The MSI MPG CORELIQUID K240 is a decent but not stellar all-in-one liquid cooler. It boasts many interesting features, such as an LCD display that can showcase fan speeds, temperatures, or custom images. There is also a pump-mounted fan for improving VRM temperatures, which did work, but only for a minor improvement on the test system due to the motherboard's beefy heatsinks. The unit even has the option for controlling the fans individually, which some users may find useful. It is also backed by a solid 5-year warranty that, while no longer special considering the number of brands that do so, is still nice to see.

However, all those features and the great support mean little when performance is not consistent. While the Asetek-based CORELIQUID K240 is easier to install on AMD systems than options like the G.SKILL ENKI series, that doesn't make up for the lack of performance on the AMD test bench. Granted, on the Intel system, performance was actually quite good. Essentially, the Intel Core i9-10900K test bench saw good performance with the cooler running at max, and even noise-normalized performance was solid. The MSI offering went toe to toe with the top performers. However, on our AMD 3900X, it was a different story.

While performance wasn't terrible, it did fall behind all other AIO coolers, including the much older Corsair H100i PRO RGB, which it dominated on the Intel test bench. While Intel controls the largest share of the market, AMD has steadily become more and more popular in recent years, especially in the DIY enthusiast market. In that situation, having performance that falls behind older designs is not a good look. It shows that further optimization is needed on that platform, especially considering the MPG CORELIQUID K240 at $210 can't consistently beat the $115–$120 Lian Li Galahad 240, which was good on both platforms. Sure, the Lian Li offering is not as loaded with features as the MSI, but is that nice LCD screen with a custom image on it going to be as cool as saving nearly $90 and seeing temperatures that are 4–5 °C lower on your AMD build? You will have to answer that for yourself, I suppose.

Even so, the MSI MPG CORELIQUID K240 is still a solid offering in that it kept both CPUs within spec; furthermore, it handled our OC tests with room to spare. MSI and Asetek need to make refinements and further improvements to bring performance up on AMD. The pump-mounted fan, while interesting, isn't going to play a big role unless the motherboard has inadequate VRM cooling to begin with, and if you bought a board with inadequate VRM cooling, why are you spending $210 on an AIO? To put it bluntly, if you are rocking an Intel build, I can recommend the K240, but if you're on AMD, I would look at other competing units.

Overall, the MSI MPG CORELIQUID K240 is an expensive but intriguing all-in-one liquid cooler that performs well for those rocking an Intel system. But again, if you are running an AMD rig, I would recommend going with something else.