Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280mm ARGB White CPU Liquid Cooler

The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 280mm ARGB White (SKU: ACFRE00151A) is a 280 mm all-in-one CPU liquid cooler designed for enthusiast desktop builds that demand sustained thermal performance paired with addressable RGB lighting. The radiator measures 280 mm and is served by two pre-installed 140 mm PWM fans operating in a push configuration. All fan cables are integrated into the hose sleeving, so only a single connector needs to reach the motherboard header — no splitter cables required. ARCTIC includes its MX-6 thermal compound in the box, giving you everything needed for a complete installation without additional purchases. A dedicated 60 mm PWM-controlled VRM fan is built into the pump head and provides targeted airflow over the motherboard’s voltage-regulator circuitry, which is particularly useful in cases with restricted chassis airflow or during extended overclocking sessions. For Intel LGA 1700 and the forthcoming LGA 1851 (Arrow Lake) platforms, ARCTIC supplies a contact frame that replaces the stock Independent Loading Mechanism. Intel’s default ILM applies over 40 kg of force at two contact points, which can deform the CPU package and PCB under sustained thermal stress. The ARCTIC contact frame distributes load more evenly, reducing mechanical stress on both the CPU die and the motherboard, while still allowing the cooler to fasten directly to the CPU backplate. AMD Ryzen multi-die chiplet processors position their hotspot offset from the geometric centre of the IHS. To address this, the Liquid Freezer III’s AMD mounting bracket incorporates a 5 mm offset that aligns the cold plate with the actual hotspot location for improved heat transfer. Intel has independently tested and confirmed Liquid Freezer III performance on the Core i9-13900K, i9-13900KF, i9-13900KS, i9-14900K, and i9-14900KF in its Enthusiast and Desktop validation categories, evaluating both the contact-frame mounting method and thermal results. VERIFIED SPECIFICATIONS • Model: ACFRE00151A • Radiator size: 280 mm • Fan size: 140 mm × 2 (push configuration, PWM) • VRM fan: 60 mm PWM • Lighting: A-RGB (ARGB) • Colour: White • Thermal compound: MX-6 (included) • Warranty: 6 years • Compatible sockets: Intel LGA 1700, LGA 1851 (Arrow Lake), plus Intel i3/i5/i7/i9, Core Ultra 5/7/9; AMD Ryzen 3/5/7/9 (AM4/AM5) • AMD offset mounting: 5 mm offset for chiplet hotspot alignment An ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 420mm ARGB Black and Liquid Freezer III Pro 360mm ARGB White are also available for larger radiator configurations, and the ARCTIC Freezer 36 range covers air-cooling alternatives from the same brand