Back in 2008, Cougar entered the PC hardware scene, quickly carving out a reputation among gamers and tech enthusiasts alike. Though it may seem like a newcomer, Cougar benefits from the extensive experience of its parent company, HEC/Compucase, which has been a stalwart in the PC market with a focus on OEM products. This subsidiary was established to specifically cater to those who crave high-performance gear, focusing on gamers and PC aficionados.
Initially, Cougar zeroed in on crafting exceptional PC cases, but as its reputation grew, so did its array of products. Over time, the brand wisely branched out, now offering everything from gaming chairs to mechanical keyboards. This tactical expansion gave Cougar a robust foothold in the gaming hardware sector, making it a name to reckon with.
Today, we’re diving deep into Cougar’s newest venture into the liquid cooling arena with their Poseidon Ultra 360 ARGB cooler. This all-in-one liquid cooler boasts a 360mm radiator and dazzling ARGB lighting, aiming to captivate both performance seekers and those who appreciate eye-catching setups. Throughout this review, we’ll explore the cooler’s standout features, its cooling prowess, and noise levels to see how it fares in the bustling liquid cooler market.
Cougar Poseidon Ultra 360 ARGB AIO Cooler Specs
- Type: All-in-One Liquid Cooler
- Dimensions: 397 x 120 x 52 mm (radiator with fan)
- Fans: 3 x 120 mm HDB Bearing Fans, 2200 RPM (max)
- RGB: Yes (ARGB)
- Supported Sockets: Intel: LGA1700 / LGA1200 / LGA 115x; AMD: AM5 / AM4
- Warranty: 5 Years
- Price: $119
Packaging & Bundle
Cougar knows how to make a first impression with their packaging of the Poseidon Ultra 360 ARGB cooler. The large, sturdy cardboard box is dressed in their signature black and orange colors, highlighted by vibrant images that underscore the cooler’s RGB prowess. Inside, everything is snugly nestled in custom cardboard inserts, ensuring the unit arrives safely.
Opening the box, there’s a modest collection of essentials for a premium cooler. You’ll find cables for powering both the fans and the controller, a one-time use dose of thermal compound, and all the necessary hardware for affixing the cooler to your CPU socket. A separate RGB controller isn’t included, so you’ll need a compatible motherboard or controller to make the RGB magic happen.
The cooler comes equipped with three 120 mm fans, each sporting a distinctive frame design and convex-blade ridges. They feature advanced hydraulic bearings for enhanced performance and longevity. Although the manufacturer of the fans isn’t disclosed, the part number DF1202512FDMN is available. The fans’ semi-transparent blades and inner ring are decked out with ARGB LEDs, which are designed to diffuse light gracefully for added aesthetics.
The Cougar Poseidon Ultra 360 mm ARGB AIO Liquid Cooler
In terms of design, the Poseidon Ultra 360 ARGB fits right in with the all-in-one liquid cooler family, comprising a single radiator, two hoses, and a block that merges the CPU contact plate with a compact liquid pump. Cougar sticks to tried-and-true rubber tubing clad in an external nylon mesh for additional protection. As is typical with most AIO coolers, the fittings here are plastic.
The Poseidon Ultra 360 ARGB’s radiator adheres to the familiar dual-pass cross-flow design with fine fins soldered onto narrow, elongated tubes. This configuration is favored in the AIO community for its unmatched efficiency in handling temperature fluctuations within space constraints. However, the fixed hose connections on the radiator might pose a minor challenge when setting up. Designed to be just 27 mm thick, it’s crafted to ensure broader compatibility, though with the fans, you’ll need at least a 52 mm clearance, so be sure your case is AIO-ready.
Detailing Cougar’s design ingenuity further, the main block assembly is notably sleek, crafted mostly from plastic and acrylic, except for the contact plate. The assembly is engineered for visual appeal, with the block’s top removable by gently twisting it counterclockwise, allowing for logo orientation adjustments. Additionally, the 90° hose fittings bring some flexibility, easing installation slightly.
The copper contact plate is squircle-shaped, smooth, and flat enough for effective thermal contact, though not finished to a mirror sheen. Screw heads are cleverly concealed beneath the plastic cover, and users are free to apply their preferred thermal paste since none comes pre-applied. The contact area is sufficiently ample for all compatible processors.
On the RGB front, Cougar has truly outdone themselves with the Poseidon Ultra 360 ARGB’s light show. The lighting is both vibrant and elegantly diffused through the semi-transparent fan blades and the top of the main block. If your motherboard supports 5V ARGB LEDs, the cooler can seamlessly sync with your system’s lighting theme. Without this, the cooler won’t emit any RGB glow.
With its blend of style and substance, the Poseidon Ultra 360 ARGB makes a strong case for itself in any gamer or PC enthusiast’s setup, promising not just impressive cooling but a visually stunning experience as well.
