If you’re looking for an AIO CPU cooler sporting sleek and contemporary aesthetics perfect for any build, we’ve got you. Today in our ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB AIO CPU Cooler review, we’re looking into this product from ASUS.
It’s a promising product that has a closed-loop design plus ARGB radiator fans. Plus, it unleashes the ultimate potential of an Intel or AMD processor. This is while boosting your build with excellent multi-coloured lighting effects.
And with the cooling expected from ROG, we know that this product will be a vital part of your rig.
ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB AIO CPU Cooler Packaging
Before getting into the specifics, our ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB AIO CPU Cooler review will discuss its packaging. Of course, we’ll also talk about the inclusions of the box.
Our AIO CPU cooler arrived in a typical looking ROG package. It sports a theme that’s quite flashy though it’s attractive and eye-catching.
The product’s name is set in front, while ASUS and a number of ROG logos are present too. The company also included a list of the primary features placed on the box’s lower-right corner.
Flipping the box, you’ll find more details related to the AIO CPU cooler. This is also where you’ll find an image of the product to give you a better idea of how it looks.
The main parts of the AIO CPU cooler are displayed individually on the right. Plus, there are a few details about its features and specifications as well.
Flipping open the box, you’ll find another logo of ROG at the centre of the package’s cover. Of course, all the accessories and the product itself are organised. This is to keep everything neat and safe especially when the cooler is being transported to you.
Not only are they segregated, all items are kept in their own plastic bags for added protection. And for our ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB AIO CPU Cooler review, here’s what you’ll find inside the box. The AIO CPU cooler with pre-applied thermal compound, three 120mm ARGB radiator fans, and a USB cable.
There’s also a 1×1 to 4 ARGB splitter cable, plus an accessory pack with brackets and screws in it. Of course, you’ll find a quick start guide and the usual inclusion of an ROG sticker.
ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB AIO CPU Cooler Review – Design and Functionality
What we first learned about this AIO CPU cooler is that it supports mainstream AMD and Intel processors. And for its ARGB, this supports Aura Sync software.
Another notable aspect of the product is that it’s integrated with three 129mm ARGB radiator fans. Specifically, they used ROG fans to achieve intense rapid cooling so you can expect it to do the job right.
We liked that the ROG radiator fans were adjusted adequately, allowing this AIO CPU cooler to perform at its best. To note, the fan can bring about 81 CFM / 5.0mm H2O, providing outstanding heat dissipation capabilities.
This AIO CPU cooler’s water pump is mirror glass treated. It also comes with an ROG logo that lights up when in use. What’s cool is that you can customise its RGB lighting effects via Aura Sync which is pretty convenient.
Do note that it has a water-cooled head that’s pre-coated with factory thermal grease. If you want to replace it, simply remove the pre-coated one before coating it again with your preferred thermal grease.
Now, let’s continue our ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB AIO CPU Cooler review and check out the product’s features.
Key Features of the ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB AIO CPU Cooler
Next Generation Customisation – Show-off and Flaunt Your Style
The new and elaborate designs on the ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB AIO CPU Cooler displays ROG’s iconic aesthetics. So, you’ll definitely notice every detail that reflects the Strix style.
With support from Aura Sync for the pump cover’s ARGB radiator fans and ROG logo, you’re free to customise. Here, you can integrate lighting effects with ROG’s building components, allowing you to show off your personal style and aesthetics.
We also noticed that the engraved ROG letterings on the radiator nicely complements the colourful letterings on each fan’s hubs. Plus, the ARGB light effects on the radiator fans and NCVM-coated pump covers exhibit a stylishly contemporary design.
Great Cooling and Low Noise
The 7th generation Asetek pump offers satisfactory heat dissipation performance plus extremely low noise. Its operating range begins at 840 rpm.
Optimised Fan Style
These ROG radiator fans are particularly tuned to provide the best performance for this AIO CPU cooler. And as we mentioned earlier, these fans generate 81 CFM / 5.0mm H2O for outstanding cooling efficiency.
With the three ROG-designed radiator fans, the cooler will surely offer enhanced airflow and static pressure.
Better Pump Design
This AIO CPU cooler from ASUS’ ROG series is packed with the latest cooling plate design. It’s made out of pure copper, so the plate has a wide range of fine micro-channels. These decrease thermal resistance while boosting the surface area which results in decreased CPU temperatures.
PWM-Controlled Pump and Fans
The PWM controls allow both the radiator fans and pump to spin at slower speeds. This is when the CPU is under light loads or when it’s idle to keep its noise levels down.
All-inclusive Compatibility
The ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB AIO CPU Cooler works with a number of motherboards. With that, you utilise it with your choice of AMD and Intel processors.
And since you have 380mm of tubing, installing the radiator will be flexible in various chassis.
Specifications
This ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB AIO CPU Cooler review won’t be complete without the specifications. So, let’s look at what this cooler has to offer.
Water Block and Radiator
Let’s begin by checking out the water block’s specifications. It measures 80 x 80 45mm while its CPU plate is made from copper. Now for its aluminium radiator, it’s 121 x 394 x 27mm with a sleeved rubber tube that’s 380mm long.
Radiator Fans
The fans used for this AIO CPU cooler are the ROG-designed ARGB radiator fans. There are a total of three slots that perfectly fit 120mm-sized ones.
These measure 120 x 120 x 25mm and have a speed of 800 to 2500 ROM +/-10%. Its static pressure is 5.0mm H2O while airflow is 80.95CFM /137.5 m3h.
Speaking of its noise, it’s at 37.6 dB(A) while PWM/DC is its control mode.
Compatibility and Warranty
The ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB AIO CPU Cooler is compatible with both Intel and AMD processors. Specifically, it works with the LGA 1150, 1152, 1156, 1155, 1200, 2011, 1366, 2011-3, and 2066. As for the AMD processors, it works well with AM4 and TR4.
To note, ASUS also included a 6-year warranty along with the cooler which is pretty good.
Now, our ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB AIO CPU Cooler review will give you details on how it performed. Let’s see if it’s just as good as other ROG products.
Hands-on with the ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB AIO CPU Cooler
Before we look deeper into the cooler’s performance, let’s first see if it was easy or challenging to install.
The first thing we did was link the fan to its radiator before connecting it to the case. Do take note that the hoses are a bit short at just 38cm. So, you might have to install it in front of your case while positioning its connection downwards.
To continue, we fastened the backplate using the screws that were included in the package. This will guarantee that no parts will slip or fall out, thus, making the whole installation process easier. After, we positioned the heatsink at the top, then fixed it in place using the nuts.
For proper alignment of the logo, we made sure that all connectors were positioned on the right. Also, we suggest that you plug in the USB cable first before linking. This is because the port is a bit tricky to reach once it’s installed.
After, we plugged the cable into the motherboard’s USB connector before linking the pump to the AIO header. We didn’t forget to put the fans into the CPU header while the ARGB cables into the 3-pin ARGB headers. Don’t forget that the Y-cables for the ARGB lighting and fans are included as well.
This time, we’re discussing what software the ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB AIO CPU Cooler uses.
Armoury Crate Software
The ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB AIO CPU Cooler is configured via the Armoury Crate software. This program is a utility suite that shows your connected peripherals and components’ information. These data include setting, real-time performance, and more.
Armoury Crate works with ROG, ASUS, and TUF Gaming product series. From the software, you can change lighting settings, system profiles, and other configurations on all compatible devices that are connected. We find it pretty convenient since you can manage almost everything in one place.
Manage All Compatible Components in One Spot
With this software, you can control all your Aura Sync compatible gear through a single intuitive interface. It also provides access to Aura Creator which offers a lot of possibilities for your lighting customisation. Additionally, it makes optimising ROG products easier and more convenient.
Armoury Crate comes with dedicated sections for product registration. There’s also ROG news to help keep you updated with the ROG gaming community.
Do note that this software requires Windows 10 for complete Aura Sync functionality. If you’re using Windows 8 or earlier versions, you can download the standalone Aura Sync software instead. It’s available for free from the product support site.
You’ll need to have Windows 10 to enable full Aura Sync functionality within Armoury Crate. If you’re using Windows 8 or older versions, you can install the separate Aura Sync software. This is downloadable for free from the product support site.
To note, Armoury Crate is downloadable from ASUS’ official website.
The Tabs and Functions in Armoury Crate
Since we’ve explained what Armoury Crate is all about, here are the different functions you can find in its interface:
Aura Tabs
This is where you can manage AURA SYNC compatible products. The Sync Devices tab lets you select the AURA SYNC compatible products that you want to have synchronised lighting effects. The AURA Effects tab is where you customise the lighting effects.
Device Control Tabs
This function is for optimising motherboard settings like fan control, OLED display, and lighting effects.
Tools Tab
The Tools section is where you can download the latest utilities, drivers, BIOS file, documents, user manuals, and individual kits.
Highlights Tab
This tab displays stories, news, and ongoing ROG events to keep you updated at all times. You can find and download wallpapers here as well.
User Centre
The User Centre is where you can create an ASUS Member account. By registering, you can review and manage products or events registered to your account. Plus, you can receive important push notifications as well.
Settings
This section lets you configure basic settings and updates for your Armoury Crate. It’s also where you choose a main theme for the software. Not only that, you can go here to review the app version, notices, and privacy policy.
Of course, our ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB AIO CPU Cooler review won’t be complete without discussing its performance. ASUS claims that this CPU cooler offers whisper-quiet operation while being capable of providing cooling for extreme overclocking. In our tests, we’ll let you know if these claims are true and if this should be part of your build.
Performance of the ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB AIO CPU Cooler
Here, we made the ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB AIO CPU Cooler undergo a couple of tests. It’s to give you better insights of how it works. Plus, it’ll help you decide if it’s something worth investing in and adding to your system.
Temperature and Noise Levels
In idle mode, the CPU’s temperature was around 23°C. With light tasks like word processing operation, the CPU’s temperature stayed around 37°C.
For our gaming tests, we got temperature levels sitting at around 61°C, depending on the game. We didn’t get anything higher than this temperature range which is great.
Even under heavy loads, the ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB AIO CPU Cooler performed silently. It kept the temperatures below 40°C for idle modes and below 68°C for full loads.
For the noise levels of the AIO CPU cooler, it was barely audible which makes it excellent for sensitive ears. It’s a good thing that this CPU cooler was able to deliver high-cooling throughout our tests while performing quietly. With its performance, it’s one of the most recommended AIO CPU coolers, even at high room temperatures.
RGB Lighting
We also liked the ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB AIO CPU Cooler’s RGB lighting. It had great colour saturation since it wasn’t too bright nor too dark. In fact, its lighting quality was excellent.
When we enabled Aura Sync, the synchronised lights worked beautifully and flawlessly with our other compatible PC parts.
Overall, the ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB AIO CPU Cooler is an excellent product. It worked well for cooling and maintained low temperatures while performing quietly. Plus, it had flawless RGB lighting that was great for enhancing any PC build’s aesthetics.
ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB AIO CPU Cooler Review Summary
The ROG Strix LC 360 ARGB AIO CPU Cooler is another impressive PC component from ASUS. It’s a simple CPU cooler with a sleek design that allows for easy installation, and it generally has no shortcomings.
Aside from its simple design, its scope of delivery includes everything you’ll need for the installation process. With all the screws, brackets, adapters, and other accessories available, installing a CPU cooler has become more convenient than ever.
Other notable aspects of this product are the high-quality materials used and the great workmanship. Additionally, it comes with a 6-year warranty which shows that ASUS is confident with its reliability.
This AIO CPU cooler from ASUS’ ROG series is a high-performance product providing adequate cooling for heavy loads and overclocking. It excellently maintains low temperatures for the CPU while operating quietly, thanks to the 7th gen Asetek pump. Although it’s a pricey product, the AIO CPU cooler’s superior performance makes it worth the purchase.
When purchasing this cooler, see to it that it’s compatible with the size of your case. Be sure that your chassis has sufficient space for installing a 360mm AIO CPU cooler.
Overall, we were satisfied with the ROG Strix LC II 360 ARGB AIO CPU Cooler and we highly recommend it. If you want this AIO CPU cooler for your build, you can purchase it from the company’s official website.
