360mm vs 240mm AIO: Which Liquid Cooler Fits Your PC Build?

Building a new PC in South Africa? Lekker! You've picked your CPU, your GPU is ready to roll, but now you’re stuck. The big question: 360mm vs 240mm AIO? It feels like a massive decision, and honestly... it is. Choosing the wrong size can bottleneck your performance or, even worse, not fit in your case at all. Don't stress. We’re here to break it down, helping you pick the perfect liquid cooler for your rig.

Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 Atmos ARGB Close-Loop AIO Liquid Cooler, Customize Pump, Sickleflow Edge PWM Fans, 360mm Radiator, CryoFuze, AMD Ryzen AM5/AM4, Intel LGA1700/1200 - MLX-D36M-A25PZ-R1

R3299.00In Stock

Fractal Design Lumen S36 RGB Aspect 12 RGB x3 AIO CPU Liquid/Water Cooler / FD-W-L1-S3612

R2499.00In Stock

Gamdias AURA GL240 V2 White Liquid Cooler / New Fluid Running System for Better Thermal Dissipation / Hydraulic PWM Fans / AURA-GL240-V2

R1499.00In Stock

Cooler Master MasterLiquid 240 Atmos ARGB Close-Loop AIO Liquid Cooler, Customize Pump, Sickleflow Edge PWM Fans, 360mm Radiator, CryoFuze, AMD Ryzen AM5/AM4, Intel LGA1700/1200 - MLX-D24M-A25PZ-R1

R2699.00In Stock

MSI MAG CoreLiquid A15 360 Liquid Cooler / CycloBlade Design / AI-Optimized Cooling / ARGB GEN2 Lighting / Easy UNI Bracket Installation / 306-7ZW9A11-L80

R1999.00In Stock

EK 280mm AIO D-RGB All-in-One CPU Liquid Cooler / Water Cooling Computer Parts / 140mm Fan / EK-Vardar High-Performance PMW Fans / Outstanding Thermal Conductivity / Support - Intel 115X/1200/2066, AMD AM4 / EK-AIO-280-D-RGB

R2699.00In Stock

Understanding the AIO Showdown: 360mm vs 240mm

First, let's get the basics straight. An AIO (All-In-One) liquid cooler uses a pump, radiator, and fans to move heat away from your CPU. The size—240mm or 360mm—refers to the length of the radiator.

• 240mm AIO: Uses two 120mm fans.
• 360mm AIO: Uses three 120mm fans.

The core difference is surface area. A 360mm radiator has 50% more surface area than a 240mm one, allowing it to dissipate heat more effectively. This generally translates to lower CPU temperatures, especially when you're pushing a high-end processor like an Intel Core i9 or AMD Ryzen 9 hard during a heavy gaming session or rendering task. While a bigger radiator is often better for raw performance, it's not the only factor when choosing the right CPU cooler.

MSI MPG CORELIQUID K240 V2 AIO CPU Liquid Cooler - LCD Pump with 60mm Fan, 2 x 120mm ARGB Fans, GI Cooling & Mystic Light Software Support - AMD & Intel Socket Compatible / 9S6-6A0311-038

R3199.00In Stock

DeepCool Mystique 360 ARGB Liquid CPU Cooler, 2.83" TFT LCD Display, 360mm Radiator, 120mm Fan Size, 2400 RPM Fan Speed, 72.04 CFM Airflow, Hydro Bearing Type, Black / MYSTIQUE-360-ARGB

R2799.00In Stock

Corsair iCUE Link Titan 280 RX RGB All-In-One 280mm Liquid CPU Cooler / Three high-performance RX120 RGB fans / Extreme cooling performance / Three high-performance RX120 RGB fans / CW-9061017-WW

R3199.00In Stock

Gamdias AURA GL240 V2 White Liquid Cooler / New Fluid Running System for Better Thermal Dissipation / Hydraulic PWM Fans / AURA-GL240-V2

R1499.00In Stock

Gamdias Chione E4-240 Liquid Cooler - White / Hydraulic PWM Fans / Dual Infinite Mirror / Real-time Digital Display / Patented PWM Pump / Motherboard Sync ARGB / CHIONE-E4-240-WH

R899.00In Stock

CORSAIR H100i RGB Elite Liquid CPU Cooler - 240mm AIO - AF120 Elite PWM Fans - Intel® LGA 1700, 1200, 2066, AMD® AM5 & AM4 Sockets - White - CW-9060078-WW

R3299.00In Stock

The Big Question: Will a 360mm or 240mm AIO Fit Your Case? 🔧

This is where many builds go wrong. You can buy the best cooler in the world, but it's just an expensive paperweight if it doesn't fit in your chassis.

A 240mm AIO is the flexible all-rounder. It fits in the vast majority of modern ATX and even many Micro-ATX cases, usually mounting at the top or front without any drama.

A 360mm AIO, however, is a bit of a beast. It demands a larger mid-tower or a full-tower case with dedicated support for a 360mm radiator. Always, always check your case's technical specifications for radiator compatibility before you add one to your cart. Checking the specs is a non-negotiable step when browsing our wide selection of AIO liquid coolers.

Budget vs. Bragging Rights: Price and Aesthetics ✨

The debate between a 240mm and 360mm AIO also comes down to your wallet and your desired look. A 360mm cooler will almost always cost more than its 240mm sibling from the same product line. You're paying for a larger radiator, an extra fan, and the superior cooling potential that comes with it.

Aesthetically, a 360mm radiator can fill out the top or front of a large case beautifully, creating a clean, high-end look. For those who love RGB, brands offer incredible lighting effects. You can find stunning premium options from Corsair with their iCUE software, or check out the visually impressive and value-packed designs in the range of excellent AIOs from Deepcool. In a smaller case, a 240mm AIO often looks more balanced and proportional.

The Verdict: Which AIO is Right for Your South African Rig?

So, how do you choose? Let’s make it simple.

Go for a 360mm AIO if...

You are running a top-tier, heat-generating CPU (like a Core i7/i9 or Ryzen 7/9) and plan to do serious overclocking. You've confirmed your case has ample space, and you want the absolute best thermal performance possible. If this sounds like you, you'll want to check out one of these top-tier 360mm radiators.

DeepCool LT240 White Edition ARGB CPU Liquid Cooler, 280W TDP 5th Gen Dual-Chamber Pump Multidimensional Infinity Mirror ARGB Block AIO Cooler for LGA1700/1200/1151/1150/1155,AMD AM4/AM5 / LT240-WH-ARGB

R2299.00In Stock

Corsair iCUE Link Titan 360 RX RGB All-In-One 360mm Liquid CPU Cooler / Three high-performance RX120 RGB fans / Extreme cooling performance / Three high-performance RX120 RGB fans / CW-9061021-WW

R3599.00In Stock

[OPEN BOX] Gamdias Chione E4-240 Liquid Cooler - White / Hydraulic PWM Fans / Dual Infinite Mirror / Real-time Digital Display / Patented PWM Pump / Motherboard Sync ARGB / OB-CHIONE-E4-240-WH

R1599.00In Stock

Gamdias CHIONE M4-240 CPU Liquid Cooler, 2X 120mm ARGB PWM Fans, RGB Sync with motherboards, Rotatable 2.1" LCD Displays / CHIONE-M4-240

R799.00In Stock

MSI MPG CORELIQUID K240 V2 AIO CPU Liquid Cooler - LCD Pump with 60mm Fan, 2 x 120mm ARGB Fans, GI Cooling & Mystic Light Software Support - AMD & Intel Socket Compatible / 9S6-6A0311-038

R3199.00In Stock

DeepCool Liquid Cooler LT520 240mm 4th Gen Dual-Chamber Pump 3100RPM Multidimensional Infinity Mirror ARGB Block 280w TDP AIO Cooler Anti-Leak Tech CPU Water Cooler for AMD AM4/AM5 LGA 1700/1200 / LT520

R1749.00In Stock

Stick with a 240mm AIO if...

You're building a mid-range to high-end gaming PC with a Core i5/Ryzen 5 or a non-overclocked i7/Ryzen 7. Your priority is a fantastic balance of cooling performance, case compatibility, and value for money. A 240mm AIO is more than capable of keeping these chips cool and quiet, making it the smart choice for most South African gamers. There are plenty of versatile 240mm AIOs that fit this profile perfectly.

Ultimately, the 360mm vs 240mm AIO choice isn't about which is "better," but which is better for you. 🚀