Thermalright Frozen Notte 240 Black ARGB V2 Water Cooling CPU Cooler vs ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240 - AIO CPU Cooler

Cooling Performance

The Thermalright Frozen Notte 240 Black ARGB V2 and the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240 both aim to deliver efficient CPU cooling, but their approaches differ. The Thermalright cooler features a water block with a full copper mirror plane base and a 240 specification black aluminium fin cold plate that works with a 120mm ARGB fan. Its pump head runs at up to 5300RPM±10%, promising long-term and excellent CPU cooling. Meanwhile, the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240 employs an offset mounting cold plate optimised for heat transfer by targeting the CPU hotspot, combined with powerful P12 PRO fans that offer higher maximum speeds and quieter operation at low speeds.

Thermalright’s design focuses on combining copper and aluminium elements with a high-speed pump, while ARCTIC places emphasis on fan efficiency and optimised contact pressure for better heat dissipation. Both coolers support 240mm radiators, but the ARCTIC’s integrated VRM fan also helps cool voltage regulators, potentially improving overall system stability under load.

Build Quality and Materials

The Thermalright Frozen Notte 240 Black ARGB V2 uses a copper bottom with 0.1mm spacing, covered by an aluminium alloy top and a high-strength acrylic cover, finished with mirror plating and reflection processes for a visually striking pump head. The construction emphasises durability and aesthetic appeal, with a high polymer woven protective water pipe adding to longevity.

Conversely, the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240 does not detail specific materials in its features, but its cold plate is designed with an offset mounting for improved heat transfer. ARCTIC’s inclusion of an integrated VRM fan and cable management within the hose sheathing suggests a focus on practical build elements aimed at reliability and neat installation.

While Thermalright highlights premium materials and a complex pump design, ARCTIC’s approach centres on functional enhancements like pressure distribution and cable integration, reflecting different priorities in build quality.

Lighting and Aesthetics

In terms of lighting, the Thermalright Frozen Notte 240 Black ARGB V2 offers ARGB synchronisation via the 5V 3-pin motherboard connection. It features a 1600W colour soft light effect on both the PWM fan and the water-cooling head, allowing users to create rich, dazzling lighting setups. The system supports daisy-chaining of lighting effects to avoid insufficient light slots, making it suitable for users seeking vibrant and synchronised RGB effects integrated with their motherboard’s lighting controls.

The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240 does not mention any lighting features, focusing instead on performance and cooling enhancements. This positions the Thermalright as the better choice for users prioritising visual customisation and ARGB effects in their build aesthetics.

Compatibility and Installation

Both coolers support a wide range of CPU sockets, but Thermalright provides more extensive compatibility details. The Frozen Notte 240 supports Intel sockets including LGA 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1200, 1700, 1851, 2011, and 2066, as well as AMD sockets AM4, AM5, AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, FM1, FM2, and FM2+. It includes a dual platform full metal black buckle for easier installation and recommends a chassis width greater than 250mm.

The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240 highlights native offset mounting for Intel LGA 1851 and LGA 1700 sockets, optimising contact pressure for longer CPU life. It also supports AMD sockets but does not provide the full list here. ARCTIC’s integrated cable management aids installation tidiness.

Overall, Thermalright offers broader socket support explicitly, while ARCTIC focuses on optimised mounting and cable management for a cleaner setup.

Noise and Fan Technology

The Thermalright cooler comes with a standard 120mm ARGB PWM fan, but specific noise levels are not detailed. The fan is designed to create low resistance and high cooling with long life expectancy, operating at a pump speed of 5300RPM±10%.

In contrast, the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240 uses the P12 PRO fan, which is described as more powerful and quieter than the previous P12 model, especially at low speeds. This fan design aims to balance high cooling performance under load with reduced noise, making it an attractive option for users sensitive to system noise.

Given this information, ARCTIC stands out for prioritising quieter fan operation with improved power, whereas Thermalright focuses on high pump speed but leaves noise specifics unmentioned.

Additional Features

The Thermalright Frozen Notte 240 emphasises features such as a high polymer woven protective water pipe for durability and long life, as well as ARGB lighting synchronisation that can be connected in series. These contribute to both longevity and aesthetic customisation.

The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240 includes an integrated VRM fan that cools voltage converters, a feature not present in the Thermalright model. This can improve the overall reliability and performance of the CPU’s power delivery system. Additionally, ARCTIC’s integrated cable management within the hose sheathing reduces cable clutter, simplifying the installation and improving airflow.

These extras suggest ARCTIC focuses on practical system performance and ease of use, while Thermalright leans towards lighting and durable construction.

Price and Value

The Thermalright Frozen Notte 240 Black ARGB V2 is priced at £44.99, making it the more affordable option between the two. Its features include ARGB lighting, broad socket compatibility, and a high-speed pump, representing strong value for users seeking visual effects alongside cooling performance.

The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240 is priced higher at £56.49. Its additional features, such as the integrated VRM fan, advanced fan technology, and integrated cable management, justify the premium. This cooler may appeal more to users prioritising quieter operation, system stability, and tidy installations.

Choosing between them depends on whether budget or additional functional features hold greater importance.

Which should you buy?

If your primary goal is a budget-friendly cooler with extensive socket compatibility and impressive ARGB lighting effects, the Thermalright Frozen Notte 240 Black ARGB V2 at £44.99 is a compelling choice. It provides a high-speed pump and a durable build with a copper mirror base, making it ideal for users who value aesthetics alongside reliable CPU cooling.

On the other hand, if you want enhanced cooling performance with quieter, more powerful fans, integrated VRM cooling, and a cleaner installation experience—even at a higher price of £56.49—the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240 stands out. Its offset mounting and cable management features contribute to better heat dissipation and system tidiness, benefiting users seeking optimised overall performance and quieter operation.

Ultimately, pick Thermalright for affordability and lighting customisation, or ARCTIC for advanced cooling technology and practical system enhancements.