AIO Buying Guide – August 2022

Introduction

A CPU needs to be cool in order to perform at its best, and finding the right one is crucial to a cool, quiet, and fast machine. With power limits and TDPs rising, and with socket keep out zones getting smaller and smaller, as well as the growing push to adopting more compact machines, AIOs are almost required for high end CPUs of 2022 and beyond.

AIOs have 3 major components; The Pump, the Radiator, and the Fans. The Pump is the heart of your AIO, pumping coolant around the AIO ensuring hot coolant be removed from the cold plate and redistributed to the radiator. The Radiator serves as the heat exchanger for the AIO, using cold air from the fans to bleed the heat from the coolant into the surrounding air. The Fans serve to deliver as much cold air to the radiator to maximize heat transfer.

All 3 contribute to the overall performance of your AIO, and is important to understand where each AIO excels and fails with.

AIOs generally come in 3 sizes; 120mm, 240mm, and 360mm. With the more niche size of 420mm gaining some attention.

120mm AIOs are usually not worth the cost over a comparable tower style heatsink, unless size constraints are a major factor.

240mm AIOs are generally focused on the mid-range of PC builds, with good models outperforming top tower style heatsinks, such as the Noctua NH-D15 and Deepcool AK620, and are worth considering for most users.

280mm AIOs aren’t very popular due to the fact they sit close enough to 360mm AIOs in pricing to not justify their position, however some are worth considering if they’re priced close to their 240mm brethren.

360mm AIOs are intended for enthusiast machines, with their length coming in conflict with some mid towers. However, they make up for this size with chart topping performance.

420mm AIOs are currently extremely niche with support only for full towers and some mid tower options. Offers the best performance possible over their 360mm variants, however the requirement of 140mm fans can be a detriment to some.

Our Picks:

120mm AIOs240mm AIOs280mm AIOs360mm AIOs420mm AIOs

Deepcool LS320

Deepcool released their LS line of AIOs, their best yet. With models that punch well above their weight class, and are quieter than their previous models, makes for amazing AIOs. Even the smallest of them all, the LS320, can still cool a 12900k.

Buy Deepcool LS320
Pros:
  • Superb performance for a 120mm AIO (Sufficient for a 12900k at 200w)
  • Quiet
  • Tasteful use of RGB
  • Great fan
  • Best in class pump
Cons:
  • Pump is massive and may not fit in all cases
  • Expensive
  • 90 degree orientation is required for best performance
  • Pump is DC only

Silverstone PF120

Silverstone released a few AIOs under their “Permafrost” branding. Budget AIOs with solid performance for the price and using the same Alpatek pump as the Lian Li Galahad, Thermaltake Toughliquid, amongst others. Pity only the price is the only thing going for the smaller sibling.

Buy Silverstone PF120
Pros:
  • Cheap
  • Solid pump
Cons:
  • Tower coolers outperform it for less
  • Pump design might not be to everyone’s liking

be quiet! Pure Loop 120

be quiet! released their budget line with an interesting twist; the inline pump. This made for more radiator mounting opportunities and allowing for a tiny CPU block allowing it to be installed in very small systems, even if the inline pump might not be the best for noise.

Buy be quiet! pure loop 120

Pros:
  • Very low profile block due to its inline pump design
  • Decent fan
  • Minimal design
Cons:
  • Tower coolers outperform it for less
  • Pump is noticeably loud
  • Pump is a PITA to work with

Cooler Master Masterliquid 120 V2

Cooler Master refreshed their Masterliquid Lite AIOs to address leaking issues. The result is an solid budget AIO, however the 120mm variant struggles to justify its price tag, even if it’s one of the cheapest 120mm AIOs on the market.

Buy Cooler Master ML120 V2
Pros:
  • Cheap
  • Solid fans
  • Doesn't leak
Cons:
  • Tower coolers outperform it for less
  • Pump is noticeably audible

Corsair H60

The Corsair H60 hasn’t been updated in a couple of years, it is however still being produced and is one of the only options if you have seriously restrictive pump height requirements. It may be loud, but sometimes size does matter.

Buy Corsair H60
Pros:
  • Low profile CPU block
  • Minimal and Unobstructive design
Cons:
  • Tower coolers outperform it for less
  • Loud Pump and fans

Deepcool LS520

Deepcool released their LS line of AIOs, their best yet. With models that punch well above their weight class, and are quieter than their previous models, makes for amazing AIOs. The LS520 is competing against 360mm models, a testament to what a good pump can do.

Buy Deepcool LS520
Pros:
  • Competes against bigger 360mm AIOs
  • Quiet
  • Tasteful use of RGB
  • Daisy chained fans
  • Best in class pump
Cons:
  • Pump size may cause issues in certain cases
  • Pump is DC only
  • 90 degree orientation is required for best performance

Phanteks Glacier One 240-T30

Phanteks updated their Glacier MPH240 with a thicker radiator and their Noctua-dethroning T30-120’s. Superb performance for its size class even if it came at a high price tag. Curiously they only updated the 240mm AIO, and not the 360mm version.

Buy Glacier One 240-T30
Pros:
  • Best stock fans of any AIO. Period.
  • Competes with larger 360mm AIOs
  • Low noise
  • Thicc radiator and fans
Cons:
  • No 360mm variant
  • Thicc radiator and fans will cause RAM compatibility issues in some cases
  • Asetek pump
  • Cost

Arctic Liquid Freezer II 240

The Liquid Freezer II has solidified Arctic’s position as a market leader in cost effective cooling, with their LFII line bringing the company into the mainstream spotlight, and has done so by offering chart topping performance at a low price, however fierce competition as heated up, I hope they don’t melt under pressure.

Buy Arctic Liquid Freezer II 240
Pros:
  • Cheap
  • Amazing Price/Performance
  • Thicc radiator
  • VRM fan
  • Superb Ryzen performance with offset bracket
  • Daisy chained fans
Cons:
  • Thicc radiator may cause RAM clearance issues in certain cases
  • Polarising design
  • Tubes are a PITA to work with
  • Pump design may cause issues with some ITX boards

EK-AIO Basic 240

EK’s second entry into the AIO market has proven to be a successful one, with its cost optimized design solidifying their entry. Great performance, low price and industrial design makes the EK Basic 240 a great AIO

Buy EK-AIO Basic 240
Pros:
  • Great Performance
  • Industrial, minimalistic design
Cons:
  • No RGB
  • Pump housing feels cheap
  • Fans are a tad loud

Deepcool Castle 240EX

The Castle series of AIOs has been a popular budget pick, especially after its price drop, with good performance to boot. A great option if only for the fact its noticeably loud without headphones on.

Buy Deepcool Castle 240EX
Pros:
  • Cheap
  • Price/Performance
Cons:
  • Loud
  • Tall pump block may cause issues in some cases

Cooler Master ML240L V2

Cooler Master refreshed their Masterliquid Lite AIOs to address leaking issues. The result is a solid budget AIO, the 240mm makes for an excellent budget AIO, however, it does face fierce competition as of late from Deepcool, EK and Arctic.

Buy Cooler Master ML240L V2
Pros:
  • Cheap
  • Decent fans
  • Minimal RGB design
  • Doesn't leak
Cons:
  • Pump is noticeably audible

Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280

Buy Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280
Pros:
  • Cheap
  • Amazing Price/Performance
  • Thicc Radiator
  • VRM fan
  • Superb Ryzen performance with offset bracket
  • Daisy chained fans
Cons:
  • Thick radiator will cause RAM clearance issues in some cases, alongside other clearance issues due to added width
  • Polarising design
  • Tubes are a PITA to work with
  • Pump design may be incompatible with some ITX boards

EK-AIO 280 D-RGB

EK’s second entry into the AIO market has proven to be a successful one, with the cost optimising solidifying their entry. Great performance, however it would be nice if the EK-AIO 280 had a basic variant to cut down on costs for the end user.

Buy EK-AIO 280 D-RGB
Pros:
  • Great Performance
  • Plenty of RGB
Cons:
  • No cost optimized Basic variant
  • Pump housing is cheaply produced
  • Fans are a tad loud

Deepcool Castle 280EX

The Castle series of AIOs has been a popular budget pick, especially after its price drop, with good performance to boot. A great option if only for the fact its noticeably loud without headphones on. The 280EX might be priced too closely to its bigger 360mm brother for some to justify however.

Buy Deepcool Castle 280EX
Pros:
  • Cheap
  • Solid Price/Performance
  • RGB is well implemented
Cons:
  • Tall pump may cause issues in smaller cases
  • 360mm isn't much more price wise

Deepcool LS720

This is the AIO to beat. Best in class performance, dethroning both kings. Cheaper than most of its competition, while running circles around them. Unlike other Deepcool AIOs, the LS720 is surprisingly quiet. If you’re in the market for a 360mm AIO, and this is sold in your region, this is a no-brainer.

Buy Deepcool LS720
Pros:
  • Best 360mm AIO on the market
  • Best in class pump
  • Great fans
  • Tasteful RGB
  • Daisy chained fans
  • Quiet
Cons:
  • Pump size may cause conflicts in compact builds
  • Pump is DC only
  • Pump requires a 90 degree orientation for best performance

Arctic Liquid Freezer II 360

The Liquid Freezer II has solidified Arctic’s position as a market leader in cost effective cooling, with their LFII line bringing the company into the mainstream spotlight, and has done so by offering chart topping performance at a low price, however fierce competition as heated up, I hope they don’t melt under pressure.

Buy Arctic Liquid Freezer II 360
Pros:
  • Cheap
  • Amazing Price/Performance
  • Thicc radiator
  • VRM fan
  • Superb Ryzen performance with offset bracket
  • Daisy chained fans
Cons:
  • Thicc radiator design causes issues with ram clearance
  • Polarising design
  • Tubes are a PITA to work with
  • Pump design may be incompatible with some ITX boards

EK-AIO Basic 360

EK’s second entry into the AIO market has proven to be a successful one, with the cost optimising solidifying their entry. Great performance, low price and industrial design makes the EK Basic 360 a great AIO

Buy EK-AIO Basic 360
Pros:
  • Great Performance
  • Minimalistic, industrial design
Cons:
  • Pump housing is cheaply produced
  • Fans are a tad loud

Deepcool Castle 360EX

Continuing the trend, the Deepcool Castle 360EX is currently being sold for dirt cheap. Absurdly great value, if you’re willing to put up with the noise

Buy Deepcool Castle 360EX
Pros:
  • Absurdly cheap
  • Amazing Price/performance
  • Tasteful RGB
Cons:
  • Noisy
  • Tall pump may cause issues in some cases

Arctic Liquid Freezer II 420

The raid boss of AIOs. Big, Powerful, (not) Expensive. Arctic’s reputation as being amazing value has given way to being about amazing performance. If you case can support this AIO, and if you can live with the design, this AIO is well worth the money.

Buy Arctic Liquid Freezer II 420
Pros:
  • Best AIO money can buy
  • Thicc radiator
  • Superb Price/Performance
  • VRM fan
  • Superb Ryzen performance with offset bracket
Cons:
  • Thicc radiator causes issues with RAM clearance, additionally the added width narrows the compatible cases further
  • Polarizing design
  • Tubes are a PITA to work with
  • The cases that can fit this aren't common, espeically if you wish to top mount it

Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 420mm

Alphacool expands its range of expandable AIOs with the Eisbaer Pro, designed for Threadripper and Eypc systems, the enlarged cold plate also makes it suitable for LGA1700's larger IHS. Alongside this, this AIO offers excelent performance, and unrivaled expandability with Alphacool's range of other expandable AIOs and radiators, and offers GPU AIOs as an expansion. However this does come at the cost.

Buy Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 420mm
Pros:
  • Proper support for Eypc and Threadripper
  • Great coverage on LGA1700
  • Great performance
  • Expandable
  • Servicable
Cons:
  • Expensive
  • Pump isn't the quietest
  • Polarizing design
  • Fans could be better for the price

Corsair H170i Elite LCD

Corsair finally learned how to produce a good fan. The most powerful of Corsair’s models, it also offers an LCD screen to display stats and the time, or an anime gif if you’re well inclined. Expensive and of questionable value, but this is the best performing AIO with a screen currently.

Buy Corsair H170i Elite LCD
Pros:
  • Best performing AIO with a screen
  • It has a screen
  • Decent fans
  • iCue
Cons:
  • Expensive
  • Pump isn't the quietest
  • Uses a proprietary RGB connector
  • iCue

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