Performance: 40 out of 40
As expected from what many will consider to be the crown jewel of any AIO line-up, the new Pro variant of the ALF 3 360 ARGB is a performance beast. Forget ‘near’ 420-class performance, this 3×120-class AIO can and will outmuscle many older 3x140mm AIOs… and will do so without most of the baggage that goes along with ‘420-class’ AIOs. Just understand that it is the little brother to the ALF 3 Pro 420 and adjust your expectations accordingly.
Ease of Use: 17 out of 20
While it is indeed true this smaller sibling to the 420 edition is inarguably easier to work with (fewer case compatibility issues, less weight, etc., etc.,) that is not the same as saying it is easy. In fact, all the underlying and inherent design issues with the ALF 3 blueprint become even more obvious and glaring once you get out of the 420-class and into the more mainstream end of the market. Bluntly stated, the absolute violation (with extreme prejudice) of the PCIe no-go zone on both AMD and older-gen Intel socketed systems, combined with the ‘scary’ Intel ILM bracket replacement, is going to freak the jefe right out many a novice. So while Arctic has made noticeable strides on this front, this is still an enthusiast-class product meant for experienced builders. Meaning our 17 out of 20 may be a 12 out of 20 for you. So please, adjust your final score accordingly.
Build Quality & Warranty: 19 out of 20
Arctic Liquid Freezer AIOs are just built to an entirely different standard than your typical AIO. Maybe the design team was toilet trained with a shotgun, maybe it is just when you double up on the historical levels of OCD zee Swiss and zee Germans are known for… You get super-power levels of precision. No matter the reason, “ALF” models are a cut above the everyday, and the Pro series is no exception. That is why they come with 6-year warranties. Not 2. Not the typical 3. Not even the above-average 5-year warranties some others boast about. You get six. That is why if a new gen of Intel (or AMD) sockets comes out, they probably will give you a free upgrade kit if you ask them nicely. Even though many have tried, this one-two combination of quality and customer service is pretty darn hard to beat.
Value: 20 out 20
Much like the ALF’s have always been known for their build quality and commitment to customer service, their overall value is at historic all-time highs. Nearly peerless performance, nearly peerless hardware, nearly peerless accessories make Arctic, and not Asetek, the veritable bellwether of the AIO marketplace. One where others see what the ALF offers and then try to copy it. Typically, with… variable levels of success.
Final Score: 95 out 100
The Arctic Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 offers a meaningful performance uplift over its predecessor. One that skillfully balances raw cooling power with noise control via critical, low-level performance enhancements. Bluntly stated, enthusiasts who are okay with a potentially louder peak noise profile will find the ALF 3 Pro 360 an outstanding choice. Conversely, users prioritizing near-silent operation, albeit without extreme cooling demands, will also find it an excellent choice as this is a model that is just that flexible and that good a cooling solution.
