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Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 — 360 mm AIO · VRM fan · silent
Arctic

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360

360 mm AIO · VRM fan · silent

93
/ 100
From $109
VS
Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 wins by 7
NZXT Kraken 280 RGB · Black — 280 AIO
NZXT

NZXT Kraken 280 RGB · Black

280 AIO

86
/ 100
From $229
Specdex verdict

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 lands at 93 and NZXT Kraken 280 RGB · Black at 86. That puts Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 ahead by 7 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 if…

  • ✓Class-leading value
  • ✓Integrated VRM fan
  • ✓Excellent sustained load thermals

Pick NZXT Kraken 280 RGB · Black if…

  • ✓Multi-socket bracket support
  • ✓Quiet fans at idle
  • ✓Strong TDP rating
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Thermals

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360

Compared on the thermals sub-score

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 leads on thermals (96 vs 86).

Install

Tie

Compared on the install sub-score

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Noise

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360

Compared on the noise sub-score

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 leads on noise (90 vs 82).

Value for money

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 more score per dollar ($109 vs $229).

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 93
vs
86 NZXT Kraken 280 RGB · Black

Score breakdown

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360
93
thermals 96
noise 90
install 88
value 100
NZXT Kraken 280 RGB · Black
86
thermals 86
noise 82
install 88
value 86

Specs side-by-side

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 versus NZXT Kraken 280 RGB · Black — full spec comparison
Spec Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 NZXT Kraken 280 RGB · Black
Type
360 mm AIO
280 AIO
Fans
3× P12 PWM
—
Radiator thickness
38 mm
—

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360

Pros
  • +Class-leading value
  • +Integrated VRM fan
  • +Excellent sustained load thermals
Cons
  • −Utilitarian looks
  • −Thick rad needs case clearance
  • −No RGB standard model

NZXT Kraken 280 RGB · Black

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 360 vs NZXT Kraken 280 RGB · Black

Which is better, Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 or NZXT Kraken 280 RGB · Black? +

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 scores 93 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 7. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 worth the price? +

At $109, Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in value.

Is NZXT Kraken 280 RGB · Black worth the price? +

At $229, NZXT Kraken 280 RGB · Black delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in install.

Does Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 or NZXT Kraken 280 RGB · Black 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.

Which is better for thermals, Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 or NZXT Kraken 280 RGB · Black? +

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 — leads on thermals (96 vs 86). Compared on the thermals sub-score.

Which is better for noise, Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 or NZXT Kraken 280 RGB · Black? +

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 — leads on noise (90 vs 82). Compared on the noise sub-score.