INSTALLATION
The cooler will be installed in a LGA 1156 based board and will be tested using an Intel Core i7-860 and a Core i3-530 processor.
*The images taken are from an installation on a Core i3-530 processor. Since the motherboard used in both the test systems the same, the installation process is similar as well.
THE MOUNTING MECHANISM
It is very easy to fix the mounting plate on the motherboard. After installing the processor, the mounting plate is placed over the mounting holes.
The mounting plate has pre-cut holes for all 3 contemporary Intel platforms: LGA 775, 1156 and 1366.
Once that is done the rubber pushpins are inserted in the holes. Finally the plastic pushpins are used to fix the mounting plate to the motherboard.
HEAT SINK INSTALLATION
The fan is taken off the heat sink and is screwed onto the mounting plate.
Finally the fan is reinstalled and plugged into the motherboard PWM or 3 pin fan connector.
TEST SYSTEMS
The cooler was tested at default frequencies in addition to over clocked settings.. Arctic Cooling advertises this cooler as a “silent” replacement for the stock cooler, rather than a unit for high speed over clocking. Rather than running the heat churning Linpack test the standard OCCT test was run.
†There was 1C difference between testing with pre-applied MX-2 thermal paste and Arctic Silver 5 (AS5). As the AS5 result was better, it was used to benchmark this cooler.
RESULTS
Core i3-530
At stock speed the Freezer 7 Pro Rev2 (F 7P R2) performance is at the rear of the pack. This is not really surprising as the cooler is meant as a replacement for the stock solution rather than an enthusiast grade cooler.
At 3.60GHz the cooler is again at the rear. It is able to complete the test though.
Core i7-860
The results pretty much follow those of the Core i3. Remember that the results are from the standard test, rather than the Linpack test. All the coolers are able to keep the cooler within thermal specifications.
CONCLUSIONS
The coolers strong points are its ease of installation and near silent operation. It is not audible at all over the default case fans in both builds. If the case fans are disconnected, the fan is still hardly audible, even if you sit right next to the case.
You won’t be breaking any over-clocking records with this cooler and neither is the product designed to do this. It is meant to be a near silent replacement for the stock solution while providing some room for maneuverability. And it does this job admirably well!
PROS
- Compact Design
- Very, very silent operation
- Extremely easy to install
- Pre-applied Arctic Cooling MX-2
- Excellent for HTPC
CONS
- Packaging could be better
- Not a cooler for those looking for a significant over clock
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