Lian Li GALAHAD II LCD 280mm AIO Cooler Review

How Much Does it Cost?

As I said on the first page, this is a premium AIO CPU cooler, so as you might expect, it does come with a premium price tag. The Lian Li Galahad II LCD 280mm I reviewed today costs $229.99 for either the black or the white version. Obviously, you can get similar performance for half that investment. However, you’re paying extra for the RGB, and mostly for that trick LCD display, even if those things do not really contribute to improving the performance, the performance itself was hardly lacking anyway. It’s also available as a 360mm version for $249.99 or with the flagship SL-Inf fans in a 360mm form factor again for $289.99. You can check for up-to-date stock and prices on Amazon here.

Overview

This cooler is obviously pretty expensive, but honestly, in terms of features and specifications, it’s actually cheaper than many big-name rivals. For example, the equivalent cooler from ASUS or NZXT is actually $299.99, so getting this powerful 280mm cooler for just $229.99 could be seen as a bit of a bargain really.

When it comes to features, Lian Li has gone all out, and I can certainly appreciate that the extra investment is going towards that. The LCD is one of the largest, highest-resolution and best looking in its respective class, and offers a lot of cool customisation options. The RGB fans are Lian Li’s own design and I’d regard them as premium quality in every respect. Most notable is just how damn quiet the fans are, putting them alongside the likes of the best Noctua fans in terms of acoustics.

The 45-degree fittings on the radiator also make the tubing very easy to position. Some blocks tend to pull or bend the tubing excessively depending on the size of your case and installation position. However, with these fittings, you have a lot more flexibility and there’s less stress put on the tubing regardless of orientation.

I love that the Intel bracket was pre-installed, albeit I’m aware that’s an extra step for AMD users, and the thermal paste being pre-installed, and the fans already fitted to the radiator certainly make this one of the fastest AIO cooler installations I’ve ever had the pleasure of doing. Despite its enthusiast nature, it’s a very beginner-friendly design.

Should I Buy One?

Performance is king, not aesthetics, at least as far as I’m concerned. This is by far one of the quietest coolers on the market today, yet it managed to tame our toasty Intel Core i9-12900K with ease. If you’re looking to deal with high TDP processors, high overclocks, or just want to keep your acoustics down, you’ll find everything you need right here. The addition of a great design and that LCD display only makes it look cooler, even if it does make it more expensive, I’d still say it’s great value for money.