
Water cooling systems have become an integral part of PC cooling, especially when it comes to reliably cooling powerful components such as modern CPUs. All-in-one solutions (AiOs) have established themselves as the preferred choice for many users, as they combine simple installation with an attractive appearance. With the Inter-Tech LC-360 RGB, another model is entering the market that makes ambitious promises: outstanding cooling performance, a generous 360 mm cooling surface and impressive addressable RGB lighting – all at an extremely competitive price. But how does this cooling system perform in practice? We took a look at whether the LC-360 RGB can not only compete with big names in the industry, but also impresses in everyday use with its quality, volume and user-friendliness.
Technical details
Model: | Inter-Tech LC-360 RGB |
Radiator dimensions (L x W x H in mm): | 397 x 120 x 27 |
Socket compatibility: | Intel: 775 / 115x / 1200 / 1366 / 1700 / 1800 AMD: AM3 / AM4 / AM5 |
Fan (number & size): | 3x 120 mm |
Fan speed 100% (rpm): | 1800 |
Material – Radiator: | Aluminum |
Material – base plate pump: | Copper |
Pump connection: | 3 pin |
Hose length: | 350 mm |
Special features: | RGB cooling block, RGB fan |
Price: | € 93.93 * |
Scope of delivery
The Inter-Tech LC-360 RGB is delivered safely and neatly packaged so that all components are well protected. In addition to the water cooling system itself, consisting of a 360 mm radiator with pre-assembled hoses and the pump, all important accessories for installation are also included. The three RGB fans are already pre-assembled on the radiator, which makes the installation process much easier. In addition, the necessary mounting material for various CPU sockets from Intel and AMD as well as a small tube of thermal paste are included in the scope of delivery, allowing immediate installation without additional purchases.
Design and workmanship
The Argus LC-360 RGB is presented in a timeless and simple black that runs consistently through the entire design. It relies on a rather discreet integration of the RGB lighting, which means that it does not look out of place even in more reserved setups. Instead of illuminating the fan blades themselves, Inter-Tech has equipped the frame with an elegant aRGB strip, which is also subtly visible on the outer edges.
This restrained, modern concept continues with the pump: it is predominantly black and, like the fans, has RGB accents that have been tastefully placed. An illuminated aRGB ring adorns the pump housing, while the reflective black middle section features an illuminated “ARGUS” logo. A particularly practical feature is that the cover with the lettering can be rotated so that the alignment can be individually adjusted to the position of the pump in the system. Overall, the design is well thought-out and of high quality without being too obtrusive – ideal for users who prefer a coherent look with a subtle RGB touch.
In terms of workmanship, the Inter-Tech LC-360 RGB shows that a low price does not necessarily mean compromises. The hoses appear to be of high quality and are free of visible faults or processing defects. The radiator also impresses with its clean workmanship, with no sharp edges or material damage.
However, on closer inspection it becomes clear that this is a lower-priced product. The pump cover in particular is mainly made of plastic, which makes the feel appear less high-quality. The low weight of the entire water cooling system also contributes to this impression. It lacks the robust and high-quality appearance that more expensive models can offer.
Nevertheless, the uniform coloring remains a positive feature. All surfaces – from the fans to the pump and hoses – are free of scratches, irregularities or color deviations. Despite the points mentioned, the overall build quality is solid for this price range.
Fan and fan control
The Inter-Tech LC-360 RGB comes with three 120 mm fans that are specially adapted to the Inter-Tech LC-360 RGB. Equipped with a durable hydraulic bearing, they offer a speed range of 900 to 1800 rpm, allowing them to be flexibly adapted to different cooling requirements. According to the manufacturer, the fans achieve a maximum noise level of 34.7 dBA.
The connection to the mainboard is made via a 4-pin PWM connector, allowing easy integration into modern systems. Compatibility has also been considered when it comes to lighting: The aRGB function of the fans is operated via a 5V 3-pin connector and is compatible with the standard lighting software of well-known mainboard manufacturers. This makes it easier to control the lighting and ensures that the fans can be seamlessly integrated into existing RGB setups.
Installation and integration
Mounting the Inter-Tech LC-360 RGB is uncomplicated and user-friendly. The supplied mounting material is precisely matched to the supported CPU sockets so that all components fit perfectly. The cabling is also kept simple: The cables are connected together and then plugged in. Although this makes the installation process uncomplicated, it does lead to a certain cable bulge, which is not an ideal visual solution. Nevertheless, the entire process runs smoothly and enables a quick installation without any unexpected difficulties.
The fans of the LC-360 RGB can be easily controlled via the mainboard software and flexibly adjusted within the PWM frame. The lighting also performs its function reliably and could be configured without difficulty via MSI Mystic Light in our test. Thanks to its broad compatibility, the LC-360 integrates seamlessly into existing systems and makes it easy to adjust the cooling performance and lighting to individual preferences.
Performance test
The test system:
Processor: | Ryzen 7 7800X3D* |
Mainboard: | MSI B650 Tomahawk* |
Memory: | Corsair Vengeance RGB 32GB 6000 MHz* |
Graphics card: | AMD Radeon RX 6900XT |
Power supply: | Corsair HX850 |
Case: |
thermaltake The Tower 600* |
AiO cooler: | Inter-Tech LC-360* |
To evaluate the cooling performance, the Inter-Tech LC-360 RGB was installed in a test system and tested under defined conditions. During the entire test phase, the pump ran constantly at 100% power. Two scenarios were tested: The fan speeds were set once to 50 % PWM and once to 100 % PWM.
In both scenarios, the processor was fully utilized over a period of 30 minutes with the Prime95 stress test to ensure maximum heat development. This allowed the cooling performance and efficiency to be realistically evaluated under different fan settings.
The results of the performance test of the Inter-Tech LC-360 RGB are quite impressive. In the scenario with 50 % PWM, the processor reached a maximum temperature of 66.4 °C under full load, while at 100 % fan speed the temperature could be reduced to 63.9 °C.
These values show that the LC-360 can also reliably cool more demanding processors. Even at reduced fan speed, the cooling performance remains sufficient, making the water cooling system an attractive choice for users looking for a balance between performance and noise level.
Fan speed | Temperature in °C |
50 % PWM | 66,4 |
100 % PWM | 63,9 |
Conclusion
The Inter-Tech LC-360 RGB presents itself in our test as a solid all-in-one water cooling system that impresses above all with its attractive price-performance ratio. It scores with a good cooling performance that delivers reliable results even with demanding processors. Installation is simple and, thanks to the extensive range of accessories, can also be carried out by beginners without any problems.
Visually, the LC-360 has a simple, modern design, which is broken up by subtle RGB accents. However, the savings are noticeable in the feel and choice of materials – the predominantly plastic pump housing and the low weight leave a less high-quality impression than more expensive models. The cabling could also be more visually appealing.
Despite minor weaknesses, the LC-360 integrates well into existing systems, offers a high level of compatibility and can be customized in terms of both cooling capacity and lighting. It is an interesting option for users looking for a functional and inexpensive solution – especially if the focus is not exclusively on premium quality.
- Solid cooling performance
- Good price-performance ratio
- Discreet RGB design with broad compatibility
- Less high-quality feel and choice of materials
- Cable management not optimal due to simple cabling solution
Inter-Tech Argus LC-360-RGB
Design
Processing
Assembly
Performance
Price-performance ratio
89/100
The Inter-Tech LC-360 RGB impresses with its good cooling performance, simple installation and RGB design, but shows weaknesses in terms of haptics and cable management.
The orientation of the AIO radiator tubes are concerning in the long run.