Arctic
Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280
280 AIO
90
/ 100
From $99
VS
Corsair
Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT
420 AIO
90
/ 100
From $349
Specdex verdict
Dead heat — it comes down to priorities.
In our weighted Specdex score, Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280 lands at 90 and Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT at 90. With scores tied, the decision hinges on which sub-scores matter most to you.
Pick Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280 if…
- ✓Multi-socket bracket support
- ✓Quiet fans at idle
- ✓Strong TDP rating
Pick Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT if…
- ✓Multi-socket bracket support
- ✓Quiet fans at idle
- ✓Strong TDP rating
Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280 90
vs 90 Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT
Score breakdown
Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280
90 thermals 90
noise 86
install 88
value 86
Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT
90 thermals 90
noise 86
install 88
value 86
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280 | Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT |
|---|---|---|
| Type | 280 AIO | 420 AIO |
Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280
Pros
- +Multi-socket bracket support
- +Quiet fans at idle
- +Strong TDP rating
Cons
- −Height may conflict with RAM heatspreaders
- −AIO pump noise varies
- −Installation requires motherboard-off
Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT
Pros
- +Multi-socket bracket support
- +Quiet fans at idle
- +Strong TDP rating
Cons
- −Height may conflict with RAM heatspreaders
- −AIO pump noise varies
- −Installation requires motherboard-off
FAQ: Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280 vs Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT
Which is better, Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280 or Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT? +
Both score 90 on our weighted rubric — tied. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280 worth the price? +
At $99, Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280 delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in thermals.
Is Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT worth the price? +
At $349, Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in thermals.
Does Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280 or Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.