Corsair
Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT
420 AIO
90
/ 100
From $349
VS
Arctic
Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280
280 AIO
90
/ 100
From $99
Specdex verdict
Dead heat — it comes down to priorities.
In our weighted Specdex score, Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT lands at 90 and Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280 at 90. With scores tied, the decision hinges on which sub-scores matter most to you.
Pick Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT if…
- ✓Multi-socket bracket support
- ✓Quiet fans at idle
- ✓Strong TDP rating
Pick Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280 if…
- ✓Multi-socket bracket support
- ✓Quiet fans at idle
- ✓Strong TDP rating
Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT 90
vs 90 Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280
Score breakdown
Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT
90 thermals 90
noise 86
install 88
value 86
Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280
90 thermals 90
noise 86
install 88
value 86
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT | Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | 420 AIO | 280 AIO |
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
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
FAQ: Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT vs Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280
Which is better, Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT or Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280? +
Both score 90 on our weighted rubric — tied. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
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.
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.
Does Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT or Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280 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.