ASUS TUF Gaming LC II 360 ARGB Liquid CPU Cooler: features and who it suits

The ASUS TUF Gaming LC II 360 ARGB is an all-in-one (AIO) liquid CPU cooler with a 360mm radiator and three 120mm fans. It supports recent Intel and AMD sockets and adds ARGB lighting on the fans and pump cover. Here is what its features mean and what to check before building around it.

What a 360mm AIO does

An AIO cooler is a sealed liquid loop. A pump block sits on the processor and moves heat into the coolant, which flows through tubing to a radiator, where fans push air through to carry the heat out of the case. The 360mm size means the radiator spans three 120mm fans, which gives a large cooling surface. These coolers are typically chosen for powerful processors that produce a lot of heat, and for a tidier look around the CPU socket than a large air cooler.

Fans: airflow and noise

The TUF Gaming radiator fans are upgraded with brighter ARGB lighting and grooved fins, which ASUS says improve airflow and lower noise. ARGB means each LED can be controlled individually, and the cooler works with Aura Sync lighting. Fan noise generally depends on speed, so the motherboard's fan curve settings make a difference.

Pump design

ASUS describes a decoupled low-noise pump and an ARGB pump cover. Decoupling means the pump's moving parts are isolated to reduce vibration and sound. Pump noise is often the steady hum people hear from an AIO, so this is aimed at keeping it down.

Tubing

The tubing is reinforced and sleeved, at 400mm in length. Sleeving adds protection against kinks and wear, and the length gives some flexibility on where the radiator mounts. Check that 400mm works with your chassis, because the radiator position affects how the tubes route.

Socket compatibility

ASUS lists support for Intel LGA 1700, 1200 and 115x sockets, and AMD AM5 and AM4. That covers many recent mainstream platforms. Always confirm your exact CPU socket, and check the manual for mounting hardware.

Warranty

ASUS backs the cooler with a six-year worldwide warranty and calls it industry leading. Check the terms in the product documentation, as they can vary by region.

Who it suits

It suits builders who want a mainstream 360mm liquid cooler for a gaming or workstation PC, and who like ARGB lighting that syncs with other components. The listing does not give dimensions or cooling-capacity figures, so those who need exact figures should consult ASUS's documentation.

What to check before you buy

• Case support: confirm that your case takes a 360mm radiator, and where it mounts.
• Radiator clearance: make sure the radiator and fans do not block tall memory or the motherboard's top components.
• Socket: match your processor to the supported list.
• Headers: you will need fan, pump and ARGB headers on the motherboard.
• Dimensions: the listing does not state them, so check the manual.
• Orientation: installation advice for the pump and radiator is in the manual.

The short version

• A 360mm AIO liquid CPU cooler with three 120mm TUF Gaming ARGB fans.
• Decoupled low-noise pump with an ARGB pump cover.
• Reinforced, sleeved 400mm tubing.
• Supports Intel LGA 1700, 1200, 115x and AMD AM5, AM4.
• Six-year worldwide warranty, according to ASUS.

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