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NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB — 360 AIO
NZXT

NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB

360 AIO

89
/ 100
From $329
VS
Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280 wins by 1
Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280 — 280 AIO
Arctic

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280

280 AIO

90
/ 100
From $99
Specdex verdict

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280 takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB lands at 89 and Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280 at 90. That puts Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280 ahead by 1 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB 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
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Winner by scenario

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

Thermals

Tie

Compared on the thermals sub-score

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

Install

Tie

Compared on the install sub-score

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

Noise

Tie

Compared on the noise sub-score

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

Value for money

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280 more score per dollar ($99 vs $329).

NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB 89
vs
90 Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280

Score breakdown

NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB
89
thermals 89
noise 85
install 88
value 86
Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280
90
thermals 90
noise 86
install 88
value 86

Specs side-by-side

NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB versus Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280 — full spec comparison
Spec NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280
Type
360 AIO
280 AIO

NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB

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: NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB vs Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280

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

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280 scores 90 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 1. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB worth the price? +

At $329, NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB delivers a Specdex score of 89 — 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 NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB 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.

Which is the better value, NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB or Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280? +

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280 — more score per dollar ($99 vs $329). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.