Noctua NL-LC1-36 review: a high-quality and cool AIO in every detail
Table of Contents
Noctua is rather well known for its cooling solutions, not to mention its bold use of different colors and styles. But spending years developing each product with performance and noise in mind is what makes them stand out. So it’s no surprise the brand took that same approach when it came to their first AIO liquid coolers.
The Noctua NL-LC1 lineup (showcased in full over Computex) comes with 240, 360, and 420mm radiators and equivalently sized fans to fit. It features an Asetek pump covered with a bulky noise absorber, alongside the option for a fan on top to bring even more cooling to your motherboard.
All this comes with plenty of extras and great features to take advantage of. But how does the premium AIO perform? I put the Noctua NL-LC1-36 to the test to see how it stacked up against some of the more established brands in today’s market. Our model comes with three NF-A12x25 G2 fans. So here’s what you can expect from it.
Latest tech deals.
- AMD Ryzenâ„¢ 9 9900X 12-Core - was $499 now $328
- CORSAIR 4000D PC Case - was $124.99 now $75.99
- Hisense 65" Class E6SR - was $549 now $377.99
- Apple 2026 MacBook Air - was $1,999 now $1,799
- Skytech Gaming PC Desktop (9850X3d) - was $4,299 now $3,799
- Apple Magic Mouse - was $79 now $59
- MSI Prestige 16 Flip - was $2,149 now $1,899
- Kotin 9700X Gaming PC - was $2,399 now $2,199
Prices correct as of October 9th, 2026.
- Cooling method: Liquid (22% propylene glycol, 78% water)
- Max noise level: Fans: 22.5 dB(A), Pump: 14.9 dB(A)
- Material: Cold plate: Copper CU1100, Tube: EPDM (braided), Radiator: Aluminum & Steel
- Fan size: 120mm (NF-A12x25 G2 PWM)
- Max fan speed: 1800 rpm
- Thermal paste: NT-H2 compound tube
The Noctua NL-LC1-36 is an exceptional liquid cooler. Bringing temps right down and giving you plenty of control, while also performing at minimal acoustics and vibrations. Offering up extra features like the VRM fan and pump modes means users have even more customization to tailor their cooling where they need it most.
It does come with the Noctua colors that might be a bit jarring in most builds, and you do have to pay a rather high price for the AIO. However, for that, you get rather low temperatures, many years of support, and a very high-quality product.
- Excellent performance in acoustics and cooling
- Very quick and easy installation
- No faff with hubs and a simple wiring method
- Non-obtrusive design for other components
- Many features, like pump mode and offsets for extra control
- Very long 6-year warranty
- Rather expensive compared to other 360mm AIOs
- Lacking any extra lights or screens for the price that some might appreciate
- Iconic Noctua colors are not for everyone
Price and availability
First off is the availability of the cooler. Noctua announced the AIO would launch in June 2026, with good availability across various countries, with Amazon being its primary distributor. You can find it for $249.95 in the US or £216.95 in the UK. That is not a cheap model, something you can always expect from Noctua – a lot of their products are on the more expensive side, such as its RTX 5080, AnteC Flux Pro case, or Seasonic Prime TX-1600. It also lacks the NL-ACF1 auxiliary fan that costs $19.95/£17.95.
As a comparison, the top-selling water cooler, at the time of writing, is the Arctic Liquid Freezer III Pro 360, which has a list price of $124.99 and is even cheaper on sale. Even Corsair has a cheaper option with the Nautilus 360 RS at the same size for $109.99. Making the new Noctua NL-LC1-36 one of the most expensive AIOs on today’s market.
Noctua NL-LC1-36 & NL-ACF1 boxes, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-LC1-36 box front, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-LC1-36 box back, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-LC1-36 box side scope, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-LC1-36 box side specs, Image by PC Guide
What’s in the box
For that price, Noctua doesn’t skimp out on what’s included in the box, though. Providing plenty of extras and accessories that give you plenty of control over how to use your cooler, and being able to adjust it to the right hardware. Here’s everything included in the box.
- NL-LC1-36 closed-loop liquid cooler with NL-PNA1 pump noise absorber
- Metal Noctua logo faceplate
- 3x NF-A12x25 G2 PWM fans with speed-offset (PPA/PPB/PPA)
- 3x NA-AVG1 anti-vibration gaskets (pre-installed)
- NA-SC1 3-way splitter cable
- NA-EC1 30cm extension cable
- Fan and radiator mounting screws (Torx® T20)
- SecuFirm2+â„¢ multi-socket mounting system with offset options for
AMD AM5/AM4 and Intel LGA1851/1700 - NM-SD1 Torx® T20 screwdriver
- NT-H2 thermal compound
- NA-CW1 cleaning wipe
- NA-TPG1 thermal paste guard for AMD AM5
- Noctua metal case badge
- (Optional) NL-ACF1
- NL-ACF1
- NA-YC1 splitter cable
- NA-STM1 Magnet and tape set for attaching the NL-LC1 faceplate to other surfaces
Noctua NL-ACF1 with box, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-ACF1 box open, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-ACF1 box contents, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-ACF1 box back, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-ACF1 box front, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-LC1-36 box contents, Image by PC Guide
With so much included in the package, the main box itself is rather large in size. With total dimensions of 472 x 224.5 x 145 mm, inside it comes with a large radiator and pump combination, as well as two boxes of the fan kit and accessories.
Noctua NL-LC1-36 fan kit & accessories boxes, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-LC1-36 fan kit box, Image by PC Guide
Design
As with plenty of its other hardware, Noctua goes overkill in providing everything and more than you need in its products. Coming in such a large package, the NL-LC1-36 is meticulously packed with everything categorized in separate compartments, making the whole process of unboxing the AIO pretty easy and well organised.
Pulling out the radiator and pump is a hefty combination, coming in at under 2 kg for the whole unit. Firstly, the pump, or rather the cap itself, is humongous, considering it doesn’t come with a screen or anything but rather the NL-PNA1 pump noise absorber. With 3-layer soundproofing acting as a tuned mass damper for vibration reduction on the Asetek Emma V2 pump, it sees a reduction of 1-4 dB(A) sound pressure levels (according to Noctua).
It also has a magnetic top for fitting the Noctua badge or auxiliary fan, which makes it a convenient way to attach stuff, but it does lack strength occasionally with the heavy fan. On the pump side, there is also a speed profile switch, placed slightly inconveniently between the hose connectors. Despite its location, it is accessible – giving you the option to pick between quiet, balanced, and manual modes.
Noctua NL-LC1-36 side on, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-LC1-36 radiator & pump, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-LC1-36 pump head magnet, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-LC1-36 pump head, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-LC1-36 cold plate, Image by PC Guide
The radiator itself is a thicker 30mm model paired with a 360mm form factor, although its overall length is closer to 400mm once the end tanks are included. Along the side, you’ll find subtle Asetek x Noctua branding that keeps the design understated. On the underside, a generously sized 410mm braided cable extends from the radiator, adding to its premium, high-quality feel while providing plenty of flexibility during installation. Construction consists of aluminum tubes and fins housed within a sturdy steel frame, with a dense fin stack rated at 20 fins per inch (FPI) to maximize cooling performance.
Noctua NL-LC1-36 radiator, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-LC1-36 radiator hose connection, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-LC1-36 pump and hose, Image by PC Guide
The NL-LC1 comes with plenty of extras that result in excellent versatility and usability across the board. Particularly with the wipes, thermal compound, and paste protection that ensure your CPU and cooler have optimal contact. Along with the various mounting hardware for the numerous platforms and plenty of extensions to actually have the fans reach your motherboard headers.
Then there are the fans, featuring three NF-A12x25 G2 PWMs – the new generation that took years to make with a focus on performance and silence. With a tight tip clearance, a bending impeller, and an optimized P/Q curve that makes them capable in all scenarios, including static pressures. Having already tested the black versions, they do provide an impressive design of the fan, also in the iconic Noctua colors.
Noctua NL-LC1-36 fan kit open, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-LC1-36 fan front 2, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-LC1-36 fan bottom, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-LC1-36 fan front, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-LC1-36 fan rear, Image by PC Guide
That goes for the NL-ACF1 too, the optional addition to the AIO; it does have an intriguing design. Different from the usual parts, it is just an 80mm size with a conical and sloped casing around it. The fan takes advantage of the Coandă effect to draw in and blow air more effectively out to the board. It also comes with magnet tape to attach the faceplate it replaces on the NL-LC1.
Noctua NL-ACF1 back and cable, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-ACF1 side, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-ACF1 logo side, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-ACF1 installed, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-ACF1 installed side on, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-ACF1 fan edge, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-ACF1 front, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-ACF1 back, Image by PC Guide
Installation
When it comes to installing the AIO, the assembly was all rather easy. The hardware is clearly labelled and provided alongside the installation manual, making the whole process pretty straightforward. I was a little surprised to find that it uses Torx screws, but thankfully Noctua includes a screwdriver, so there’s no need to go hunting for your own. There’s also a guide showing how to set up the airflow direction, and with the pre-installed gaskets, getting everything in place was simple. The same goes for the auxiliary fan, although it’s only held on by magnets, so it did have a tendency to come off occasionally.
As for the CPU mounting hardware, there is a bracket to install onto the backplate that comes with AMD motherboards. I did have to reread the instructions a couple of times, as there is an offset hole on them for specific processors. Such as using the -7mm offset for AM5 ones. It also has a thermal paste guard for those CPUs, filling in the holes on the edges, which will keep it clear down the line. Alcohol wipes are also included with the AIO, encouraging users to clean surfaces properly before installation.
Mounting the radiator to the top of the Antec Noctua case provides plenty of space to work with, while the Torx-head screws offer excellent grip during installation. There are plenty of screws included too, keeping the radiator firmly secured once installed. The same goes for mounting the pump onto the CPU. After following the thermal paste guide, it simply screws into place using two spring-loaded screws on either side, holding it securely. From there, all that was left was wiring everything up, which mainly consisted of connecting the supplied extensions and splitter cables.
Noctua NL-LC1-36 installed radiator top, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-LC1-36 installed side on, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-LC1-36 installed, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-LC1-36 installed pump head, Image by PC Guide
Performance
After installation, I put the NL-LC1-36 to the test. Loading up Furmark 2 with a stress test on the CPU and GPU over 30 minutes should really put it to the test and push the coolant to the thermal limit. I also compared it to the previous AIO I had inside, the ROG RYUJIN III 360 with the NF-A12x25 G2 chromax.black on it, while also testing the various modes and the NL-ACF1 fan.
Noctua NL-LC1-36 installed and powered (4), Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-LC1-36 installed and powered (1), Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-LC1-36 installed and powered (2), Image by PC Guide
Noctua NL-LC1-36 installed and powered (3), Image by PC Guide
In those tests, there is a clear difference across the two AIOs and the various settings on the NL-LC1-36, as well as when using the auxiliary fan. As seen in the comparison below, the Noctua AIO does bring down the temperatures more than the other, plus the surrounding components also get more cooling.
By default, the pump is set to Quiet mode, where, without the auxiliary fan, the CPU runs 13°C cooler. Enabling the NL-ACF1 auxiliary fan lowers CPU temperatures by a further 3°C, while the chipset temperatures drop by 2.7°C and 1.8°C respectively. The drive also runs 3°C cooler, MOS temperatures are reduced by 3.5°C, and overall motherboard system temperatures are down by 2.5°C.
I then switched the pump to Balanced mode, although doing so was a little awkward with everything installed, as I had to reach between the hoses. Compared to Quiet mode, CPU temperatures dropped by a further 1°C, with the auxiliary fan reducing them by another 2°C. The chipset temperatures didn’t change much, with both remaining within 1°C of each other. Likewise, the drive, MOS, and overall system temperatures stayed very similar.
While in use, the Noctua AIO was definitely quieter than the ROG cooler. More of the noise came from air moving through the radiator rather than the harsher sounds of the pump or other electronics. The ability to fine-tune both the pump and fan speeds also makes it easy to find a balance between cooling performance and noise that suits your system.
| Component | ROG Ryujin III 360 | Noctua NL-LC1-36 quiet mode | Noctua NL-LC1-36 quiet + NL-ACF1 | Noctua NL-LC1-36 balanced mode | Noctua NL-LC1-36 balanced + NL-ACF1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | 95°C | 82°C | 79°C | 81°C | 77°C |
| Chipset 1 | 53.7°C | 47.4°C | 44.7°C | 48.3°C | 44.7°C |
| Chipset 2 | 60.1°C | 53.7°C | 51.9°C | 54.6°C | 51°C |
| Drive temp | 48°C | 43°C | 40°C | 44°C | 39°C |
| MOS | 55.5°C | 48°C | 44.5°C | 49.5°C | 44°C |
| System | 37.5°C | 29.5°C | 27.5°C | 31°C | 27°C |
- Cooling method: Liquid (22% propylene glycol, 78% water)
- Max noise level: Fans: 22.5 dB(A), Pump: 14.9 dB(A)
- Material: Cold plate: Copper CU1100, Tube: EPDM (braided), Radiator: Aluminum & Steel
- Fan size: 120mm (NF-A12x25 G2 PWM)
- Max fan speed: 1800 rpm
- Thermal paste: NT-H2 compound tube
Conclusion
Overall, the Noctua NL-LC1-36 is an excellent-performing AIO. With it offering great temperatures, plenty of additions and features to take advantage of, and a keen focus on minimizing acoustics and vibrations, it’s a silent builder’s dream. However, its price and color scheme can definitely be a holdback for many users. But the Noctua’s premium quality and focus on detail make it an excellent option for those who can afford it.
About the Author