Final Thoughts
As it turns out, Lian Li not only makes one of the most popular cases of the last few years with the 011, but also some pretty nice all-in-one liquid coolers as well. The design work on the SL-INF 360 is really pretty nice, thanks to details like the customizable pump housing layout, SL-INF fans, and even the polished edges of the tubing fittings. Throw in the highly customizable ARGB lighting that can be configured in just about any way you want via the L-Connect3 software, and you have the ability to make this AIO fit right in with your system and room design themes if you so desire. Of course all of that lighting customization requires a bit of cabling, which wouldn’t be so bad if Lian Li provided better guidance in their instruction manual.
Performance-wise, the SL-INF 360 competes well with the rest of our AIO test field, which didn’t really surprise me at all, since the SL-INF fans included with this cooler offer pretty good static pressure for getting air flowing through the radiator. Increased inner diameter of the tubing, as well as improvements to the block and pump components have most likely attributed to this cooler’s performance as well. Idle temperatures of this cooler were on the lower end of other coolers in our suite, and the load temperatures nearly beat all of the other units.
My only real issues with this cooler come down to the installation process. Lian Li’s installation guide leaves a lot to be desired, especially when it comes to connecting the cooler to the included controller. There is just too much going on in their diagram, and confusion can easily set in, even for experienced PC hardware folks. Putting in an extra page or two with multiple images of the cabling installation options would go a long way to improving this process. Additionally, I wasn’t really a fan of the stencil method for applying the thermal paste. Maybe it is just me, but I prefer to either have the paste pre-applied at the factory, or just put an amount of paste on the CPU and let the tightening of the cooler to the motherboard spread it out.
In the end, the Lian Li Galahad II Trinity SL-INF 360 was a welcome addition to my test bench, and I think it offers a premium looking option for those looking for a new AIO for their build. With an MSRP of $189.99 for the configuration we received (360mm White), I think the SL-INF 360 offers a great price to performance option – you get three of Lian Li’s premium fans, a controller and associated software for full control over the cooler, and performance that is able to keep your CPU cool, no matter the season. This earns the Galahad II Trinity SL-INF 360 a 9 out of 10.
Pros
– 45-Degree Rotary Fittings
– Multiple Physical Customization Options
– Impressive Performance to Cost Ratio
– Extensive ARGB Lighting on Pump and Fans
– White Components Show Off Lighting
Cons
– Installation Manual Needs Work
– Confusing Cabling Diagram Can Create Frustration
– Cumbersome Thermal Paste Application Recommendation