Product Dimensions | 12.48"L x 5.43"W x 1.5"H |
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Brand | ARCTIC |
Power Connector Type | 4-Pin |
Voltage | 12 Volts |
Wattage | 1.44 watts |
Cooling Method | Water |
Compatible Devices | AMD Socket: AM5, AM4, Intel Socket: 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011-3*, 2066* *Square ILM |
Noise Level | 0.3 Sones |
Material | Aluminum, Copper, Rubber |
Maximum Rotational Speed | 1700 RPM |
Air Flow Capacity | 72.8 cc/min |
Item model number | ACFRE00066B |
Item Weight | 3.47 pounds |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 13.23 x 6.15 x 6.78 inches |
Color | black |
Manufacturer | ARCTIC |
ASIN | B07WP6M7P7 |
Date First Available | September 25, 2019 |
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ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 - Multi Compatible All-in-One CPU AIO Water Cooler, Compatible with Intel & AMD, Efficient PWM Controlled Pump, Fan Speed: 200-1700 RPM, LGA1700 Compatible - Black
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Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
Learn more about free returns.- Go to your orders and start the return
- Select the return method
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Return this item for free
Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
Learn more about free returns.- Go to your orders and start the return
- Select the return method
- Ship it!
Return this item for free
Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
Learn more about free returns.- Go to your orders and start the return
- Select the return method
- Ship it!
Purchase options and add-ons
Product Dimensions | 12.48"L x 5.43"W x 1.5"H |
Brand | ARCTIC |
Power Connector Type | 4-Pin |
Voltage | 12 Volts |
Wattage | 1.44 watts |
Cooling Method | Water |
Compatible Devices | AMD Socket: AM5, AM4, Intel Socket: 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011-3*, 2066* *Square ILM |
Noise Level | 0.3 Sones |
Material | Aluminum, Copper, Rubber |
Maximum Rotational Speed | 1700 RPM |
About this item
- QUALITY CONTROL APPROVED: We have increased the quality assurance and quality control. The products have been subjected to additional tests and marked with a QC sticker
- LGA1700 COMPATIBILITY: The Liquid Freezer II 280 is compatible with Intel's new Alder Lake processors - Socket LGA1700
- COOLER THAN OTHER AIO WATER COOLERS: The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II has a more efficient cool plate, pump and radiator that makes a difference among other AIO water pc fan coolers
- 15°C LOWER VOLTAGE REGULATOR TEMPERATURE: An additional 40 mm VRM fan (PWM controlled) next to pump can provide extra cooling for the base and voltage transformer
- INTEGRATED CABLE MANAGEMENT: The PWM-cable of the fans are integrated into the sleeved tubing. Thus there is only one short cable visible from the pump to motherboard replacing the usual cable mess
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From the brand
ARCTIC, a leading manufacturer of PC coolers and components, initiated and continues to shape the trend towards quiet cooling systems.
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This Item ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 - Multi Compatible All-in-One CPU AIO Water Cooler, Compatible with Intel & AMD, Efficient PWM Controlled Pump, Fan Speed: 200-1700 RPM, LGA1700 Compatible - Black | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | |
Price | -13% $95.99$95.99 List: $109.99 | -26% $92.39$92.39 List: $124.99 | -28% $80.84$80.84 List: $111.99 | $119.99$119.99 | $109.90$109.90 | -9% $144.99$144.99 List: $159.99 |
Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Noise level | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.1 | 4.1 |
Value for money | 4.5 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.1 |
Mounting system | 4.0 | 3.8 | 3.9 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 3.2 |
Easy to install | 3.8 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.0 |
Quality of material | — | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.0 | — | 4.2 |
Sold By | Platinum Micro, Inc. | ARCTIC Inc | ARCTIC Inc | Amazon.com | be-quiet-official | Amazon.com |
cooling method | Water | Water | Water | Water, Fan | Water | Water |
power connector type | 4-Pin | 4-Pin | 4-Pin | — | 4-Pin | — |
compatible devices | Intel Socket: 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011-3*, 2066* *Square ILM, AMD Socket: AM5, AM4 | Intel Socket: 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011-3*, 2066* *Square ILM, AMD Socket: AM5, AM4 | Intel Socket: 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011-3*, 2066* *Square ILM, AMD Socket: AM5, AM4 | Desktop | Intel: 1150 / 1151 / 1155 / 1200 / 2011(-3) square ILM / 2066; AMD: AM3(+) / AM4 | Desktop |
air flow capacity | 72.8 cubic centimeters per minute | 68.9 cubic feet per minute | 48.8 cubic feet per minute | 102.3 cubic feet per minute | — | — |
max rotational speed | 1700 rpm | 1900 rpm | 1800 rpm | 840 rpm | 1600 rpm | 2800 rpm |
noise level | 0.3 sones | 0.3 sones | 0.3 sones | 35.7 decibels | 1 decibels | 32.1 decibels |
What's in the box
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WHICH ONE IS BETTER? ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 vs 360?
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WORTH IT? ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280! With VRM Fan!
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Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280mm AIO is QUIET & POWERFUL!
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Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280mm FIT INSIDE Be Quiet 500DX !?
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Product information
Technical Details
Additional Information
Customer Reviews |
4.5 out of 5 stars |
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Best Sellers Rank | #185 in Water Cooling Systems |
Warranty & Support
Feedback
Product Description
Future-proof compatibility
At the end of 2022, AMD has released the AM5 socket, the successor to its popular AM4 platform. Because all mechanical dimensions remain identical, we are able to ensure the compatibility of ARCTIC coolers with AMD's new processors.
Additionally, all coolers shipped by ARCTIC are already compatible with Intel's Alder Lake and Raptor Lake LGA1700 processors.
Coolers purchased from resellers, however, may still have been shipped without the corresponding accessories.
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Best CPU Water CoolerThe Liquid Freezer II series has been reviewed numerous times by independent reviewers and praised for its performance and quietness. It consistently exceeds all expectations and sets new standards in compact water cooling. As a further mark of recognition, the Liquid Freezer II series was awarded the “European Hardware Award 2022” for the best CPU water cooler. |
Optimized for AMD RyzenAMD has been using a new multi-die layout for its high-end AM4 processors for a few generations now. In these processors, the hotspot is not centered by the IHS (Integrated Heat Spreader). To still allow for optimal heat dissipation, we have developed a special mounting kit for the Liquid Freezer II that allows the cold plate to be placed directly over the hotspot of the CPU. AMD's upcoming 7000 series AM5 processors also come with multi-die layouts and can therefore benefit from the Liquid Freezer II's unique offset mounting. |
Efficient, proprietary pumpWhile many manufacturers use a generic water pump, we‘ve gone to great lengths to develop our own. The results? Quieter operation and higher efficiency. And, like the Liquid Freezer II’s fans, the water pump is PWM-controlled and adjusts its speed accordingly. This not only leads to significantly lower noise levels at low and typical loads, but also a much lower power consumption for all components of the AiO. |
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High quality tubing with integrated cable managementThe Liquid Freezer II's fiber-reinforced 45 cm tubing allows for installation even in large cases and effectively prevents coolant evaporation, so you don't have to worry about refilling your compact water cooling system. Plus, our sophisticated cable management hides the PWM cables of your radiator fans in the sleeving. This makes installation easy and tidy: you only have to connect one connector to the mainboard, and there are no other cables to hide. |
Quiet VRM fanSmall fans have the reputation of being particularly loud and not very durable; that’s why we set out to develop a quiet, sturdy diagonal fan especially for the Liquid Freezer II. We’re 100% convinced that this 40 mm fan is just as durable as our other case fans. The fan is PWM-controlled and can cool your voltage converters and the socket area almost inaudibly by up to 15 °C especially in overclocking scenarios, with insufficient VRM cooling or in cases with low airflow and thus allows continuous high load. Provided there is sufficient VRM cooling, it can be turned off at will. |
Premium class radiatorWe rely on 38mm thick radiators with a high fin density. This allows a larger amount of water to be used in the circuit and significantly increases the cooling surface area. Water has a much higher heat capacity than aluminum or copper. This leads to a slower and an up to 5 °C lower temperature increase in the time-limited turbo mode of modern CPUs. |
Technical Specifications
Compatibility
Intel Socket: 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011-3*, 2066* *Square ILM; AMD Socket: AM5, AM4; RAM Clearance: unlimited; Operating Ambient Temperature: 0-40 °C
Pump/Cold Plate
VRM Fan: 40 mm, 1000–3000 rpm (PWM controlled); Pump: 800–2000 rpm (PWM controlled); Power Consumption: 0.5 W – 2.7 W (Pump + VRM Fan); Cold Plate: Copper, Micro-Skived-Fins; Thermal Paste: MX-4 (0.8 g)
Fan
Fan: ARCTIC P14 140 mm Fan x2; Fan Speed: 200–1700 rpm; Fan Bearing: Fluid Dynamic Bearing; Noise Level: 0.3 Sone; Current: 0.12 A | 12 V DC; Airflow: 72.8 cfm; Static Pressure: 2.4 mmH₂O; Connector: 4-Pin Connector
Size & Weight
Radiator: 317 (L) x 138 (W) x 38 (H) mm; Pump (w/o tubes): 98 (L) x 78 (W) x 53 (H) mm; Tube Diameter: Outer: 12.4 mm | Inner: 6.0 mm; Tube Length: 450 mm; Weight: 1572 g (Fan, Radiator, Pump, Tubes)
Liquid Freezer II 280 | Liquid Freezer II 420 | Liquid Freezer II 360 | Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB | Liquid Freezer II 280 A-RGB | Liquid Freezer II 240 | |
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Customer Reviews |
4.5 out of 5 stars
1,695
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4.4 out of 5 stars
497
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4.6 out of 5 stars
1,543
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4.4 out of 5 stars
1,421
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4.3 out of 5 stars
598
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4.5 out of 5 stars
3,825
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Bearing | Fluid Dynamic Bearing | Fluid Dynamic Bearing | Fluid Dynamic Bearing | Fluid Dynamic Bearing | Fluid Dynamic Bearing | Fluid Dynamic Bearing |
Technology | Water Cooling | Water Cooling | Water Cooling | Water Cooling | Water Cooling | Water Cooling |
AMD Socket | AM5, AM4 | AM5, AM4 | AM5, AM4 | AM5, AM4 | AM5, AM4 | AM5, AM4 |
Intel Socket | 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011-3*, 2066* *Square ILM | 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011-3*, 2066* *Square ILM | 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011-3*, 2066* *Square ILM | 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011-3*, 2066* *Square ILM | 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011-3*, 2066* *Square ILM | 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011-3*, 2066* *Square ILM |
Fan | 140 mm x 2 | 140 mm x 3 | 120 mm x 3 | 120 mm x 3 | 140 mm x 2 | 120 mm x 2 |
Fan Speed | 200–1700 rpm | 200–1700 rpm | 200–1800 rpm | 200–1800 rpm | 200–1900 rpm | 200–1800 rpm |
Dimensions | 317 x 138 x 38 mm (Radiator) | 458 x 138 x 38 mm (Radiator) | 398 x 120 x 38 mm (Radiator) | 398 x 120 x 38 mm (Radiator) | 317 x 138 x 38 mm (Radiator) | 277 x 120 x 38 mm (Radiator) |
Weight | 1572 g | 1977 g | 1687 g | 1729 g | 1600 g | 1191 g |
RGB Connector | / | / | / | 3 Pin 5V-D-GND Cable | 3 Pin 5V-D-GND Cable | / |
RGB Current/Voltage | / | / | / | 3 x 12 A-RGB LEDs: 0,4 A | 5 V | 2 x 12 A-RGB LEDs: 0,4 A | 5 V | / |
Product guides and documents
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the performance and noise of the electronic component fan. For example, they mention it's a no frills cooler that performs great and is incredibly quiet. That said, opinions are mixed on the ease of installation and quality.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers are impressed with the cooling ability of the fan. They say it's a no frills cooler that improves temperature by 20C. They also mention that it cools extremely fast and has lots of surface area to dissipate the heat. Customers also say that it'll tame savage beasts.
"...Still going strong, absolutely no issues to date. Fantastic cooler. Runs 24/7, as I almost never turn my system off...." Read more
"...Review:This cooler is really good at cooling. Games barely raise the CPU temp...." Read more
"...It's all about that clean performance without the unnecessary frills. I'm liking it." Read more
"It keeps my temps nice and cool. It's quite hard of a fit in my NR200 case but that's not a fault of the cooler...." Read more
Customers like the noise of the electronic component fan. They mention that it is incredibly quiet, has no pump noise, and has a soft rushing air sound.
"...It's a soft rushing air sound (i'm using 3 filtered intake, 1 exhaust in my case btw)...." Read more
"...Pros:incredibly coolquietminimalistic (only 1 wire, no LEDs)..." Read more
"...the mid to high 80c's so this is a MUCH better performer with almost zero noise.MoBo: Gigabyte GA-AX370-Gaming K5..." Read more
"...It comes with arctic mx-5 0.8g. But instead I used mx-6. It's quiet, and performs well on my Ryzen 9 7900x. Results on idle are 40 degrees.(5% load)...." Read more
Customers like the performance of the electronic component fan. They mention that it gets the job done well, is quiet, and has no issues. Some say that the offset mount works great and the fan speeds are automatically regulated.
"...July 2021 updateStill going strong, absolutely no issues to date. Fantastic cooler. Runs 24/7, as I almost never turn my system off...." Read more
"...I have the "Smart fan mode" enabled, so the fan speeds are automatically regulated and running not even close to the max fan speeds...." Read more
"It's pretty solid. The performance is on point, and the lack of RGB might actually be a plus for some folks...." Read more
"...That's phenomenal performance and really shows that Arctic's thick radiator does the job.Yes, this is a thick boy...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the ease of installation. Some mention that it's easy to install, straightforward, and fast. However, others say that it was a bit tedious, tedious, and cumbersome.
"...Design-wise, it's straightforward – no flashy lights or RGB craziness...." Read more
"...Installation: Unit is very large, and a bit cumbersome, yet, that is exactly what one would expect from a AIO CLC cooler of this size...." Read more
"This was an interesting install. The install process was easy, just a bit of remounting until the screws actually fit...." Read more
"...online installation manual is a bit scuffedReview:This cooler is really good at cooling. Games barely raise the CPU temp...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the quality of the electronic component fan. Some mention that it's really high quality, very quiet when it comes to noise and it cools the. They're impressed with the quality fans, thermal solution, documentation, and the rest of the cooler seems very well built. However, others say that it does OK, but perhaps not as well as they had expected, has a distinct manufacturing defect, and has constant issues.
"...July 2021 updateStill going strong, absolutely no issues to date. Fantastic cooler. Runs 24/7, as I almost never turn my system off...." Read more
"...Just be aware of some potential building woes." Read more
"...Now, diving into performance, it's impressive. The Liquid Freezer II 280 keeps things cool without making a fuss...." Read more
"...Further research revealed that they are in my opinion one of the best 140mm fans you can get your hands on!..." Read more
Customers are not satisfied with the size of the electronic component fan. They mention that it does not fit into their RN200P without removing their storage HDD, it will not fit in many cases, and that it is several mm too tall to fit comfortably at the top of most cases. Some say that the depth required to fit it in a top mount is too great, and it doesnot fit all motherboards.
"...Installation: Unit is very large, and a bit cumbersome, yet, that is exactly what one would expect from a AIO CLC cooler of this size...." Read more
"It keeps my temps nice and cool. It's quite hard of a fit in my NR200 case but that's not a fault of the cooler...." Read more
"...I highly recommend giving this cooler a hard look.It fit perfectly in my TT Ceres 300 case in the top which is designed around 140mm..." Read more
"...And on top of that, I could BARELY fit a third fan up there. I actually had to screw the cooler down where I shouldn’t to make that third fan fit...." Read more
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20+C drop in CPU temps during gaming! Mid teens drop at idle. Exceptional performance with almost inaudible fans at 100% speed (case on floor 3ft away). at 100%, if any other sound were going on in the room, at any reasonable level, the fans would not be audible. It's a soft rushing air sound (i'm using 3 filtered intake, 1 exhaust in my case btw). it would be a pleasing, though low, white noise to sleep to btw. My MS Surface laptop fan just kicked on and is louder at arms length from me than these fans at 100% 3ft away. I'd say that's impressive. My impressions of Arctic: they are a smaller manufacturer who decided to spend some R&D to build and sell some superior products without the marketing overhead of others. Arctic has 120/240/360 & 280 models, buy one if it fits your needs, you are likely to be impressed. (And yes, there is a plug under the cpu pump housing if you must unplug the VRM fan)
------------------------- full review + 2 updates -------------------------------------------------
Why one nut wonder? The CPU pump housing only has one nut!! Like a healthy man, it's supposed to have two, and really needs two.
Suffice it to say, it looks big and gorgeous. And by big, I do mean big. A youtube review called it "Optimus Prime's cod piece", and yeah, that's pretty accurate! :D I probably should have gotten the 240. I have a moveable HD mount thankfully which I had to move rearward to it's last mount to make installation possible. It's going to be impressive once I get the replacement.
As for what I can speak on, it looks very solid and we'll made. The hoses have serious gerth, the braiding looks great, and the pump housing definitely looks like Optimus Prime's cod piece as one YouTube reviewer joked.
Packaging is very good, even if the box looks a tad generic. But let's be honest, save $20 on designing/printing a prettier box and charge me $20 less, yeah me!!
If sent artic an email so I'll come back later with an update as to how quickly they respond and how well they take care of me. I'm really not wanting to have to return then reorder as I don't have the additional room on my account atm. Step up Artic, please 🥰
UPDATE#1
Support responded to my late Thurs night email early Fri, and an hour later had approval to ship me a new unit along with a shipping label to send the 1st unit back. So Mon or Tues I hope to receive the new unit. more to follow...
UPDATE#2
Received replacement Tuesday, date I guessed it would arrive based on quickness of shipping of original item. thankfully, this unit is a two nut wonder, and i was able to successful mount it. So, now that I have it working, on with some real comments.
Installation: Unit is very large, and a bit cumbersome, yet, that is exactly what one would expect from a AIO CLC cooler of this size. Thankfully, due to the failed first install, I had already reorganized my case, and only needed to remove 2 front fans and the AMD cooler. The Fans do need to be reversed as I need to use the unit in pull mode, and it comes from the factory in Push mode (manual shows an expectation of top mount vs front. Only question mark, it felt like the pump head was connected to the hoses upside down, as the natural ark of the hoses seemed to want the VRM fan pointed at the GPU (in hind sight, i should have mounted it that way, to blow air on the back of the GPU since my board has properly sinked VRMs (AC Carbon Pro). Alas, i did mount it with the fan facing the VRM's, and it was a little tough as the backplate wouldn't stay in place and I had to put the box the pump was shipped in under the case to hold the plate so I could get the screws in.
Performance: this is the all important part for most. As it good? does it work? the short answer, Hell Yeah!.
Prior to installation, i ran a couple benchmarks, plus I'd watched the CPU temps while gaming. Generally the CPU would be 70-80C while gaming at 4150 MHz (R5 3600, using standard AMD overclock). I also ran in "silent" mode, with the CPU under-clocked to 2800. CPU would get to about 50 in gaming with minimal loss of FPS. In both bench tests, impact of about 2 - 5 FPS. Heaven benchmark saw less than a 2 FPS change between this speed and max of 4150. also benched with AC Odyssey's built in benchmark. Here, there was a 5 FPS difference.
Temps: idle - while typing, I'm in silent, temp is 36C, fan 20%/365 rpm. During Heaven, with the AMD cooler, 45C base, 57C during benchmark. With the AC280, it was idling at 34C and peaked at 42.3C. So under load, didn't reach temp the AMD cooler was at idle. At MAX CPU speed (note the test program, Heaven or AC Odyssey, is still running when I change the CPU setting), Heaven on the AMD cooler was idling 52C, during bench saw 74 max with an avg in the mid 60's. on the AC280, idle ~39, max was 60.1, yet avg is 50 or less.
AC Odyssey, AMD cooler on silent has an idle ~50, max of 63, and avg between 60-62C. With Max CPU speed, idle ~52, max of 85.9, avg in the mid 70s with lots of spikes to over 80. On the AC 280, CPU silent mode idle ~37, max of 48, avg of 41-43 (so 20C less than stock!). at Max CPU, idle is ~40-42 (noticed, the cpu fan indicates 1500 rpm and 100%, which doesn't match my fan curves, so not sure. I can sort of hear the fans, though they aren't even as loud as the white noise I play when sleeping). Max temp was 60.9, avg in the low 50's, ~53. So more than 20C cooler than stock!
Conclusions: Clearly, this thing performs. if you can get a 280 to fit, I'd recommend it for the extra $10 just because. Otherwise, if you can only fit the 240, I'd expect the same awesome performance. DO NOTE, the Arctic radiator is about 50% thicker than most other brands. This unit requires room. Quality of the build is surprising, considering the packaging looks like a standard low cost OEM manufacturer. I love they are spending money on R&D more than marketing. Let word of mouth do your marketing. Bravo.
I'd like to give some other temp results as well. Setting my CPU to Balanced (stock 3600MHz mode), temp is 32C fans 35% (front cover removed). Temp increased 1C when I put the cover back on. Setting to Silent (2800MHz), the fans drop to 20%, temp hovers between 32/33. Setting to Extreme/Max (4151MHz) temp jumps to 38C with fans at 100%. Using a custom fan curve, CPU still at 4151, temp gets to 38, then jumps to 48 then drops to 38 then pops back up. Perhaps my curve needs some tweaking now. At 38 the fans are at 37%, at 48 they are running 50%. Can't hear them at all. My work Surface 2 Laptop fans are louder (it kicked in while I had these fans running 100% to observe the noise level).
So, should you consider this over all the other CLC AIO units on the market? if you couldn't care less about RGB, yes. If you want RGB, buy the others unless you just want a rad this large. Clearly Arctic is following in the Hyundai/Kia mold of producing a good product with a better than standard warranty, yet spending minimal on marketing to keep costs below anyone else in the market and letting word of mouth do their marketing. Arctic is putting a 10yr warranty on their fans now, and while this only get 2, it's still 2 years on something this complex with their own internal pump design, not the same ole rehashed pump everyone else uses from a 3rd party. You could be forgiven for thinking Arctic is the Microcenter house brand for fans, their boxes are 2 color, blue/while, with little marketing gimmicks. I applaud that approach. So combining that approach with exceptional pricing, I had to give this a try. I do not think I'll be disappointed long term. I hope not at least.
--------------------------
July 2021 update
Still going strong, absolutely no issues to date. Fantastic cooler. Runs 24/7, as I almost never turn my system off.
My roommate has a prebuilt gaming pc, but her CPU cooler went bad, causing the CPU to get to 100 degrees C and throttling her CPU. Games went from ultra 150fps to low 17fps, and even Microsoft Word was lagging. Replacing the cooler fixed everything, and her PC is back to blistering fast speeds.
Pros:
incredibly cool
quiet
minimalistic (only 1 wire, no LEDs)
complete control with just one 4-pin PWM (connect to CPU FAN header)
Cons:
the manual and parts make certain configurations difficult (I wanted to set up a push intake at the front of the case, but had to settle for a pull intake at the front)
online installation manual is a bit scuffed
Review:
This cooler is really good at cooling. Games barely raise the CPU temp. Tasks like installations and stuff raise the temperature up to 40 degrees. I have the "Smart fan mode" enabled, so the fan speeds are automatically regulated and running not even close to the max fan speeds. There is barely any noise, even with the case open.
The minimalism of the setup is amazing. I was looking at other coolers, and you need to plug the LED header in, multiple fan headers, and a SATA power cable. This setup, you just plug your one 4-pin cable into the CPU FAN header, and everything will be automatically controlled by your motherboard. The two 140mm fans are plugged into a Christmas-light-style cable that comes out of the radiator, so if your fans ever go bad, or you want to upgrade your fans with some RGB or Noctua fans, you totally can.
The one gripe I have with this cooler is that certain configurations are difficult to do. I wanted to set up a push intake at the front of the case because the top of my case does not have the fan mounts needed to do a push exhaust. The manual and parts given strongly encourage you to have the radiator on the outside (touching the case) and not the fans. This means that if the top of your case does not support 280mm fans for a push exhaust configuration, then you have to set up your radiator on the front with a pull intake configuration. You may be able to do the push intake setup if you had some patience, and held all the parts in place while screwing them into the case, but once again, this method is not even described in the manual, and honestly, the pull configuration is keeping my CPU pretty cool anyway.
Finally, the other dislike of this cooler is the online installation manual. There are many screws and parts that look very similar, and the manual is not descriptive on the differences between these parts, nor are the parts labeled in any way to help. There is a step that is completely skipped in the manual (it goes from step 1 to step 3). As you start using up all the parts, praying that you don't strip any of the screws unintentionally, the installation gets smoother.
One other cool thing is that the installation parts comes with some extra screws and parts, so if you happen to need certain parts for mounting hard drives or fans, you're in luck. There were 4 screws that I was able to use to mount my SSD to the case (it was just free floating in the back of the case before).
My roommate has a prebuilt gaming pc, but her CPU cooler went bad, causing the CPU to get to 100 degrees C and throttling her CPU. Games went from ultra 150fps to low 17fps, and even Microsoft Word was lagging. Replacing the cooler fixed everything, and her PC is back to blistering fast speeds.
Pros:
incredibly cool
quiet
minimalistic (only 1 wire, no LEDs)
complete control with just one 4-pin PWM (connect to CPU FAN header)
Cons:
the manual and parts make certain configurations difficult (I wanted to set up a push intake at the front of the case, but had to settle for a pull intake at the front)
online installation manual is a bit scuffed
Review:
This cooler is really good at cooling. Games barely raise the CPU temp. Tasks like installations and stuff raise the temperature up to 40 degrees. I have the "Smart fan mode" enabled, so the fan speeds are automatically regulated and running not even close to the max fan speeds. There is barely any noise, even with the case open.
The minimalism of the setup is amazing. I was looking at other coolers, and you need to plug the LED header in, multiple fan headers, and a SATA power cable. This setup, you just plug your one 4-pin cable into the CPU FAN header, and everything will be automatically controlled by your motherboard. The two 140mm fans are plugged into a Christmas-light-style cable that comes out of the radiator, so if your fans ever go bad, or you want to upgrade your fans with some RGB or Noctua fans, you totally can.
The one gripe I have with this cooler is that certain configurations are difficult to do. I wanted to set up a push intake at the front of the case because the top of my case does not have the fan mounts needed to do a push exhaust. The manual and parts given strongly encourage you to have the radiator on the outside (touching the case) and not the fans. This means that if the top of your case does not support 280mm fans for a push exhaust configuration, then you have to set up your radiator on the front with a pull intake configuration. You may be able to do the push intake setup if you had some patience, and held all the parts in place while screwing them into the case, but once again, this method is not even described in the manual, and honestly, the pull configuration is keeping my CPU pretty cool anyway.
Finally, the other dislike of this cooler is the online installation manual. There are many screws and parts that look very similar, and the manual is not descriptive on the differences between these parts, nor are the parts labeled in any way to help. There is a step that is completely skipped in the manual (it goes from step 1 to step 3). As you start using up all the parts, praying that you don't strip any of the screws unintentionally, the installation gets smoother.
One other cool thing is that the installation parts comes with some extra screws and parts, so if you happen to need certain parts for mounting hard drives or fans, you're in luck. There were 4 screws that I was able to use to mount my SSD to the case (it was just free floating in the back of the case before).
Design-wise, it's straightforward – no flashy lights or RGB craziness. If you're into a clean and minimal look for your setup, this cooler fits the bill. The matte finish adds a touch of sophistication.
Now, diving into performance, it's impressive. The Liquid Freezer II 280 keeps things cool without making a fuss. It's efficient and gets the job done without any unnecessary bells and whistles.
Installation was a breeze, and the build quality feels sturdy. The lack of RGB might disappoint some who are all about the flashy aesthetics, but if you're like me and prefer a more understated vibe, this cooler is a win.
I'm no tech guru, but for those looking for a reliable cooler without the RGB glitz, the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 is worth considering. It's all about that clean performance without the unnecessary frills. I'm liking it.
Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2024
Design-wise, it's straightforward – no flashy lights or RGB craziness. If you're into a clean and minimal look for your setup, this cooler fits the bill. The matte finish adds a touch of sophistication.
Now, diving into performance, it's impressive. The Liquid Freezer II 280 keeps things cool without making a fuss. It's efficient and gets the job done without any unnecessary bells and whistles.
Installation was a breeze, and the build quality feels sturdy. The lack of RGB might disappoint some who are all about the flashy aesthetics, but if you're like me and prefer a more understated vibe, this cooler is a win.
I'm no tech guru, but for those looking for a reliable cooler without the RGB glitz, the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 is worth considering. It's all about that clean performance without the unnecessary frills. I'm liking it.
Despite all this, it's an excellent cooler and worth the money. Just be aware of some potential building woes.
Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2023
Despite all this, it's an excellent cooler and worth the money. Just be aware of some potential building woes.
Top reviews from other countries
Reviewed in Canada on January 24, 2022
Apenas llevo unos días de uso pero hasta ahorita el rendimiento es excelente , mejor que el NZXT Kraken que tenía anteriormente. Lo tengo instalado Push/Pull y las temperaturas muy bajas! el cpu fresco, como si nada, de los mejores! MUY, muy silencioso, hasta con los abánicos a máxima velocidad silencioso, me soprendio! cumple con todo.
La apareciencia es de gustos, nada de RGB ni cosas del estilo, para unos no se les hace lo mas bonito y a otros les gusta. Los materiales se ven de calidad, fácil instalación, tubos un poco mas largos de lo acostumbrado que puede llegar a ser muy util para algunos.
El único detalle que tuve no es del producto es sobre el envío; llegó un día antes todo bien en eso, pero estaba como si lo hubieran abierto (la caja del AIO, la caja de Amazon estaba cerrada), muy extraño. No sé si como viene importado de USA en aduana abran las cajas para ver qué es. Eso sí, todo nuevo y funcionando, al final no hubo algún problema.
Muy recomendado!
5 out of 5.
L'installation est simple et se fait en quelques minutes. Pour ceux qui n'aime pas trop les guirlandes de Noël et chercher la discrétion pour le prix il ne faut pas hésiter, la qualité est au RDV.
Reviewed in France on March 19, 2024
L'installation est simple et se fait en quelques minutes. Pour ceux qui n'aime pas trop les guirlandes de Noël et chercher la discrétion pour le prix il ne faut pas hésiter, la qualité est au RDV.
Cuidado si la compran.
Reviewed in Spain on February 29, 2024
Cuidado si la compran.