In a world where computing power and system stability are crucial for creative and workstation users, cooling must not become a limiting factor. Especially for demanding applications such as 3D rendering, video editing or CAD, constant and quiet cooling is a basic requirement for productive work. With the ProArt LC 360, Asus offers an all-in-one water cooling system that has been designed precisely for this area of application – functional, efficient and without unnecessary gimmicks.
In contrast to many gaming-oriented AIO solutions, the ProArt LC 360 relies on a discreet design without RGB lighting, high-quality components and targeted software integration for precise fan and pump control. Asus promises nothing less than professional cooling performance with a focus on reliability, a quiet working environment and full control – tailored to the needs of creative professionals and workstation operators.
In this test, we clarify how well Asus realizes this claim in practice – from processing and assembly to volume, cooling performance and software integration.
Technical details
| Model: | ASUS ProArt LC 360 |
| Radiator dimensions (L x W x H): | 593 x 560 x 245 mm |
| Weight: | 15.8 kg |
| Material: | Copper, plastic, aluminum |
| Available colors: | Black |
| Fan model: | Alphacool Apex Stealth Metal Matt Black |
| Fan: | 3x 120x120x25 mm |
| Fan speed: | 400 – 3000 rpm |
| Fan noise level: | 39.5 dB(A) |
| Special features: | Fan with metal frame, daisy chain, LED display |
| Price: | € 223.40 * |
Scope of delivery
As soon as you unpack the Asus ProArt LC 360, it becomes clear that this is a premium product. The all-in-one water cooling system is packed with the utmost care and quality, all components are securely fixed in the box and well protected to effectively prevent damage during transportation. Although no foam is used, the radiator and pump block fit snugly and stably in the box so that they cannot slip during transportation – a high-quality first impression nevertheless remains.
The scope of delivery includes all parts required for installation: These include mounting frames for all common sockets (including Intel LGA 1700 and AMD AM5), screws, cables and an illustrated quick start guide, which makes installation straightforward even for less experienced users.
Special attention is paid to the three included 120 mm fans, which are high-quality metal fans of the type Alphacool Apex Stealth Metal Fan. These not only stand out due to their precise workmanship and solid construction, but also due to their professional look – in keeping with the ProArt philosophy. Matching screws and connection cables are supplied separately with each fan, allowing clean and flexible installation.
Overall, the scope of delivery is impressive in terms of completeness, quality and a clear focus on professional user requirements – no unnecessary accessories, just exactly what you need for quick and safe installation.
Design
Visually, the Asus ProArt LC 360 clearly follows the design standards of the ProArt series: unobtrusive, functional and high-quality. The complete AIO cooling system leaves a very solid and elegant overall impression, which is not least due to the consistently high-quality choice of materials. Matt black dominates – from the radiator to the fans to the cabling – and gives the cooling system a professional, tidy appearance that blends in perfectly with discreet workstation cases.
At the center of the design is the pump block, which is visually restrained but still acts as a discreet highlight. The shape is square, with the lid divided into two visual zones: the left-hand side is smooth and bears the discreet “ProArt” lettering in the bottom corner, while the right-hand side has a structured wave shape. This asymmetry gives the block a subtle dynamic without being obtrusive.
The central “bar”, which has a shiny metallic surface when switched off, is particularly striking. During operation, however, it becomes an information display that shows the current CPU temperature, among other things – a functional detail that is elegantly integrated into the overall design. A small, engraved scale on the smooth side of the lid also helps with visual orientation and underlines the technical precision that characterizes the ProArt series.
Anyone who can do without RGB and values clear lines, high-quality materials and functional understatement will appreciate the design of the ProArt LC 360.
Workmanship
In terms of workmanship, the Asus ProArt LC 360 leaves little to be desired – and this is necessary given the professional target group. From the very first contact, it becomes clear that the work here is not only functional, but also of a clear quality standard. The choice of materials looks well thought out and is absolutely appropriate for the price level.
The radiator is made of cleanly processed aluminum with an even coating and precisely manufactured cooling fins that have no sharp edges or production residues. The connection threads for the fans are cleanly cut, and a high degree of care is also evident in the tubing: the sheathed hoses are flexible, but stable enough to hold their shape even in tight spaces in the housing. The connections to the pump are tight and mechanically robust.
However, one detail detracts from the very positive overall impression: the hose routing between the pump and radiator has been implemented unfavorably at the factory. When the lid is normally mounted in the case – with the radiator connections typically facing the front – the current hose arrangement leads to the lines crossing each other unintentionally. Instead of a logical, clean connection (e.g. left connection on the pump to the left connection on the radiator), the hoses are routed internally in the wrong direction. Although this does not affect the function or performance, it makes for a visually unsettled, ill-conceived appearance that contradicts the otherwise professional appearance of the ProArt series. Particularly striking: The official product images and online stores show correct, parallel hose routing – in reality, however, the delivered product does not correspond to this representation.
Nevertheless, the pump block remains positive, with both the housing and the cover making a high-quality impression. The transitions between the surfaces are clearly defined, the decorations – such as the wave structure or the recessed bar – are precisely manufactured. The integration of the display also looks technically clean, with no visible gaps or unclean transitions.
The Alphacool Apex Stealth Metal fans supplied round off the picture. These are not made of plastic as usual, but of metal, which clearly sets them apart from the standard. The workmanship is impeccable: no play in the bearings, no imbalances, and even the included screws and cables are of high quality and fit perfectly.
Fan
A central element of the Asus ProArt LC 360 are the Alphacool Apex Stealth Metal 120 mm fans supplied, which clearly stand out from the mainstream – not only visually, but also technically. The all-metal construction underlines the professional standard of the entire AIO solution and ensures particularly high stability and long-lasting performance. With a speed of up to 3000 rpm, a static pressure of 4.46 mmH₂O and an airflow of 68.99 CFM, the fans deliver impressive cooling performance even under high thermal loads.
Despite the high speed, the fans remain surprisingly restrained with a maximum noise level of 39.5 dB(A) – at least in comparison to similarly powerful models. The successful balance between performance and noise reduction is particularly evident in working environments where a low noise level is crucial.
The fans can be conveniently installed via a daisy chain connection, which significantly reduces the amount of cables in the housing and contributes to a clean design.
Software control with Armoury Crate
Asus uses its own Armoury Crate software to control the fans and configure the integrated display in the pump block. Not only can the fan curve be individually adjusted, but you can also specify which metrics should be displayed on the OLED bar of the pump block – such as the CPU temperature, fan speed or system load. The software is visually tidy, offers sufficient functions and is intuitive to use.
In practice, the control via Armoury Crate worked perfectly – as long as only Asus components and software were used. However, compatibility problems occurred in the test when MSI software was used in parallel to control other components. The interaction of both ecosystems led to repeated software crashes, which shows that it is advisable to stick to one manufacturer’s platform if possible – especially with software-controlled hardware like this.
Despite this limitation, the ProArt LC 360 convinces overall with very powerful, well-designed fans and a convenient, feature-rich control system that unfolds its full potential in pure Asus environments.
Assembly of the test system
The test system:
| Processor: | Ryzen 7 7800X3D* |
| Mainboard: | MSI B650 Tomahawk* |
| Memory: | Corsair Vengeance RGB 32GB 6000 MHz* |
| Graphics card: | AMD Radeon RX 6900XT |
| Power supply: | Corsair HX850 |
| Case: |
ProArt PA602 Wood Edition – Tempered Glass Panel* |
| AiO cooler: | ASUS ProArt LC 360* |
The assembly of the Asus ProArt LC 360 in the test system was consistently positive and did not cause any frustration – a pleasing aspect that is not a matter of course with more complex all-in-one solutions. Asus supplies all mounting material neatly sorted and clearly labeled, which makes searching for the right screws or brackets superfluous. Even this small but important level of detail shows that user-friendliness was a priority here.
The enclosed illustrated quick start guide was also convincing in the test: it is clearly structured, easy to understand and guides you step by step through the entire installation process. Even users with little experience in dealing with AIO cooling systems should have no problems with this.
The high-quality assembly material was particularly positive. All components – from the screws to the frames – are precisely manufactured and made of sturdy materials. The mounting frame for AMD platforms deserves special praise, as it is not only an extremely precise fit, but also stands out due to its robust construction. This creates a very trustworthy feeling of stability during installation.
The pump head is already provided with a layer of heat-conducting paste at the factory, so you can start installation straight away without having to keep additional accessories to hand. This saves time and makes installation even easier.
Performance test
To assess the practical performance, the Asus ProArt LC 360 was installed in a well-ventilated case under realistic conditions. An AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D served as the test platform, which was operated under full load for over 30 minutes using Prime95. The room temperature was a constant 20 °C, while the pump ran continuously at full speed to ensure optimum heat dissipation.
The temperature measurements were taken under three fan profiles:
-
100 % fan power (2947 rpm): 60.2 °C
-
50 % fan power (~1400 rpm): 61.8 °C
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Dynamic fan curve: 62.9 °C
The temperature differences between the modes were moderate overall, which indicates efficient heat transfer even at reduced fan speeds. Even in the scenario with dynamic fan curve, the temperature remained below 63 °C – an excellent value for an AiO under continuous load.
A differentiated picture emerged in terms of noise: At 100% fan speed, the noise development is clearly perceptible and disturbing in a quiet environment – albeit somewhat softer and less screeching than with some other high RPM fans. At 50% PWM level, the operating noise remains clearly audible, albeit more pleasant. Only fan curves below the 50 % mark result in really quiet operation suitable for everyday use, without the cooling performance suffering significantly.
The great strength of the ProArt LC 360 lies precisely in this quiet operating mode with adapted fan control: it manages to combine strong thermal performance with a pleasantly unobtrusive noise level – perfect for creative working environments or quiet home offices.
Conclusion
The Asus ProArt LC 360 proves to be a well thought-out all-in-one water cooling system in the test, which not only scores with a high-quality design and excellent workmanship, but also with a convincing cooling performance in practice. The combination of a cleanly manufactured radiator, the elegant and functionally designed pump block and the powerful Apex Stealth Metal fans from Alphacool results in a coherent overall package – both technically and visually.
In the load tests, the cooling system delivered consistently strong values. Even with a dynamic fan curve, the temperature remained below 63 °C, which is remarkable for an AiO in this class. At maximum speed, the system achieved an even lower temperature of around 60 °C – albeit at the expense of the clearly perceptible background noise. This shows the compromise between maximum cooling performance and acoustic restraint. On the positive side, the fans are less shrill and aggressive than many competitor products, even at high speeds, but remain audible. Operation only becomes really quiet below 50 % PWM – and this is exactly where the LC 360 shows its greatest strength in everyday use: quiet, efficient and reliable.
Installation is easy thanks to the clearly structured instructions and high-quality accessories. Small but important details such as a factory-applied thermal paste have also been taken into consideration. The only real point of criticism remains the unfavorable hose routing – functionally unproblematic, but visually disturbing, especially when mounting the typical lid.
All in all, the ProArt LC 360 is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a powerful, quiet and stylish AiO cooler for creative or professional environments – provided that you stay within the Asus ecosystem or avoid competing software solutions. Anyone who values a discreet design, premium materials and strong everyday performance will find what they are looking for here.
VORTEILE
- High-quality workmanship
- Strong cooling performance even at low speeds
- Quiet everyday operation and good controllability
NACHTEILE
- Hose routing ex works visually unfavorable
- Loud at 100% fan power, despite softer noise character
- Compatibility problems with Frend software (e.g. MSI Center)
Fazit
The Asus ProArt LC 360 offers powerful cooling performance, high-quality workmanship and quiet operation - ideal for creative and professional PC systems.
