ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 420 A-RGB - Multi-Compatible CPU AIO Water Cooler with A-RGB, efficient PWM-Controlled Pump, CPU Cooler, AIO Cooler, CPU Liquid Cooler - Black

First of all - Check the Compatibility with your processor and get the newer version of this if you can. I am using an older I7 6950X and its uses the 2011-V3 CPU Socket. Unboxing was easy and super user friendly. Got the manual on the web via a scanned code. Watched the installation videos and what NOT to do. Installed following the online user manual. I used a Corsair 900D case that supports a 420MM Radiator and fan setup at the top of the case. Hoses and the CPU cooler were a bit of a pain to squeeze into the case, I had to remove my front cover; remove all my 5.25" bays and was able to slide in both the radiator (fans come pre-installed), CPU cooler and hoses with a couple of inches to spare. Check the fan orientation if you need to change your push/pull configuration. Fans are amazing, but the lighting isn't compatible with my motherboard. So you'll need to get a separate Aura lighting controller ($10 on Amazon). The thermal paste is top notch and they provide you at least enough for 2 applications. Fan speed is all controlled via Bios, and performance decimates my legacy Corsair AIO cooler that was 280MM and 3 years old. Temperatures on my I7 6950X while overclocked from 3.0ghz to 4.4ghz are lower than running my previous cooler at stock speeds. It used to be 49º C under load before and now its a chilling 38º C under load. This cooler definitely works well if you can fit it. Overall, my original go to wasn't compatible with my CPU Socket, it was the Asus ProArt 420MM since it didn't support my older CPU, this Artic Cooler was $160 cheaper, and had better lighting features. Overall, I'm extremely satisfied with the following features:1) packaging and installation2) compatibility and video content for support3) performance and valueWhat can be improved?1) Include a controller for the lights for those users that don't have the Artic Controller or the compatible plug on their motherboard.

This AIO is installed on a 14900K in an Antec Performance1 FT case. Upgrading from a CoolerMaster ML280 with upgraded fans and contact frame. Results of testing and my impressions of the product below:Installed two more fans in push/pull and it dropped a few C and a few watts. Did not install a fan in the lower position because of clearance issues. Might get a slim fan, there is about 26mm of clearance on the inside in the Antec case. (Or potentially case mod.)// Running 56x in Cinebench, Open case, open front. 100% fans. 24C ambient.CoolerMaster ML280 w/ 2x Artic P140 Bionix and Thermalrite contact frame: (R23: 41216, 86C, 272W)Arctic LF3 420 w/ 3x stock A-RGB fans, front mount: (R23: 41153, 77C, 264W)Arctic LF3 420 plus 2x Antec Storm 140 in push/pull: (R23: 41228, 74C, 260W)(This result is very close to the "250W" benchmark performed by STS with his 6x push/pull on a 13900K. In his review he shows that a push/pull setup makes the LF3 best in class, especially when considering noise/performance.)There are 3x stock Arctic A-rgb fans on the outside, and 2x Antec Storm T3 fans on the inside. The Antec Storm fans are not really SP fans, but they have good specs otherwise and are 30mm.Overall 12C lower than what I had before with the upgraded 280mm and Thermalrite contact frame. With non-rgb SP fans in six positions it should do even better.I am happy with this. For $120 this is equivalant to other top performers like the EK Nucleus CR360 or Lian Li Galahad II. I have the option to run 57x or (maybe) 58x, or can probably tune a silent 56x profile.The RGB pump cover looks great and while it is not a spinning fan, it has the same look as RGB fans, so it doesn't introduce anything distracting. No infinity mirrors or weird "objects" in your case. Looks like just another fan and can be set to look like them.The tubes are quite a bit longer than the previous AIO and have no problem looping around to a front install. There is plenty of slack in the Antec Performance1 FT case.Gamers Nexus was critical of the Arctic Contact Frame, and did some sort of lazer scan to prove there wasn't even pressure everywhere (unknown how he came to this conclusion), but you have to take everything as a whole. The performance is good, and its idling 2C lower than it did before, so I think contact is good. If you didn't watch the GN video, you might think the installation is excellent, as do I. There isn't a separate bracket to install, just the contact frame, so this makes alot of sense to simplify installation. And nothing was janky or loose. It tightened down in a confidence inspiring way.You also get the vrm cooling which may help the lifespan of your motherboard.I won't claim this is best in class (it might lose to an EK 360 in push pull), but everything it gives you for introductory $120 price is a great deal. If you can fit a 420, this is almost a no brainer unless you plan to run direct die. When they raise the price back to msrp, I think thats the point you maybe consider an EK direct die aio, or maybe an EK CR360 if you can't fit a 420.Finally, there is the six year warranty from a company with a good reputation. I would recommend this. I had reservations initially, but after the install, seeing it in my build and the performance that it gives, makes me glad I took a risk. I was able to get the RGB wired correctly without an extension, but there is absolutely no extra slack and cable runs are not ideal. If they just made the RGB connection 2" longer it would alleviate the "head scratcher" everyone will encounter when doing a front mount. (When fans are front installed, the integrated RGB cable loops over the top of the radiator which makes it too short.)It will be interesting if Arctic improves this product in the future. Certainly, better fans would make it even stronger, but any performance gap is probably remedied by push/pull. And if you have a case that fits a 420mm AIO, you probably also have the space to make it push/pull.

Excellent performance, impressive build quality. Incredibly good pricing in comparison to a lot of the coolers out there - a few less bells and whistles, but excels at the most important things you buy a cooler for. This 420mm model does not fit in a lot of cases - be sure you have room for it (check with case mfr for radiator size support) before buying. Arctic makes smaller models which are also reasonably priced with equal quality.