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Overlockers are constantly battling to reign in the temps of increasingly powerful CPUs. In particular, 13th and 14th-generation Intel processors run warm out of the box, which poses problems withcutting-edge GPUsin a case. Fortunately, budget and mid-rangeAIO liquid coolershave become more practical solutions, even for inexperienced builders. The MSI MAG CoreLiquid I360 is especially tempting, with fewer brackets and cables required for installation. For buyers with lighter colored or compact cases, the MAG CoreLiquid I360 is also sold in white and 240 mm sizes.
MSI’s latest cooler doesn’t have dramatically different specs from the slightly older MAG CoreLiquid E360. At the same time, the ARGB-lit water block now sports a Dual-Sided Infinity Mirror that looks spectacular in highly visible cases. Brand new to the market, Game Rant had a chance to test the MAG CoreLiquid I360 to see if it also offers improved performance.
MSI MAG CORELIQUID I360
The MAG CoreLiquid I360 reinvents MSI’s value-packed AIO liquid cooler with an illuminated Dual-Sided Infinity Mirror. Thanks to an enlarged copper plate and an efficient split-flow radiator with an attached pump, cooling performance is also enhanced. Fewer cables and a Uni Bracket simplify installation, reducing setup time. The supplied hardware is compatible with newer and older Intel and AMD CPUs. Reinforced hoses will keep the I360 running longer and reduce the chances of leaks. The CoreLiquid I360 is sold in both black and white, with an alternate 240 mm version available.
Contents of Package
The darker version of the MSI MAG CoreLiquid I360 arrives in a black rectangular box, depicting the CPU water block with its Dual-Sided Infinity Mirror.
Inside the container, most of the cooler ships in one piece, with the hoses and attached block wrapped around cardboard cutouts.
Installers will find only a handful of components when they spread out the box’s contents. The three 120 mm fans come attached to the radiator, simplifying the setup process. Otherwise, MSI includes a kit with all the necessary screws, bolts, and brackets and an optional cable cover that snaps onto the sides of the fans.
Installation
Buyers sometimes avoid AIO liquid coolers, fearing complications integrating them into a build. The MAG CoreLiquid I360 is designed to address some of those frustrations, requiring fewer installation steps. Besides the pre-installed fans, the cooler saves some work near the CPU, thanks to a UNI bracket that works with most processors. Even so, builders will still need to contend with a cumbersome 360 mm radiator and, for Intel CPUs, install a bracket on the back of motherboards.
For this review, the cooler will be installed in anMSI MAG PANO 100L PZ case, which Game Rant recently reviewed. This spacious dual-chamber case has plenty of options for radiator placement. It’s also made withProject Zero back-connect motherboardsin mind, which complement the cable management advantages of the MAG CoreLiquid I360. The CPU in question is a socket 1700 Intel Core i7 13700KF processor working with an MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi motherboard.
As is commonplace with modern PC components, installers must scan a QR code to access an online manual. However, a clearly labeled plastic accessory kit simplifies the process. Buckles, standoff screws, case screws, nuts, Intel bracket, and thermal grease are all separated.
The three fans are oriented to blow air upwards toward the radiator, exhausting heat generated by warm liquid flowing from the water block. This setup works well for installing the MAG CoreLiquid I360 below top panels. On the other hand, other locations, like front panels, may require unscrewing and reversing the fans, depending on the cooling configuration.
No unusual issues were encountered while screwing the radiator at the top of the MAG PANO 100L PZ. Once a few of the supplied screws are in the proper position, the heavy radiator becomes much easier to deal with.
Intel 1700 owners will need to pop in the bracket on the reverse side of motherboards.
If placed correctly, the bracket will stay in place just long enough before standoff screws secure it next to the CPU socket. Still, it slipped a few times, which can be annoying if keeping pressure on the plastic piece from the opposite side is tricky.
Critically, installers will want to apply a dot of thermal grease to the CPU. Then, the water block finds a permanent home on top of the processor with nuts that screw into the component’s Uni Bracket.
The clever Uni Bracket and this AIO cooler’s streamlined cabling minimize hassles. Connected ARGB and fan cables greatly impact thecable managementsituation in cases. Users also have the option to daisy chain the lighting cables from the block and the fans. The only disadvantage is that it’s impossible to control each fan’s illumination and power individually. Even so, that may be a small price to pay for fewer tangles near hubs.
Unfortunately, the water block still has its own cable, which most users will want to connect to a Pump Fan header. The flexible braided nature of the cable makes it a bit easier to route, so it’s as least visible as possible.
The long plastic cable cover is another interesting addition to the MAG CoreLiquid I360. In this instance, it didn’t have much benefit on the side of the radiator facing just above the motherboard tray. Instead, it was installed on the visible side of the fans to give the build a bit cleaner look.
Of course, experiences will vary depending on the case and CPU. Nevertheless, the MAG CoreLiquid I360 lived up to its promise of being one of the most painless AIO cooler installs to date.
Design and Features
Anyone familiar with MSI’s MAG line of AIO liquid coolers will recognize the basic design of the MAG CoreLiquid I360. Game Rantreviewed the MAG CoreLiquid E360last year, which looks similar except for the swap from a round to a squarish block with embedded mirrors.
With two hoses and a split-path construction, the pump circulates warm liquid from the CPU block to the radiator, where the three fans help to cool it. This cooler liquid is sent back toward the processor, and the pattern repeats itself.
The MAG CoreLiquid I360 stands out from somebudget coolersin terms of efficiency. Its larger and thicker copper plate is directly in contact with hard-working CPUs, allowing it to absorb more heat. MSI states that the cooler can handle as much as 300 watts without breaking a sweat. Evaporation-proof tubing will hopefully prevent some of the issues troubling past liquid coolers. How well this translates to real-world performance can only be measured later on by benchmarks.
What’s more subjective about anyARGB cooleris how impressive it looks. MSI took some chances with the celestial shape of the MAG CoreLiquid E360’s block, but it made the cooler easy to pick out in a crowd. Even at a modest price, the CoreLiquid I360 has an even snazzier design with a two-piece mirror visible at multiple angles. Triangles dominate the block, and several of these shapes are illuminated underneath the mirrors. This approach benefits cases with panoramic views, where more ARGB effects glow through tempered glass panels.
If there is any flaw with the MAG CoreLiquid I360’s appearance, it’s with the Uni Bracket. To accommodate more CPUs, there are unused holes, leaving the leftover part of the bracket looking unfinished. It’s not so obvious surrounded by darker components but becomes more of an eyesore inall-white casesand builds. If MSI had included some covers that fit over the sides of the bracket, it would have made the block more aesthetically pleasing.
There are no complaints about the ARGB lighting on the three 120 mm fans, which is plenty bright enough. When combined with additional illuminated fans in a case, the MAG CoreLiquid I360 fits in perfectly.
Performance and Cooling
Even most reasonably affordable AIO coolers, like the MAG CoreLiquid I360, are priced higher than single or dual-fan air coolers. Consequently, buyers would expect the MAG CoreLiquid I360 to keep the temperatures ofIntel’s latest power-hungry CPUsreasonable. Intel 13th and 14th-gen processors run warm at stock levels, so overclocking presents more challenges.
For the purposes of testing the MAG CoreLiquid I360, the 16-core Intel Core i7 13700KF was slightly overclocked to 5,400 MHz. Conveniently, the CoreLiquid E360 was in the system before replacing it with the latest cooler. This allowed for direct comparisons with the same AIDA64 Extreme stress tests.
The MAG CoreLiquid I360 doesn’t connect to a USB header like the pricier MEG CoreLiquid S360. As a result, users can rely on their BIOS or a variety of software to control the cooler’s three fans. Being an MSI product, it seemed appropriate to let MSI Center control fan speeds in its User Scenario panel. Extreme Performance mode more quickly sets fans at full blast, slowing the rise of CPU temps. There were an additional seven max 1550 RPM 120 mm fans to provide more than adequate circulation throughout the chassis.
During 30-minute sessions of the default AIDA64 Extreme stress test and more strenuous FPU test, the MAG CoreLiquid I360 showed a 4-5 degree improvement in average temps over the E360. MSI provided some promotional material that included results similar to those below. It may not seem like a giant leap in performance, but it’s significant when trying to avoid CPU throttling.
This puts the cooler on par with, if not slightly better than competitors like theCooler Master 360 AtmosorARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 360.
As far as noise levels, minimal pump noise was detected, but the trio of 2350 RPM fans quickly became much more audible at higher temperatures. These aren’t the quietest 120 mm fans, so users will want to find a curve that minimizes running them at maximum speeds.
Verdict
The MSI MAG CoreLiquid I360 is worthy of praise for its eye-catching water block and straightforward installation. As it turns out, this AIO cooler also exceeds expectations for cooling performance.
From the well-organized parts kit to the pre-installed radiator fans, the MAG CoreLiquid I360 makes a positive first impression. Combined power and ARGB connectors further reduce some of the clutter resulting from daisy-chaining fan cables. Once ready for action, the cooler posts benchmarks that prove it’s about more than just looks and cable management.
The MAG CoreLiquid I360 has a few shortcomings resulting from the Uni Bracket already attached to the water block. It leaves some unused screw holes visible next to CPUs which wouldn’t be an issue with socket-specific brackets. Also, its three 120 mm fans tend to attract a bit too much attention when at full blast.
Regardless, none of these small complaints should scare off potential buyers. If assembling a tidy-looking build with a high-end processor, the MAG CoreLiquid I360 tops the competition in its price range.
Quiet cooling
$108 at Amazon
Long warranty
$142 at Amazon
Stylish with excellent performance
$145 at Amazon
The $100-150 AIO cooler market continues to expand, so buyers have alternatives to the MSI MAG CoreLiquid I360. TheARCTIC Liquid Freezer IIIis one of the more economical 360 mm candidates and is a bit quieter than its new MSI rival. Next, theASUS TUF Gaming LC IIdoesn’t have many standout features but is exceptionally well-built and carries a six-year warranty. Finally, theCooler Master 360 Atmosbalances performance with style and offers a customizable pump top cover.
FAQ
Q: What are the cons of an AIO cooler?
While AIO liquid coolers have many advantages, they may not be the right choice for every buyer. These components are still more expensive than CPU fans with heatsinks, and their radiators take up more space. Also, while AIO coolers have improved in reliability, they still have more parts that can fail compared to simpler air coolers.
Q: Do I need thermal paste for an AIO liquid cooler?
Installers should apply thermal paste to an AIO cooler’s base plate, as they do with heatsinks that ship with air coolers. This substance improves heat transfer from a CPU to the adjacent metal plate. However, some liquid coolers come with paste already applied to this part of a water block.
