Performance: 40 out of 40
If there was ever an “All In One” CPU cooling solution that gave (single rad) custom water loops a run for their money it is the ALF 3. Put simply, the Arctic Liquid Freezer 3 420mm redefines the very standard upon which other AIOs must be judged against. So if you want performance, but don’t want to go the customizable AIO let alone full water loop route, this is the AIO for you. Slap an extra 3 fans on it and watch a Ryzen 9 9950X never hit above 80c under sustained ‘stock PBO’ loads.
Ease of Use: 16 out of 20
If there is one thing we could point to and call it the ALF 3’s Achilles Heel it would be in the ease of use it offers. This is an enthusiast grade AIO upgraded with the full big boi “scat pack” option. As such ‘ease of use’ (and everything else) takes a back seat to performance. So while we are giving it a 16… that is not the same as a 240’s 16 out 20 as they are meant for different markets and have different levels of ‘ease of use’ expectations. With that said, Arctic might want to tone it down a wee bit as the mandatory Intel ILM replacement is taking things a bit too far… and is way outside the comfort zone of the average joe/jane builder.
Build Quality & Warranty: 18 out 20
As with its predecessor 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. The only nit we have to pick is with 26AWG cabling. Which docks the ALF 3 a full two points. You may feel different so adjust your final score accordingly.
Value: 20 out 20
Best in class radiator that is no harder to work with that the typical 38×420 class AIO rad? Free Intel ILM replacement bracket? Three kick ass fans included? Drop dead gorgeous paint job? Phenomenal VRM cooling and customization options baked into the block? The Arctic Liquid Freezer 3 A-RGB White edition offers it all… and does so at a price point lower than many a 280-class AIO. Freakin’ fantastic. So fantastic a value that it literally breaks the entire bell curve for future AIO ‘value’ judgements.
Final Score: 94 out 100
With its combination of best in class waterblock, best in class radiator, best in class aesthetics, and best in class asking price the ALF 3 ARGB White edition no only sets the bar higher than we ever though a mere AIO could do…. but is the very epitome of what an AIO should do, should offer, and should look like. As long as you can live with its quirks it legitimately is in a different class than the rest of the AIO marketplace. Forget Chess vs Checkers, the ALF 3 is playing 4D Chess while the rest of the industry is playing solitaire. Now if they would only fix the quirks that went along with the ALF refresh and we would be truly happy.
