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The ASUS ROG Ryujin II 360 is an all-in-one liquid cooler that delivers a lesson in excessive features. Forgoing the usual LED-equipped fans and RGB pump block in favour of a full-fat 3.5” LCD display, the ROG Ryujin II 360 is nothing if not bold and optimistic.
Thankfully, ASUS builds the cooler around the Asetek 7th Gen pump block design. This means that we get solid performance on our AMD test platform, though the 2800 RPM maximum pump speed did seem to inhibit performance a little versus some of the 3500 RPM+ 360mm competitors.
Noctua’s NF-F12 IndustrialPPC PWM fans prove a solid choice. While the cooler is undeniably loud at full speed – a factor that is heavily influenced by the noise 60mm 4800 RPM embedded fan – the Noctua 120mm units have excellent low-speed operating capability.
We retained an operating speed of around 60% on the NF-F12s when running at 40dBA fixed. And the speed control – as delivered by the fan/RGB hub – within ASUS’ Armory Crate software is good. Another particular positive was the VRM cooling performance offered by the embedded fan, provided you can deal with the high noise output.
While the screen proves novel and actually useful in some cases, it is undoubtedly a feature whose novelty we see can wearing off pretty quickly. The ability to add custom images for a slideshow is cool. But how often will you honestly need to see these before you get bored? I particularly like the hardware monitor mode that displays information such as temperatures and fan speed. That is the mode that I would happily use and see as functional on a daily basis.
Aside from the screen being incredibly unique, it feels like ASUS is sending mixed messages in some respects. A massive pump block cover with a 3.5” LCD display is hardly inconspicuous. Yet there is no RGB lighting at all on the three 120mm fans. The sheer bulk of the plastic housing also limits compatibility with smaller form factor systems whereby the screen could be patently useful.
More than anything, though, the ROG Ryujin II 360 is incredibly expensive. Coming in at often £100-150 more than equally competent 360mm AIOs, such a hefty price premium will mean that you really must value the functionality of that 3.5” display. We can see the ROG Ryujin II 360 appealing to many even at £280, but the value perspective from a purely cooling standpoint is very limited.
The ASUS ROG Ryujin II 360 should retail for £279.99 MSRP with availability sometime in October. ASUS have informed us that the LGA1700 kit will be included within the package for the cooler.
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Pros:
- Unique – 3.5” – LCD display with some genuinely useful possibilities.
- 6-year warranty.
- Potent VRM cooling potential.
- Good Noctua NF-F12 IndustrialPPC PWM fans.
- Strong build quality.
- Good fan connectivity and control system and software.
Cons:
- 60mm embedded fan is very loud when running at performance-boosting speeds.
- Pump block cover feels excessively bulky, even with the screen.
- A higher speed pump would have likely delivered better performance.
- Price is incredibly high.
KitGuru says: A unique AIO that acts as a clear showpiece to one’s system. That ASUS ROG Ryujin II 360 does have its drawbacks but it also appeals in ways that many other AIOs simply do not.
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