Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro

[W1zzard]

[Page=Introduction, Packaging]
Introduction

From the manufacturer Arctic Cooling (http://www.arctic-cooling.com):


Extremely Quiet
Powerful cooling
Integrated Cooling of Voltage Converters
Patented Vibration Absorption
Easy Installation
Long Lifetime / 6 Years Warranty


<table border="1" class="resulttable" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3">
<tr>
<TD align="left"><strong>Sink:</strong></td>
<TD align="left">104 x 58 x 126.5 mm</td>
</TR>
<tr>
<TD align="left"><strong>Fan:</strong></td>
<TD align="left">107 x 43.5 x 96 mm</td>
</TR>
<tr>
<TD align="left"><strong>Overall Dimensions:</strong></td>
<TD align="left">107 x 96.5 x 126.5 mm</td>
</TR>
<tr>
<TD align="left"><strong>Rated Fan Speed:</strong></td>
<TD align="left">2200 RPM</td>
</TR>
<tr>
<TD align="left"><strong>Power Consumption:</strong></td>
<TD align="left">0.16 Amp.</td>
</TR>
<tr>
<TD align="left"><strong>Air Flow:</strong></td>
<TD align="left">40 CFM / 68 m3/h</td>
</TR>
<tr>
<TD align="left"><strong>Weight:</strong></td>
<TD align="left">528 g</td>
</TR>
<tr>
<TD align="left"><strong>Noise Level:</strong></td>
<TD align="left">0.8 Sone</td>
</TR>
<tr>
<TD align="left"><strong>Thermal Resistance:</strong></td>
<TD align="left">0.18&deg;C/Watt</td>
</TR>
<tr>
<TD align="left"><strong>Thermal Interface Material:</strong></td>
<TD align="left">Pre-applied MX-1 Paste</td>
</TR>
<tr>
<TD align="left"><strong>Warranty:</strong></td>
<TD align="left">6 Years</td>
</TR>
</table>

Packaging

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/package1_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/package1.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/package2_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/package2.jpg)

Box contents:

CPU Cooler with preapplied thermal paste
Instruction manual
Arctic Cooling Sticker


http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/contents_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/contents.jpg)

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/base2_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/base2.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/base3_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/base3.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/paste_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/paste.jpg)
Arctic Cooling ships the cooler with a preapplied layer of the Arctic Cooling MX1 thermal compound.
"This compound hardens during the first 200h while the performance improves steadily. With heating up the paste / heatsink the process can be shortened. The performance is even from the beginning good enough to cool your CPU reliable."

[page=The Cooler]
The Cooler
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/cooler1_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/cooler1.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/cooler2_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/cooler2.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/cooler3_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/cooler3.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/cooler4_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/cooler4.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/cooler5_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/cooler5.jpg)
The Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro looks massive in construction. You can see the four heatpipes go out on top of the cooler.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/suspension_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/suspension.jpg)
In order to reduce fan noise, these rubber mounting posts are used to hold the fan. I am not sure how durable they are and if they get brittle over time, but I'm convinced Arctic Cooling has given proper thought to these problems.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/rotate1_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/rotate1.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/rotate2_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/rotate2.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/rotate3_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/rotate3.jpg)
There are numerous reasons why you would like to change the orientation of the cooler. For example to optimize air flow, or because the lever is blocked by components on the motherboard. Rotating is very easy, you unscrew the lever, pull out the metal tab, insert it rotated and put back the lever. There is a small hole on each side of the tab which lines up with the black plastic plate, so no matter the orientation, the cooler will fit right.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/airflow_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/airflow.jpg)
Those angled fins near the bottom are another ingenious idea of Arctic Cooling. They direct some air toward the motherboard which can be used to cool memory or the MOSFET area on the motherboard. Remember, rotating the cooler into any direction is easy.

This illustration from Arctic Cooling shows the air flow.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/airflow_freezer64pro.gif

[pagE=Installation]
Installation
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/protection_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/protection.jpg)
To protect the thermal paste application from damage during shipping, a transparent plastic cap is sitting on top of the cooler base.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/installation1_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/installation1.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/installation2_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/installation2.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/installation3_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/installation3.jpg)
The installation couldn't be easier, no tools are required. You just put the mounting brackets on one side into the tabs of the socket mounting. Put the other bracket on, and move the lever. Done!

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/suction_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/suction.jpg)
The suction force between cooler base and CPU is so strong that I pulled the CPU out of the socket, even with the lever down! When you try to remove the cooler, rotate it while gently pulling up, do not pull straight up with a lot of force.

[PAGE=Performance]
Performance

<table border="1" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" class="ramtable" width="450">
<tr align="center">
<th colspan="2" scope="row" style="font-size:larger;text-align:center">Test System</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<th width="100" scope="row">CPU:</th>
<td scope="row">AMD Athlon64 3000+ (S939; 512KB; Venice)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Motherboard:</th>
<td scope="row">DFI LanParty NF4 Ultra-D, Bios 5.10-2 Fix<br />nForce4 Ultra</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Memory:</th>
<td scope="row">2x 512MB OCZ PC3500 Gold GX 2-2-2-5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th valign="top" scope="row">Video Card:</th>
<td valign="top" scope="row">ATI X850 Pro PCI-E</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th valign="top" scope="row">Harddisk:</th>
<td valign="top" scope="row">Maxtor DiamondMax 160GB</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th valign="top" scope="row">Power Supply:</th>
<td valign="top" scope="row">HEC Power475</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th valign="top" scope="row">Software:</th>
<td valign="top" scope="row">Windows XP SP2, Catalyst 5.12</td>
</tr>
</table>

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/probe_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/probe.jpg)
Motherboard on-board sensors are very inaccurate, that's why I placed a small Type K thermocouple at the edge of the IHS. The observed temperature differential between reported core temp and IHS temperature is about 7°C. Room temperature was kept at 20°C.

Idle means Windows sitting at the desktop for 30 minutes. Load is after 30 minutes of Prime95. The CPU was running at 1.50V.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/graph1.gif
While the idle temperatures are pretty close within each other, there is a measurable difference.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/graph2.gif
Under load the differences are bigger. The Freezer 64 Pro performs excellent here, especially if you look at the fan noise.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/graph3.gif
It seems that the vibration absorbing mounting does a great job. Arctic's cooler is among the quietest ever tested.

I tested with both Arctic's MX-1 (after settle in time) and Arctic Silver Lumière testing compound. The temperature difference is negligible.

In their Reviewer's Guide Arctic Cooling recommends installing the motherboard in an upright position, like in a tower case, for best heatpipe operation. I tested this and see only very small differences in temperature. If you are running the motherboard horizontally, there is nothing to be worried about.

[page=Value & Conclusion]
Value and Conclusion
<table width="100%" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" id="result">
<tr><th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/dollar.gif</th>
<td>
The Freezer 64 Pro is going for around $35, which is quite cheap for a cooler of this performance class.
</td>
</tr><tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbup.gif</th>
<td>
Great performance
Very easy to install
Competitive Price
Quiet
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbdown.gif</th>
<td>
Higher than a full-height add-in card
</td></tr>
<tr><th>9.5</th>
<td>Again, Arctic Cooling has proven that they can not only deliver solid cooling performance but do so without creating a lot of noise.<br />
Arctic Cooling's Freezer 64 Pro is able to keep your CPU cool, and will be able to do so, even when overclocking. The tool-less installation is exceptionally easy and can be performed very quickly, even by computer novices. The pre-applied thermal paste will certainly help here, making improper application impossible.<br />
I really can't find anything to complain about, the only thing that could be criticized is that the cooler is taller than a standard full-height card which may make it hard to use the cooler in small Home Theater PC cases.</td></tr>
<tr><th></th><td>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/editorschoice.gif</td></tr>
</table>

[HousERaT]

Nice review W1zzard. The overclocker in me is begging for just a tad bit more information. Like what was the clock speed of the processor when you bumped up the voltage? Also, since you revealed that the orientation of the cooler could be changed did you test it to see if there was a difference with the fan facing down or up? I ordered this cooler last week so I'll be getting it early next week. If I learn anything new I'll be sure to post.

The RaT

[Boneface]

i was wondering where i can get that Type K thermocouple from? i want to get an accurate temp on cpu thanks

[mex]

Very Nice Wizard, I just installed my Arctic cooler last week and as you i am really am impressed.
Good Job This is why i like this forum so much.

[wazzledoozle]

Why are you running the Venice at 1.5 vcore? They are 1.35/1.4 stock.

I am probably going to get one of these soon, im going go silent aircooling :toast:

[Glen4120]

I purchased one today based on your review and my inspection of the cooler. Will let you know how it goes. Going on an ASUS A8N32 SLI Deluxe board on an FX55 San Diego in a Lian Li custom case...thought it was pretty neat as it will exhaust out the back right over the passive heatsink for the heat pipes. Hope it cools them as well.

[Canuto]

Why are you running the Venice at 1.5 vcore? They are 1.35/1.4 stock.

I am probably going to get one of these soon, im going go silent aircooling :toast:

It's to raise the temps(for review purposes) it's been said before ;)

Btw good review W1zz I'd Just like to add that that cooler can be bought 15 - 20€ :)

[Ketxxx]

No testing the coolers performance with the CPU overclocked? W1zz.. i'm disappointed :shadedshu

[Zero Cool]

0.8 sone? how many decibels is that?

[FujiwaraTakumi]

People have been saying that the heatsink doesn't fully cover the processor. Is that true?

[KennyT772]

0.8 sone? how many decibels is that?

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/Freezer64Pro/images/graph3.gif

[Tatty_One]

People have been saying that the heatsink doesn't fully cover the processor. Is that true?

Yes it is, there is about 3mm around the edge of the CPU thats not in contact but dont worry, the core(s) are well inside in the middle.

[erocker]

Hey does anyone know what I can do to replace the fan on this thing? I would like to put something on it that moves more air.

[Tatty_One]

Hey does anyone know what I can do to replace the fan on this thing? I would like to put something on it that moves more air.

Yep, done it many times, I have 2 90mm fans on each end, one blowing, one sucking, I just use some screws in the fan screw holes, they slide quite snuggly between the fins....make sense?

[dadi_oh]

Yep, done it many times, I have 2 90mm fans on each end, one blowing, one sucking, I just use some screws in the fan screw holes, they slide quite snuggly between the fins....make sense?

How much of a difference did you note by going from stock fan to the push-pull configuration? Push-Pull usually is used to overcome a high pressure drop but the wide spacing on the AC Freezer 64 would not seem to be much of a restriction.

Were there some specific fans that you recommend for this?

Just curious.

[erocker]

Yep, done it many times, I have 2 90mm fans on each end, one blowing, one sucking, I just use some screws in the fan screw holes, they slide quite snuggly between the fins....make sense?

Yeah it makes sense, though I think I'm going to do it with some somewhat heavy guage wire, and bend up some mounts.

[Tatty_One]

How much of a difference did you note by going from stock fan to the push-pull configuration? Push-Pull usually is used to overcome a high pressure drop but the wide spacing on the AC Freezer 64 would not seem to be much of a restriction.

Were there some specific fans that you recommend for this?

Just curious.

5C at Idle....about 9C at full load.

[Tatty_One]

I am currently using the freezer 7 pro, same thing so I have stock fan blowing and a low noise 2800RPM 90mm sucking straight into the cases 1200mm extractor fan.

[Tatty_One]

5C at Idle....about 9C at full load.

Ohhh and the point is, it extracts the hot air that much quicker and less of it enters the case.

[dadi_oh]

5C at Idle....about 9C at full load.

Well that is impressive. Might be worth playing around with. I try to keep my PC as quiet as possible so my inlet and exhaust 120mm are actually set to low speed and the side 80mm port is also set to low. I can gain a few degC by setting them to high but I would rather run a little hotter with low noise than a few degrees cooler in a wind tunnel. I am constantly balancing acoustic noise with temps. With that said maybe I can just leave the existing 92mm fan on the inlet to the Arctic Freezer and just add another fan on the exhaust side and see where that takes me.

Thanks for the insight.

:toast: David

[dadi_oh]

Well that is impressive. Might be worth playing around with. I try to keep my PC as quiet as possible so my inlet and exhaust 120mm are actually set to low speed and the side 80mm port is also set to low. I can gain a few degC by setting them to high but I would rather run a little hotter with low noise than a few degrees cooler in a wind tunnel. I am constantly balancing acoustic noise with temps. With that said maybe I can just leave the existing 92mm fan on the inlet to the Arctic Freezer and just add another fan on the exhaust side and see where that takes me.

Thanks for the insight.

:toast: David


So I installed the Antec Tricool 92 mm on the back side of the Arctic Freezer 64 Pro last night and it does indeed make a difference. All temps are based on running Prime95 on both cores until stability achieved (usually about 4 or 5 cycles). The case is an Antec SLK3800 with one inlet 120mm fan, 1 exhaust 120mm fan and a side port 80mm fan. CPU and motherboad temp measured by Speedfan. Variable on the CPU fan means that the motherboard varies it from low speed until 52degC at which point it transitions to high (called QFan in the ASUS BIOS). Acoustic noise was measured about 1m from the front of the system.



Conclusions

1) Push-Pull configuration on the Arctic Freezer 64 Pro gains 5degC on CPU Load temp.
2) With just Antec Tricool 92mm in pull config (ACFP64 fan off) gains 2degC on CPU Load temp.
3) All fans on high increases acoustic noise by 10dB (huge) but only benefits CPU temp by 2degC.

I am therefore happy to just run with the push-pull fans on the Freezer 64 Pro and all fans on low speed. System is very quiet and CPU temp at 54degC is OK with me. Some may call that too high but system is 100% Prime95 stable and I only have $40 invested in the heatsink. I would recommend that the $8 investment in the extra 92mm fan might be a good choice for those of you with this heatsink wanting to gain some cheap degrees in CPU temps.

On a side note I discovered a great way to attach the pull fan on the heatsink. I basically had 4 metal roofing screws with built in rubber washer and screwed these through the 4 mounting holes on the fan. I installed 4 of the rubber bushings off the Antec hard drive mounts where the screws came through. I then just pushed the fan onto the heatsink allowing the threaded screws to line up between the slats of the heat sink. The mount is quite firm and the rubber seems to prevent any rattle or buzz transfer to the heatsink. I took some photos with my cell camera and may post them once I get a chance to download them.

Cheers

David

[Tatty_One]

Lol thats just about how I fit mine too. Glad it worked for you, obviouslt varying degrees of success dependant on RPM/CFM of fans.

[dadi_oh]

Lol thats just about how I fit mine too. Glad it worked for you, obviouslt varying degrees of success dependant on RPM/CFM of fans.

The Antec fan seems to be a better fan than the stock one that came with the ACFP64. It is quieter and moves more air according to my acoustic measurements and my temperature measurements. If I replaced it with another Antec 92mm tricool I might gain a degree or two but not worth the effort IMHO. I will go with what I have.

Here are the pictures by the way. The screws that I used are normally used for attaching metal roofing which explains the rubber gasket (meant to seal the screw). The black rubber washers I stole from one of the unused bays in my Antec case (meant to damp hard drive vibrations). I put the screws all the way into the fan and then carefully (well maybe not so carefully :-) aligned the screw heads between the slats of the heatsink. Then just push it on until the rubber washers contact the heatsink. Nice tight fit and no buzzing or other noise transfer. Works quite well.


Cheers... David