CPU Heatsink Roundup Fall 2007

Cooling/CPU Cooling by jmke @ 2007-11-06

In this large group test we compare over 30 CPU heatsinks with different fan speeds, giving you the data on both thermal and decibel performance. Want to upgrade your stock cooler? This roundup will help you out.

  • prev
  • next

Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro

Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro

  • Provided by: Arctic Cooling

  • Platform support: Intel S775
  • Type of heatsink: Tower
  • Installation Type: Push-Pins
  • Materials: Aluminum, Copper, Heat pipes
  • Fan Support: Custom Size ~100mm (included, 4-pin PWM)
  • Extra’s: Case Badge
  • Average Selling Price: $20 / €15


Arctic Cooling is no longer a newcomer in the cooling business, we previously looked at their Freezer 64 CPU cooler products for the AMD platform and now we have the S775 version in for test. Dubbed the Freezer 7 Pro it’s a competitively priced compact tower cooler with custom size fan which is mounted on the frame with soft rubbers to reduce vibration noise.

The company’s trademark colors are used for the packaging, black box, grey text, with specs on the side:

Madshrimps (c)


These are the specifications given by Arctic Cooling:

  • Heat Sink: 104 x 58 x 126.5 mm
  • Fan: 107 x 43.5 x 96 mm
  • Overall Dimensions: 107 x 96.5 x 126.5 mm
  • Rated Fan Speed: 900 - 2500 RPM (PWM)
  • Bearing: Ceramic Bearing
  • Power Consumption: 0.16 Amp.
  • Air Flow: 45 CFM / 77 m3/h
  • Weight: 520 g
  • Warranty: 6 Years

    Inside the box you’ll find a descriptive manual with steps to take to get the cooler installed:

    Madshrimps (c)


    The Freezer 7 Pro is a tower cooler with 3 U form heat pipes joined in a copper base:

    Madshrimps (c)


    The heat from the heat pipes is then distributed to a series of aluminum fins; the bottom ones are bend downwards to provide cooling the PWM area on the motherboard;

    Madshrimps (c)


    The fan is custom made by Arctic Cooling, and installed with soft rubber mounts which absorb the vibration;

    Madshrimps (c)


    The heatsink base is flat, but shows signs of machine lapping; do note that the Freezer 7 Pro comes with MX-2 thermal paste pre-applied and this one is best used for installation; no extra thermal paste is included so make sure your first installation is correct right away.

    Madshrimps (c)


    Luckily installation is straight forward, remove the fan from the heatsink (2 small clips on the fan on there) and align the push pins with the mounting holes, push them down until you hear a click.

    Madshrimps (c)


    Then reinstall the fan and plug the fan header in; done.

    Madshrimps (c)


    As with the Intel reference coolers, the Freezer 7 Pro’s new fan makes use of PWM to help smooth out fan speed changes, in our tests at maximum speed the HSF was well audible, but at the lowest setting (~5v) the fan did not provide enough airflow to keep the CPU from overheating; we had to find a balance between performance and noise, choosing to go for a noise level of ~45dBA at very close distance (<5cm with case panel open) which means the closed and at a normal distance (30-50cm) hsf noise is not disturbing all.
    • prev
    • next
    Comment from Rutar @ 2007/11/06
    impressive


    A new sheriff in town from Coolink (former Noiseblocker), it is VERY interesting that it seems to be geared towards silent computing (hence performing best there while not outperforming with a high speed fan. I can't seem to get it here tough
    Comment from thorgal @ 2007/11/06
    John, in your chart the "coolIT freezone" : where is that review ?

    Edit : found it :$ But it's watercooling :s : why did you include it in the charts ? Shouldn't there be an explanation added ?
    Comment from jmke @ 2007/11/06
    it's water cooling and it's not water cooling at the same time imho; this all in one kit doesn't install different from many other heatsinks, there is zero maintenance, zero risk. It gives you an idea of TEC performance combined with water cooling. Plus, if you state that I should not include it, why include the GTO-990 ? It has a radiator, pump and water block, mounted on a small surface; should I not include that one either?

    While the CoolIT does use water to cool down the CPU, it's such a compact and one in all device that I never stopped to think of it as a water cooling setup, similar to the Swiftech and Dangerden offerings. It can be installed by any PC illiterate without risk of damage, most water cooling kits sold do require a bit more knowledge and include some risk.
    Comment from thorgal @ 2007/11/07
    My feeling is you're walking a thin line here. I do not disagree with your previous post, but to my feeling : air is air, and water is water

    Hassle is not a criterea I think, or you could just as well include a resorator from Zalman for example : all in one solution with only one waterblock to install to the cpu, almost the same as the CoolIT in my book. Zalman uses a clamp system not unlike CoolIT to attach the tubing to the cpu block, external connections with Zalman are clampless. Just to say there's no hassle there as well (I'm not a real resorator fan myself )

    And then there's the price : air coolers of around $40 compared to a watercooling system from over a $100... in that respect the CoolIT is definately in the watercooling league.

    Anyway : the chart is not necessarily wrong, and provides an interesting comparison between the two technologies, but isn't this comparing apples to oranges ?

    All imho of course
    Comment from jmke @ 2007/11/07
    The Ultra ChillTEC is $120+, all air cooled. THe reserator is not all in one kit, you need to handle the tubes = more risk

     

    reply