cooling performance and wide range of CPU socket support.
That being said, it performs better on Intel CPUs than AMD ones. But the performance difference is not that wide.
On the outside of the pump, you’ll see a 3.5″ LCD screen. Once paired up with the AIDA64 Extreme software, it can display various stats like CPU temp, CPU clock, FPS, etc. You can also use it to display graphics and add a unique touch to your gaming rig.
The 360mm AIO uses Noctua fans which we all know to be one of the best brands for CPU fans. At medium or high CPU load, they are not loud and you get superb thermal performance with it.
For such an expensive cooler, you will not be disappointed by the build quality of the AIO. Moreover, Asus includes a 6-year warranty for peace of mind, which is 1 year more than others.
Who It’s For
The ASUS ROG RYUJIN II 360 is for those who want the best in terms of cooling performance and aesthetics. The price is considerably high considering this is an AIO. So we believe that the liquid cooler is geared towards enthusiasts and those wanting to make their gaming PC stand out from the rest.
Verdict
The ASUS ROG RYUJIN II 360 goes a lot further than just being a liquid cooler and also asks for a premium price. If you have the budget and want to get the best AIO, you can certainly go with it.
Check Current Price of ASUS ROG RYUJIN II 360 →
2. Best Value: DeepCool LT720
Key Specifications
Dimensions: 402 x 120 x 27 mm
Noise level: 32.9 dBA
Socket support: Intel -2066, 2011, 1700, 1200, 115x; AMD -TRX4, sTR4, AM5, AM4
Warranty: 5 years
- »Superb performance for the price
- »Low-speed fan adapters included
- »Decent build quality
- »The design might not appeal to everyone
Why We Picked It
We picked the DeepCool LT720 because it offers the best value as a 360mm AIO. No other liquid cooler on the market comes close to it in terms of thermal performance per dollar ratio.
The 360mm AIO uses DeepCool FK120 fans that can push 85 CFM air. Together with the 4th gen high-performance pump, it greatly contributes to the cooling performance of the liquid cooler.
The package includes low-speed fan adapters which help in quiet operation when the CPU is under average load. The usage of Fluid Dynamic bearing increases the efficiency of the liquid cooler.
In terms of build and design, it does not fall behind. The build quality is on par with the top liquid coolers. The CPU block has a 3D infinity mirror design that lights up with ARGB LEDs.
The design might not be everyone’s cup of tea but it’ll surely look good on most PC builds.
Who It’s For
The DeepCool LT720 is for those who have a high-end Intel or AMD processor and want the best cooling performance without breaking the bank. It is also suitable for overclocking.
Verdict
For the price, the DeepCool LT720 is a no-brainer option as an AIO as it offers top-notch cooling. It manages to keep the CPU temperature at the same level as other liquid coolers 1.5-2 times its price.
Check Current Price of DeepCool LT720 →
3. Best Looks: Corsair iCUE H170i Elite LCD XT
Key Specifications
Dimensions: 457 x 140 x 27 mm
Noise level: 33.8 dBA
Socket support: Intel – 1700, 1200, 115x, 2011, 2066, 1366; AMD – AM3, AM4, AM5, sTR4
Warranty: 5 years
- »One of the best 420mm cooler
- »3x 140mm Corsair AF RGB Elite fans
- »2.1″ IPS screen on the CPU block
- »Comes with the iCUE Commander Core controller
- »Expensive
Why We Picked It
We picked the Corsair iCUE H170i Elite LCD XT because of two main reasons. The first reason is the aesthetics and the RGB lighting. The second reason is being one of the best 420mm liquid coolers on the market.
There aren’t many 420mm AIO liquid coolers on the market, and the Corsair AIO manages to be better than all of them. If you’re in the market for a 420mm cooler, then obviously you need something powerful for a high-end processor.
For example, a 250W CPU at a high load can be cooled by this AIO while maintaining a 38C temperature.
And the Corsair liquid cooler aces at that job. It comes with 3 140mm Corsair AF RGB Elite fans which can push a huge volume of air (89 CFM) while producing low noise (33.8 dBA).
On top of that, the RGB LEDs on these fans look better than most others. Paired with the Corsair iCUE software, you can choose the lighting to your heart’s content.
The package also includes a Corsair iCUE Commander Core RGB controller which can connect up to 6 fans at once and control the RGB and fan speeds.
Like the Asus AIO, the Corsair iCUE H170i Elite LCD XT also includes an LCD screen on the CPU block. The fairly bright 2.1″ IPS screen has a 480×480 resolution. You can upload custom graphics or configure them to show various metrics like fan speed, FPS, etc.
The IPS display together with the well-lit RGB fans make the AIO one of the best for lighting and aesthetics.
Who It’s For
The Corsair iCUE H170i Elite LCD XT is for those who have a high-end or high-wattage CPU where 360mm AIO might not be enough.
Verdict
Though there are other 420mm AIOs available, the Corsair iCUE H170i Elite LCD XT is the best in terms of both performance and looks.
Check Current Price of Corsair iCUE H170i Elite LCD XT →
4. Best Mid-range: Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R RGB
Key Specifications
Dimensions: 394 x 119 x 27.2 mm
Noise level: 30 dBA
Socket support: Intel – 1700, 1200, 2066, 2011, 115x; AMD – AM5, AM4, AM3, AM2, FM2, FM1
Warranty: 2 years
- »Decent cooling performance for the price
- »Excellent design and RGB
- »Easy installation
- »Cooling performance not suitable for high-performance CPUs
Why We Picked It
We picked the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R as it’s a mid-range liquid cooler that offers a lot for the money. It has decent build quality, lighting, and cooling performance.
Sure, the thermal efficiency won’t be as good as the above-mentioned liquid coolers. However, the AIO has a low-resistance radiator which results in a better flow rate.
Though the pump is low-profile, it has two chambers which help in better heat dissipation.
It can be paired with any mid-range to high-end CPUs as long as you don’t overclock too much or put the CPU under high load frequently.
The liquid cooler is decent in terms of build quality too. Cooler Master did not cheap out on any areas. For example, the tubing consists of FEP polymer, which makes it flexible and durable.
The 360mm radiator uses three MasterFan MF120R ARGB fans which offer 66.7 CFM airflow. These fans have ARGB lighting which is pretty vivid and bright, and it enhances the look of the cooler by a long shot.
The noise output from the fans is 30 dBA, which is in the same ballpark as other liquid coolers in the list.
The Cooler Master liquid cooler comes with only 2 years of warranty, whereas most other liquid coolers in this price range come with 4-5 years of warranty. If a short warranty is a point of dissatisfaction for you, you should look at other AIOs on the list.
Who It’s For
The Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R RGB is for those who do not want to spend a lot of cash on a liquid cooler but still want above-average cooling performance and bright ARGB lighting for the looks.
Verdict
The Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R RGB places itself in the middle of the spectrum in terms of pricing while maintaining a decent cooling potential and not compromising much on the aesthetics.
Check Current Price of Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R RGB →
5. Best Budget: ID-COOLING Frostflow X 240
Key Specifications
Dimensions: 276 x 120 x 27 mm
Noise level: 35.2 dBA
Socket support: Intel – 2066, 2011, 1700, 1200, 115x; AMD – AM5, AM4
Warranty: 2 years
- »Extreme value for money
- »Superb performance for the price
- »Can be paired with high-wattage CPUs too
- »Lack of dedicated software support
- »Lagging behind in RGB lighting
Why We Picked It
We picked the ID-COOLING Frostflow X 240 as it offers some of the best performance at a low price tag. It is the cheapest liquid cooler on the list but has enough cooling performance to be paired with any mid-range CPUs.
The 240mm radiator AIO doesn’t put up as much performance as other 360mm liquid coolers on the list, but it’s not supposed to do so. This option is for PC builders who have a low budget but need decent liquid cooling for the money.
ID COOLING did not cheap out on the build quality and the choice of materials in the liquid cooler, which is the correct move. The compromises are done on the RGB lighting.
To be more precise, there aren’t any RGB fans included in the AIO, and you only get some RGB LEDs on the CPU block.
Other than that, the liquid cooler maintains low temperatures on the CPU and puts up surprisingly well for the price.
Who It’s For
If RGB is not the main attention for you, and you want decent cooling for the money, the ID-COOLING Frostflow X 240 will serve you well.
Verdict
The ID-COOLING Frostflow X 240 is a cheap but thermally efficient liquid cooler that does not add much flair to your PC but can keep the CPU cool and stable.
Check Current Price of ID-COOLING Frostflow X 240 →
How We Picked The Best RGB Liquid Cooler
There are a lot of factors that determine which RGB liquid cooler is worth considering and which isn’t. Let’s go through some points quickly:
Cooling Performance
The most important factor to decide the best CPU coolers is the cooling performance. After all, you’re buying an AIO for thermal performance.
To determine the cooling performance, we look at the temperatures when the AIO is paired with different types of CPUs and check if it’s able to keep the CPUs stable and cool.
Noise Output
The noise output of the fans and the pump plays a vital role in the overall user experience of the cooler. If the AIO performs exceptionally well but emits a lot of noise while running at full speed, it won’t be a pleasant experience.
Compatibility
We specifically look at the dimensions of the radiator and check if they fit in the majority of PC cases. If the radiator is too large for the performance it provides, it’s better to go for another AIO with better compatibility.
The range of CPU sockets the AIO supports is another important point of compatibility.
Design and Build
In a liquid cooler, the design and the build quality are equally important. There should be no compromise on the build quality because an AIO will damage your PC greatly if the liquid leaks.
The liquid cooler takes up a big portion of the PC case so its design and aesthetics are important as well. Some AIOs have LCD screens on the pump which come in handy to display important hardware stats.
RGB
Since we’re looking at the best RGB AIOs on the market, it’s crucial to look at the RGB implementation of each AIO CPU cooler. Points of consideration are if there are addressable RGB, how vivid and configurable the LEDs are, whether there is any software support, etc.
Final Thoughts
Buying the best liquid cooler is crucial as it can massively impact the performance of the CPU and also damage the PC badly if you end up buying the wrong one.
We have included only the best AIO coolers and you can pick one based on your specific needs.
