It didn’t take long. After the release of the “basic” variants of AIOs with 140 mm fans, Arctic is now launching illuminated models: the LF III Pro 280 A-RGB and LF III Pro 420 A-RGB. With these coolers, Arctic is also targeting users who place stronger emphasis on aesthetics and a more striking appearance. That’s what defines the “A-RGB” version of the Liquid Freezer III Pro—but it’s not just about looks. Cooling performance remains a priority.
They’re rolling them out gradually. First came multiple versions with 120 mm fans, followed by 280 mm and 420 mm versions with 140 mm fans. Now these are joined by the A-RGB models, characterized by illuminated P14 Pro A-RGB fans with a new aerodynamic design using seven blades (instead of the previous five, still used on the original Liquid Freezer III). These fans will be available separately in the future, but for now they come bundled with complete AIO units. Two variants are launching: one with two and the other with three 140 mm fans.
The difference in cooling performance is illustrated in the chart below, where the larger model (Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 A-RGB) keeps the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X a full degree Celsius cooler compared to the older Liquid Freezer III 420 A-RGB. This applies both at maximum fan speeds and in noise-normalized testing.
The above results reflect the performance of the 420 mm variant, and the 280 mm version yields slightly different numbers. It’s worth noting that its test graph shows lower power consumption (around 185 W). On the Intel platform (LGA 1851) with a Core Ultra 9 285K, however, power draw is around 245 W for both the 280 and the 420 model.
It’s not just the processor that benefits from effective cooling—the power delivery does too. That’s thanks to the small fan on the block cover, which ensures stronger airflow around the CPU socket area. Arctic’s internal tests show how the Liquid Freezer III Pro compares to the LF II or other AIOs that lack a fan on the block. We’ll take a closer look at this soon in our own testing. One Liquid Freezer III Pro (360) has already been in our test lab, ready for analysis.
Strong cooling performance is also helped by higher mounting pressure, optimized for Intel platforms via a custom contact frame. This replaces the original mounting system and is paired with a modified base design that’s meant to improve heat transfer, especially in areas with the highest thermal density. These vary between CPU models, but the intent is to concentrate cooling in the north for Intel LGA 1851, or the south for AMD Ryzen CPUs, where the chiplets with cores are typically located.
The 280 mm model carries the product code ACFRE00183A and has a suggested price of 135 EUR. A 45 EUR cashback is applied at checkout, bringing the final price to 90 EUR before shipping. The 420 mm version (ACFRE00185A) is listed at 151 EUR, or 106 EUR after discount if you opt for the black model. A white variant is also available (ACFRE00189A) for an extra 17 EUR. All coolers are currently in stock and ready to ship.
English translation and edit by Jozef Dudáš
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P.S.: We likely won’t be testing the illuminated variants of the Liquid Freezer III Pro series. However, the LF III Pro 360 will definitely undergo a detailed analysis. 🙂 And yes, P14 Pro fan tests are just around the corner—including the A-RGB models!