Lian Li GALAHAD 360 White Liquid Cooler Review

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Nauman Siddique

At HI Digital I test and write about different hardware configurations to show other PC users what they can expect from their build. My end goal is to educate the masses to make the right decision when they are looking for new PC parts to buy

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Lian Li is among a few manufacturers who are known to break the shackles and bring out something new. Their philosophy is clear; their customers should feel that very difference that is otherwise not present in the majority of the PC products in the market. We are taking a look at Lian Li GALAHAD 360 White cooler this time. 

Key Takeaways

• The Lian Li GALAHAD 360 White is for enthusiasts who want exceptional cooling performance.
• The Lian Li GALAHAD 360 is not for users looking for a silent 360mm cooler.
• The Lian Li GALAHAD 360 provides excellent cooling, maintaining a temperature of 82°C on the AMD Ryzen 7 7700X at an ambient room temperature of 20°C.

Specifications

Packing Box

Here is the unboxing experience of the Lian Li GALAHAD 360.

Contents

Let’s see what is provided in the accessories department.

Design

Let’s go over the design, starting with the radiator.

Radiator

The Lian Li GALAHAD 360 cooler uses an aluminum radiator that’s 397.5×123.5x27mm in size, becoming 53mm with 25mm fans installed. The radiator has a thickness of 36.2mm with a fill port and 47.2mm with barb fittings. It’s white coated, with a 20mm thick fin assembly and 12 coolant flow channels.

Lian Li has done a fantastic job with fins stacking. The FPI count is 20, so high static pressured fans would be preferable. Another layout is standard as well like there is a gap of 105mm between any two adjacent holes on opposite sides of the frame.

The aluminum housing includes brushed aluminum frames with Lian Li branding, enhancing the cooler’s aesthetic. However, note that there’s no protective plating under the mounting holes, which can safeguard the fins from damage due to excessive torque. Be cautious during installation to avoid potential damage to the cooler.

The GALAHAD 360 white cooler from Lian Li features straight barb fittings on the radiator, with concealed connections using white covers. It also has a refill port, but it’s advised not to tamper with it to avoid losing the vacuum pressure of the loop. The cooler comes with 400mm long rubber tubes enclosed in white nylon braided sleeves that prevent kinking.

Pump

In my opinion, the most attractive and killer component in terms of aesthetics is the pump housing. Let’s take a look.

The unit measures 87.1x74x62mm (LxWxH), with the 62mm height contributing to its design. The silver and white color combination, with a digital RGB diffuser in between, adds a subtle touch to the build. The top block is rotatable, further increasing the overall height.

The build quality is impressive, with digital RGB backlighting throughout, excluding the Lian Li branded plate. A magnetic cover conceals the branded plate on the top cover, matching the silver color of the top chamber.

While the design is visually appealing, be cautious with the magnetic cover and the top block’s rotatable feature to prevent any unintended damage.

We mentioned above that the top chamber or a silver color area is rotatable. This is an impressive implementation. Users can install this cooler in any orientation and still keep the Lian Li logo horizontally upright.

The good thing is we don’t need to remove the top cover for this rotation. Rotation is built right into the structure.

All sides of the block are identical, except for the rear. There’s no branding on any of the sides. Note the inset above the black housing at the base where mounting brackets are installed. The rear side features tubes in a 90° orientation, concealed by white covers. Moreover, the black base houses the copper base plate, made of ABS material.

Two cables emerge from the mid-section of the housing, both with braided sleeves. One is a 3-pin connector for the pump motor, while the other is a 3-pin JST cable for the digital RGB LEDs.

This cooler uses triple-chamber which are:

• Pump Chamber
• Cold Plate Chamber
• Connecting Chamber

All these chambers are connected into a unit to reduce the friction produced by the coolant’s flow.

Lian Li’s M.C.T. design separates hot and cool liquid flow into separate sealed water passages. This enhances heat exchange efficiency and prolongs the CPU block pump’s lifespan by preventing hot liquid from flowing back.

The following are the specifications of the pump:

The copper base measures approximately 55x55mm. The cooler does not have a pre-applied thermal paste.

Lian Li has provided 3x ST120 fans with this cooler. These fans are digital RGB enabled, and they feature a square frame to my liking. These fans are fully white, so much so that connectors and cables are white.

Personally, I like this approach. This fan has 9x frosted blades for even lighting. They are designed to generate more airflow at low noise. The Center has more diameters since it houses digital RGB LEDs. The only black thing on these fans is a center sticker with Lian Li branding.

Lian Li claims these fans use an industrial-grade motor design with Fluid Dynamic bearings. The mounting corners have a downward slope design and feature white anti-vibration pads to reduce noise. The square frame adds to the overall aesthetics. However, there are no arrow markings to indicate the airflow direction or blade rotation.

There is a 4-arms assembly on the backside. One arm has an inset to catch the wires coming from the hub. There is a black color sticker in the center showing the power rating and speed of the fan.

You get two cables per fan. One is to power the motor of the fan, and it has a 4-pin PWM connector. The other is a JST 3-pin connector cable to power the digital RGB LEDs.

Let’s take a look at the salient specifications:

Installation

We have tested the Lian Li GALAHAD 360 White cooler on the AMD AM5 platform using GIGABYTE X670E AORUS MASTER and AMD Ryzen 7 7700X. Installation on AM5 is straightforward and convenient. Lian Li has provided two AMD clips. These clips and two thumb nuts are required for installation.

The installation on the AM5 platform is as follows:

• Remove Intel Mounting Bracket from the block.
• Install fans on the radiator.
• Install digital RGB Cable to the block.
• Install the AMD Mounting bracket on the block.
• Place clips or pins through holes on AMD Mounting Bracket.
• Use Thumbnuts to hold AMD pins on the mounting bracket.
• Keep these connections loose.
• Clean the CPU surface and apply thermal paste or use pre-applied thermal paste.
• Make sure AMD stock mounting brackets are on the motherboard.
• Carefully place the block on the CPU and pass the cutout area of clips on the catchers of the AMD stock bracket on the motherboard.
• Start torquing thumb nuts till they run out of threads.
• Install the radiator and connect cables. You are good to go.

Clearance

The cooler measures 397.5×123.5x27mm without fans and 397.5×123.5x53mm with fans. Keep in mind that the tube side might block the first DIMM slot on your motherboard. Ensure your PC case has sufficient clearance for this radiator size.

Digital RGB Lighting

We have already covered the dedicated controller above. This lighting can also be controlled using a supported motherboard; speaking of which, this cooler’s lighting is compatible with the following:

• ASUS AURA SYNC
• MSI MYSTIC LIGHT SYNC
• GIGABYTE RGB FUSION READY
• ASRock POLYCHROME SYNC

If for anything, I am now a huge fan of the brilliance and aurora of digital RGB lighting, particularly on the block. We have even diffusion, and there are 17 pre-defined modes in the dedicated controller. Here are some pictures:

Thermal Test

We have used the mentioned configuration to test the performance of this cooler: –

Here is the settings table for testing:

Result

This cooler is doing 82°C and sitting in between the top and fourth contender in the graph. Almost all of these coolers are within 1°C difference from each other except for the first and last cooler.

Noise

Fans and pumps at full speed are making a noise of 51dB(A) approximately. This is at an ambient noise level of 32~33dB(A). A custom fan curve would be beneficial for the fans.

Should You Buy It?

You Should Buy It If:

You want a performance-heavy cooler: In our tests, the Lian Li GALAHAD 360 performed exceptionally.

You want an easy-to-install cooler: Only requiring 5 items for installation, the Lian Li GALAHAD 360 White ensures a straightforward setup process.

You want a striking white design: The Lian Li GALAHAD 360 White makes for a perfect fit inside a white-themed PC.

You Shouldn’t Buy It If:

You want a silent option: Given the cooler’s higher noise output at maximum fan speeds, it certainly won’t be an ideal purchase for anyone looking for a silent experience.

Final Thoughts

Lian Li’s GALAHAD 360 White liquid cooler is an impressive option, known for its excellent build quality and unique design. It’s compatible with various Intel and AMD sockets, including AM5, although an LGA1700 upgrade kit is not provided. The aluminum-based radiator and white color coating gives it a sleek appearance, with white fans and frosted blades adding to the aesthetics.

The standout feature is the block with a triple-chamber design, combining aluminum, copper, and ABS materials. The RGB backlit black faceplate with a non-backlit Lian Li branded plate creates an eye-catching design. The included magnetic top cover, rotatable aluminum cap, and attention to detail further enhance its appeal.

The block has two cables, one for power and one for digital RGB, and a controller with 17 pre-programmed RGB modes is provided. Wait, I am not done yet. The top aluminum portion is actually a cap that can be rotated in a 360° circle. This would ensure that Lian Li’s text will remain upright no matter what orientation the cooler is installed in.

Installation is relatively straightforward, but cable routing may pose a challenge. The cooler is priced at USD 134 on Amazon, comes with a 5-year warranty for the cooler and a 2-year warranty for the fans and LEDs. It performs well, but the fans can be a bit loud. Overall, it’s an excellent cooler choice for your build.

Awards Won By The Lian Li GALAHAD 360 White

1. Best White CPU Cooler For Ryzen 7 7800X3D
2. Best White CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 7900X3D
3. Best AIO Cooler for i9-12900k

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Nauman Siddique

[How-To Guides Expert]

Laiba, our tech guru at HI Digital, simplifies and crafts How-To Guides with a Google IT Support Certificate. Beyond tech, she captures the city’s aesthetics through her lens. Join her journey where tech meets creativity!

Get In Touch: Laiba@hidgt.com