Noctua NL-LC1-36

Noctua

Noctua NL-LC1-36

A

Ranked #4 in CPU Coolers

648 LP on the category ladder what's LP?

Early specialist reviews call it superior to the NH-D15 and better than all competition in quiet mode, but it is brand new and the priciest cooler here, so consensus has not yet crowned it.

Consolidated from 32 cited sources across 27 outlets

Where the cited sources landed, as we read them

1 glowing source
23 positive sources
8 mixed sources

See the sources

Pros & cons

✓ Vastly superior performance to the NH-D15
✓ High performance with minimal noise
✓ Better than all of the competition in quiet mode
✓ Noctua's first AIO with a strong review wave
✓ Ranked #2 in Fox Picks' AIO roundup

✗ The most expensive cooler in its class

The sources behind this ranking

We searched the web and YouTube for what has been published about this product, then read the articles, video transcripts and comments we found.

Evidence 15 articles, 15 video reviews and 2 community sources

1 glowing source

www.guru3d.com Hilbert Hagedoorn · reviewer · Jun 2026

The Noctua NL-LC1-36 enters an incredibly crowded premium 360mm AIO market, yet after spending time with the cooler it becomes clear that Noctua is not trying to compete in the usual way. This is not a product built around RGB lighting effects, software ecosystems, or oversized LCD panels. Instead, the company has focused almost entirely on the things enthusiasts actually live with every day: thermal consistency, mechanical refinement, mounting quality, reliability, and most importantly acoustics. And acoustics are precisely where the NL-LC1-36 separates itself from the majority of competing liquid coolers. From a pure cooling perspective, the results are excellent.

23 positive sources

igor´sLAB Enrico Steinert · reviewer · Jun 2026

While the auxiliary fan is by no means necessary for operating the NL-LC1-36, the thermal images clearly show that it provides a comprehensible and measurable added value. Overall, Noctua delivers a powerful and excellently tuned 360 mm AIO with the NL-LC1-36, which already exploits almost its full potential at moderate speeds. In combination with the optional NL-ACF1, this results in a well-conceived overall concept that effectively keeps not only the CPU but also the surrounding components in focus.

Hardware Canucks Hardware Canucks · 1.9M subscribers · Jun 2026

And these are simply THE BEST AIO's we've ever tested. And while the price for something like the NL-LC1-36 is expensive, there's no denying that with its low noise, amazing fans and high performance pump, it will be impossible to beat. Then again, the 240mm AIO is on a whole other level.

PC Games Hardware Article · Jun 2026

As is typical for Noctua, the NL-LC1 models come with a great set of accessories. A printed manual, a tube of thermal paste, the right screwdriver, and an AM5 heat spreader WLP protector—Nothing about the accessory package feels cheap or bare-bones. Whether it's a high-quality feature or just a gimmick: All the screws used to install the AIO have a Torx drive, which makes the included Torx screwdriver all the more practical.

KitGuruTech KitGuruTech · 354K subscribers · Jun 2026

So, the LC1 does exactly what Noctua set out for it to do. It is the quietest AIO cooler available on the market. So, they've achieved the goals as far as I'm concerned in that respect. And it, obviously being a Noctua product, it is up to the highest quality standards

Club386 Ben Hardwidge · reviewer

The best premium AIO cooler is the Noctua NL-LC1. After wowing us with the superb build quality of its air coolers for years, Noctua has finally embraced the AIO liquid cooler market. The firm’s collaboration with Asetek is an absolute triumph of cooler design, with amazing cooling power and supremely quiet noise levels.

Mr Matt Lee Mr Matt Lee · 297K subscribers · Jun 2026

The new NL-LC1 AIO's bridge the gap for those seeking low noise with the Noctua Aesthetic, but with more focussed CPU cooling, especially for those overclocking.

CdrInfo.com Article · Mar 2018

The model reviewed here, the NL-LC1-36, occupies the sweet spot of the lineup. It combines a 360 mm radiator with three flagship NF-A12x25 G2 fans and a collection of custom-engineered acoustic technologies designed to minimize noise without compromising thermal performance.

Mr Matt Lee Mr Matt Lee · 297K subscribers · Jul 2026

It was only a matter of time until Noctua explored the Liquid AIO category and for a first product, the NL-LC1 with the iconic brown and beige fans really hit hard. With that being said, we wanted to explore what a Chomax version of this AIO could look like and it certainly didn't disappoint.

Enos Tech Article

With the launch of the NL LC1 series, Noctua brings its reputation for quiet operation and premium build quality into the growing all-in-one liquid cooling market, offering enthusiasts a strong new option for high-performance PC cooling.

LevelUP Gaming & Tech LevelUP Gaming & Tech · 83.7K subscribers · Jun 2026

The NL-LC136 will likely be the sweet spot for most builders offering excellent compatibility while retaining the flagship level performance

Watch T The NL-LC1-36 is exactly what you'd expect... Facebook post

It offers an impressive mix of high performance, minimal noise, and exceptional engineering, making it a standout choice in a saturated market. Perfect for those who prefer to skip pump-mounted displays and ARGB lighting.

View post K Kr00tman Tech! Review unit from Noctua Kr00tman Tech! · 20.2K subscribers · Jul 2026

I really like this cooler. Hmm, he did. The processor ran very quietly, and the processor did not overheat, as you could see from the temperatures when I was showing the gameplay. So overall, this was a great Noctule cooler

guru3D Forums Hilbert Hagedoorn · reviewer

Designed for ultra-quiet high-performance cooling, it delivers excellent thermals, reduced vibration, refined acoustics, and premium compatibility for modern Intel and AMD enthusiast gaming systems.

Gadget Joe Gadget Joe · 10.5K subscribers · Aug 2026

In today’s review, we’re taking an in-depth look at the Noctua NL-LC1-36, the Austrian cooling giant's first-ever All-in-One liquid CPU cooler. Built on Asetek’s Emma V2 platform and backed by Noctua’s signature engineering—including three Next-Gen NF-A12x25 G2 fans and the custom NL-PNA1 pump noise absorber—this AIO was built with pure performance and acoustics in mind. I put it through my rigorous CPU thermal testing suite, and the results speak for themselves: this is officially the single BEST PERFORMING AIO CPU cooler I have ever tested on the channel to date

Bartosz Szwedkowicz Bartosz Szwedkowicz · channel

W testach NL-LC1-36 pokazuje rewelacyjną wydajność, bardzo dobrą kulturę pracy i świetne temperatury VRM - szczególnie po założeniu dodatkowego wentylatora NL-ACF1.

Funny Daily Clips Funny Daily Clips · 26 subscribers · Aug 2026

The Noctua NL-LC1-36 is a top-tier liquid CPU cooler that outperforms the competition. With its impressive performance, low noise levels, and high-quality build, it's a must-have for PC enthusiasts. Learn why this Noctua cooler is a game-changer and how it can enhance your CPU's performance and stability.

PC Guide Sebastian Kozlowski · reviewer

As seen in the comparison below, the Noctua AIO does bring down the temperatures more than the other, plus the surrounding components also get more cooling.

DanKamYouKnow DanKamYouKnow · owner · Jun 2026

Today, we are unboxing, installing, and testing the new Noctua NL-LC1 line of AIO coolers. We got a super clean stealth build for this one.

Tech Times Kyle Belmonte · reviewer

The NL-LC1 costs significantly more than other AIOs built on the same Asetek Emma V2 pump platform.

Mr Matt Lee swimnclimb · owner · Jun 2026

beautiful line of products with Noctua & Asus Pro Art. nice to see they now have a AIO CPU cooler.

Tweaktown Article

Noctua decided to go another route entirely, making the best AIO we have seen so far, period.

PC Perspective Article

Meet What Could Be The Most Effective And Quiet Way To Cool Any Modern CPU

Club386 Article Read

8 mixed sources

Overclockers Article

I'm fine with Noctua's colors, but it would be better if they also had black and white options (there is black for some products, but not all, and no white). Fans from lower series are gray, and cooler covers are in different colors, but the main products are "classic" or black. There is also no RGB, which would cover that in some way. I guess they lose clients because of a lack of options.

潮玩客潮玩客 · 39.8K subscribers · Jul 2026

Still, the three hundred and sixty AIO didn’t break two thousand yuan—so it’s a bit cheaper than I thought! but, take the widely accepted AIO benchmark—Cooler Master’s Dragon Shadow second(Atmos II) its screen less version costs just four hundred and ninety nine yuan. its new Performance Edition(Atmos II Stealth) is five hundred and ninety nine yuan.

Mr Matt Lee Silent-1983 · owner · Jul 2026

Such an amazing video, as always!♥ I don’t understand how this price difference makes sense compared to all the AIOs up there. The Arctic Freezer 3 Pro Black costs 85 euros and is amazing, so why pay more for something uglier that’s only 1–2 degrees cooler? Need to make sense right? You pay so much only because of the brand, or the vendors exaggerate with their prices.

Watch H r/hardware u/Nekrosmas · owner

Noctua's own contributions are the fans and the noise dampening on the pump housing https://www.noctua.at/en/products/nl-lc1-36 The NL-LC1 series is based on Asetek’s renowned, premium-grade Emma V2 platform, which has established itself as a gold standard for both thermal efficiency and long-term dependability.

Hardware Canucks carlinux123 · owner · Jul 2026

I currently have a Lian Li GA II Trinity Performance 360 paired with Noctua NF-A12x25 chromax fans. I'm considering replacing it with the NL-LC1-36. Do you think it would be a worthwhile upgrade, or should I stick with my current cooler?

Techpowerup Article

It offers an impressive mix of high performance, minimal noise, and exceptional engineering, making it a standout choice in a saturated market. Perfect for those who prefer to skip pump-mounted displays and ARGB lighting.

ESSEDI Hardware ESSEDI Hardware · channel

Il primo AIO della storia di Noctua vale i suoi 250€? Test dell'NL-LC1-36 contro i migliori dissipatori del momento.

KitGuru Article Read

Frequently asked questions

It ranks #4 of 24 on our CPU coolers tier list, in A tier. That placement draws on 32 cited sources across 27 outlets.

None of the 32 sources with a clear view is critical of it. The most expensive cooler in its class.

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