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ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 vs Corsair H115i Elite Capellix XT: Comparison
What is the difference between ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 and Corsair H115i Elite Capellix XT?
The gap that matters here is airflow: ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 72.84 CFM against Corsair H115i Elite Capellix XT 89 CFM, which puts Corsair H115i Elite Capellix XT 18% ahead. Warranty runs the same way, 6 years on the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 versus 5 years on the Corsair H115i Elite Capellix XT, another win for ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280.
Who each one is for
Buy the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 for value-focused 280mm-radiator builds and motherboards with modest VRM cooling, though it is the wrong buy for RGB showcase builds (see ARCTIC's ARGB variants instead) and cases needing thin (<30mm) radiators. The Corsair H115i Elite Capellix XT is the one to take for 280W-class CPUs where a 280mm radiator fits but 360mm doesn't and builders already using Corsair iCUE for fan and RGB control. Avoid it for builders starting fresh who'd rather use Corsair's newer iCUE Link ecosystem. Our rating of the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 (8.5/10): outstanding thermal value at 280mm, the VRM fan is a genuinely useful extra most AIOs lack. Our rating of the Corsair H115i Elite Capellix XT (8.4/10): A well-rounded 280mm AIO with genuinely improved fans over the standard Elite Capellix, best for builders already committed to Corsair's classic iCUE ecosystem.
Where the two are identical
The common ground is wider than the gap: radiator size, cooler type, tower layout, fan count and fan size are identical here. They match on 2 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 and Corsair H115i Elite Capellix XT differ on socket compatibility?
Yes. Socket Compatibility reads AMD AM4/AM5, Intel LGA1851/1700/1200/115X/2066/2011-3 on the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 versus AMD AM4/AM5/sTRX4/sTR4, Intel LGA1700/1200/115X/2066/2011 on the Corsair H115i Elite Capellix XT.
Is the Max Speed the same on the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 and Corsair H115i Elite Capellix XT?
It is. Both are listed at 1700 RPM, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280
- ARCTIC
- Corsair H115i Elite Capellix XT
- Corsair
Cooler Type
- ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280
- AIO Liquid
- Corsair H115i Elite Capellix XT
- AIO Liquid
Radiator Size
- ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280
- 280 mm
- Corsair H115i Elite Capellix XT
- 280 mm
Series
- ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280
- ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280
- Corsair H115i Elite Capellix XT
- Corsair H115i Elite Capellix XT
Model Number
- ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280
- ACFRE00066B
- Corsair H115i Elite Capellix XT
- CW-9060069-WW
Socket Compatibility
- ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280
- AMD AM4/AM5, Intel LGA1851/1700/1200/115X/2066/2011-3
- Corsair H115i Elite Capellix XT
- AMD AM4/AM5/sTRX4/sTR4, Intel LGA1700/1200/115X/2066/2011
Tower Layout
- ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280
- Not Applicable
- Corsair H115i Elite Capellix XT
- Not Applicable
Fan Count
- ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280
- 2
- Corsair H115i Elite Capellix XT
- 2
RGB Lighting
- ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280
- No
- Corsair H115i Elite Capellix XT
- Yes
Radiator Thickness
- ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280
- 38 mm
- Corsair H115i Elite Capellix XT
- 27 mm
Tube Length
- ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280
- 450 mm
- Corsair H115i Elite Capellix XT
- 400 mm
Fan Size
- ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280
- 140 mm
- Corsair H115i Elite Capellix XT
- 140 mm
Max Speed
- ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280
- 1700 RPM
- Corsair H115i Elite Capellix XT
- 1700 RPM
Airflow
- ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280
- 72.84 CFM-18%
- Corsair H115i Elite Capellix XT
- 89 CFMBest
PWM Control
- ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280
- Yes
- Corsair H115i Elite Capellix XT
- Yes
Warranty
- ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280
- 6 yearsBest
- Corsair H115i Elite Capellix XT
- 5 years-17%
Which one should you pick?
Choose ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 if you want the higher radiator size (280 mm vs 280 mm), the higher fan count (2 vs 2) and the higher max speed (1700 RPM vs 1700 RPM).
Choose Corsair H115i Elite Capellix XT if you want the higher airflow (89 CFM vs 72.84 CFM).
Verdict
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280
8.5 / 10 Expert Rating
Outstanding thermal value at 280mm, the VRM fan is a genuinely useful extra most AIOs lack.
Corsair H115i Elite Capellix XT
8.4 / 10 Expert Rating
A well-rounded 280mm AIO with genuinely improved fans over the standard Elite Capellix, best for builders already committed to Corsair's classic iCUE ecosystem.