The EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB might have a name that will leave you tongue-tied, but so too will its performance. On the AMD test bench, it wasn't a clear top contender with the fans at max RPM, as it typically trailed the competition by 2-4 °C. However, once all the coolers are operating at the same 45 dBA threshold, the EK cooler manages to claw back some serious ground with the gap narrowing to around 2°C, placing it smack bang in the middle of the currently tested 360 mm AIOs. Once I swapped to the Intel test bench, the EK Nucleus CR360 manages to put on a stellar showing, beating the Lian Li Galahad II Trinity Performance 360 and taking the performance crown in nearly all tests. EK's latest cooler definitely appears to perform better on Intel platforms, but across the board it still delivers great results.

As with most AIOs, memory and GPU clearance are not problems, and I can say that the build quality is quite high, as is the unboxing experience. Furthermore, its ARGB implementation, if it's a feature you want, is well executed and makes for an aesthetically pleasing design. Add in the brushed aluminium side plates on the radiator, and you have a damn good-looking cooler with or without ARGB lighting. Speaking of the lighting, it looks good, and better yet, it doesn't require extra software to function, as the cooler interfaces with your standard motherboard ARGB and fan control software. The only downside in the design is that, while I love the daisy-chained fans which help keep cable clutter to a minimum, EK opted for non-standard connectors. Thankfully, they include an extension cable that terminates into standard connectors, so it's not a huge deal. Furthermore, if the fans are spaced out, you can order extension cables which will allow you to place, for example, a fan at the rear and some up front and still reuse them. So while I am not a fan of the non-standard connectors, I can at least give them a pass here.

The only other issue I encountered is with the installation manual / install process. EK's manual shows that the radiator if installed in the front of your case rather than the top should have the tubing at the bottom. Which makes sense if the top of the radiator (tubing / fittings location) cannot sit above the pump housing. EK confirmed to me that as long as the tubing on the radiator sits above the pump, it should be fine, however, trying to add that to the manual apparently was confusing. Still, if it works fine then it should be noted, documented, and included. I think not including it is a disservice, but I can understand their stance as well. By just saying no, it avoids a potential problem.

While the EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB won't win any value arguments, I can say the quality of the unit, along with the five-year warranty, makes it more palatable. Still, competition is fierce from numerous vendors, so if you're looking for pure value, it's not going to be found here. You're looking at a premium option, and it comes with solid support. That said, the Nucleus is still better value than most 360 mm AIOs tested thus far.

Overall, the EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB is an impressive offering that delivers exceptional cooling, attractive looks, and a solid five-year warranty, all while being more reasonably priced compared to other premium brands, making it an easy choice to recommend if you want all that with some extra peace of mind and no software bloat.