VideoGist - Tearing Down the Best Liquid Cooler: Arctic Liquid Freezer III CPU Cooler Disassembly

Tearing Down the Best Liquid Cooler: Arctic Liquid Freezer III CPU Cooler Disassembly

Gamers Nexus

23 min, 24 sec

An extensive teardown and examination of the Liquid Freezer 3 cooler's components, design changes, and thermal characteristics.

Summary

The video presents a detailed teardown of the Liquid Freezer 3, comparing components to the original Liquid Freezer 2.
Focus is given to the impeller, housing, microfin density, and thermal characteristics of the cooler.
The cooler is praised for its high-quality components, repairability, and performance improvements over its predecessor.
Anomalies in the pressure distribution due to the leaf spring design are investigated and explained.
The presenter mentions the ease of disassembly and the potential for future repair or modification due to the cooler's construction.

Chapter 1

0:16 - 56 sec

An introduction to the teardown of the Liquid Freezer 3 cooler, outlining the investigation goals and noting the video's connection to a full review.

The presenter introduces the teardown of the Liquid Freezer 3 cooler, referencing a full review already published on the channel.
The focus of the teardown is on understanding the cooler's performance through examination of its design and components.
There is an anticipation of finding changes in the impeller and housing that could impact thermal behavior.

Chapter 2

1:11 - 1 min, 15 sec

The presenter begins inspecting the cooler, comparing dimensions with the original Liquid Freezer 2, and noting design changes.

Initial measurements of the cold plate size are taken, showing no change in dimensions from the original Liquid Freezer 2.
The new cooler's pump cap is markedly different from the original, with a focus on repairability and potential for customization.
The presenter discusses the fan design, highlighting its non-standard nature and the potential for more user-friendly replacements.

Chapter 3

2:26 - 4 min, 57 sec

The presenter disassembles the cooler, examining the microfin stack, impeller, and leaf spring.

The microfin stack is inspected and compared to the original, with a significant height increase noted, which contributes to improved thermal performance.
The impeller and internal chamber exhibit major design changes, with the impeller maintaining high quality with metal construction.
Leaf spring pressure and its impact on the cold plate's pressure distribution are analyzed, explaining the pressure anomalies seen in the laser scan.

Chapter 4

7:24 - 16 min, 2 sec

The disassembly is completed with a focus on the pump assembly and fan, and overall conclusions about the cooler are presented.

The video concludes with the removal of the pump assembly and fan, emphasizing the ease of disassembly for potential repairs.
The presenter reflects on the quality of the components, the cooler's improved performance, and the repair-friendly design.
Observations are made about the cooler's construction and how it could facilitate future modifications or replacements.