Final Thoughts on the MSI MAG CORELIQUID A15 360
Just as MSI conveys the MAG series of coolers, I too find the MSI MAG CORELIQUID A15 360 to be an example of a “mainstream” product. It isn’t fully stripped down to the bare bones needed to constitute an AIO, but it also doesn’t have a ton of flashy features like LCD displays and VRM cooling fans. That said, the MSI MAG CORELIQUID A15 360 does offer a good middle-of-the-road option for those that want to make the jump from air cooling to liquid cooling, without some of the headaches that can come with that move. Headaches like lots of messy wiring for the fans – MSI takes care of that via the daisy-chained CycloBlade 9 fans that are installed at the factory. A mostly universal mounting bracket keeps installation tasks simple by removing the potential for putting a bracket on upside down or in the wrong orientation.
As far as aesthetics go, the ARGB lighting area on the pump housing is certainly nothing to write home about, but it does still provide a nice look to the cooler and its military-inspired angular design language found on the pump housing. That same ARGB lighting is found on the three 120mm CycloBlade fans, adding a bit more color to your system. And while the lack of cabling between the fans may not seem like that big of a deal, it not only simplifies installation, but it really cleans up the overall look of the cooler.
Performance-wise, the A15 360 finds itself towards the warm side of our charts, but that isn’t to say that it isn’t capable of getting the job done. In fact, most of our testing finds AIOs to be within about five degrees of each other in most testing – making way for improvements or decreases in performance based on other factors like case layout and fan utilization. However, this cooler is one of the quietest we have encountered in our newest test bench system. And if you spend a lot of time around your PC, the last thing you want to do is be annoyed by its volume.
All of this to say, I think the mainstream label for the MSI MAG CORELIQUID A15 360 makes perfect sense, especially when factoring in the $119.99 price at our favorite online retailer. While not quite what I would consider to be budget pricing, this cooler certainly won’t break the bank, and provides the looks and performance that go right along with this price sector. The MSI MAG CORELIQUID A15 360 earns an 8 out of 10.
Pros:
- Preinstalled Daisy-Chained Fans
- ARGB lighting
- Quiet Operation
Cons:
- Mainstream Might be too Simple
- Manual Not Included
