Review of the Cougar Poseidon Ultra 360 ARGB AIO Cooler: Vibrant Lighting, Moderate Performance

Cougar burst onto the scene back in 2008 and has since made quite a name for itself in the realm of PC hardware, especially among gamers and tech enthusiasts. At first glance, it might seem like a newcomer to the industry, but Cougar benefits from the seasoned expertise of HEC/Compucase, a longstanding player best known for OEM products. With Cougar, the goal was clear: carve out a niche by crafting high-performance gear aimed squarely at gamers and PC aficionados.

Cougar’s journey began with a focus on PC cases, gradually broadening its scope as it earned a solid reputation. As time passed, the brand wisely diversified its lineup, adding everything from slick gaming chairs to robust mechanical keyboards. This strategic growth has positioned Cougar as a powerhouse in the gaming hardware segment.

Today’s review shines a spotlight on Cougar’s recent foray into the liquid cooling sphere with its Poseidon Ultra 360 ARGB cooler. This high-performance all-in-one liquid cooler is built with a 360mm radiator and dazzling ARGB lighting, targeting both performance seekers and those who appreciate a visually arresting setup. We’ll be exploring its primary features, cooling prowess, and noise output to see how it measures up in a packed liquid cooler market.

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 packs the Poseidon Ultra 360 ARGB cooler in a robust cardboard box that stands out with its signature black and orange color scheme, adorned with vibrant images of the cooler’s RGB capabilities. Inside, the cooler and its parts are snugly secured with custom cardboard inserts, ensuring they arrive in perfect condition.

You’ll find a fairly straightforward bundle for a premium CPU cooler. The box contains all necessary cables for powering the fans and the controller, a single-use thermal compound, and essential mounting hardware. However, there isn’t a standalone RGB controller included, so the cooler needs a compatible motherboard or pre-existing controller to unleash its full potential.

The setup includes three 120 mm fans boasting a distinctive frame design and blades with convex ridges. Even though the fan manufacturer isn’t explicitly named, the part number, DF1202512FDMN, is provided. These fans are decked out with ARGB LEDs, featuring semi-transparent blades and rings to beautifully diffuse light, adding to the cooler’s aesthetic flair.

The Cougar Poseidon Ultra 360 mm ARGB AIO Liquid Cooler

The Poseidon Ultra 360 ARGB maintains a classic all-in-one liquid cooler design, with a single radiator, a pair of hoses, and a block that houses both the CPU contact plate and the liquid pump. Cougar chose standard rubber tubing with a sturdy nylon sleeve for extra durability. Most parts, like the fittings, are plastic – common in today’s AIO coolers.

The radiator employs a tried-and-true dual-pass cross-flow design, with fine fins tightly soldered to thin, oblong tubes. This setup is favored for its efficiency, especially within the compact constraints typically encountered, handling temperatures with ease. Fixed hose connections might limit installation flexibility slightly, but the radiator’s 27 mm thickness ensures compatibility with many setups. Still, the full system needs at least 52 mm of clearance when mounted, so housing it in an AIO-ready case is crucial.

Cougar’s thoughtful design shows in the block assembly, mainly crafted from plastic and acrylic for an eye-catching appearance. The block’s top can be rotated, letting you adjust the logo’s orientation, while the 90° hose fittings add a touch of flexibility during installation.

The squircle-shaped metallic contact plate is copper, smooth enough despite not featuring a mirror finish. Its screws are cleverly hidden under plastic, and users retain control over their choice of thermal paste, with none pre-applied. The plate is ample to accommodate the cooler’s supported processors.

RGB lighting is a standout feature with the Poseidon Ultra 360 ARGB, creating an impressive visual display. The vibrant lights are skillfully diffused by the fans’ semi-transparent blades and the block’s top. When synced with a compatible motherboard, the cooler can seamlessly align with your system’s lighting scheme. Bear in mind, though, without support for 5V ARGB LEDs or an independent controller, the lighting remains off.