Arctic Liquid Freezer III 240 Black

[crazyeyesreaper]

Arctic has truly hit the mark with the Liquid Freezer III 240 Black. If you're seeking exceptional performance, features, and an impressive warranty at an affordable price, then your search ends here—especially if you're planning an AMD build.

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[Chaitanya]

So mounting system hasnt changed much which is a bit disappointing.

Edit: Watched Gamers Nexus review and seems like new mounting hardware has gotten worse:

 

[Asni]

The 420mm solution is currently sold at 82€ on their EU website. Great deal.

 

[mrpaco]

conflicting results

GN have this smoking the lian li ga2, and tpu is the other way around

anyway, a 420 for 82€, cheaper than a noctua? I'll grab one

 

[Chomiq]

Knowing Arctic there will be silent revisions. I wouldn't jump right into the first version.

 

[praescepter]

conflicting results

GN have this smoking the lian li ga2, and tpu is the other way around

anyway, a 420 for 82€, cheaper than a noctua? I'll grab one

GN tested the 280 and 360, TPU the 240.
240 lost to the LL by 1C, the 280 matches it, the 360 beats it by 2C (on AMD, since i have AM5, i did not even check the Intel numbers).

 

[Ruru]

Gotta say that it's very weird that they've abandoned the 115x/1200 compatibility.

 

[Sarajiel]

Arctic has truly hit the mark with the Liquid Freezer III 240 Black.

Would have been nice to actually include the old Arctic Liquid Freezer II 240 for comparison.

Also, Arctic specifies the fan noise for the P12 as "0,3 Sone", according to their website, which might be a bit confusing, but is still a valid way of measurement for fan noise.

On the other hand, an almost 10% MSRP price increase over the old LFII 240 is quite ballsy, especially when compared to other models that actually have their MSRP decreased, ignoring that anniversary discount.

 

[bug]

Finally, some stuff from Arctic.

It's interesting to note AMD silicon buckles around 225W, whereas Intel is happily chugging along at 250W.

 

[jesdals]

I am using the Arctic Liquid Freezer II 360 and the tubes seems short on this version I wonder if the 360 is just as short. It would be a problem for my setup.

Currently haveing it with a pull configuration with 2x120mm inside the case and 3x120mm on the front of the cabinet

I fear that those short tubes wouldnt allow the same routing as I have in my front mount because they wouldt be able to strech over the GPU.

But else I surprised by the poor Intel performance considering the special mounting bracket for Intel?

Looking

at the webpage of the manufactor its seems that the tubeing has the same length as the privious model at 450mm but looking at this pictur from the same, it seems very short.

I would fear that front mount only would be possible with the tubes in the top position and not under the GPU as in the old version.

 

[crazyeyesreaper]

I am using the Arctic Liquid Freezer II 360 and the tubes seems short on this version I wonder if the 360 is just as short. It would be a problem for my setup.
Currently haveing it with a pull configuration with 2x120mm inside the case and 3x120mm on the front of the cabinet


I fear that those short tubes wouldnt allow the same routing as I have in my front mount because they wouldt be able to strech over the GPU.

But else I surprised by the poor Intel performance considering the special mounting bracket for Intel?

Looking at the webpage of the manufactor its seems that the tubeing has the same length as the privious model at 450mm but looking at this pictur from the same, it seems very short.

I would fear that front mount only would be possible with the tubes in the top position and not under the GPU as in the old version.

Tubing at the top will be perfectly fine with this setup it sits above the pump with plenty of space to spare.

conflicting results

GN have this smoking the lian li ga2, and tpu is the other way around

anyway, a 420 for 82€, cheaper than a noctua? I'll grab one

Different sizes, different levels of performance. Pretty self explanatory

Would have been nice to actually include the old Arctic Liquid Freezer II 240 for comparison.

Also, Arctic specifies the fan noise for the P12 as "0,3 Sone", according to their website, which might be a bit confusing, but is still a valid way of measurement for fan noise.

On the other hand, an almost 10% MSRP price increase over the old LFII 240 is quite ballsy, especially when compared to other models that actually have their MSRP decreased, ignoring that anniversary discount.

LF II I reviewed was 3+ years ago even then it was a 280 not a 240 so still not a direct comparison. As for product specifications, I go by what's on the box, not typically what is on the product page as those can change between product listings. So while the fan data may be available on the fan itself If its not available as per the coolers specifications I won't list it. As an example of this I will use DeepCool. Many of their coolers use fans with the same blade layout same RPM same style same frame. Yet even at the same RPM / Blade design the specifications for performance differ. Just food for thought.

 

[HairyLobsters]

It's a shame that the mounting is so poor on this.

 

[b1k3rdude]

I am using the Arctic Liquid Freezer II 360 and the tubes seems short on this version I wonder if the 360 is just as short. I fear that those short tubes wouldnt allow the same routing as I have in my front mount because they wouldt be able to strech over the GPU.

I have the 280 in a push pull config, and its only having the extra fans in front that the hoses are long enough to fit at the front of my Define R6, there is no room to have it at the top. The attached picture is with my old 1080ti, after which I upgraded to a 3080_12gb and now I have a 4080 and the hoses only just clear and only the TG Wireview (3*8pin to 1x12pin) allowed me to put the case side cover on.

Back to the new AFIII AIO's I like the improved VRM cooling, but not all zones as per the GN article are better than my AFII-280. And the mounting kit for my AFII-280, while not perfect (alignement is tight on my MEG X570), on AMD it makes a mockery of the bracket for the AFIII AIO's. Its easier to install and has a better cpu contact patch

 

[Chrispy_]

On the other hand, an almost 10% MSRP price increase over the old LFII 240 is quite ballsy, especially when compared to other models that actually have their MSRP decreased, ignoring that anniversary discount.

This is what decorative RGBLED nonsense costs you; The LFII lacked any lighting which is why it's cheaper than the LFIII.

This is why I hate RGBLED - it's jacked up the price and even if you can just turn the lighting off, you still have to pay for it regardless of whether you want to or not.

 

[Sarajiel]

This is what decorative RGBLED nonsense costs you; The LFII lacked any lighting which is why it's cheaper than the LFIII.

The LF III 240 black doesn't have any ARGB... It still has ~10€ higher MSRP.
However, the LF III 360 black has a ~5€ lower MSRP compared to the old 360 version and no ARGB either.

Not that the MSRP matters here in Germany since those Arctic AIOs have very volatile retail pricing anyway, but they usually range 10% - 20% below MSRP.

 

[dgianstefani]

Finally, some stuff from Arctic.

It's interesting to note AMD silicon buckles around 225W, whereas Intel is happily chugging along at 250W.

AMD stock IHS sucks.

Even this cooler, which is literally optimised for AMD over Intel, still shows this trend.

 

[wheresmycar]

THANKS FOR THE REVIEW!!

The AMD results are very impressive for a 240mm unit competing with some of the best 360mm AIOs. I wonder how the ALF 360/420mm stack up against these stats.

I have to admit i was never a big fan of the ALF-2 from an aesthetics POV - yep as silly as it may sound "aesthetics!!". I couldn't bring myself to drop criticism not when the performance/value was top-notch. ALF-3 has really turned it around, love the larger VRM fan + overall design and plain black tube sleeving.

@crazyeyesreaper any reason why we don't have the ALF-II and EK Nucleus listed in these charts?

 

[AnarchoPrimitiv]

I literally just commented about three days ago on the last AIO review that I wish a company would release AIOs with 45mm and 60mm thick radiators....then this comes out....it's a srart

 

[Luke357]

I hope they continue to make the LF II series. I usually build Intel systems and the LF II is my go to for an AIO. It's a shame the Intel mounting hardware is so bad.

 

[Space Lynx]

So mounting system hasnt changed much which is a bit disappointing.

Edit: Watched Gamers Nexus review and seems like new mounting hardware has gotten worse:

I just finished watching the review, thanks for the embed. I have to say the AMD install with that spring issue looked light a nightmare, especially for someone as skilled as that guy. I have no need for this anyway as I plan to use my Frost Commander 140 for life, assuming they keep supporting bracket changes. @freeagent best 42 bucks I ever spent. rock on mate!

 

[crazyeyesreaper]

THANKS FOR THE REVIEW!!

View attachment 335579

The AMD results are very impressive for a 240mm unit competing with some of the best 360mm AIOs. I wonder how the ALF 360/420mm stack up against these stats.

I have to admit i was never a big fan of the ALF-2 from an aesthetics POV - yep as silly as it may sound "aesthetics!!". I couldn't bring myself to drop criticism not when the performance/value was top-notch. ALF-3 has really turned it around, love the larger VRM fan + overall design and plain black tube sleeving.

@crazyeyesreaper any reason why we don't have the ALF-II and EK Nucleus listed in these charts?

Nucleus was complete first and put on Patreon access first. I didn't know if it would go live before or after the ALF III 240. I will update the charts late tonight or tomorrow so everything is kosher. Been in a rush as I have so many samples on hand I need to clear the backlog while still hitting deadlines.

I just finished watching the review, thanks for the embed. I have to say the AMD install with that spring issue looked light a nightmare, especially for someone as skilled as that guy. I have no need for this anyway as I plan to use my Frost Commander 140 for life, assuming they keep supporting bracket changes. @freeagent best 42 bucks I ever spent. rock on mate!

I didn't have as much of an issue on my AMD mount as they did in the video. I held it in place and just applied pressure to the spring which allowed for the screws to bite without issue. A bit more length would be nice for sure as that would mitigate the issue but I didn't have nearly the same level of issue as they did.

 

[Space Lynx]

It's a shame that the mounting is so poor on this.

yeah if you watch the gamersnexus video, the actual contact plate is really bad. if they had designed this so you could use the thermalright contact frame, as steve showed, the contact is amazing with that. sadly Arctic did not give that option though you have to use their custom frame, which just doesn't hit the plate well

this could have been a slam dunk launch for Arctic if they had fixed that before launch. my case will support a 420mm, I just measured it. honestly I might have got the 420mm if it allowed me to use my AM5 arctic contact plate, I already bought one for my future 8800x3d, but since not, I guess I will just keep my frost commander 140, i am happy with it anyway.

conflicting results

GN have this smoking the lian li ga2, and tpu is the other way around

anyway, a 420 for 82€, cheaper than a noctua? I'll grab one

the 82 euro price is only if you are in UK or EU, just fyi they don't ship to USA from the official Arctic site.

 

[wheresmycar]

Nucleus was complete first and put on Patreon access first. I didn't know if it would go live before or after the ALF III 240. I will update the charts late tonight or tomorrow so everything is kosher. Been in a rush as I have so many samples on hand I need to clear the backlog while still hitting deadlines.

Thanks for the update... Take your time with updating the charts... hitting those deadlines is definitely a priority

 

[Minus Infinity]

All this liquid and it still only beats be quite dark rock elite by a few %. Why is it worth the hassle of going liquid and why don't these liquid coolers decimate air coolers?

 

[Space Lynx]

All this liquid and it still only beats be quite dark rock elite by a few %. Why is it worth the hassle of going liquid and why don't these liquid coolers decimate air coolers?

the 420mm does prob gain about 12 celsius cooler across the board with a small bump in fan curve (but nothing too loud) - also the vrm's are cooled better for longevity I guess.

12 celsius is a lot though, but not many places review the 420mm model. or if they do they only do so at stock fan, when really all AIO's need a slight bump in curve to get the air through the radiator properly (imo not science)