CPU coolers / Compare

ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 280 vs Thermalright Aqua Elite 240 V3

A

Product A: ARCTIC

Liquid Freezer III Pro 280

30 of 54 known

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B

Product B: Thermalright

Aqua Elite 240 V3

24 of 54 known

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Every value links to where we found it.

Only differences

AARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 280

BThermalright Aqua Elite 240 V3

General

3 of 12 differ

Series

Liquid Freezer III Pro4Owner's manualsupport.arctic.de/products/liquid-freezer-iii-pro-280/techdocs/Quick_Manual_Intel_r1b.pdfRead 14 October 2026Quick start guide title: Liquid Freezer III Pro Series.

Aqua Elite1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/aqua-elite-240-v3Read 14 October 2026

Model numbersiMaker identifiers for this exact model and its listed variants. Excludes sibling models and other generations.

ACFRE00179A, ACFRE00183A, ACFRE00187A1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280/ACFRE00179ARead 14 October 20262Maker spec sheet (PDF)arctic.de/media/8d/54/b6/1748955792/Spec_Sheet_Liquid_Freezer_III_Pro_280_EN.pdfRead 14 October 20265Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280-A-RGB/ACFRE00183ARead 14 October 2026ACFRE00183A is the A-RGB edition in black.6Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280-A-RGB-White/ACFRE00187ARead 14 October 2026ACFRE00187A is the A-RGB edition in white.

Not available

GTIN / EAN

4895265000317, 840033402989, 4895265000324, 840033402996, 4895265000331, 8400334030091Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280/ACFRE00179ARead 14 October 20262Maker spec sheet (PDF)arctic.de/media/8d/54/b6/1748955792/Spec_Sheet_Liquid_Freezer_III_Pro_280_EN.pdfRead 14 October 2026Shipping Information: SKU ACFRE00179A, EAN 4895265000317, UPC 840033402989.5Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280-A-RGB/ACFRE00183ARead 14 October 2026EAN 4895265000324 and UPC 840033402996 for ACFRE00183A.6Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280-A-RGB-White/ACFRE00187ARead 14 October 2026EAN 4895265000331 and UPC 840033403009 for ACFRE00187A.

0814256016339, 08142560163535Retailer pageparadigit.ie/thermalright-aqua-elite-240-argb-v3-black/21885378/productRead 14 October 2026Product number manufacturer 814256016339 for the black edition. A search listing at cclonline.com carries the same code in its URL. Amazon.com lists UPC 755225218449 for its AE240 V3 listing, which is not stored because the listing does not name a colour.6Retailer pagecomputerorbit.com/products/thermalright-aqua-elite-240-v3-white-argb-aio-liquid-coolerRead 14 October 2026The product data lists barcode 0814256016353 for the white edition.

AnnouncediThe maker's first announcement of this model. This is separate from first retail availability.

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Status

Available1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280/ACFRE00179ARead 14 October 2026The arctic.de store shows the black model ACFRE00179A as in stock on the access date.

Available1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/aqua-elite-240-v3Read 14 October 2026The page is live. Amazon.com showed the model in stock on the access date.

PredecessoriThe model this one directly replaced, in the same line, tier and size, as the maker or a trusted review names it.

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SuccessoriThe model that directly replaced this one, in the same line, tier and size. A revision such as a Slim or OLED model does not count when a next generation exists.

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Launch price (US)iThe maker's US launch MSRP for the stated configuration, excluding tax. Current store prices and later discounts do not qualify.

From $123.991Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280/ACFRE00179ARead 14 October 20265Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280-A-RGB/ACFRE00183ARead 14 October 20266Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280-A-RGB-White/ACFRE00187ARead 14 October 20267Press articleclub386.com/arctic-launches-liquid-freezer-iii-pro-in-280mm-and-420mm-flavoursRead 14 October 2026

Not available

Launch price (EU)iThe maker's euro launch price for the stated configuration, including VAT as published. Current store prices and later discounts do not qualify.

Not available

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MarketsiISO country or region codes where this exact model or variant is sold. A source page's language does not establish availability.

US, EU1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280/ACFRE00179ARead 14 October 2026The arctic.de store sells in EUR incl. VAT. The US market comes from Club386's USD launch table.7Press articleclub386.com/arctic-launches-liquid-freezer-iii-pro-in-280mm-and-420mm-flavoursRead 14 October 2026USD launch prices in the article.

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ColoursiThe maker's own colour names

Black, White1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280/ACFRE00179ARead 14 October 20265Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280-A-RGB/ACFRE00183ARead 14 October 20266Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280-A-RGB-White/ACFRE00187ARead 14 October 2026

Black, White4Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/aqua-elite-240-white-v3Read 14 October 2026The white edition has its own page named Aqua Elite 240 WHITE V3.

Cooler typeiAir is a heatsink with fans that sits on the CPU. AIO liquid is a sealed all-in-one liquid cooler with a pump block, tubes and a radiator.

AIO liquid1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280/ACFRE00179ARead 14 October 2026

AIO liquid1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/aqua-elite-240-v3Read 14 October 2026

Air cooler layoutiAir coolers only. Top-flow covers low-profile coolers whose fan blows down onto the board.

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Rated TDP (claimed)iThe heat load the maker says the cooler handles. Makers do not share one test method, so this is not a measured result. A maker's maximum heat dissipation power counts. Check the maker's CPU compatibility page too.

Not available

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Base materialiThe surface that touches the CPU: the heatsink base or the AIO cold plate. Plating counts, so nickel-plated copper is not copper. Direct-touch heat pipes are the contact surface, so they count as copper unless plating is stated. The direct-contact heat pipes field records the design.

Copper1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280/ACFRE00179ARead 14 October 20262Maker spec sheet (PDF)arctic.de/media/8d/54/b6/1748955792/Spec_Sheet_Liquid_Freezer_III_Pro_280_EN.pdfRead 14 October 2026Cold Plate: Copper, Micro Skived Fins. No plating is stated.

Copper7Retailer pageldlc.com/en/product/PB00627311.htmlRead 14 October 2026Specification table: Material(s) Copper and Aluminum, with the maker stating an aluminium radiator. The cold plate is read as the copper part. The maker's page does not name the cold plate material. Tom's Hardware lists a copper base for the Aqua Elite 360 White V3, which uses the same 62 x 62 x 53 mm pump block.

Thermal pasteiPre-applied means paste is already on the base or cold plate. Included means a separate tube or syringe in the box.

Included1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280/ACFRE00179ARead 14 October 2026Feature text: Includes MX-6 Thermal Paste, applied by the user. The spec sheet lists TIM MX-6 (0.8 g).2Maker spec sheet (PDF)arctic.de/media/8d/54/b6/1748955792/Spec_Sheet_Liquid_Freezer_III_Pro_280_EN.pdfRead 14 October 2026

Included3Owner's manualdownload.thermalright.com/manuals/AQUAELITE240V3.pdfRead 14 October 2026Components page, item M: Thermal Compound X1, a loose tube. The manual says to apply the compound on the CPU IHS before fitting the block.

Compatibility

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CPU socketsiSockets the maker lists as supported in its spec table, compatibility list or guide, written as cpu_socket writes them, e.g. AM5 or LGA1851. List each socket on its own, so LGA115x becomes LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155 and LGA1156. When the maker names the sockets of such a family, list only the ones it names. A socket that needs a separately sold or requested mounting kit is left out. A new socket that the maker lists with no extra kit counts. LGA2011-v3 and 2011(V3) are written LGA2011-3. Threadripper sockets use AMD's names, so TR4 is written sTR4 and TR5 is written sTR5. sTRX4 and sWRX8 are sockets of their own.

AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA17001Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280/ACFRE00179ARead 14 October 2026The product information block and the spec sheet name LGA1851, LGA1700, AM5 and AM4 in the specifications. The shop filter line also lists Intel 115X and 1200, but the spec sheet and manual do not, so they are not stored.2Maker spec sheet (PDF)arctic.de/media/8d/54/b6/1748955792/Spec_Sheet_Liquid_Freezer_III_Pro_280_EN.pdfRead 14 October 20263Owner's manualsupport.arctic.de/liquid-freezer-III-pro-280Read 14 October 2026Select your CPU Socket: AMD AM5, AM4 and Intel LGA1851, LGA1700.

AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA1151, LGA1150, LGA2066, LGA20111Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/aqua-elite-240-v3Read 14 October 2026Page header: Intel LGA115X/1200/1700/1851 and AMD AM4/AM5. LGA115X is written as LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155 and LGA1156. LGA2011 and LGA2066 are not in the page header. They come from the maker's installation guide, which has an INTEL LGA20XX page with a 2011 mounting hole, and from LDLC, which lists Intel 2011, 2011-v3 and 2066 for this model. LGA2011-3 and LGA1366 are not stored.3Owner's manualdownload.thermalright.com/manuals/AQUAELITE240V3.pdfRead 14 October 2026Installation pages for Intel LGA115X/1200, LGA1700, LGA20XX and AMD AM4 (AM5 follows the AM4 steps). The manual is from August 2023 and has no LGA1851 page.7Retailer pageldlc.com/en/product/PB00627311.htmlRead 14 October 2026Processor support: Intel 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1200, 1700, 1851, 2011, 2011-v3, 2066 and AMD AM4, AM5. Only the sockets the maker names are stored.

RAM height clearanceiAir coolers only. The tallest memory module that fits under the cooler with all included fans in their standard position. When the maker gives different values per socket, store the lowest and name the others in the source note. A heatsink that does not reach over the memory slots has no height limit, so the field is left out and the maker's statement goes in the source note.

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Offset mountingiThe included mount can shift the base or cold plate off the socket centre, for example toward the AM5 hotspot. An asymmetric heatsink on a centred base does not count.

Yes1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280/ACFRE00179ARead 14 October 2026Feature text: Offset Mounting for Intel and AMD shifts the cold plate to the CPU hotspot.3Owner's manualsupport.arctic.de/liquid-freezer-III-pro-280Read 14 October 2026AM4 step: the offset mounting leaves parts of the heatspreader visible because the CPU hotspot is off-centre.

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Heatsink

None of 3 known

Heat pipesiAir coolers only. Number of heat pipes. A U-shaped pipe with two ends in the fins counts as one. A T-shaped pipe with three ends, such as Cooler Master's 3DHP, also counts as one. The maker's count wins over a review or Cybenetics count.

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Heat pipe diameteriAir coolers only. Outer diameter, such as 6 or 8.

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Direct-contact heat pipesiAir coolers only. The heat pipes touch the CPU directly instead of sitting in a solid base plate.

Not available

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Liquid cooling

4 of 7 differ

Radiator sizeiAIO coolers only. The nominal size class from the fan positions, such as 240, 280, 360 or 420.

280mm1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280/ACFRE00179ARead 14 October 20262Maker spec sheet (PDF)arctic.de/media/8d/54/b6/1748955792/Spec_Sheet_Liquid_Freezer_III_Pro_280_EN.pdfRead 14 October 2026

240mm1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/aqua-elite-240-v3Read 14 October 2026The product is a 240 mm class radiator with two 120 mm fans. The page names the radiator material and no size.

Radiator dimensionsiRadiator without fans. Length runs along the row of fans. Width runs across it. Thickness is the depth the airflow passes through, such as 27 or 38.

Length317Width138Thickness38mm(12.5 × 5.4 × 1.5 in)1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280/ACFRE00179ARead 14 October 20262Maker spec sheet (PDF)arctic.de/media/8d/54/b6/1748955792/Spec_Sheet_Liquid_Freezer_III_Pro_280_EN.pdfRead 14 October 2026General specifications: radiator dimensions 317 (L) x 138 (W) x 38 (H) mm, material aluminium. The 2D drawing shows two 140 mm fan positions.

Length276Width120Thickness27mm(10.9 × 4.7 × 1.1 in)2Maker product pagethermalright.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/AE-V3-240.jpgRead 14 October 2026Blueprint Dimension drawing on the maker page: radiator 120.0 +/-1.0 mm wide, 276.0 +/-1.0 mm long and 27.0 +/-0.5 mm thick, without fans. LDLC lists the same 276 x 120 x 27 mm and 52 mm with a fan. Amazon.com's description says 277 x 120 x 27 mm.7Retailer pageldlc.com/en/product/PB00627311.htmlRead 14 October 2026Dimensions without fan: 276 x 120 x 27 mm. With fan: 52 mm high.

Radiator material

Aluminium1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280/ACFRE00179ARead 14 October 20262Maker spec sheet (PDF)arctic.de/media/8d/54/b6/1748955792/Spec_Sheet_Liquid_Freezer_III_Pro_280_EN.pdfRead 14 October 2026

Aluminium1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/aqua-elite-240-v3Read 14 October 2026Specification table: Radiator Aluminum.

Tube lengthiLength of each tube between the pump block and the radiator, as published. When the two tubes differ, the shorter is stored and the other goes in the source note.

450mm1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280/ACFRE00179ARead 14 October 20262Maker spec sheet (PDF)arctic.de/media/8d/54/b6/1748955792/Spec_Sheet_Liquid_Freezer_III_Pro_280_EN.pdfRead 14 October 20269Press articlefunkykit.com/news/pc-computers/arctic-introduces-liquid-freezer-iii-pro-all-in-one-cpu-water-coolingRead 14 October 2026Article of 31 March 2025 on the series launch: tubes are 450 mm for the 240, 280 and 360 mm models and 500 mm for the 420. The same article said the 280 mm cooler would follow in Q2 2025.

400mm2Maker product pagethermalright.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/AE-V3-240.jpgRead 14 October 2026Blueprint drawing: tube 400 +/-10 mm. LDLC and Amazon.com also say 400 mm.7Retailer pageldlc.com/en/product/PB00627311.htmlRead 14 October 2026Main features: hose length 400 mm.

Max pump speediHighest rated pump speed. When the maker gives a range, this is its top.

2,800rpm1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280/ACFRE00179ARead 14 October 20262Maker spec sheet (PDF)arctic.de/media/8d/54/b6/1748955792/Spec_Sheet_Liquid_Freezer_III_Pro_280_EN.pdfRead 14 October 2026Pump 800-2800 rpm, PWM controlled, 0.35 A at 12 V DC.

2,800rpm1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/aqua-elite-240-v3Read 14 October 2026Pump Rated Speed: 2800 RPM +/-10% (MAX). Amazon.com's description also says 2800 RPM +/-10%. Several retailer copies of an older text say 3300 RPM, so the maker's current page wins.8Retailer pageamazon.com/dp/B0CCNS5NZ9Read 14 October 2026Description: pump speed 2800 RPM +/-10%. The listing's item weight of 100 g is not the weight of the cooler and is not stored.

Pump power connectoriHow the pump gets power. A pump wired through a supplied hub or cable uses the plug at the motherboard or PSU end. A pump powered from SATA with a separate 3-pin speed lead is SATA power.

4-pin PWM fan header3Owner's manualsupport.arctic.de/liquid-freezer-III-pro-280Read 14 October 2026Connect the PWM control cable: the all-in-one cable has one 4-pin plug and the individual cable has three 4-pin plugs for pump, VRM fan and radiator fans. Three 4-pin headers are needed for individual control.

4-pin PWM fan header1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/aqua-elite-240-v3Read 14 October 2026Specification table: Connector 4 PIN PWM.3Owner's manualdownload.thermalright.com/manuals/AQUAELITE240V3.pdfRead 14 October 2026Waterblock/Fan Guide: connect the pump power cable to the motherboard WATER PUMP or CPU_OPT socket. The fans connect to the FAN HUB, which connects to the CPU FAN socket. The product page names the pump connector as 4 PIN PWM.

VRM faniA small fan on the pump block that blows over the motherboard voltage regulators.

Yes1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280/ACFRE00179ARead 14 October 2026VRM Module: VRM fan, 400-2500 rpm, PWM controlled, 0.05 A.2Maker spec sheet (PDF)arctic.de/media/8d/54/b6/1748955792/Spec_Sheet_Liquid_Freezer_III_Pro_280_EN.pdfRead 14 October 2026

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Fans

1 of 2 differ

Included fansiFans in the box that cool the heatsink or radiator, one row per fan model. A VRM fan on the pump block is left out. Speed, airflow, pressure and noise are the maker's figures for one fan at full speed, in the fastest mode and without a low-noise adapter. When a range is published, the top of the range is stored. Count is the number of rotors, so a unified frame with three 120 mm rotors counts 3 with size 120. Min speed is the lowest speed while spinning. A zero RPM stop is not stored. FDB and S-FDB are fluid dynamic. HDB is hydrodynamic. Cooler Master's Loop Dynamic Bearing is loop dynamic. If the maker gives airflow only in m³/h, convert with 1 m³/h = 0.5886 CFM, round to one decimal and say so in the source note. Connector is the fan's power lead. A separate lighting lead is not counted, and a maker cable or adapter in the box that ends in a 4-pin PWM plug counts as 4-pin PWM, even when the fan's own lead is proprietary. For an air cooler with one fan, the maker's noise figure for the cooler is the fan noise. A figure the maker does not label per fan or in total counts as per fan. When a maker table prints noise for the whole cooler with no per-fan label and the maker's own data sheet for the same fan gives a figure, the fan data sheet figure is stored.

AARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 280

Model	Size (mm)	Fans	Min speed (rpm)	Max speed (rpm)	Airflow (CFM)	Static pressure (mmH₂O)	Bearing	Connector
P14 Pro	140	2	400	2,500	110	5.2	Fluid dynamic (FDB)	4-pin PWM

Source1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280/ACFRE00179ARead 14 October 2026Radiator Fan: 2x P14 Pro, 400-2500 rpm, 110 cfm | 186 m3/h, 5.2 mmH2O, fluid dynamic bearing, 4-pin fan plug. The page and the spec sheet state no fan noise level, so noise_dba is left out. The standalone P14 Pro page says 25 dB(A) for low-speed operation, which is not the full-speed figure.2Maker spec sheet (PDF)arctic.de/media/8d/54/b6/1748955792/Spec_Sheet_Liquid_Freezer_III_Pro_280_EN.pdfRead 14 October 2026Radiator fan specifications: 2 x P14 Pro, 400-2500 rpm, 110 cfm, 5.2 mmH2O, fluid dynamic bearing, 4-pin fan plug. The VRM fan (400-2500 rpm) is not in the table. The sheet states no noise level.

BThermalright Aqua Elite 240 V3

Model	Size (mm)	Fans	Max speed (rpm)	Airflow (CFM)	Static pressure (mmH₂O)	Noise (claimed) (dB(A))	Bearing	Connector
TL-C12B-S V2	120	2	1,500	66.17	1.53	25.6	Fluid dynamic (FDB)	4-pin PWM

Source1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/aqua-elite-240-v3Read 14 October 2026TL-C12B-S V2 specification: 120 x 120 x 25 mm, 135 g, rated speed 1500 RPM +/-10% (MAX), noise 25.6 dBA (MAX), air flow 66.17 CFM (MAX), air pressure 1.53 mm H2O (MAX), 4 PIN PWM connector, S-FDB bearing. S-FDB is stored as fluid dynamic. The page does not state the fan count. The count of 2 comes from the manual. No minimum speed is published.3Owner's manualdownload.thermalright.com/manuals/AQUAELITE240V3.pdfRead 14 October 2026Components page, item A: Fan 240X2, 280X2, 360X3. The 240 mm model has 2 fans.

FansiNumber of included heatsink or radiator fans.

2=CalculatedFrom Included fans

2=CalculatedFrom Included fans

Display and lighting

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RGB lightingiLighting on the fans, the heatsink or the pump block.

No1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280/ACFRE00179ARead 14 October 2026Lighting: none. The A-RGB editions ACFRE00183A and ACFRE00187A use P14 Pro A-RGB fans with the same speed, airflow, pressure and bearing, and a lower weight, so they are variant rows.

Yes1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/aqua-elite-240-v3Read 14 October 2026Specification table lists an ARGB Connector of 3 PIN 5V for the pump block, and the fan specification lists the same connector. The block has an RGB ring and the fans have RGB lighting in the product photos.

Lighting standardiThe named lighting connection. ARGB lighting alone does not prove a 5 V header. Proprietary means the maker's own hub or cable system.

Not available

ARGB 5 V1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/aqua-elite-240-v3Read 14 October 2026ARGB Connector: 3 PIN 5V.

Built-in screeniA screen on the pump block or the heatsink. LCD and OLED screens show images. A segment readout shows digits only, such as the CPU temperature.

None1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280/ACFRE00179ARead 14 October 2026No screen on the pump block. Lighting: none.

None1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/aqua-elite-240-v3Read 14 October 2026The page lists a pump block, a radiator and fans only. No screen is mentioned.

Screen sizeiDiagonal of the built-in screen.

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Screen resolution

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SoftwareiThe maker's software for lighting, the screen or the pump. Software that works with the cooler out of the box. Software that needs a separately sold controller is left out.

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Needs a USB headeriThe cooler needs an internal USB 2.0 header on the motherboard for software control, sensors or the screen. A wireless receiver that plugs into any USB port does not count.

No3Owner's manualsupport.arctic.de/liquid-freezer-III-pro-280Read 14 October 2026The installation steps and both quick start guides connect only PWM cables. No USB cable is supplied or mentioned.

No3Owner's manualdownload.thermalright.com/manuals/AQUAELITE240V3.pdfRead 14 October 2026The Waterblock/Fan Guide shows only the pump cable, the fan hub and a 3-pin ARGB cable. No USB connection is shown.

Measured

None of 6 known

Cybenetics THETA, AMD AM5iThe THETA level for this cooler's class on the Cybenetics AMD AM5 platform with a Ryzen 9 7900X. It is rated at 30 dB(A) normalized noise, or at 25 dB(A) for a cooler that cannot reach 30 dB(A). No level means tested without a level. A cooler that Cybenetics did not test on this platform is left out. A report with a heading for this platform but no results counts as not tested.

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Cybenetics THETA, Intel LGA1851iThe same rating on the Cybenetics Intel LGA1851 platform with a Core Ultra 9 285K. A cooler that Cybenetics did not test on this platform is left out. A report with a heading for this platform but no results counts as not tested.

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Overall performance at 30 dB(A), AM5 (measured)iThe Cybenetics Overall Performance score at 30 dB(A) normalized noise on the AMD AM5 platform. It is average CPU power times average CPU frequency divided by average CPU temperature. Higher is better. A cooler rated only at 25 dB(A) has no value here.

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Overall performance at 30 dB(A), LGA1851 (measured)iThe same score on the Cybenetics Intel LGA1851 platform. Scores from the two platforms are not comparable with each other.

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Noise at 100% fan setting (Cybenetics)iThe Cybenetics noise at the 100% fan setting, measured 1 m from the cooler in a hemi-anechoic chamber, with the pump of an AIO at full speed. Other reviewers' noise goes in the thermal test rows.

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Thermal tests (measured)iReviewer results, one row per test condition. Rows compare only when the test CPU, load, power and noise level match. The source note names the reviewer, ambient temperature, case or open bench, and thermal paste. Test CPU is the CPU name only, such as AMD Ryzen 9 7900X. The power limit and mode go in the load. Above ambient is stored only when the reviewer publishes it, never computed from the ambient.

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Dimensions and weight

1 of 4 differ

DimensionsiAir coolers only. The cooler with its included fans in the standard position, without the mounting kit. Height runs from the bottom of the base to the top. Depth runs along the airflow, fans included. Width runs across the fins. Map by direction, not by letter. Width runs across the fins, depth runs along the airflow. DeepCool's 129 x 138 x 160 mm (L x W x H) is width 129, depth 138, height 160.

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Heatsink dimensionsiAir coolers only. The heatsink without fans, as the maker lists it. Map by direction, not by letter. Width runs across the fins, depth runs along the airflow. DeepCool's 129 x 138 x 160 mm (L x W x H) is width 129, depth 138, height 160. A heatsink depth that equals the depth with fans includes the fan, so that axis is not stored.

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WeightiAn air cooler with its included fans. An AIO cooler as one unit with pump block, tubes, radiator and fans. Mounting hardware is left out when the maker states it separately. When one maker figure may include the mounting kit, such as a press release net weight above the product page figure, the product page figure is stored. An RGB edition can weigh a little more or less, so it is per variant.

1,905g(4.2 lb)1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280/ACFRE00179ARead 14 October 2026General specifications: weight 1905 g for the black model. Packaging weight is 2.322 kg, and the spec sheet gross weight is 2322 g.2Maker spec sheet (PDF)arctic.de/media/8d/54/b6/1748955792/Spec_Sheet_Liquid_Freezer_III_Pro_280_EN.pdfRead 14 October 2026General specifications: weight 1905 g.

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Heatsink weightiAir coolers only. The heatsink without fans.

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In the box

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In the boxiItems supplied with this exact model, verbatim.

VRM fan module, CPU contact frame (Intel), PWM cable (all in one), PWM cable (individual control), Metal flat washers, Screws, Shoulder screws (Intel), Mounting clips set (AMD), Spacers (AMD), T20 driver, MX-6 thermal paste (0.8 g)4Owner's manualsupport.arctic.de/products/liquid-freezer-iii-pro-280/techdocs/Quick_Manual_Intel_r1b.pdfRead 14 October 2026Packaging Content of the Intel quick start guide for the Liquid Freezer III Pro series: VRM fan module, CPU contact frame, two PWM cables, metal flat washers, screws (x8 or x12 by radiator size), shoulder screws, T20 driver and MX-6 (0.8 g). The AMD guide replaces the contact frame and shoulder screws with a mounting clips set and four spacers. The guides are shared by the series and list no item that only an A-RGB edition has.

Fan x2, INTEL Bracket x2, INTEL 115X/1700 Backplate x1, AMD AM4/AM5 Bracket x2, LGA115X/LGA17XX Screws x4, Plastic Spacer x4, 115X Standoffs x4, 17XX Standoffs x4, LGA20XX Screw x4, INTEL nuts x4, Fan mounting screw x8, Radiator mounting screw x8, Thermal Compound x1, FAN HUB x1, AM4/AM5 Screw x4, AM4/AM5 Standoffs x43Owner's manualdownload.thermalright.com/manuals/AQUAELITE240V3.pdfRead 14 October 2026Components page, items A to P, copied as printed. The page covers the 240, 280 and 360 mm models. Counts are those for the 240 mm model (fan 240X2, fan mounting screw 240X8, radiator mounting screw 240X8, fan hub 240X1). The radiator and pump block are not in the parts list.

Links

Not compared

Product page

www.arctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280/ACFRE00179A1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280/ACFRE00179ARead 14 October 2026

www.thermalright.com/product/aqua-elite-240-v31Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/aqua-elite-240-v3Read 14 October 2026

Spec sheet

www.arctic.de/media/8d/54/b6/1748955792/Spec_Sheet_Liquid_Freezer_III_Pro_280_EN.pdf2Maker spec sheet (PDF)arctic.de/media/8d/54/b6/1748955792/Spec_Sheet_Liquid_Freezer_III_Pro_280_EN.pdfRead 14 October 2026

Not available

Manual

support.arctic.de/liquid-freezer-III-pro-2803Owner's manualsupport.arctic.de/liquid-freezer-III-pro-280Read 14 October 2026

download.thermalright.com/manuals/AQUAELITE240V3.pdf3Owner's manualdownload.thermalright.com/manuals/AQUAELITE240V3.pdfRead 14 October 2026

EPREL registration numberiId in the EU energy label database. Each size or model of a series has its own id, so it is per variant.

Not available

Not available

Warranty

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Manufacturer warranty (source market)iThe maker's warranty period for the exact SKU or configuration and market named in the source note. It applies only to that stated market, not every regional variant. Statutory consumer rights are excluded. The base term is stored. An extension that needs registration goes in the source note.

6years1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-280/ACFRE00179ARead 14 October 2026Spec sheet and page state 6 years. The page names no market.2Maker spec sheet (PDF)arctic.de/media/8d/54/b6/1748955792/Spec_Sheet_Liquid_Freezer_III_Pro_280_EN.pdfRead 14 October 2026General specifications: warranty 6 Years.

3years1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/aqua-elite-240-v3Read 14 October 2026Specification table: Warranty 3 Years, with no market named. Some retailers state 5 years and LDLC states a 2 year seller warranty.

Both are also in the API. Back to all CPU coolers.