Tremendous Cooling, If You Can Handle the Noise
Lian Li has been around since 1983 and for most of that time the company was known almost exclusively for its beautifully engineered aluminium cases. In recent years however Lian Li has branched out aggressively into fans, coolers, accessories and even power supplies, and the results have been pretty much universally impressive. The UNI FAN P28 is a case in point, a genuinely excellent performer that proved the company can compete outside its traditional comfort zone.
The product under review today is the Lian Li Galahad II Trinity Performance 360 AIO, which represents the second generation of the Galahad liquid cooler family. As the name implies this is the top-tier model, and with a 32 mm thick 360mm radiator using double wave fins, 28 mm thick fans and a 4,200 RPM pump, the specification sheet suggests Lian Li is targeting outright performance rather than quiet operation. A five-year warranty and multiple customisation options round out the package. The question left hanging in the air is whether all that cooling muscle is matched by refinement, or whether brute force comes at an uncomfortable price.
Specifications
Socket Support:
- Intel: LGA 1700, LGA 1200, LGA 115X
- AMD: AM5, AM4
- Radiator Dimensions: 396 x 130 x 32 mm
- Radiator Material: Aluminium
- Fan Model: GA II Trinity Performance Fan
- Fan Dimensions: 120 x 120 x 28 mm
- Fan Speed: 2,300 / 3,000 (Low/High Max) RPM
- Fan Airflow: 81.54 / 108.29 (Max) CFM
- Fan Noise: 32.1 / 39.9 dB(A)
Key Features
- Double wave radiator fins for increased heat dissipation
- 7 mm inner diameter tubing for better coolant flow
- L-Connect 3 offers full RPM and ARGB control
- Hidden daisy chain link cables for less wiring mess
- 45 degree swivel radiator fittings for easier routing of tubing
- Pre-assembled for quicker installation
Value and Conclusion
We will give Lian Li credit here. The follow-up to the original Galahad series is a worthy successor and there is no question that the Galahad II Trinity Performance 360 delivers a tremendous level of cooling. There is no question the Galahad II Trinity Performance 360 delivers. There is equally no question about the noise. With fans set to 100 percent the units spool up to a maximum of 3,000 RPM and 63 dB(A), which is a number that stops conversations. The trade-off however is that at full tilt this cooler ties or takes the top spot on both Intel and AMD test platforms, so there is genuine substance behind the noise.
Dial things back to a far more comfortable 45 dB(A) and the Galahad II Trinity Performance 360 still typically sits in second or third place, which in the great scheme of things is a perfectly sensible result for most users. The £149.99 price tag is more reasonable than many competing 360 mm offerings, and if you do not need extreme performance you can flip from High to Low via the controller near the fans, which limits maximum RPM to 2,300. Considering how well the cooler performed in noise-normalised tests we would suggest that most people should pretty much ignore the 3,000 RPM mode unless they are determined to eke out every last fraction of a degree.
Thankfully Lian Li has not released a one-trick pony. The 45 degree swivel fittings on the radiator help keep tubing runs neater, and since they rotate a full 360 degrees they will be correctly positioned no matter how you mount the cooler. ARGB lighting may not be for everyone however the pump head offers a genuinely nifty level of customisation, and optional kits are available for the fans if you want to take things further. The pre-installed daisy-chained fans also make for a noticeably quicker installation with far less wiring mess than we are used to seeing.
From a hardware and software perspective everything feels well built. We noticed no issues with fit or finish, and L-Connect 3 did exactly what it needed to do, including motherboard sync options that simplify RGB control. Installation on both AMD and Intel platforms is straightforward however we are not entirely sold on the plastic motherboard clips used for AMD’s AM4 and AM5 sockets. A design that uses proper standoffs would inspire a certain amount of extra confidence, however we accept that 99 percent of users will find the current implementation perfectly quick and easy to work with.
Overall the Lian Li Galahad II Trinity Performance 360 AIO delivers top-tier cooling, useful features, a realistic price and a solid warranty. If it was our own cash we would use the Low fan profile and enjoy what is effectively a best-in-class cooler without the jet-engine soundtrack. The performance is genuinely impressive, however the question you need to answer is whether you actually require 3,000 RPM fans or whether a quieter setting gives you everything you need. For most of us, it will.
Where to Buy
- SKU: WASE-774
- MPN: GA2ALCD36INB
- EAN: 4718466013743
- SKU: WASE-775
- MPN: GA2ALCD36INW
- EAN: 4718466013750
- SKU: WASE-741
- MPN: GA2T36INW
- EAN: 4718466013552
- SKU: WASE-740
- MPN: GA2T36INB
- EAN: 4718466013545
- SKU: WASE-739
- MPN: GA2T36W
- EAN: 4718466013514
- SKU: WASE-738
- MPN: GA2T36B
- EAN: 4718466013507
- SKU: WASE-996
- MPN: G89.GHS2LCDS36CB.00
- EAN: 4718466021380
- Available for Collection
- SKU: WASE-999
- MPN: G89.GHS2LCDS36TW.00
- EAN: 4718466021373
- Available for Collection
