Review of the Cougar Poseidon Ultra 360 ARGB AIO Cooler: Stunning Lighting, Mediocre Performance

Cougar leapt onto the PC hardware scene back in 2008 and has managed to carve out a solid reputation among gamers and tech enthusiasts alike. Despite their relatively recent emergence, Cougar benefits from the extensive experience of parent company HEC/Compucase, a seasoned entity in the market predominantly recognized for its OEM offerings. With Cougar, the aim was to craft a deliberate focus on high-performance gear that caters specifically to gamers and PC aficionados.

Kicking off their journey with a primary focus on PC cases, Cougar has adeptly broadened its horizons over time. As brand awareness has grown, they’ve seamlessly added a variety of products to their repertoire, ranging from gaming chairs to mechanical keyboards. This measured expansion strategy has helped Cougar build a robust foothold in the ever-evolving gaming hardware marketplace.

In this review, we’re diving into Cougar’s latest contender in the liquid cooling domain—the Poseidon Ultra 360 ARGB cooler. This all-in-one liquid cooler sports a 360mm radiator and vibrant ARGB lighting, emitting an alluring appeal to both performance buffs and those seeking a striking visual setup. We’ll delve into its standout features, analyze its cooling efficiency, and assess noise levels to see how it stacks up against other liquid coolers on the shelf.

Cougar Poseidon Ultra 360 ARGB AIO Cooler Specifications

• Type: All-in-One Liquid Cooler
• Dimensions: 397 x 120 x 52 mm (radiator with fan)
• Fans: 3 x 120 mm HDB Bearing Fans, 2200 RPM (max)
• RGB: Yes (ARGB)
• Supported Sockets:
  • Intel: LGA1700 / LGA1200 / LGA 115x
  • AMD: AM5 / AM4
• Warranty: 5 Years
• Price: $119

Packaging & Bundle

Cougar presents the Poseidon Ultra 360 ARGB cooler in a sturdy, eye-catching cardboard box dressed in the brand’s signature black and orange palette. The packaging prominently displays the cooler’s RGB lighting attributes, hinting at the vibrant light show inside. Inside, the cooler and its accessories are snugly ensconced in tailored cardboard inserts, ensuring safe transit to your doorstep.

Opening the box, you’ll find a somewhat basic bundle for a high-end CPU cooler. Included are cables for powering the fans and controller, a one-time thermal compound, and mounting hardware for the CPU socket. Notably absent is a standalone RGB controller; the cooler requires an existing compatible motherboard or controller to harness its light show.

The cooler comes with three 120 mm fans, characterized by a striking frame design, blades with convex ridges, and advanced hydraulic bearings for enhanced durability and performance. While the original manufacturer remains undisclosed, they carry the part number DF1202512FDMN. These fans are equipped with ARGB LEDs and sport semi-transparent blades and rings, creating a soft, diffused glow that’s visually pleasing.

The Cougar Poseidon Ultra 360 mm ARGB AIO Liquid Cooler

The Poseidon Ultra 360 ARGB embraces the classic design found in many all-in-one liquid coolers. It features a single radiator, two hoses, and a block that integrates the CPU contact plate with a compact pump. Cougar opted for familiar rubber tubing with an external nylon sleeve for added durability. As is customary, the fittings are plastic.

The radiator dons a conventional dual-pass cross-flow structure, incorporating fine fins solidly joined to slim oblong tubes—a mainstream design lauded for its efficiency. The hose fittings on the radiator are fixed, slightly constraining flexibility during the installation process. However, with its slim 27 mm thickness, the radiator ensures compatibility, though incorporating the fans requires a minimum of 52 mm clearance. This setup mandates installation in a case designed for AIO systems.

Attention to design is evident in the main block assembly. Constructed mostly of plastic and acrylic, excluding the contact plate, Cougar has gone the extra mile to enhance the block’s aesthetic appeal. The block’s top, designed to be adjustable, allows users to orient the logo to their liking, with the large hex screw heads serving as decorative elements. The 90° rotating hose fittings further facilitate the installation.

The main block assembly’s contact plate is crafted from copper and adopts a squircle shape. It isn’t polished to a mirror-like finish, yet it accomplishes a flat, smooth surface essential for optimal cooling contact. With hidden screws beneath the plastic cover and the absence of pre-applied thermal paste, users can choose their preferred compound for installation. The contact plate’s size comfortably accommodates all processors the cooler is compatible with.

RGB enthusiasts will appreciate the Poseidon Ultra 360 ARGB’s lighting show. The lighting is both vivid and smoothly diffused, beautifully showcased through the fans’ semi-transparent blades and the block’s top. When synced with a compatible motherboard, the cooler integrates seamlessly with the system’s lighting theme. However, without support for 5V ARGB LEDs or a separate controller, the lighting won’t operate, underscoring the need for compatible hardware to enjoy the full spectrum of its features.