CPU coolers / Compare

ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 vs NZXT Kraken Plus 280

A

Product A: ARCTIC

Liquid Freezer III Pro 420

35 of 54 known

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B

Product B: NZXT

Kraken Plus 280

31 of 54 known

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Every value links to where we found it.

Only differences

AARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 420

BNZXT Kraken Plus 280

General

6 of 12 differ

Series

Liquid Freezer III Pro8Owner's manualsupport.arctic.de/products/liquid-freezer-iii-pro-420/techdocs/Quick_Manual_AMD_r1b.pdfRead 14 October 2026Quick start guide title: Liquid Freezer III Pro Series.

Kraken Plus1Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-280Read 15 October 2026The page is titled Kraken Plus 280 and its family selector reads Plus, 1.54 inch LCD. The non-RGB model, not the Plus RGB. NZXT sells no RGB Kraken Plus 280.

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

ACFRE00181A, ACFRE00185A, ACFRE00189A1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-420/ACFRE00181ARead 14 October 20262Maker spec sheet (PDF)arctic.de/media/b2/dc/e3/1749041473/Spec_Sheet_Liquid_Freezer_III_Pro_420_EN.pdfRead 14 October 2026

RL-KN280-B21Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-280Read 15 October 2026Product info: RL-KN280-B2 (Black).

GTIN / EAN

4895265000348, 840033403016, 4895265000355, 840033403023, 4895265000362, 8400334030301Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-420/ACFRE00181ARead 14 October 20262Maker spec sheet (PDF)arctic.de/media/b2/dc/e3/1749041473/Spec_Sheet_Liquid_Freezer_III_Pro_420_EN.pdfRead 14 October 2026Shipping information: SKU ACFRE00181A, EAN 4895265000348, UPC 840033403016. The A-RGB sheet gives EAN 4895265000355 and UPC 840033403023 for ACFRE00185A, and EAN 4895265000362 and UPC 840033403030 for the white ACFRE00189A.

5056547205205, 8100748452981Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-280Read 15 October 2026Product info: UPC 810074845298 (Black), EAN 5056547205205 (Black).

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

9 July 202512Press articleclub386.com/arctic-launches-liquid-freezer-iii-pro-in-280mm-and-420mm-flavoursRead 14 October 2026Date of the Club386 launch article. ARCTIC's own release could not be opened.

Not available

Status

Available1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-420/ACFRE00181ARead 14 October 2026The arctic.de store lists the black model ACFRE00181A with an add-to-cart button on the access date.

Available1Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-280Read 15 October 2026On sale on nzxt.com at $159.99 on the access date.5Press articlehardcoregamer.com/nzxt-launches-four-new-pc-componentsRead 15 October 2026The article says the components are available now. nzxt.com still lists the 280 at the same price.

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

Not available

Not available

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.

Not available

Not available

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

$148.9912Press articleclub386.com/arctic-launches-liquid-freezer-iii-pro-in-280mm-and-420mm-flavoursRead 14 October 2026Price table: Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 regular price $148.99 with a launch discount to $98.49. The regular price is stored, not the discounted one. 3DTested also lists an MSRP of $148.99 but could not be opened.

$159.991Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-280Read 15 October 2026The page price is $159.99. The same price is in the May 2025 launch article. US prices exclude tax.5Press articlehardcoregamer.com/nzxt-launches-four-new-pc-componentsRead 15 October 2026Kraken Plus 280 $159.99. US prices exclude tax.

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

€169.996Press articlegeektopia.es/es/technology/2025/05/21/noticias/nzxt-anuncia-la-serie-kraken-plus-de-refrigeraciones-liquidas.htmlRead 15 October 2026Price list in euros: Kraken Plus 280 169.99 EUR. The article names no country. A Spanish site, so it is read as the EU price including VAT. Hardware & Co shows 169.90 EUR in its spec table on 24 May 2025. The 169.99 figure is the one stored.

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-420/ACFRE00181ARead 14 October 2026The arctic.de store sells in EUR incl. VAT. The US market comes from the Club386 launch report in USD.12Press articleclub386.com/arctic-launches-liquid-freezer-iii-pro-in-280mm-and-420mm-flavoursRead 14 October 2026USD launch prices point to the US market.

US, EU5Press articlehardcoregamer.com/nzxt-launches-four-new-pc-componentsRead 15 October 2026USD pricing for the US.6Press articlegeektopia.es/es/technology/2025/05/21/noticias/nzxt-anuncia-la-serie-kraken-plus-de-refrigeraciones-liquidas.htmlRead 15 October 2026EUR pricing next to the USD pricing of the US launch.

ColoursiThe maker's own colour names

Black, White1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-420/ACFRE00181ARead 14 October 2026Product information: Colour Black. The A-RGB pages list Black (ACFRE00185A) and White (ACFRE00189A).

Black1Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-280Read 15 October 2026

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-420/ACFRE00181ARead 14 October 2026

AIO liquid1Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-280Read 15 October 2026

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

Not available

Not available

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

Not available

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-420/ACFRE00181ARead 14 October 2026Spec sheet: Cold Plate Copper, Micro Skived Fins. No plating is stated.2Maker spec sheet (PDF)arctic.de/media/b2/dc/e3/1749041473/Spec_Sheet_Liquid_Freezer_III_Pro_420_EN.pdfRead 14 October 2026

Copper1Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-280Read 15 October 2026Tech specs: cold plate material copper, a 56 x 56 mm split-flow plate.

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-420/ACFRE00181ARead 14 October 2026Feature text: Includes MX-6 Thermal Paste. The spec sheet lists TIM MX-6 (0.8 g). The tube is separate from the pump.2Maker spec sheet (PDF)arctic.de/media/b2/dc/e3/1749041473/Spec_Sheet_Liquid_Freezer_III_Pro_420_EN.pdfRead 14 October 2026

Pre-applied1Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-280Read 15 October 2026Overview: pre-applied thermal paste.9Reviewginjfo.com/dossiers/tests-materiel/composants/refroidissement/watercooling-aio/test-kraken-plus-280-de-nzxt-20260916Read 15 October 2026Thermal paste is pre-applied on the copper base.

Compatibility

2 of 3 differ

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-420/ACFRE00181ARead 14 October 2026The product information block and the spec sheet name LGA1851, LGA1700, AM5 and AM4 under Compatibility. 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/b2/dc/e3/1749041473/Spec_Sheet_Liquid_Freezer_III_Pro_420_EN.pdfRead 14 October 2026

AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA1151, LGA11501Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-280Read 15 October 2026Tech specs: Intel LGA 1851, 1700, 1200 and 115X, AMD AM5 and AM4. 115X is stored as LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155 and LGA1156 by the plan rule. The FAQ says mounting hardware for all of them is in the box.3Owner's manualcdn-g.nzxt.com/dl/Kraken%20Plus_Manual_240919_V2-WEB.pdfRead 15 October 2026Component list: Intel 1851/1700 and 1200/115X standoffs, AMD AM5/AM4 retention bracket and standoffs.

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.

Not available

Not available

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-420/ACFRE00181ARead 14 October 2026Feature text: Offset Mounting for Intel and AMD shifts the cold plate to the CPU hotspot.6Owner's manualsupport.arctic.de/liquid-freezer-III-pro-420Read 14 October 2026AM4 step: the offset mounting leaves parts of the heatspreader visible because the CPU hotspot is off-centre.

Not available

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.

Not available

Not available

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

Not available

Not available

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

Not available

Not available

Liquid cooling

5 of 7 differ

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

420mm1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-420/ACFRE00181ARead 14 October 2026Product information: Radiator Size 420.

280mm1Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-280Read 15 October 2026Cooler type: liquid AIO, 280 mm radiator, with two 140 mm fans.

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.

Length458Width138Thickness38mm(18 × 5.4 × 1.5 in)1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-420/ACFRE00181ARead 14 October 20262Maker spec sheet (PDF)arctic.de/media/b2/dc/e3/1749041473/Spec_Sheet_Liquid_Freezer_III_Pro_420_EN.pdfRead 14 October 2026General specifications: radiator dimensions 458 (L) x 138 (W) x 38 (H) mm, material aluminium.

Length321Width140Thickness27mm(12.6 × 5.5 × 1.1 in)1Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-280Read 15 October 2026Tech specs: radiator 321 x 140 x 27 mm (12.6 x 5.5 x 1.1 in), aluminum. Length runs along the two fans, so 321 is the length, 140 the width and 27 the thickness. The FAQ adds 25 mm of fan thickness.7Reviewhardwareand.co/dossiers/refroidissement/nzxt-sort-ses-kraken-plus-le-280-est-en-test-sur-h-coRead 15 October 2026Aluminium radiator of 321 mm length, 140 mm width and 27 mm thickness.

Radiator material

Aluminium1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-420/ACFRE00181ARead 14 October 20262Maker spec sheet (PDF)arctic.de/media/b2/dc/e3/1749041473/Spec_Sheet_Liquid_Freezer_III_Pro_420_EN.pdfRead 14 October 2026

Aluminium1Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-280Read 15 October 2026

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.

500mm1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-420/ACFRE00181ARead 14 October 20262Maker spec sheet (PDF)arctic.de/media/b2/dc/e3/1749041473/Spec_Sheet_Liquid_Freezer_III_Pro_420_EN.pdfRead 14 October 2026General specifications: tube length 500 mm, outer 12.4 mm, inner 6.0 mm. Club386 says 450 mm, which is the 360 mm model's figure, so the sheet is followed.11Reviewkitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/arctic-liquid-freezer-iii-pro-420-aio-cpu-cooler-review/all/1Read 14 October 2026Specifications list: radiator tube length 500mm.

400mm1Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-280Read 15 October 2026Tech specs: tubing length 400 mm, CIIR rubber with nylon braided sleeve. Both tubes are given one length.7Reviewhardwareand.co/dossiers/refroidissement/nzxt-sort-ses-kraken-plus-le-280-est-en-test-sur-h-coRead 15 October 2026Review text: 400 mm of sheathed tubes.

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-420/ACFRE00181ARead 14 October 20262Maker spec sheet (PDF)arctic.de/media/b2/dc/e3/1749041473/Spec_Sheet_Liquid_Freezer_III_Pro_420_EN.pdfRead 14 October 2026Pump 800 to 2800 rpm, PWM controlled.

2,800rpm1Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-280Read 15 October 2026NZXT Turbine pump, motor speed 1,200 - 2,800 +/-300 RPM, 12 V DC 0.3 A. The rated top of 2,800 is stored.4Maker product pagenzxt.com/blogs/news/nzxt-kraken-aio-coolers-explained-elite-plus-and-coreRead 15 October 2026Kraken Plus pump 1,200 to 2,800 RPM, adjustable.7Reviewhardwareand.co/dossiers/refroidissement/nzxt-sort-ses-kraken-plus-le-280-est-en-test-sur-h-coRead 15 October 2026NZXT Turbine pump running between 1200 and 2800 rpm.9Reviewginjfo.com/dossiers/tests-materiel/composants/refroidissement/watercooling-aio/test-kraken-plus-280-de-nzxt-20260916Read 15 October 2026The pump speed is adjustable from 1200 to 2800 rpm.

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 header6Owner's manualsupport.arctic.de/liquid-freezer-III-pro-420Read 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. Headers must be set to PWM. The spec sheet shows a 4-Pin Fan Plug for the pump.

SATA power3Owner's manualcdn-g.nzxt.com/dl/Kraken%20Plus_Manual_240919_V2-WEB.pdfRead 15 October 2026Hardware introduction lists the breakout cable set with an 18-pin connector, a 3-pin pump connector, an 8-pin female connector, a pump SATA power connector and a USB connector. Powering the pump: the pump SATA power connector goes to a PSU SATA power connector, and the 3-pin pump connector goes to the CPU_FAN or AIO_PUMP header. A note says the fan-fail warning may need disabling if CPU_FAN is unused, so the 3-pin plug carries the pump speed signal. GinjFo also says a SATA connector is needed for power. The pump is powered through SATA, so sata_power is the closest option.9Reviewginjfo.com/dossiers/tests-materiel/composants/refroidissement/watercooling-aio/test-kraken-plus-280-de-nzxt-20260916Read 15 October 2026A SATA connector is needed for power and a USB 2.0 header for CAM.

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

Yes1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-420/ACFRE00181ARead 14 October 20262Maker spec sheet (PDF)arctic.de/media/b2/dc/e3/1749041473/Spec_Sheet_Liquid_Freezer_III_Pro_420_EN.pdfRead 14 October 2026

Not available

Fans

2 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 420

Model	Size (mm)	Fans	Min speed (rpm)	Max speed (rpm)	Airflow (CFM)	Static pressure (mmH₂O)	Bearing	Connector
P14 Pro	140	3	400	2,500	110	5.2	Fluid dynamic (FDB)	4-pin PWM

Source1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-420/ACFRE00181ARead 14 October 2026Radiator fans: 3x P14 Pro, 400 to 2500 rpm, 110 cfm, 5.2 mmH2O, fluid dynamic bearing, 4-pin fan plug. The page and sheet state no noise level, so noise_dba is left out. The VRM fan (400 to 2500 rpm, 0.05 A) is not in the table.2Maker spec sheet (PDF)arctic.de/media/b2/dc/e3/1749041473/Spec_Sheet_Liquid_Freezer_III_Pro_420_EN.pdfRead 14 October 2026Radiator fan specifications as on the product page. 0.35 A at 12 V DC.

BNZXT Kraken Plus 280

Model	Size (mm)	Fans	Min speed (rpm)	Max speed (rpm)	Airflow (CFM)	Static pressure (mmH₂O)	Noise (claimed) (dB(A))	Bearing	Connector
F140P Static Pressure Fan	140	2	500	1,700	93.2	4.45	30	Fluid dynamic (FDB)	4-pin PWM

Source1Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-280Read 15 October 2026Included fan specs for the F140P Static Pressure Fan: 2 individual fans, 140 x 140 x 25 mm, 500 - 1,700 +/-170 RPM, 93.2 CFM, 4.45 mmH2O, 30.0 dBA, fluid dynamic bearing, 4-pin PWM, 0.23 A at 12 V. The FAQ says each fan is rated 30.00 dBA at full speed. Zero RPM Mode stops the fans at low loads.3Owner's manualcdn-g.nzxt.com/dl/Kraken%20Plus_Manual_240919_V2-WEB.pdfRead 15 October 2026The F Series static pressure fan has a 4-pin PWM fan cable. The fan splitter cable has an 8-pin male plug for the breakout cable and 4-pin PWM headers for the fans.7Reviewhardwareand.co/dossiers/refroidissement/nzxt-sort-ses-kraken-plus-le-280-est-en-test-sur-h-coRead 15 October 2026Two F140P fans running between 500 and 1700 rpm, 158.3 m3/h (93.2 CFM) and 4.45 mmH2O.

FansiNumber of included heatsink or radiator fans.

3=CalculatedFrom Included fans

2=CalculatedFrom Included fans

Display and lighting

5 of 7 differ

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

No1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-420/ACFRE00181ARead 14 October 2026Lighting: none. The A-RGB editions ACFRE00185A and ACFRE00189A are variant rows.

No1Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-280Read 15 October 2026The F140P fan spec lists LED quantity 0. The overview sentence about RGB fans is shared text from the RGB models and is not followed.4Maker product pagenzxt.com/blogs/news/nzxt-kraken-aio-coolers-explained-elite-plus-and-coreRead 15 October 2026Lineup table: RGB on the fans only for Kraken Plus RGB. The non-RGB 240, 280 and 360 have no RGB fans.

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

Not available

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-420/ACFRE00181ARead 14 October 2026No screen on the pump block. Lighting: none.

LCD1Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-280Read 15 October 2026Display: transmissive TFT, 262K colours, 30 Hz, 300 cd/m2, software-adjustable orientation.4Maker product pagenzxt.com/blogs/news/nzxt-kraken-aio-coolers-explained-elite-plus-and-coreRead 15 October 2026Kraken Plus has a square 1.54-inch TFT LCD, 240 x 240, 30 Hz.

Screen sizeiDiagonal of the built-in screen.

Not available

1.54in(3.9 cm)1Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-280Read 15 October 2026Diagonal 39.1 mm (1.5 in) in the spec table. The overview and FAQ say 1.54 inch, and 39.1 mm is 1.54 in.

Screen resolution

Not available

240 × 240px1Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-280Read 15 October 2026240 x 240 px.

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.

Not available

NZXT CAM1Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-280Read 15 October 2026The overview says the display, fan and pump curves are controlled with NZXT CAM.

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.

No6Owner's manualsupport.arctic.de/liquid-freezer-III-pro-420Read 14 October 2026The installation steps and both quick start guides connect only PWM cables. No USB cable is supplied or mentioned.

Yes3Owner's manualcdn-g.nzxt.com/dl/Kraken%20Plus_Manual_240919_V2-WEB.pdfRead 15 October 2026Powering the pump and fans: connect the USB connector to an available USB 2.0 internal header on the motherboard.9Reviewginjfo.com/dossiers/tests-materiel/composants/refroidissement/watercooling-aio/test-kraken-plus-280-de-nzxt-20260916Read 15 October 2026A USB 2.0 motherboard header is needed for customisation through CAM.

Measured

4 of 6 differ

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.

Platinum9Measurementcybenetics.com/evaluations/coolers/97Read 14 October 2026Report ACCLR00097 is for the Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 A-RGB (P14 Pro A-RGB fans, 2360 g), tested Sep 19 to Oct 4, 2025. THETA Platinum, AIO, AM5, Ryzen 9 7900X, default mount, rated at 30 dB(A). The maker lists the same radiator and the same fan figures for the plain model, so the A-RGB report is used. Evaluated before Revision 2.0 under Revision 1.8. The report has no Intel LGA1851 results, so the LGA1851 fields are empty.

Not available

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.

Not available

Not available

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.

11,6699Measurementcybenetics.com/evaluations/coolers/97Read 14 October 2026Overall Performance 11,669 at 30 dB(A) on a Ryzen 9 7900X (PBO enabled).

Not available

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.

Not available

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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.

46.7dB(A)9Measurementcybenetics.com/evaluations/coolers/97Read 14 October 202646.7 dB(A) at the 100% fan setting (2366, 2400 and 2385 rpm). Hemi-anechoic chamber with a 6 dB(A) noise floor, Bruel & Kjaer 2270 G4 analyser with a 4955-A microphone, microphone 1 m from the cooler. The protocol keeps the AIO pump at full speed and does not separate its noise.

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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.

AARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 420

Test CPU	Load	CPU power (W)	Fan setting	Noise (dB(A))	CPU temperature (°C)	Above ambient (°C)
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X	Prime95 Small FFTs, full CPU load, PBO enabled	198.9	20 dB(A)	20	92.5	Not available
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X	Prime95 Small FFTs, full CPU load, PBO enabled	202.1	25 dB(A)	25	90.9	Not available
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X	Prime95 Small FFTs, full CPU load, PBO enabled	201.5	30 dB(A)	30	90.2	Not available
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X	Prime95 Small FFTs, full CPU load, PBO enabled	203.4	35 dB(A)	35	89.9	Not available
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X	Prime95 Small FFTs, full CPU load, PBO enabled	204.1	40 dB(A)	40	88.7	Not available
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X	Prime95 Small FFTs, full CPU load, PBO enabled	204.8	100%	46.7	88.7	Not available
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X	Manual overclock, all-core 5.2 GHz at 1.3 V, Cinebench R23 30-minute loop, steady state	Not available	100%	51	Not available	59
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X	Manual overclock, all-core 5.2 GHz at 1.3 V, Cinebench R23 30-minute loop, steady state	Not available	40 dB(A)	40	Not available	61
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X	Precision Boost Overdrive, Cinebench R23 30-minute loop, average package power	254	Not available	Not available	Not available	Not available

Source9Measurementcybenetics.com/evaluations/coolers/97Read 14 October 2026Cybenetics Cooling Solutions Test Protocol, A-RGB edition, AM5 platform only. Ambient 25 C plus or minus 0.5 C and 30% humidity in a climate chamber, open Cooler Master Test Bench, Prime95 Small FFTs, averages of the last 4 minutes, Arctic MX-4 paste for all tests (protocol PDF), Default mount, pump at full speed. CPU power at the EPS connectors. The report does not publish a temperature above ambient. Fans reach 46.7 dB(A) at 100%.10Measurementcybenetics.com/data/Cybenetics%20Cooling%20Solutions%20Test%20Protocol_en.pdfRead 14 October 2026Test Protocol Revision 2.2: Prime95 Small FFTs for at least 10 minutes per level, values averaged over the last 4 minutes, ambient 25 C plus or minus 0.5 C, humidity 30%, Arctic MX-4 for all tests, one mount per platform, AMD test system Ryzen 9 7900X with PBO enabled. This cooler was tested under the older Revision 1.8 procedure.11Reviewkitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/arctic-liquid-freezer-iii-pro-420-aio-cpu-cooler-review/all/1Read 14 October 2026James Dawson, review of 2025-08-20. AMD Ryzen 9 9950X on an ASRock X870E Nova WiFi, open test bench, Arctic MX-6 paste, Windows 11 24H2, ambient held at 19 to 21 C, at least two fresh installs. Manual overclock: all-core 5.2 GHz at 1.3 V, 30-minute Cinebench R23 loop, steady state. Row 1: fans at 100%, 51 dBA, 59 C over ambient. Row 2: fans locked to 40 dBA (almost 1600 rpm), 61 C over ambient. Row 3: Precision Boost Overdrive, the cooler held 254 W package power, and the fan setting is not stated. The charts give no other numbers. The noise distance is not stated.

BNZXT Kraken Plus 280

Test CPU	Load	CPU power (W)	Fan setting	Noise (dB(A))	CPU temperature (°C)	Above ambient (°C)
Intel Core i7-14700K	OCCT 12.1.18 CPU-only, 30 min pass, max temperature of the pass, CPU set to the 65 W profile, LGA1700	65	PWM	32	Not available	18.2
Intel Core i7-14700K	OCCT 12.1.18 CPU-only, 30 min pass, max temperature of the pass, CPU set to the 65 W profile, LGA1700	65	100%	44	Not available	14.3
Intel Core i7-14700K	OCCT 12.1.18 CPU-only, 30 min pass, max temperature of the pass, CPU set to the 65 W profile, LGA1700	65	50%	33.2	Not available	14.9
Intel Core i7-14700K	OCCT 12.1.18 CPU-only, 30 min pass, max temperature of the pass, CPU set to the 181 W profile, LGA1700	181	PWM	35.3	Not available	37.1
Intel Core i7-14700K	OCCT 12.1.18 CPU-only, 30 min pass, max temperature of the pass, CPU set to the 181 W profile, LGA1700	181	100%	44	Not available	35.7
Intel Core i7-14700K	OCCT 12.1.18 CPU-only, 30 min pass, max temperature of the pass, CPU set to the 181 W profile, LGA1700	181	50%	33.2	Not available	37.9
Intel Core i7-14700K	OCCT 12.1.18 CPU-only, 30 min pass, max temperature of the pass, CPU set to the 253 W profile, LGA1700	253	PWM	38.5	Not available	53.7
Intel Core i7-14700K	OCCT 12.1.18 CPU-only, 30 min pass, max temperature of the pass, CPU set to the 253 W profile, LGA1700	253	100%	44	Not available	50.8
Intel Core i7-14700K	OCCT 12.1.18 CPU-only, 30 min pass, max temperature of the pass, CPU set to the 253 W profile, LGA1700	253	50%	33.2	Not available	53.9
Intel Core i9-13900K	Open bench, package power held at 330 W, cooler at full potential, temperature read with Intel XTU, the CPU throttled	330	100%	Not available	100	Not available
Intel Core i9-13900K	Open bench, fans and pump raised in 10% steps to maximum, noise read with a sound meter 25 cm in front of the radiator	Not available	100%	52.6	Not available	Not available

Source8Measurementhardwareand.co/dossiers/refroidissement/nzxt-sort-ses-kraken-plus-le-280-est-en-test-sur-h-coRead 15 October 2026Hardware & Co, review of 24 May 2025. Platform LGA1700 with a Core i7-14700K on an Asus TUF Z790-BTF Wifi, Corsair Vengeance 6200 MT/s, RTX 3070 at 0 rpm, Noctua NT-H2 paste, Windows 11, OCCT 12.1.18 CPU-only, Open Hardware Monitor 0.9.6 and Core Temp 1.18.1. The CPU was set to 65, 181 and 253 W. Each cooler ran in PWM mode, at 100% and at 50%. After a 30 minute pass the highest temperature of the pass is shown as Delta T, the difference to the ambient air. The ambient value, the case or open bench and the PWM curve are not stated. Fan speed and noise were logged during the three runs, with a sound meter 50 cm from the cooler. The noise unit is printed as dB and the weighting is not stated, so the values are stored as dB(A). The 100% and 50% noise figures are one value per setting in the chart, so they repeat in every power row. The text gives 38.5 dB for the 253 W PWM run and 44 dB at 100%.9Reviewginjfo.com/dossiers/tests-materiel/composants/refroidissement/watercooling-aio/test-kraken-plus-280-de-nzxt-20260916Read 15 October 2026GinjFo, review of 16 September 2026. Core i9-13900K on an ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero, open air, temperature from Intel XTU. Package power was held at set values up to 330 W with every cooler at full potential. The Kraken Plus 280 covers the CPU up to 280 W. At 330 W the CPU hit thermal throttling and the temperature reached 100 C. The chart values are not in the text. Noise was read with a sound meter 25 cm in front of the radiator while fans and pump rose in 10% steps. It ranges from 32.1 to 52.6 dBA, and passes 52 dBA at full speed. The pump alone at full speed is 39 dBA, which is not stored.

Dimensions and weight

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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.

2,370g(5.2 lb)1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-420/ACFRE00181ARead 14 October 2026Spec sheet: weight 2370 g. Gross shipping weight is 2994 g.2Maker spec sheet (PDF)arctic.de/media/b2/dc/e3/1749041473/Spec_Sheet_Liquid_Freezer_III_Pro_420_EN.pdfRead 14 October 2026

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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)7Owner's manualsupport.arctic.de/products/liquid-freezer-iii-pro-420/techdocs/Quick_Manual_Intel_r1b.pdfRead 14 October 2026Packaging Content on 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, shoulder screws, T20 driver and MX-6 (0.8 g). The guide covers all sizes and lists screw counts as x8/x12. It lists no item that only an A-RGB edition has. The AMD guide adds a mounting clips set and four spacers.8Owner's manualsupport.arctic.de/products/liquid-freezer-iii-pro-420/techdocs/Quick_Manual_AMD_r1b.pdfRead 14 October 2026AMD quick start guide: mounting clips set x1, spacers x4, VRM fan module, two PWM cables, washers, screws and MX-6 (0.8 g).

Kraken Plus 280 x1, Intel Backplate x1, Intel Retention Bracket (pre-installed) x1, Intel Socket 1851/1700 Standoff x4, Intel Socket 1200/115X Standoff x4, AMD AM5/AM4 Retention Bracket x1, AMD Socket AM5/AM4 Standoff x4, Thumbscrew x4, Long Screws (30mm UNC 6-32) x16, Short Screws (5mm UNC 6-32) x8, Washer x8, F Series Static Pressure Fan x2, Breakout Cable Set x1, Fan Splitter Cable x13Owner's manualcdn-g.nzxt.com/dl/Kraken%20Plus_Manual_240919_V2-WEB.pdfRead 15 October 2026Component list of the Kraken Plus 240 / 280 / 360 poster manual, with the 280 quantities: 16 long screws, 8 short screws, 8 washers and 2 fans. Names are copied as printed.

Links

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Product page

www.arctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-420/ACFRE00181A1Maker product pagearctic.de/en/Liquid-Freezer-III-Pro-420/ACFRE00181ARead 14 October 2026

nzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-2801Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-280Read 15 October 2026

Spec sheet

www.arctic.de/media/b2/dc/e3/1749041473/Spec_Sheet_Liquid_Freezer_III_Pro_420_EN.pdf2Maker spec sheet (PDF)arctic.de/media/b2/dc/e3/1749041473/Spec_Sheet_Liquid_Freezer_III_Pro_420_EN.pdfRead 14 October 2026

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Manual

support.arctic.de/liquid-freezer-III-pro-4206Owner's manualsupport.arctic.de/liquid-freezer-III-pro-420Read 14 October 2026

cdn-g.nzxt.com/dl/Kraken%20Plus_Manual_240919_V2-WEB.pdf3Owner's manualcdn-g.nzxt.com/dl/Kraken%20Plus_Manual_240919_V2-WEB.pdfRead 15 October 2026Kraken Plus manual for the 240, 280 and 360, a two-page poster. The component list header reads Kraken Plus 240 / 280 / 360. The poster is drawings and small text (read with OCR).

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.

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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-420/ACFRE00181ARead 14 October 2026Spec sheet and product page: 6 Years. The ARCTIC warranty page says six years for the entire product range and names no market.2Maker spec sheet (PDF)arctic.de/media/b2/dc/e3/1749041473/Spec_Sheet_Liquid_Freezer_III_Pro_420_EN.pdfRead 14 October 2026

6years1Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-280Read 15 October 2026Product info: warranty 6 years. The page names no market.

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