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CPU cooler · MODEL NOTES

ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 280 (ACFRE00179A)

A two-fan AIO that needs a wider, thicker bay than many 240 mm designs.

Check with my buildRead the specifications ↓
The decision

The Liquid Freezer III Pro 280 belongs on the shortlist only when the enclosure supports its full 138 mm width and 65 mm radiator-and-fan stack. Its two 140 mm fans do not make it interchangeable with a 240 mm mount. Confirm the actual roof or front position before selecting the cooler.

Consider it when

  • A supported motherboard and a verified 280 mm radiator position.
  • A larger enclosure with clear end-tank, memory and tube-routing space.

Look again when

  • A roof mount restricted to a thinner 280 mm assembly.
  • An older Intel socket assumed compatible without a verified extra mounting kit.

The checks that can change your choice

Plan for 317 × 138 mm plus tubing

The 280 mm name describes the mounting class, not the outer rectangle. Use the 317 mm radiator length and 65 mm stack when checking the case; fittings and tube bends need additional consideration.

Check pump-area interference

Use ARCTIC’s motherboard compatibility information for the exact board. M.2 heatsinks and other nearby hardware can conflict with the pump assembly even where the CPU socket and radiator bay both appear compatible.

Published specifications

280 mm AIO; 317 × 138 × 38 mm radiator; two 27 mm P14 Pro fans; 65 mm radiator/fan stack; AM4/AM5 and LGA1700/1851.

BrandARCTIC
Exact modelLiquid Freezer III Pro 280 (ACFRE00179A)
Manufacturer model numberACFRE00179A
Published power rating13.2 W — Calculated from rated 12V currents: pump 0.35A + VRM fan 0.05A + two fans at 0.35A each; not heat-dissipation capacity
Cooler mounting socketsAM4, AM5, LGA1700, LGA1851
Cooler designliquid
Nominal radiator format280 mm
Radiator and fan stack65 mm; compare with the actual mounting position
Radiator width138 mm
Fan speed connector4-pin PWM

Confirm exact retail revision and mounting hardware. Requires the manufacturer motherboard compatibility check; pump/M.2 heatsink interference is possible. LGA1200/115X needs a separately verified mounting kit and is not assumed.

Catalog record checked . Manufacturer specifications. The individual references below show the dates used for these model notes.

Compare the choice, not just the name

Peerless Assassin 120 SE vs Liquid Freezer III Pro 280: choose the layout firstCompare this dual-tower air cooler with the exact ARCTIC 280mm AIO: RAM clearance, radiator stack, mounting position and maintenance tradeoffs.Read the comparison ↗

A different choice worth checking

ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240 (ACFRE00178A)The Liquid Freezer III Pro 240 is worth considering where a 360 mm mount is unavailable, provided the enclosure accepts its thicker assembly. The 38 mm radiator and required fan space are the key tradeoff. A case advertising “240 mm support” still needs a check around RAM, motherboard heatsinks and tube fittings.Read this model’s tradeoffs ↗ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 (ACFRE00181A)The Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 uses three 140 mm fans and a substantial radiator. It is a deliberate large-case choice, not an automatic upgrade for every CPU. Establish both the mount and motherboard compatibility first, then assess whether the sustained workload justifies the space and installation complexity.Read this model’s tradeoffs ↗

These alternatives address related choices. Recheck their platform, connections and fit before treating one as a replacement.

Follow the check that matters to your build

Sources and review notes

RigAtlas connects manufacturer specifications to component choices. This page is document-based analysis; it does not claim a hands-on test or a current store offer.

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