Key takeaways
- Best PC cooling upgrades compared: eight 360mm AIO liquid coolers, a 7-pack of ARGB case fans and a tube of thermal paste, with socket and airflow checks.
The best PC cooling upgrade for most gaming builds is a 360mm all-in-one liquid cooler, and this set has eight of them, plus a seven-pack of case fans and a tube of thermal paste. If you only change one thing, pick an AIO that lists your socket and fits your case. If your case is cramped, buy fans and paste first and leave liquid cooling for a later build.
Because the set mixes complete coolers with accessories, read it as three jobs: cooling the processor, moving air through the case, and refreshing the paste between chip and cold plate.
All ten listings compared
Our top picks
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB- CONTACT FRAME FOR INTEL LGA1851 | LGA1700: Optimized…
- ARCTIC's P12 PRO FAN: More power at any…
- Shifting the cold plate center towards the CPU…
UTLGAMENG 7 Pack 120mm ARGB PC Fans- Pc Fans 120mm 7 pack:With 4 Forward Blade…
- Increased LED Count: The number of LEDs has…
- Ultimate Cooling Performance：Our case fans operate at 1550…
ARCTIC MX-4- Our thermal paste packaging design has evolved over…
- ARCTIC MX-4 thermal paste is made of carbon…
- The MX-4 is metal-free and non-electrical conductive which…
| Product | Key specs | |
|---|---|---|
| ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB | CONTACT FRAME FOR INTEL LGA1851 | LGA1700: Optimized… ARCTIC's P12 PRO FAN: More power at any… Shifting the cold plate center towards the CPU… | Check price |
| UTLGAMENG 7 Pack 120mm ARGB PC Fans | Pc Fans 120mm 7 pack:With 4 Forward Blade… Increased LED Count: The number of LEDs has… Ultimate Cooling Performance：Our case fans operate at 1550… | Check price |
| ARCTIC MX-4 | Our thermal paste packaging design has evolved over… ARCTIC MX-4 thermal paste is made of carbon… The MX-4 is metal-free and non-electrical conductive which… | Check price |
 ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 | CONTACT FRAME FOR INTEL LGA1851 | LGA1700: Optimized… ARCTIC's P12 PRO FAN: More power at any… Shifting the cold plate center towards the CPU… | Check price |
 Antec Ultra 360 ARGB Liquid CPU Cooler | The mirror lighting pump head design delivers outstanding… Comes with powerful 120mm ARGB PWM radiator fans,… Features a highly efficient cooling pump and a… | Check price |
 Thermalright FW360 SE ARGB V2 360mm AIO | 360mm AIO liquid CPU cooler with a 2"LCD… 3×TL-M12Q 120mm PWM daisy-chain fans run up to… Customizable 2"LCD screen supports system status display, custom… | Check price |
 Minorsonic CPU Cooler 360mm Aio | Universal CPU Compatibility - Our 360mm AIO supports… Quiet, High-Performance Water Cooling Systems- Our CPU cooler… 3 x 120 mm Smart PWM Fans with… | Check price |
 CORSAIR Nautilus 360 RS ARGB Liquid CPU | Simple, High-Performance All-in-One CPU Cooling: Renowned CORSAIR engineering… Efficient, Low-Noise Pump: Keeps your coolant circulating at… Convex Cold Plate with Pre-Applied Thermal Paste: The… | Check price |
 MSI MAG Coreliquid A13 360 | The MAG CORELIQUID Series liquid cooler provides out… The aluminium radiator features a unique split-flow water… The CORELIQUID A13 series is equipped with a… | Check price |
 CORSAIR Nautilus 360 RS Liquid CPU Cooler | Simple, High-Performance All-in-One CPU Cooling: Renowned CORSAIR engineering… Efficient, Low-Noise Pump: Keeps your coolant circulating at… Convex Cold Plate with Pre-Applied Thermal Paste: The… | Check price |
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| Model | Key point from title | Price tier | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB | 360mm AIO, A-RGB | Mid-range | Lit builds |
| ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 | 360mm AIO, no RGB | Mid-range | Plain builds |
| Antec Ultra 360 ARGB | 3x120mm PWM, wider socket list | Budget | Tight budgets |
| Thermalright FW360 SE ARGB V2 | 2″ LCD screen, 3000RPM pump | Mid-range | Display fans |
| Minorsonic 360 AIO White | White, low-noise claim | Budget | White builds |
| CORSAIR Nautilus 360 RS ARGB | White, direct motherboard connection | Mid-range | Tidy cabling |
| CORSAIR Nautilus 360 RS | Black, daisy-chain fans | Premium | Black builds |
| MSI MAG Coreliquid A13 360 | Triple 120mm ARGB PWM | Mid-range | MSI boards |
| UTLGAMENG 7-pack 120mm fans | 4 forward, 3 reverse, PWM | Budget | Case airflow |
| ARCTIC MX-4 (4 g) | Thermal paste | Budget | Repasting |
The ten listings, one by one
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB
The title lists a 360mm AIO with A-RGB lighting for LGA1851, LGA1700, AM4 and AM5. Arctic’s naming suggests the “Pro” version is the refined one, but the title does not say what changed, so check the page for radiator thickness and fan details before you compare. Both Arctic listings share a name, which makes it easy to order the lit version by mistake, so read the full product title at checkout.
- Pros: broad socket list; lighting is optional to use.
- Cons: bigger radiators need a case that lists 360mm support.
Who it’s for: gamers who want a lit 360mm AIO from a known brand.
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360
The same cooler family without the A-RGB label, with 3 x 120 mm fans and the same four socket families. If lighting does not matter, this avoids an extra header and extra cabling. With no lighting to configure, setup is limited to the pump header and the fan connections, which suits first-time liquid cooling owners.
- Pros: simpler cabling; same sockets as the A-RGB listing.
- Cons: no lighting; price difference may be small.
Who it’s for: builders who want performance without lighting.
Antec Ultra 360 ARGB
This one lists 3x120mm PWM fans, a “high-performance pump” and sockets from Intel LGA 1200/1851/”20XX” through AMD AM4/AM5. The “20XX” wording is vague, so confirm that your socket is truly covered and that the bracket ships in the box. The low price suggests a simpler package than the Arctic and Corsair models, so read buyer comments on pump noise and instructions before committing.
- Pros: widest stated socket range; budget tier.
- Cons: vague compatibility wording; fewer details on build quality.
Who it’s for: older Intel boards and tight budgets.
Thermalright FW360 SE ARGB V2
The title advertises a 360mm AIO with a 2-inch LCD screen, a 3000RPM pump and three TL-M12Q 120mm PWM fans that daisy-chain. The screen is cosmetic, so judge it on whether you want the display, not on cooling. Check that the screen software runs on your operating system, and that the radiator and the case window leave the display visible once the panel is fitted.
- Pros: LCD screen; daisy-chain fans cut cable runs.
- Cons: the screen needs software support; 3000RPM pump claim is a seller figure.
Who it’s for: showpiece builds with a window panel.
Minorsonic 360mm AIO White
A white 360mm liquid cooler for AM5, AM4, LGA1851 and LGA1700 with three 120mm PWM ARGB fans and a “low-noise” claim. The brand is unfamiliar, so read buyer comments on pump noise and bracket quality. It is the one listing here where the full spec sheet is worth saving before you buy, in case you need to compare it with what arrives.
- Pros: white finish; budget tier.
- Cons: unknown brand; unverified noise claim.
Who it’s for: white builds with a tight budget.
CORSAIR Nautilus 360 RS ARGB (White)
The title lists a 360mm AIO with three RS120 ARGB fans, a direct motherboard connection and daisy-chain cabling for LGA1851, LGA1700, AM5 and AM4. The direct connection usually means fewer cables, but confirm which motherboard header it needs and whether the board has a spare one. The white shroud and fans suit a light-coloured case, and the lighting can be left off if you only want the colour.
- Pros: neat cabling; known brand.
- Cons: requires the right header; lighting adds software.
Who it’s for: clean-looking white systems.
CORSAIR Nautilus 360 RS (Black)
The non-ARGB version, with three RS120 fans in black and the same socket list. If you do not want lighting, it pairs with a black case and keeps the cable count down. It carries the same low-noise positioning in the title, which is a seller claim, so read buyer feedback on pump sound before assuming a quiet build.
- Pros: subdued look; same connection design.
- Cons: likely the highest price in this set.
Who it’s for: black builds without RGB.
MSI MAG Coreliquid A13 360
Three 120mm ARGB PWM fans and a 360mm radiator for LGA1700/1851 and AM5/AM4. The title does not mention LGA1200, so older Intel owners should look elsewhere. Mixing brands is fine as long as the headers match, so do not buy it solely for the badge on the pump.
- Pros: clear compatibility list; ARGB.
- Cons: no older Intel sockets.
Who it’s for: modern AM5 or LGA1700 builds, especially MSI boards.
UTLGAMENG 7-Pack 120mm ARGB PWM Fans
This is an accessory, not a cooler. Seven 120mm fans, four forward-blade and three reverse-blade, at 1550 RPM, with 28 ARGB LEDs and “infinity mirror” lighting per the title. It suits a full-case refresh, though seven fans will need many headers or a hub. The mix of forward and reverse blades lets you face lighting outward on the radiator and the rear, though check the listing for the cable length and the hub type before ordering.
- Pros: low cost per fan; PWM control.
- Cons: needs a hub; quality is unknown.
Who it’s for: case-airflow refreshes with RGB.
ARCTIC MX-4 Thermal Paste (4 g)
Also an accessory. A 4 g tube for all processors, which is enough for several applications. It is the cheapest upgrade in the set and worth buying when you remove a cooler. Most AIOs arrive with paste already supplied, so do not buy it unless you plan to reapply. It is a paste, not a cooler, so it will not fix a case with poor airflow or a radiator that is the wrong size.
- Pros: low cost; works with any cooler.
- Cons: no use without a cooler change or reseat.
Who it’s for: anyone reseating a cooler.
How we picked these
We drew on the product titles, published specifications, manufacturer documentation and buyer reviews to sort the listings into three jobs: CPU cooling, case airflow and paste. Nobody on the team used or measured these units. Any temperature or noise comments are expectations drawn from the specifications, not results, and any numbers beyond the titles are labelled estimates. Price tiers are relative within this set, so check the listing for the current figure before you decide between two close options.
What to check before upgrading
Radiator size versus air cooler
A 360mm radiator is the largest common AIO size. It gives the most surface area for heat, but it needs a case that supports three fans at the front or top. A large air cooler can match a smaller AIO and has no pump, so do not buy a 360mm AIO purely because of the number.
Socket and bracket fit
Nearly every AIO here lists AM4, AM5, LGA1700 and LGA1851. Match your CPU socket first, then look for the mounting bracket in the box. If a title is vague, such as “20XX”, ask before buying.
Airflow and static pressure
Radiators resist airflow, so fans with higher static pressure matter more there than in an open case. For case fans, PWM control lets the motherboard lower the speed when idle.
Noise and pump speed
The pump can be heard in some designs, and fans ramp up under load. A lower fan curve usually saves noise at a small temperature cost, and you can set it in the BIOS. Seller claims such as “low-noise” are not measurements, so treat them as hopes and read buyer feedback.
Mounting pressure and installation
Poor contact wastes a good cooler. Tighten the screws in a cross pattern, a little at a time, and stop when the springs or stops bottom out. Fit the radiator so the tubes sit lower than the pump if the manual says so, and keep tubing away from the fans.
Quick worksheet: balance your airflow
Count intake and exhaust fans. As an assumption, aim for equal intake and exhaust, or slightly more intake, to keep dust out. A seven-pack could cover three front intake, one rear exhaust and the three radiator fans, which means the AIO fans would not be included in the set. Check header counts before ordering.
Thermal paste quantity
If a pea-sized dot is about 0.15 g (an estimate), a 4 g tube may cover more than 20 applications. Buying a bigger tube is rarely necessary.
Mistakes buyers make
- Buying a 360mm radiator without checking that the case lists 360mm support at the front or top.
- Assuming every AIO fits older sockets when the title lists only newer ones.
- Forgetting fan headers: seven fans plus a pump need more headers than most boards provide.
- Paying more for lighting or an LCD screen when cooling is the only goal.
- Applying thick layers of paste. A thin, even layer is the right amount.
- Leaving the plastic film on the cold plate. Check the cooler before mounting.
- Judging a cooler by its lighting or LCD screen, which tells you nothing about heat removal.
Verdict
For most builders, the Arctic Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 is the safest all-round buy, with the non-RGB model suiting plain builds. The Corsair Nautilus listings suit tidy cabling, and the Antec listing suits tight budgets or older Intel boards if the wording is confirmed. Use the fan pack for case airflow, but only after checking header count, and keep the paste for the day you reseat a cooler. Pick the MSI or Corsair listing if your motherboard colour matches. Read how long a gaming PC lasts to decide whether cooling is the right upgrade.
Common questions
Is a 360mm AIO better than an air cooler?
Not automatically. A 360mm radiator spreads heat across three fans, so it can hold lower fan speeds under a heavy load, which helps noise. A good air cooler is simpler, has no pump to fail and costs less. Choose an AIO when your case supports a 360mm radiator and you want the clearance around the socket.
Will these coolers fit my CPU socket?
The titles list support for AM4, AM5, LGA1700 and LGA1851 on nearly every AIO here. One Antec listing also mentions LGA1200 and an unclear “20XX” range. Match your socket against the listing and the maker’s compatibility page, and ask the seller if the wording is vague. Never assume a bracket is included for an older socket.
How often should I replace thermal paste?
There is no fixed schedule. Replace it when you remove the cooler, when temperatures climb for no clear reason, or after several years of heavy use. Clean both surfaces with isopropyl alcohol first and apply a small pea-sized amount. Over-applying does not help, and a thin even layer is the goal.
What is the point of reverse-blade fans?
Reverse-blade fans spin the same way but push air in the opposite direction, so a fan on the back of a radiator or an exhaust position can face the right way without flipping the mounting side. That keeps the lighting facing outward. Airflow is the same as a normal fan of that design, so choose them for looks, not for performance.
Do I need ARGB for good cooling?
No. Lighting adds no cooling. Pay attention to the radiator size, fan quality, pump and mounting pressure first. ARGB models are fine if you want the look, but the plain versions of the same cooler, such as the non-RGB Arctic and Corsair listings here, should cool just as well. Check that your motherboard has the needed header.
If frame rates are the real problem, our guide on how to improve FPS on a low-end gaming PC covers cheaper steps first.
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