The Chieftec Iceberg PRO 360 is a new all-in-one liquid cooling system with a 360-mm radiator that features an additional centrifugal fan in the pump head. This fan blows air radially in all directions, helping to cool VRMs, RAM modules, and M.2 SSDs—components that typically receive no airflow at all with a standard AIO. Chieftec offers the series in an ARGB variant (CLC-360-VRM-RGB) and an all-black version (CLC-360-VRM-BLK). The manufacturer has not yet announced prices or a launch date.
With this, Chieftec addresses a drawback common to almost every compact liquid cooling system: as soon as the large tower cooler is removed from the case, there is no airflow around the CPU socket. However, just how effective the small fan in the pump head actually is depends heavily on the motherboard layout.
TL;DR: The most important points in a nutshell
- Models: Iceberg PRO 360 RGB (CLC-360-VRM-RGB) and Iceberg PRO 360 DARK (CLC-360-VRM-BLK)
- Special feature: Centrifugal VRM fan in the pump head, 500 to 2,200 RPM
- Radiator: 396 × 120 × 27 mm, made of aluminum, so it has a rather slim design
- Pump: 1,800 to 2,700 RPM, 4-pin PWM, copper base
- Fans: three snap-on interlocking PWM fans, up to 2,200 RPM, 64.72 CFM, 3.06 mmH₂O
- Socket: Intel LGA 1851 to LGA 2011, AMD AM5 to AM2 and FM1
- Warranty: 36 months
- Price: not yet known
The VRM fan is the real selling point
Air coolers have an unintended side effect that is often underestimated: The large fan constantly circulates air over the voltage regulators, the memory banks, and the top M.2 slot. With an AIO, nothing happens there because all the waste heat is dissipated to the outside via the radiator. Chieftec fills this exact gap with the centrifugal fan, which is located in the pump head and distributes the air all around rather than just downward.
According to the datasheet, the fan runs at 500 to 2,200 RPM and is PWM-controlled. Chieftec has not yet provided specific temperature measurements or noise levels in dB(A), neither for the VRM fan nor for the radiator fans. Whether this design actually reduces temperatures by more than a few degrees in everyday use remains to be seen in independent tests. In any case, the effect is likely to be less pronounced on motherboards with tall VRM heatsinks or a backplate covering the M.2 slot than on an open, mid-range layout.
Radiator, Pump, and Snap-On Fan
The aluminum radiator measures 396 × 120 × 27 mm. At 27 mm thick, it’s one of the slimmer models in its class; many 360 AIOs range from 30 to 38 mm. This makes installation in tighter cases easier, but comes at the cost of cooling surface area. To achieve decent results, Chieftec therefore relies on the fans, which are rated at 64.72 CFM and 3.06 mmH₂O of static pressure.
The snap-on interlocking system is practical: the three 120-mm fans snap directly together and share the cabling. Instead of three PWM and three ARGB cables, only one of each is connected to the motherboard. This not only saves time during installation but also eliminates the need for a fan hub, which on many competing models would otherwise have to be tucked away somewhere behind the power supply cover.
The pump runs at 1,800 to 2,700 RPM and is also connected to a 4-pin PWM connector, drawing 0.2 A at 12 V. The cooling block itself is unusually tall at 97.8 × 88.3 × 68 mm, which is due to the integrated fan. If you’re using a compact case with limited space between the motherboard and the side panel, you should measure this 68 mm in advance. The base plate is made of copper, while the block’s housing is made of plastic.
The ARGB version can be controlled via the usual ecosystems, namely ASUS Aura Sync, MSI Mystic Light, Gigabyte RGB Fusion, and ASRock Polychrome Sync. Those who prefer a simpler look can opt for the DARK variant without lighting. Both models are mechanically identical.
Technical Specifications of the Chieftec Iceberg PRO Series
| Specifications | Iceberg PRO 360 RGB | Iceberg PRO 360 DARK |
|---|---|---|
| Item Number | CLC-360-VRM-RGB | CLC-360-VRM-BLK |
| Radiator | 396 × 120 × 27 mm, aluminum | |
| Cooling block | 97.8 × 88.3 × 68 mm, copper base, plastic housing | |
| Pump | 1,800 to 2,700 RPM (±10%), 12 V, 0.2 A, 4-pin PWM | |
| Radiator fans | 3 × 120 mm, 500 (±200) to 2,200 RPM (±10%), 64.72 CFM, 3.06 mmH₂O | |
| VRM fan | Centrifugal fan, 500 (±200) to 2,200 RPM (±10%) | |
| Lighting | ARGB, syncs with ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, ASRock | None |
| Intel Socket | LGA 1851, 1700, 1366, 1200, 115X, 2011 | |
| AMD Sockets | AM5, AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, FM2+, FM2, FM1 | |
| Weight (net / gross) | 1.69 kg / 2.75 kg | |
| Warranty | 36 months | |
The list of compatible devices goes back an unusually long way
The compatibility list is particularly noteworthy. In addition to current platforms like LGA 1851 and AM5, the Iceberg PRO also supports LGA 1366, LGA 2011, as well as AM3+, AM2, and FM1. Most new AIOs no longer include such mounting brackets. For hobbyists with older workstation motherboards or a secondary AM3-based computer, this is a definite plus, even if the target audience remains relatively small.
There is no official TDP specification, as is typical for Chieftec coolers. A 360-mm radiator with three fans running at up to 2,200 RPM should be able to handle current 8-core processors and most 12- to 16-core CPUs. However, with a Core i9 or Ryzen 9 running continuously at 250 watts or more, we wouldn’t expect record-breaking performance given the radiator’s 27-mm thickness.
Price and Availability
Chieftec has not provided a suggested retail price or a launch date with this announcement. The previous Chieftec Iceberg series was positioned in the value segment, as was the Iceberg White Edition released later. It would therefore be a surprise if the PRO models were priced significantly higher. Chieftec specifies a 36-month warranty. This is standard for this class, but falls short of the five to six years typically offered by premium AIOs.
Until test results are available, it’s worth taking a look at the alternatives. Those seeking maximum cooling performance will currently find it more readily in models like the Noctua NL-LC1-36, which we’ve already tested. Fans of advanced features should check out the ASUS ROG Strix LC IV with its display and wireless Q-Connector. And in the more affordable segment, the Sharkoon S100 ARGB is among the contenders.
FAQ on the Chieftec Iceberg PRO 360
What makes the Iceberg PRO’s VRM fan special?
It’s a centrifugal fan in the pump head that distributes air radially in all directions. This helps cool voltage regulators, RAM modules, and M.2 SSDs that would otherwise receive no airflow from an AIO.
How much does the Chieftec Iceberg PRO 360 cost?
Chieftec has not yet announced any prices. A specific release date has also not been set yet.
What are the differences between the RGB and DARKversions?
Only the lighting. TheRGBversion (CLC-360-VRM-RGB) has ARGB fans, while the DARK version (CLC-360-VRM-BLK) is completely black with no lighting. The radiator, pump, and VRM fan are identical.
Will the Iceberg PRO fit my socket?
It supports Intel LGA 1851, 1700, 1366, 1200, 115X, and 2011, as well as AMD AM5, AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, FM2+, FM2, and FM1. This means the cooling solution also covers significantly older platforms.
How much space does the radiator require?
The radiator measures 396 × 120 × 27 mm. Together with fans of the standard thickness of 25 mm, you’ll need about 52 mm of space at the installation site. The pump head on the CPU adds an additional 68 mm in height.
How loud is the cooling system?
Chieftec does not provide any information on noise levels. However, since all fans and the pump are PWM-controlled, you can adjust the volume yourself using the motherboard’s fan profile.
Conclusion
The Chieftec Iceberg PRO 360 solves a problem that most AIO manufacturers simply overlook: the stagnant air around the CPU socket. The centrifugal fan in the pump head is a clever idea that still needs to prove itself in practice, since Chieftec hasn’t provided any measurement data yet. In addition, the snap-on system and the extremely broad socket support are two features that make installation noticeably easier. The 27 mm-thin radiator and the 68 mm-tall pump head are the trade-offs you should factor in. As soon as Chieftec announces prices, we’ll know whether the package adds up financially.
Sources: Chieftec,
