The Cougar Poseidon Ultra 360 ARGB AIO Cooler Review: Bright Lights, Average Cooling

Testing Results, Maximum Fan Speed

Our maximum speed testing is performed with both the fans and the pump of the kit powered via a 12V DC source. This input voltage should have the pump and fans matching the speed ratings of the manufacturer. According to Cougar, the fans included should have a rotational speed of 2200 RPM. Our tachometer indicated that the fans were rotating at an average speed of exactly 2140 RPM, a little lower than what the manufacturer specifies but consistent with each other.

The Poseidon Ultra 360 ARGB cooler demonstrates solid thermal performance under various load conditions, with an average thermal resistance of 0.0713 °C/W when the fans operate at their maximum speed of 2140 RPM. Although the thermal efficiency is commendable, it does not really stand out compared to most similarly sized AIO coolers.

The Poseidon Ultra 360 ARGB cooler generates 44.2 dB(A) of noise at full fan speed, which is within the expected range for AIO coolers equipped with three 120mm fans. The noise level is similar to most other coolers with comparable designs. The pump remains relatively quiet and does not become a dominant noise source when operating at full speed.

Testing Results, Low Fan Speed

For our low-speed testing, we used a PWM voltage regulator to manually reduce the fan speed to half of its rated maximum. At this setting, the 120mm fans of the Poseidon Ultra 360 ARGB cooler operated at 1100 RPM.

With the fans running at 1100 RPM, the Poseidon Ultra 360 ARGB cooler achieves a thermal resistance of 0.0837 °C/W. Albeit not record-breaking, this performance places it on par with most other AIO coolers in its category, even significantly more expensive solutions.

At this reduced speed, the acoustic performance of the Poseidon Ultra 360 ARGB cooler is fairly good, producing a noise level of 34.6 dB(A). This positions it at the lowermost part of our charts in terms of noise output among other cooling solutions equipped with three fans, suggesting it may be a better choice for users seeking a balance between cooling efficiency and noise levels.

Thermal Resistance VS Sound Pressure Level

During our thermal resistance vs. sound pressure level test, we maintain a steady 100W thermal load and assess the overall performance of the coolers by taking multiple temperature and sound pressure level readings within the operating range of the stock cooling fans. The result is a graph that depicts the absolute thermal resistance of the cooler in comparison to the noise generated. For both the sound pressure level and absolute thermal resistance readings, lower figures are better.

This chart provides valuable insights into the performance of the Cougar Poseidon Ultra 360 ARGB cooler. It shows that the Poseidon Ultra 360 offers thermal efficiency comparable to AlphaCool's T38, indicating significant improvements over the previous-generation Cougar Helor 360, which we reviewed a few years back. However, it falls slightly behind other similarly sized ARGB-equipped coolers that are not necessarily much more expensive. The Poseidon Ultra 360 achieves its respectable thermal performance with its powerful 120mm fans, which do generate noticeable noise at maximum speed. Nevertheless, the cooler maintains a solid noise-to-performance ratio, making it a competitive option in its category.