be quiet! is expanding its product lineup with the Light Loop IO LCD, the manufacturer’s first all-in-one liquid cooling system with an integrated display. According to the manufacturer, the black 360 mm model costs 229.90 euros, while the white version costs 234.90 euros. At the time of testing, however, the black model was already available for around 190 euros. Based on the MSRP, be quiet! is competing with display solutions from NZXT and Corsair; however, the current price (€ 195.73 *) makes this AiO significantly more attractive.
The most notable innovation compared to the previous Light Loop is found on the pump head. It features a round 2.1-inch IPS display with a resolution of 480 x 480 pixels and a brightness of 500 nits. The screen can display, among other things, the CPU temperature, coolant temperature, and fan speeds, as well as your own images and videos. The included IO controller handles the control functions. The pump, lighting, and display are all connected via a single cable. The three Light Wings LX 120mm PWM high-speed fans are connected in series, while their cables are routed along the hoses, making them largely invisible.
With the Light Loop IO LCD, be quiet! has set itself ambitious goals. The liquid cooling system is designed to operate particularly quietly while also delivering exceptionally high cooling performance. When it comes to the core hardware, however, the manufacturer sticks to familiar specifications. At 27 mm, the radiator is just as tall as most 360mm AIOs, while the fans operate at up to 2,100 RPM. Any potential performance advantage would therefore have to come primarily from the Jet Plate, the pump, and the fans used.
In the following review, we examine how the Light Loop IO LCD 360mm performs in real-world use. In addition to build quality, installation, and software, we focus in particular on the relationship between cooling performance and noise levels at identical PWM settings.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | be quiet! Light Loop IO LCD 360mm Black |
|---|---|
| Model | Light Loop IO LCD | 360mm |
| Color Options | Black (White available as a separate variant) |
| Display | Round IPS panel, 2.1 inches, 480 x 480 pixels, 500 nits |
| Dimensions Radiator incl. fan (L x W x H) | 397 x 120 x 52 mm |
| Dimensions of radiator (L x W x H) | 397 x 120 x 27 mm |
| Cooling block dimensions (L x W x H) | 63.8 x 61.9 x 54 mm |
| Total weight | 1.6 kg |
| Socket compatibility (Intel) | 1851 / 1700 / 1200 / 1151 / 1150 / 1155 |
| AMD Socket Compatibility | AM5 / AM4 |
| Noise Level at 50 / 75 / 100% RPM | 17.2 / 29.1 / 36.8 dB(A) |
| Pump speed | 2,900 rpm |
| Adjustable pump | 1,500–2,900 rpm |
| Pump connection | IO connector |
| Radiator material / finish | Aluminum |
| Cooler Base Material / Finish | Copper, nickel-plated |
| Hose Length | 400 mm |
| Refill port | Yes |
| Number of fans | 3 |
| Fan model | Light Wings LX 120mm PWM high-speed |
| Fan dimensions | 120 x 120 x 25 mm |
| RPM at 100% PWM | 2,100 rpm |
| Airflow at 100% (CFM / m³/h) | 61.8 / 105.1 |
| Air pressure at 100% PWM / 12 V | 2.51 mm H₂O |
| Bearing technology | Rifle |
| Motor technology | 4-pole |
| Rated voltage | 12 V |
| Rated Current / Maximum Current | 0.17 A / 0.45 A |
| Power consumption | 5.4 W |
| Fan connector | Proprietary |
| Fan cable length | 20 / 100 mm + daisy chain |
| Expected service life at 25 °C | 60,000 hours |
| Fan lighting | 16 LEDs per fan, 9 fan blades |
| Lighting connection | IO connector |
| Accessories | IO Controller, thermal paste, Intel and AMD mounting kit, ARGB PWM breakout cable, 100 ml coolant |
| User Manual Languages | CN, DE, EN, ES, FR, JP, PL, RU, TW |
| Certifications | CE, UKCA, FCC |
| Environmental Guidelines | RoHS, WEEE, Triman |
| Manufacturer’s Warranty | 3 years |
| Part Number / EAN | BW032 / 4260052193228 |
| Price (MSRP) | € 195.73 * |
Package Contents: Mounting Kit, IO Controller, and Coolant in Detail
be quiet! has designed the packaging with a well-thought-out layout. All components are securely held in precisely fitting recesses, ensuring nothing shifts inside the box. Additionally, each component is housed in its own protective compartment. The radiator, fans, and pump unit thus reach the buyer undamaged.
The accessories are packaged separately and labeled according to their respective sockets. When installing on an AM5, there’s no need to first sort out the screws for Intel and AMD. Instead, simply grab the appropriate bag. The illustrated manual explains both installation and operation. The coolant for the refill port is also included in its own separate packaging.
The thermal paste is included in a tube, while the cold plate comes from the factory without any paste applied. This requires an additional step during the initial installation. At the same time, the contents of the tube are sufficient to reinstall the cooling system on a different socket at a later date.
The three Light Wings LX fans are packed separately in the box and are not attached to the radiator by default. This is standard practice for AIO liquid cooling systems and therefore isn’t really a cause for criticism. Before installation, you must first insert the nine fan screws into the radiator and then connect the daisy-chain cables to one another. Manufacturers who ship their fans pre-assembled spare the buyer this effort. However, this is an added convenience and not something that should be taken for granted.
Design of the be quiet! Light Loop IO LCD 360mm: Display, ARGB, and Light Wings LX
The Light Loop IO LCD 360mm Black features an all-black color scheme. The radiator, hoses, pump unit, and fans thus form a cohesive whole even without lighting. When turned off, the AiO maintains a low-key appearance; only when in operation does the cooling block become more prominent.
The black pump body has a ribbed exterior texture. Behind the individual grooves sits the ARGB lighting, which illuminates the cover from the inside and gives the cooling block a striking outline. Together with the round IPS display, this creates a distinctive design that makes a much stronger visual impression in the assembled system than when the unit is turned off.
The display blends seamlessly into the pump cover. The image appears sharp, bright, and remains easy to read. This makes the display suitable for showing system metrics, images, or videos without visually standing out from the rest of the cooling block.
The three Light Wings LX fans also echo this design. Their illuminated fan blades bring additional light into the system and complement the pump’s ARGB lighting. The radiator, hoses, and fans all convey a high-quality impression. The hoses are pleasantly flexible, while the daisy-chain cabling keeps cable management straightforward.
Build Quality of the be quiet! Light Loop IO LCD 360mm: High-Quality Materials with No Noticeable Flaws
The Light Loop IO LCD 360mm Black makes a strong impression in terms of build quality. There are no sharp edges or visible gaps on the radiator, pump unit, or fans. The test unit also showed no scratches, paint defects, or other irregularities.
The metal parts look high-quality and are consistent with the AiO’s price point. The same applies to the plastic components on the cooling block and the fans. The ribbed pump unit is uniformly manufactured, and the transitions between the individual components are seamless.
The hoses are flexible, and the connections are secure. The cables and connectors also make a good impression. Their length is sufficient for installation, and no obvious issues arise during unboxing.
Light Wings LX Fans: Even Lighting and Unobtrusive Noise Level
The three Light Wings LX 120 mm PWM High Speed fans complement the Light Loop IO LCD 360 mm Black visually. The lighting on the fan blades is uniform; the colors appear vibrant and match the ARGB effects of the pump cover. This creates a harmonious overall look between the radiator and the cooling block.
At low speeds, the fans are barely audible. Even at medium speeds, the noise level remains pleasant. The fans are only clearly audible at full speed. No extraneous noises, such as grinding or humming, were detected during testing.
The daisy-chain connection reduces the amount of cabling required for the three fans. Instead of routing each fan cable individually to the motherboard or hub, the fans can be connected directly to one another. This helps keep the system tidy, without any additional cables between the fans remaining visible.
IO Center and Display: Intuitive Control of the Light Loop IO LCD
The Light Loop IO LCD 360mm Black was immediately recognized by the be quiet! IO Center. The software has a clear layout, and the individual sections are easy to find. No extended learning curve is necessary, as the settings for the display, lighting, fans, and pump are clearly separated from one another.
The IO Center allows you to customize the content displayed on the round IPS screen. In addition to system metrics such as CPU temperature, coolant temperature, and fan speed, you can also select your own images, videos, and various display profiles. This allows the screen to be used for both system monitoring and enhancing the system’s aesthetics.
The ARGB lighting for the pump cover and Light Wings LX fans is also configured in the software. Colors and effects can be adjusted and coordinated with the rest of the system. The lighting on the ribbed pump body and the fan blades creates a cohesive look.
Adjustments for the fans and pump are available to optimize cooling. This is particularly useful because measurements show that reducing the pump speed has virtually no effect on the CPU temperature. The IO Center thus allows you to optimize the quiet! Light Loop IO LCD 360mm Black for lower noise levels or maximum cooling performance.
Installation of the be quiet! Light Loop IO LCD 360mm: Instructions, Radiator, and IO Controller
Installing the Light Loop IO LCD 360mm Black is straightforward. The illustrated manual provides clear, step-by-step guidance. Since be quiet! sorts and labels the mounting parts by socket type, you can quickly identify the correct accessories.
In our test, the 360 mm radiator fit well inside the case. The pump is also easy to attach. This keeps the installation straightforward, even though the all-in-one system—with its display, ARGB lighting, and additional controller—includes more components than a basic model.
The IO controller fits neatly inside the case and is magnetic. A single cable runs from the controller to the AiO, consolidating the connections for the display, lighting, and fan control. Together with the daisy-chain connection of the Light Wings LX fans, this saves on ports and reduces the number of individual cables.
Real-World Test
In our hands-on test, the be quiet! Light Loop IO LCD 360mm Black had to prove itself on an AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D. In addition to cooling performance, we focused on the noise levels of the pump and fans. The case fans ran at moderate speeds during all test runs.
The AiO achieves good temperatures but doesn’t rank at the top in a direct comparison with other 360 mm models tested. Its strength, however, lies in its quiet operation. The pump operates unobtrusively even at higher speeds, and is barely audible at lower speeds. The Light Wings LX fans also remain pleasantly quiet. Even at 100 percent speed, they are less distracting than many other fans.
Test System
The following table shows the components used in the test. An AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D was used as the processor.
Measured Temperatures
Prime95 Small FFTs stressed the Ryzen 7 7800X3D for 20 minutes per run. The room temperature was 22.9 °C. For each individual measurement, the radiator fan and pump were controlled separately. The coolant temperature was also recorded, as IO Center can use this as a basis for control.
With the fan and pump running at 100 percent, the CPU reaches 64.2 °C, and the coolant temperature is 31 °C. If the pump is reduced to 75 percent, the CPU temperature rises only to 64.6 °C. This means the pump does not have to run at maximum speed continuously.
At 50 percent fan speed, the CPU measures 67.7 °C at full pump speed and 68.2 °C at 75 percent pump speed. The coolant temperature rises to 33 and 34 °C, respectively. These are good results, but other—and in some cases more affordable—360 mm AiOs have achieved better temperatures in our tests so far.
| PWM Fan / Pump in % | CPU Temperature °C | Coolant Temperature °C |
| 100/100 | 64.2 | 31 |
| 100/75 | 64.6 | 31 |
| 50/100 | 67.7 | 33 |
| 50/75 | 68.2 | 34 |
Conclusion
The be quiet! Light Loop IO LCD 360mm Black is a well-equipped 360 mm all-in-one (AiO) cooler that impresses above all with its low noise level, build quality, and round IPS display. The radiator, pump, and fans all give the impression of high quality. The flexible tubing routing, the daisy-chain connection of the fans, and the I/O controller also make installation and cabling easier.
IO Center was recognized immediately during testing and features a clear, well-organized interface. Display settings, lighting, and control of the pump and fans can be adjusted quickly. The display is bright, sharp, and easy to read. Together with the illuminated Light Wings LX fans, it creates a harmonious overall look during operation.
One minor criticism concerns the pump cover. The product images give the impression of fully enclosed lighting. In practice, however, a portion of the ribbed ring along the right edge—near the hose connections—remains unlit. This is noticeable with bold colors and detracts slightly from the overall look.
In terms of cooling performance, the AiO achieves good results but does not rank at the top of the test field. Other 360 mm models—some of which are less expensive—achieve lower CPU temperatures. However, the pump operates pleasantly quietly even at higher RPMs. The Light Wings LX fans also remain quiet and, even at full speed, are less distracting than many other models tested.
At the current price of around 190 euros, the overall package seems much more balanced than it did at the manufacturer’s suggested retail price. If you’re looking for a quiet 360 mm AiO with a display, lighting, and convenient software control, the Light Loop IO LCD 360 mm Black is a good choice. If the sole priority is the best possible cooling performance, there are more powerful alternatives.
PROS
- Very quiet pump and silent fans
- Bright, sharp display with extensive customization options
CONS
- Cooling performance is good but not best-in-class
- Lighting ring on pump cover has incomplete illumination
Conclusion
The be quiet! Light Loop IO LCD 360mm Black impresses with a very quiet pump, silent fans, excellent build quality, and a well-integrated display. Cooling performance is good, though not class-leading.
