Performance: 40 out of 40
There is no other way to say than to say this is easily one of, and arguably, the best 360-class AIOs available today. You will get 420-class performance in a 3x120mm package… just without the typical 420-class PITA factor that goes along with 3×140 AIOs. As such if you want performance, but your case can’t handle the ALF 3 420… this is as close to custom loop levels of performance as you are going to get. Color us highly impressed.
Ease of Use: 17 out of 20
When it comes to the 3×120 / “360” class judging its ease of use is a bit tricky. On the one hand the ALF 3 360 is easier to work with than its bigger brother the ALF 3 420. On the other… that is not the same as saying it is easy. Basically it is a big boi AIO and there will be points during the installation process where you will want a third hand to make things go smoothly. Mix in the fact that mandatory Intel ILM replacement is going to be way outside the comfort zone of the average joe/jane builder with the M.2 incompatibly issues… and the ALF 3 360 is very good for its class. That however does not mean a ‘17’ for a 360 is the same as a 280s ‘17’. Its more like a 14 for that class… but it is also more like a smooth 18.5 for a 420 class. So please adjust according to your previous building experience.
Build Quality & Warranty: 19 out 20
As with its 420 brethren the build quality is only exceed by its six year warranty. That is to say expect the best fusion of Swiss and German engineering you are going to find in the entire AIO marketplace. Hell, think better than AlphaCool AIO build quality for a point of reference… and go up from there.
Value: 20 out 20
When one combines darn near 420-class performance with darn near 280 asking price there really is not much to dislike when it comes to value. Mix in stunning good looks, arguably best in class warranty, and industry first features like the new VRM cooling solution and no one can argue with the fantastic value this 360-class AIO offers.
Final Score: 95 out 100
In the past we personally were not fond of the 360-class AIOs. They typically are not that much better at cooling than a 280, not much easier to work with than 420 and pretty much were a bad compromise design. The Arctic Liquid Freezer 3 360 A-RGB White Edition is not your typical 360-class AIO. Thanks to its best in class waterblock+pump, best in class radiator, best in class aesthetics, and best in class asking price the ALF 3 360 is everything the 360 class was supposed to offer but usually did not. Put simply one gets 420 performance at 280 asking price with only a bit more hassle factor than a 280-class AIO. That… that is a lot to like. Mix in value added features like excellent fans, excellent lighting, and an excellent warrant and this 360 will change your mind, for the better, on the entire 360-class. Now if they would only fix the quirks that went along with this ALF refresh and we would be truly happy.
