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It so happened that I received two liquid cooling systems from ASUS that can be considered opposites. On one end is the most expensive model I have reviewed to date, the ROG Ryuo IV SLC 360 ARGB. On the other is the ASUS TUF Gaming LC III 360 ARGB LCD, which ranks among the three most affordable branded options in its category.
Read also: Reviews of cooling systems (coolers) for PCs
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
TUF Gaming LC III 360 ARGB LCD Technical characteristics
- Block dimensions: 80.9 × 77.0 × 67.1 mm
- Material: copper
- Radiator dimensions: 397 × 120 × 27 mm
- Radiator material: Aluminium
- Tube material: Rubber sleeve
- Tube length: 400 mm
- Fan: TUF GAMING LC III 360 ARGB MF-12
- Size: 3 slots for 120 mm fans
- Dimensions: 360.0 × 120.0 × 26.6 mm
- Fan speed: 650–2600 ± 10% RPM
- Static pressure: 3.82 mm H₂O
- Airflow: 90.78 CFM
- Noise level: up to 37.4 dBA
- Display: 2.8″ IPS
- Compatibility: Intel LGA 1851, 1700, 1200, AMD AM5, AM4
- Warranty: 6 years
- Software: ASUS InfoHub
Positioning and Price
When referring to affordability in the context of branded products, this distinction is intentional. The liquid cooling market is saturated with low-cost models, including 360 mm solutions. From a technical standpoint, assembling a radiator, pump, and tubing is relatively straightforward. Even within the past three months, I have reviewed examples that included integrated displays.
An integrated display is also present in the ASUS TUF Gaming LC III 360 ARGB LCD, which explains the “LCD” designation. The system is priced at approximately $150, or around €130. This distinction is relevant, as there is also the ASUS TUF Gaming LC III 360 ARGB variant without a display, which is available for about $115 or under €100.
What’s the trade-off?
Typically, lower pricing in this segment implies certain compromises, such as the absence of RGB lighting. In this case, however, RGB is included, along with a full display integrated into the pump. The package also contains three pre-installed fans, model MR-12 (not to be confused with MR-120, which is a different design). The MR-12 fans are physically connected as a single unit, which has practical implications: if one fan fails, replacement of the entire assembly may be required.
The fans are PWM-controlled, with a maximum speed of 1,600 RPM and a noise level of 21 dBA at the lowest setting. It is worth noting, however, that users opting for an affordable 360 mm cooling solution are typically less concerned with noise and more focused on performance and aesthetics, which will be addressed in the following sections.
Package Contents
To cover the included items, the kit comes with mounting hardware for Intel LGA 1851/1700/1200 and AMD AM4/AM5 sockets, as well as a Velcro cable tie. No thermal paste is included, as it is pre-applied on the pump. The fans are pre-installed on the radiator.
TUF Gaming LC III 360 ARGB LCD Exterior Design
The overall design of the ASUS TUF Gaming LC III 360 ARGB LCD is not simplistic, featuring several distinctive elements. These include logos on the radiator, decorative accents on the fan assembly, and beveled edges on the pump. Additionally, the fan design follows a style reminiscent of graphics cards, with logos on the sides and the model name centered.
It is worth noting advantages that stem from design compromises. For instance, the three fans are integrated into a single assembly, allowing them to be connected in a single daisy-chain configuration. This simplifies cable management compared to standard setups.
The fans support both ARGB and PWM, allowing straightforward speed control. The pump connects to the motherboard via two cables: a 4-pin PWM and a 9-pin USB. Cable length is sufficient, with no notable issues.
Specifications
The radiator of the ASUS TUF Gaming LC III 360 ARGB LCD measures 394.0 × 119.6 × 27.2 mm and is made of aluminum. The rubberized tubing is 400 mm long. The pump block measures 80.9 × 77.0 × 67.1 mm, with a copper contact surface. While the pump speed is not officially specified, testing indicates it operates between 1,400 and 2,900 RPM.
Regarding the fans, their speed ranges from 650 to 2,600 RPM ±10%. They provide a static pressure of 3.82 mm H₂O, an airflow of 90.78 CFM, and operate at noise levels between 21 and 37.4 dBA.
The ASUS TUF Gaming LC III 360 ARGB LCD features a pump-mounted display. It is a 2.8-inch IPS panel with a 60 Hz refresh rate; the resolution is not specified. The display is configurable via the ASUS InfoHub software, which allows monitoring of system load metrics and adjusting display settings directly on the panel.
Test bench
- Processor AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- Motherboard ASUS ROG Strix B650E Gaming WiFi
- RAM Kingston Fury DDR5 16 ГБ
- Graphics card ASUS ROG RTX 3050 8GB
- Case ASUS TUF Gaming GT502
- Power supply unit be quiet! Power Zone 2 1000W
Test results
The ASUS TUF Gaming LC III 360 ARGB LCD was tested in OCCT at an ambient temperature of 20.6 °C.
In fully automatic mode, with no fixed clock settings, the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X reached a maximum temperature of 61 °C under a peak load of 121 W. Neither the pump nor the fans reached their maximum speed during this test.
With all 12 cores locked at 5,500 MHz, the peak load reached 209 W, while maximum temperatures did not exceed 85 °C. Fan speeds were approximately 2,600 RPM, and the pump operated at 2,900 RPM. This represents a solid level of performance, particularly given the price of the cooling system.
Conclusion
Although this model is among the most affordable branded liquid cooling solutions, its performance is difficult to dispute. The design, versatility, included accessories, and available software also present few shortcomings. While the fans are integrated into a single unit, this contributes to the lower price of the ASUS TUF Gaming LC III 360 ARGB LCD. Overall, it represents a solid option within its segment.
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Where to buy the ASUS TUF Gaming LC III 360 ARGB LCD