MSI MPG CORELIQUID P13 360 AIO CPU Cooler Review

1. MSI MPG CORELIQUID P13 3602. Intallation: AM53. Test Results4. Closing Thoughts5. View All Pages

The last time we reviewed an MSI AIO CPU cooler we were impressed by the thermal performance and value for money, but that was a budget AIO with basic RGB lighting and a clever universal mounting bracket. This time MSI is back with a premium LCD-clad AIO with hidden cables and a glass top cover for enhanced aesthetics, but can it still produce high-end thermal performance and offer value for money like its predecessor? Let's find out.

MSI MPG CORELIQUID P13 360 Features:

• MPG CORELIQUID 360 features a curved glass CPU block top cover housing a 2.1-inch IPS LCD screen with 480 x 480 resolution and 600 nit peak brightness that can be configured and customised to display real-time system info, animated visuals or used as a secondary display.
• A universal upper mounting bracket compatible with current Intel and AMD desktop sockets makes installation a simple process, while the cables hidden in tube sleeving provide a super clean aesthetic.
•  It's equipped with a new generation screwless full-plane copper base that enhances water tightness and ensures reliable operation, while the 0.1mm micro channel cold plate absorbs heat for efficient CPU heat dissipation and cooling.

Specifications:

• CPU Socket Compatibility: Intel LGA 1700 / 1851, AMD AM5/AM4
• Radiator Material: Aluminium
• Radiator Dimensions: 394 x 119.6 x 27.2mm
• Radiator Tube Length: 390mm
• CPU Block/Pump Dimensions: 70 x 80 x 75mm (approx.)
• Pump Speed: 3400 RPM ± 340 RPM
• Cold Plate Material: Micro-Skived Copper
• Pump Connector: 4-pin PWM
• Pump Noise (dBA): 20 dBA ( avg )
• VRM Fan: N/A
• Fan Dimensions: 120 x 120 x 25 mm
• Fan Speed (PWM): 500~2050 ± 150 RPM
• Fan Max Airflow: 64.89 CFM
• Fan Max Static Pressure: 2.59 mmH20
• Fan Noise: 28.7 dBA (max)
• Fan Bearing: Rifle bearing
• Fan Connector: 4-pin PWM + 3-pin 5V ARGB
• LCD Screen: 2.1” IPS 480 x 480
• Warranty: 3 years

MSI ships the MPG CORELIQUID P13 360 in a cardboard box with a large image of the cooler and logo on the front, specifications and features are listed on the back. Inside the box, contents are packed into a cardboard crate for protection during shipping, the cooler is wrapped in plastic, and the accessories are contained in a smaller box.

Fans included with the cooler have a PWM speed range of 500 – 2050 RPM with a rifle bearing design, opaque fan blades that illuminate with ARGB lighting once the cooler is powered on and cables daisy-chained to keep things looking neat.

The radiator used in the MPG CORELIQUID P13 360 is a standard 27mm thick aluminium radiator, featuring 12 waterways, a dense fin pitch and fixed tubing on the radiator side. The radiator is covered with a textured, satin finish black coating that appears high-quality. The tubing is fitted with a braided sleeving.

As far as pump top mounted LCD AIOs go, the MPG CORELIQUID P13 CPU block housing unit is relatively compact with dimensions of approximately 70 x 80 x 75mm. The integrated LCD is a 2.1-inch IPS with 480 x 480 resolution and 600 nits peak brightness.

Flexible EPDM rubber tubing, 390mm long, connects to the CPU block on 90-degree rotary fittings, while the cold plate base is manufactured from micro-skived copper. All the wiring from the pump is routed inside the tube sleeve, which gives it a super clean look at the CPU block.

MSI uses standard wiring connections in the MPG CORELIQUID P13, so the pump and fans connect directly to 4-pin PWM headers, the ARGB lighting uses 3-pin 5V connections and the LCD connects to a USB 2.0 motherboard header so everything is connected to and controlled by the motherboard and no hubs are required.

In terms of included accessories, all installation hardware for current AMD and Intel platforms is bundled with the cooler. Also included is a small tube of thermal compound, as there is none pre-applied to the cold plate and a fan extension cable. An installation guide is available digitally via QR code, but there's no physical paper manual included.

Our test system uses an ASRock Phantom Gaming X870E Nova WiFi motherboard and AMD Ryzen 9 9950X CPU, so I'll quickly run you through the installation process on AM5. The installation process for AM4 will be the same, Intel is slightly different as it requires the MSI backplate to be installed; however, the process is simple on either platform since the cooler uses a universal upper mount.

Installation on AMD AM5 requires the stock motherboard plastic upper retaining brackets to be removed. The compatible MSI CPU block standoffs need to be fitted to the motherboard and thermal compound manually applied to the CPU IHS, as there isn’t any pre-applied thermal compound to the base of the CPU block from the factory.

Then the CPU block is lowered and fastened in place using the four spring-loaded screws. For even contact between the CPU block and the IHS, tighten the screws evenly and progressively, a little at a time, in a cross pattern.

For the wiring, connect the extension cable to the fans, the 4-pin PWM fan cable to a motherboard PWM fan header, usually labelled CPU_FAN and connect the 4-pin pump power to another motherboard PWM header, usually labelled CPU_OPT or AIO_PUMP. The RGB cable is connected to a motherboard 3-pin 5V ARGB header. Connect the USB cable from the CPU block LCD to a motherboard USB 2.0 Header.

Since the MSI MPG CORELIQUID P13 260 uses all standard motherboard header connections, no additional hub is required for the cooler to fully function. Once the radiator is mounted in the case and the aesthetic cover placed over the CPU block mount, that’s the hardware installation complete.

To control the LCD screen features, MSI Centre software needs to be installed. From there the user can control and configure the LCD screen to display custom images, GIFs and show real-time system info. The software is easy to find on the MSI website, installation is simple and the configuration of the LCD screen isn’t too difficult. Overall, the installation is straightforward.

Test System Specifications:

• CPU – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
• Motherboard – ASRock Phantom Gaming X870E Nova WiFi
• Memory: 32GB (2 x 16GB Modules) Kingston Fury DDR5-6000
• Graphics card: MSI Radeon RX 6600 XT Gaming X
• Storage: 1TB Corsair MP600 Elite PCIe Gen4x4 NVME M.2 SSD
• Power Supply: Seasonic Prime TX-1000
• Chassis: Open Test Bench
• Thermal Compound: Arctic MX-6
• O/S: Windows 11 Version 24H2

Testing Methodology:

We are primarily focusing on the performance of each cooler at 100% fan speed and also when locked to 40dBA noise output. We will focus on cooling performance using a manual overclock with all-core frequency and VCORE locked to 5.2GHz/1.3v (AMD) and 5.5GHz/1.3v (Intel) and Precision Boost Overdrive performance.

• The test data is logged using HWINFO and the final 10 minutes of the data is calculated to find the average CPU temperature and CPU clock multiplier (AMD PBO Test) and then plotted in the charts.
• For testing, we use a 30-minute looped run of Cinebench R23 and record the steady-state CPU temperature at the end of the test. This ensures that the CPU has had ample time to warm up and reach a steady state under all of the coolers.
• The ambient is maintained at 19-21 degrees Celsius. Where there is variation beyond this temperature range, we add extra repeated tests to ensure consistency. However, this is well controlled now with A/C.
• We also test each cooler with at least two fresh installs (typically three) to mitigate the likelihood of poor mounting spoiling results.
• Ambient temperature and humidity are controlled via a mini split air conditioning system inside the test room. Ambient temperature is maintained between 19-20 °C. Temperature delta figures are shown in the charts (ambient temperature is deducted from the measured component temperature).

Test Results:

Acoustics

With a maximum noise output of 47dBA the MSI MPG CORELIQUID P13 is a quiet cooler at max fan speed, not quite as quiet as the Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 but fan speed is higher, so 47dBA is a good score for the P13 considering fan speed is over 2000 RPM.

Thermal Performance: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X

With the fans still at max RPM and the CPU multiplier and VCORE locked, the MSI MPG CORELIQUID P13 360 produces an average CPU temperature of 60°C which is above average for a 360mm unit on our AMD Ryzen 9 9950X test system, beating some coolers that are louder, using higher fan speed and more expensive.

Reducing the cooler's fan speed to meet the 40dBA noise limit is when the true thermal performance is revealed. The MSI MPG CORELIQUID P13 improves its position in our chart at 40dBA with an average CPU temperature of 62°, which is impressive and right up there alongside some of the best coolers we have tested.

The important metric here is the clock multiplier since PBO adjusts CPU frequency based on a target temperature, so the temperature delta between coolers is close.

Again it's solid performance from the MSI MPG CORELIQUID P13 360 with an average clock multiplier of 52.2x. It's up there with the top-performing coolers and only 10MHz per core behind the absolute best, while running at just 47dBA noise output.

As far as 360mm AIO coolers with LCD screens go, £150 is a reasonable price, which is what you can expect to pay when picking up the MSI MPG CORELIQUID P13 360 from the likes of Amazon and other UK retailers. However, there are tonnes of 360mm AIOs for around this price, so the consumer has plenty of options. But the MSI MPG CORELIQUID P13 offers great thermal performance, low noise at max fan speed, a compact CPU block, an easy install process and some hidden cables, so it's definitely one of the better choices.

There really aren’t many negative sides to this cooler, the only minor things worth mentioning – and this is really nit picking – is that the cables running up the tube sleeve distort the sleeving a little, the RGB lighting on the fans isn’t perfectly diffused and you can see the individual LEDs, plus the RGB cable on the fan cable extension is a little short… but that's it.

Build quality is good, the black coating on the radiator is a high-quality textured and even satin finish, while the curved glass top gives the CPU block a unique look. The LCD screen isn’t huge but it is good to see an AIO CPU block with a screen that's still nice and compact. MSI has also improved its software in recent times so it's quite easy to control and configure what you want to see displayed on the screen too.

But the main plus point of the MPG CORELIQUID P13 is its thermal performance and noise output. 47 dBA at max fan speed is good, especially when the fans are running at max speed over 2000RPM. Thermal performance when the fan speed is reduced to hit 40dBA doesn’t drop off like in some other coolers. MSI has optimised the fans to work with the radiator very well so overall it’s a very good 360mm AIO, great performance and noise levels and it's reasonably priced too.

The MSI MPG CORELIQUID P13 360 is available to purchase now from Amazon UK priced at 149.99 HERE.

Pros:

• Great thermal performance.
• Low noise at max fan speed.
• Easy installation.

Cons:

• Hidden cables distort the tube sleeving.
• Fan RGB lighting isn't perfectly diffused.
• RGB cable is a bit short.

KitGuru says: If you're looking for a reasonably priced AIO with an LCD, neat cable design, quiet fans and high performance, the MSI MPG CORELIQUID P13 360 could be the one for you.

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