MSI has introduced the MPG CoreLiquid K series of all-in-one (AIO) coolers with a fan built into the CPU block to cool the area around the CPU. The top of the CPU block also features a 2.4-inch LCD that can display information about the CPU, which is useful for the type of person who looks closely at the machine when playing games.

Two models are available, the MPG CoreLiquid K240 and the MPG CoreLiquid K360, with the difference being the radiator cooling arrangement: double fan or triple fan.

The waterblock itself is powered by an Asetek 7th generation pump, and the radiator uses MSI's Torx Fan 4.0 chiller. These fans provide ARGB lighting and add a bit of sparkle to the build.

They look like very ordinary AIOs, albeit screened, because they should help keep the VRM next to the CPU socket a little cooler. In fact, MSI has included a thermal image in its press release showing the VRM (the voltage control module responsible for supplying clean signals to the CPU) running at a temperature as low as nearly 27°C.

If there is a problem with the AIO cooler, it is that it does nothing to help airflow around the CPU as the heat is sent to the radiator. Even if a fan is mounted above the CPU area on the back of the case, it will only help the overall airflow in the case and will have little effect on the VRM. [Traditional CPU coolers do not have this problem because they cool the CPU area as a side effect of their core business; the advantages of AIO definitely outweigh this drawback, but MSI's solution of mounting a fan on the water block seems to combine the best of both worlds.

This type of cooler is also worth considering if the primary M.2 SSD slot is between the CPU and graphics card. Running the SSD in a 5600X system with the included Wraith Stealth cooler resulted in temperatures 20°C cooler than the same motherboard with AIOs; this is an important difference if the SSD is likely to start throttling if it gets too hot.

The MSI MPG CoreLiquid K series is available now and will be looked at for review shortly.