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The SilverStone Permafrost range comes in three radiator sizes for three different constraints: choose the PF120-ARGB when your case cannot fit a larger radiator, the PF240-ARGB for the best general-purpose balance, and the PF360-ARGB when your case and workload justify more sustained cooling capacity. The PF240 is the sensible default if it is meaningfully cheaper than a newer 240 mm AIO; there is no verified current price snapshot for these models, so check the exact unit and alternatives before buying. These are older coolers, and socket support depends on the specific revision and mounting hardware in the box.
Quick verdict: which Permafrost should you choose?
| Model | Best fit | Case requirement | Why choose it | Why skip it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PF120-ARGB | Lower-power or power-limited CPU; compact or gaming-focused build | One 120 mm radiator position | Fits where a 240 mm radiator may not, including some rear-exhaust layouts | One fan and less radiator area mean less headroom under sustained load; compare its price with a tower air cooler |
| PF240-ARGB | Mainstream gaming and productivity; many higher-end CPUs at reasonable default power limits | A suitable 240 mm radiator position | Most balanced size for cooling capacity, fitment, and installation complexity | Less compelling if priced close to newer 240 mm coolers with broader support or a longer warranty |
| PF360-ARGB | High sustained CPU package power, rendering, compiling, encoding, or other long workloads | A true 360 mm radiator mount with adequate clearance | More radiator area and potential thermal margin; may meet a given temperature target at lower fan speed | Requires more space and cabling, and its advantage may be modest in ordinary gaming |
Choose by sustained CPU power, workload duration, case airflow, and noise target—not by a CPU family name alone. A motherboard’s power limits can make two processors carrying the same tier label produce very different heat loads.
What the three coolers have in common
Permafrost is an older, value-focused closed-loop liquid-cooler family. Across the range, the design uses a copper cold plate, aluminum radiator, sleeved tubing, PWM fans, ARGB lighting, and an included lighting controller. SilverStone describes its pump as a multi-chamber design with a three-phase, six-pole motor and a 0.2 mm micro-channel structure; those are manufacturer design descriptions, not independent proof of quieter operation, longevity, or superior cooling.
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The published PF120-ARGB specifications list a 153 × 120 × 28 mm radiator, 400 mm tubing, and a pump rated at 3400 ±10% RPM. Its 120 × 120 × 25 mm fan is specified at 600–2200 RPM, up to 94 CFM airflow and 3.53 mmH₂O static pressure, with a 7.4–35.6 dBA noise specification. These are manufacturer figures rather than results from a shared test of all three models. See SilverStone’s PF120-ARGB product listing.
#1 Best Overall
- Integrated addressable RGB lighting for water block and fan
- Rubber pads included on fan for lower vibration and noise
- Includes addressable RGB controller with 10 lighting modes and ability to adjust brightness and color changing speeds
- Version 2 is Compatible with Intel LGA115x/1200/1700/1851/2011/2066 and AMD AM2/AM3/AM4/AM5/FM1/FM2 sockets
The available independent evidence does not include a current, controlled PF120-versus-PF240-versus-PF360 comparison on one platform, case, and test procedure. A 2019-era PF360 review reported strong results in its own setup, including a maximum 73 °C and average 69.4 °C on an overclocked Core i9-7980XE at a fixed 1500 RPM. That result came from an open test bench, an older CPU, and modified thermal-interface conditions; it cannot predict temperatures on a current system or establish a modern ranking. The review is useful for its documented construction and installation observations: PF360 hands-on review.
PF120-ARGB: a fitment solution, not an automatic performance upgrade
Where the 120 mm radiator makes sense
The PF120 is for a build in which a larger radiator genuinely will not fit, or where a single 120 mm position suits the layout better. It can be a practical option for a modest-power CPU in a compact case, especially if the cooler’s appearance or pump-block layout is important. Its small radiator may also avoid some conflicts with memory or motherboard components that make larger radiators awkward.
Where it falls short
One 120 mm fan has less radiator area to dissipate heat than the larger models. Under long, high-power workloads, that leaves less room to control temperature without raising fan speed. It is therefore a poor default choice for an unrestricted flagship CPU, heavy sustained rendering, or a buyer who expects liquid cooling alone to guarantee lower temperatures or less noise.
Rank #2
- All-black design with 1 white LED indicator
- Dual Ball Bearing PWM Fan with Sound Absorbing Pad
- Slightly convex copper base plate ensures contact with the processor
- Radiator optimized cooling fan with adequate airflow and static pressure
- 3-phase 6-pole motor design
If a tower air cooler fits, compare it on total cost, noise, and ease of ownership before choosing the PF120 solely for cooling performance. A 120 mm AIO is most persuasive when case constraints or a specific build preference make its footprint useful—not because liquid cooling is inherently better than air cooling.
PF240-ARGB: the most versatile option
For many ATX and micro-ATX builds, a 240 mm radiator is the practical middle ground: substantially more radiator area and fan capacity than the PF120, without the longer radiator and extra installation demands of a 360 mm unit. The PF240 is a reasonable match for mainstream gaming and productivity systems and for some higher-end CPUs run near sensible default power limits.
Its value depends on the price at the time of purchase. Historical coverage listed a $99 USD MSRP, but that is not a current price and should not be used as one. Compare the actual offer with newer 240 mm AIOs and account for socket hardware, warranty terms, and replacement-parts access. The older PF240 review is available at The PC Enthusiast’s PF240 coverage; its older platform and socket notes do not establish compatibility with current systems.
Rank #3
- Nickel plated copper water block with large-sized micro-channel copper base plate
- Water pump integrated within the radiator
- Aluminum alloy cavity pump strengthens the overall structure
- Three 120mm radiator-optimized cooling fans with three phase, six pole motor design included
- Designed for Threadripper Pro 7000 Series (Zen 4) on sTR5 / SP6 platform
PF360-ARGB: extra margin for long, demanding loads
The PF360 is the largest model and is the most appropriate of the three when a CPU sustains high package power for extended periods and the case has a genuine 360 mm radiator position. Its additional radiator area can provide more thermal headroom. It may also allow lower fan speed for a comparable thermal target, but that is a general radiator-size inference, not a guaranteed result for every case or workload.
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Typical gaming may not keep the CPU at maximum all-core power, so a PF360’s full capacity can go unused in many gaming systems. Three fans also mean additional cabling and another potential source of noise. Before buying, confirm GPU length and front-drive clearance for a front mount, or motherboard and memory clearance for a top mount. A broad case listing that says “360 mm support” is not a substitute for checking the case manual and actual component dimensions.
Cooling, gaming, and noise: what the evidence can tell you
Radiator size alone does not establish a cooler’s measured temperature, gaming advantage, or noise level. The available PF360 test is an older, single-product result under specific open-bench conditions; it is not an apples-to-apples test of all three Permafrost models, and there is no current shared test here to quantify their differences on modern CPUs.
Rank #4
- All-black design with single white LED indicator on waterblock
- Radiator-optimized dual-ball bearing PWM fans with sound dampening pads included
- Slight convex copper baseplate for improved CPU contact
- Pump with three-phase, six-pole motor design for smoother and quieter operation
- Compatible with Intel LGA 115x/1200/1700/1851/2011/2066, AMD Socket AM5/AM4
- Long CPU workloads: More radiator capacity is generally useful when a processor sustains high power for rendering, compiling, encoding, simulation, or stress tests. Actual results still depend on CPU limits, ambient temperature, mounting, and case airflow.
- Gaming: Differences can be smaller when CPU use is intermittent rather than a sustained all-core load. Do not pay for a 360 mm radiator on the assumption that it will automatically raise frame rates.
- Noise: Separate fan noise, pump noise, airflow turbulence, and case resonance. A PF120 is more likely to need a faster fan under sustained load; the PF240 is the balance point; and the PF360 has more potential to cool at lower fan speeds but also uses three fans. None of those tendencies is a measured noise guarantee.
- Airflow trade-off: A front-mounted radiator can favor CPU temperatures while warming the air entering the case and potentially affecting GPU temperatures. A top mount generally avoids feeding radiator-warmed air directly to the graphics card, but may create clearance conflicts above the motherboard.
- Motherboard cooling: Unlike a top-down air cooler, a radiator AIO does not directly move air over the VRM area. This deserves attention with high-power CPUs and boards whose VRM cooling is limited.
Check socket revision before you buy
Do not assume every retail box marked Permafrost supports every recent socket. SilverStone’s PF120 listing distinguishes the original PF120-ARGB from the PF120-ARGB-V2. The original listing includes Intel LGA775, LGA115X, LGA1200, LGA1366, LGA2011, and LGA2066; the V2 listing includes LGA115x, LGA1200, LGA1700, LGA1851, LGA2011, and LGA2066. The listings also name older AMD sockets and AM4/AM5. SilverStone notes that an LGA1700 bracket may need to be purchased for some coolers.
Those are manufacturer-listed socket compatibilities, not confirmation that an old-stock box contains the necessary hardware or that a particular mounting process has been independently verified. Before checkout, confirm the exact model suffix and revision, included bracket, seller description, and applicable manual. Do not generalize PF120-V2 support to an original PF120, PF240, or PF360.
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- Check the radiator, not just the fans. Verify that the case supports the radiator format and the combined radiator-plus-fan depth.
- Measure top clearance. Radiator and fan thickness can conflict with motherboard VRM heatsinks or tall memory modules.
- Measure front clearance. A front-mounted 360 mm radiator can reduce graphics-card room or conflict with a drive cage.
- Check tube routing. Confirm that the tubes can reach without a tight bend or unwanted pressure on the block.
- Choose placement with the whole system in mind. Front mounting may shift heat toward the GPU intake; top mounting may be constrained by the motherboard.
In the PF360 sample documented by the 2019-era hands-on review, the radiator was about 27 mm thick and the radiator plus 25 mm fans required about 52 mm of depth. Its tubes were approximately 400 mm long, relatively thick, and flexible enough for typical mid-tower top or front installation, though bending was less easy than with thinner tubing. These observations apply to the reviewed sample and may vary by revision or market.
Best Value
- Compatible with Intel LGA 4677 / 4710 and AMD Socket SP5 / SP6 / sTR5 / SP3 / TR4 / sWRX8 / sWRX9
- Complies with 4U rackmount chassis standards, with a height of 145mm
- Features 8 Ø6mm heat pipes and aluminum fins for superior cooling
- Includes a 120mm x 30mm PWM dual ball bearing fan (500~3000rpm, max. 102CFM, 8.24mmH2O, 44.9dBA)
- Metal fan mounting bracket ensures stability and quiet operation
Installation and wiring
- Confirm the socket kit and case position. Check the exact cooler revision, mounting parts, radiator support, and component clearances before removing existing hardware.
- Fit the correct mounting hardware. Use the Intel or AMD parts intended for the socket and follow the manual for that specific revision.
- Prepare the cold plate. If it is not pre-pasted, apply thermal paste as directed by the cooler and CPU guidance.
- Secure the pump evenly. Tighten the mounting screws gradually in a cross pattern to apply even pressure.
- Mount the radiator and fans. Set airflow direction deliberately and secure the radiator without forcing the tubes into a sharp bend.
- Connect pump power and check its control mode. Depending on revision, the pump may use a motherboard header or supplied power connection. Configure the header according to the applicable manual, then confirm pump operation or RPM in BIOS or monitoring software.
- Connect fan PWM power. Use the motherboard headers or included splitter as appropriate, and check that fan speed responds to the intended curve.
- Connect ARGB safely. Use a compatible 5 V, 3-pin addressable-RGB connection or the supplied controller. Never connect a 5 V, 3-pin ARGB device to a 12 V, 4-pin RGB header; the voltage mismatch can damage the LEDs.
- Test before closing the case. Confirm pump operation, fan RPM, temperatures, and lighting, then check that cables cannot touch the fans.
The PF360 review’s sample included fan splitters, SATA power, ARGB conversion cables, a controller, and separate Intel and AMD mounting pieces. In that configuration the pump used a three-pin fan connection and was not PWM-speed controlled. Treat this as a revision-specific observation: check the included parts and manual rather than assuming every Permafrost unit uses identical wiring.
The PF120 product listing specifies a 4-pin PWM fan connector and 5 V 4-1-pin ARGB connector. The included controller can operate lighting in a system without a compatible motherboard ARGB header; the PF360 review describes ten modes and controller adjustments for pattern, speed, brightness, and color. Connector and controller details should still be checked against the exact unit.
Ownership, repair, and warranty
These are sealed AIO loops, not user-refillable coolers. If the pump fails, the normal remedy is cooler replacement rather than opening and repairing the coolant loop. As with any AIO, consider pump and fan failure, leakage risk, and the seller’s replacement process alongside cooling performance. Keep the purchase documentation and verify the warranty that applies to your location and sales channel.
Warranty terms are regional. SilverStone’s regional listing places the PF120-ARGB, PF240-ARGB, and PF360-ARGB in a two-year category in some regions; its North American wording describes at least a one-year limited warranty for retail products. Neither statement should be treated as a universal term for every country, seller, or unit. Check the policy and contact route that apply to the purchase: regional warranty information, North American/Italian warranty wording, Korea warranty listing, and SilverStone RMA support.
The PF360 review noted dense radiator fins and that its included fan model was not sold separately under the same model number. That can make an eventual fan replacement less straightforward; check compatible dimensions, connectors, and static-pressure suitability if replacement becomes necessary. A low-pressure case fan may be a poor substitute on a restrictive radiator.
When to choose a different cooler
- Choose a tower air cooler over PF120 if it fits and is less expensive for your needs. It can avoid the pump and sealed-loop maintenance trade-off.
- Compare a newer 240 mm AIO with PF240 if the SilverStone price is close. Broader current socket support, warranty coverage, and replacement-parts access may justify another model.
- Compare a newer 360 mm AIO with PF360 if its price approaches current-generation alternatives or you need confirmed support for a newer socket.
- Skip ARGB complexity if lighting is not a priority and an otherwise suitable simpler cooler costs less.
No reliable current US street-price or stock snapshot is established for all three models. Treat any specific listing as a live purchase decision: PF120 is attractive when 120 mm fitment is required or its price clearly beats suitable alternatives; PF240 is strongest when materially cheaper than newer 240 mm AIOs; PF360 is most defensible when the system can use its extra capacity and it costs less than comparable current 360 mm options.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
