ASRock has introduced the Steel Legend 360 LCD, a new 360mm all-in-one (AIO) liquid CPU cooler designed to maintain the company’s reputation for cooling solutions. This cooler integrates an LCD display, an onboard VRM fan, and additional features, making it a notable option in the AIO market.
The cooler’s aesthetic appeal is a key highlight, featuring a prominent 3.4-inch LCD display. This display delivers crisp visuals and smooth movement, supported by a 60Hz refresh rate. Surrounding the LCD is a 16-element ARGB LED light array, contributing to a visually striking presentation. While the radiator fans do not include LEDs, this design choice aligns with the overall Steel Legend aesthetic found across other ASRock products.
In terms of performance, the Steel Legend 360 LCD demonstrates strong cooling capabilities. Testing indicates it positions towards the cooler end of AIOs evaluated in recent benchmark systems. This consistent performance holds true for both idle and load cooling scenarios.
However, the cooler’s operational noise is a factor to consider. While effective, it tends to be louder at higher speeds. For users seeking enhanced cooling performance during demanding tasks like gaming, a mid-range speed of 1500 RPM offers a good balance, albeit with increased noise. Conversely, for maintaining a quieter environment, speeds below approximately 1200 RPM are recommended, still providing effective cooling.
An integrated VRM fan further enhances the cooler’s utility. This feature allows users to boost cooling for critical power delivery components, mitigating concerns about VRM temperatures even when pushing system performance.
The Steel Legend 360 LCD shares a nearly identical base platform with its predecessor, the Phantom Gaming 360 LCD, resulting in very similar performance metrics. Minor differences contribute to the subtle variations between the two coolers.
Specifically, the Steel Legend features a slightly thinner radiator compared to the Phantom Gaming model. It also utilizes three 120mm fans, contrasting with the Phantom Gaming’s single 360mm fan array. To compensate for the reduced surface area of the thinner radiator, the included 120mm fans boast slightly higher airflow and air pressure specifications, effectively bridging any potential performance gap.
A notable drawback identified with the Steel Legend 360 LCD is its multi-application control requirement. Users currently need separate software for different functionalities: Polychrome Display for the LCD, Polychrome Sync, SignalRGB, or other LED controllers for RGB lighting, and motherboard software, BIOS settings, or third-party applications like Fan Control for fan and pump speeds.
This fragmented control system presents an inconvenience, suggesting a strong need for ASRock to develop a unified software solution. Such an integrated application would streamline user experience, similar to established platforms in the market.
Regarding availability and cost, the ASRock Steel Legend 360 LCD carries a price premium, which some may find surprising given the absence of ARGB lighting on its radiator fans. It is currently available for purchase at $215.50.
Overall, the ASRock Steel Legend 360 LCD combines robust performance with appealing aesthetics, making it a particularly suitable choice for users aiming for an all-Steel Legend themed build. Its effectiveness in cooling both the CPU and surrounding components, largely due to the integrated VRM fan, contributes to its strong assessment, earning it an 8 out of 10 rating.
Source: ThinkComputers