Conclusion
Even with two fans, this cooler is a very good option. Compared to similar and typically cheaper designs with four heatpipes, it can handle significantly higher loads. This is true on both the latest Intel platform (LGA 1851) and AMD Ryzen 9000 processors (AMD AM5). There is also a certain benefit to these things around cooling performance in mounting via a custom retention bracket (ILM) around the processor socket.
Conclusion
Performance-wise, the Freezer 36 A-RGB (White) handled even the extremely high load of the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K in settings without power limits. Albeit already at temperatures over 100°C, but this while maintaining very high performance.
If only the core temperatures were compared, it may seem that the cooling results of the Endorfy Fera 5 (Black) are very similar, but if you look at the power consumption and CPU core clock speeds, you will find that the Arctic cooler on the Intel test platform can cool about 45 W more, which corresponds to 150–200 MHz higher CPU core clock speeds..
The Freezer 36 can handle higher performance (than the cheaper Fera 5 cooler) even after regulating to lower noise levels, this often not only at higher clock speeds, but also at lower temperatures. The biggest difference is in the quietest mode, where the Fera 5 is just not up to the task, and even though the Freezer 36 is starting to run out of breath, it still has a substantial advantage in terms of cooling performance at a very low noise level. This is also the case on the AMD platform, i.e. on the Ryzen 9 9950X processor.
Although the Freezer 36 can also handle top processor models, it is more suited for lower-power variants, with which it can also provide extremely quiet operation. This means that it is possible to operate even at the lower fan speed limit while still keeping the temperature low enough, with a margin for warmer days.
It is probably appropriate to state that it is optimal for use with AMD Ryzen 5 or Intel Core Ultra 5 processors. That is, if you expect not only lower temperatures, but also extra-quiet operation. If you don’t care too much about noise, then Freezer 36 (A-RGB/White) can also be paired with more powerful Ryzen 7 or Core Ultra 7 processors. And, of course, also with Ryzen 9 or Core Ultra 9. Although especially in the latter case, it will be advisable to set the power limits so that the performance of the processors does not decrease due to “overheating”.
The Freezer 36 would certainly be an attractive cooler even with a single fan. How much that would cost we probably won’t find out, but in any case, its relatively higher price, even though it is still a “cheap” cooler, is due to the two fans in the standard configuration. Nevertheless, we can state an excellent ratio of cooling efficiency to the price.
Assuming that you need to buy the mounting kit for older platforms (Intel LGA 1200 or Intel LGA 115x) it will be worse with the price/performance ratio, but users of newer processors from Intel LGA 1700 (incl.) upwards and AMD AM4 (incl.) upwards, have nothing to complain about – The Arctic Freezer 36 A-RGB (White) is a really attractive option, which earns it the “Smart buy!” editorial award.
| Arctic Freezer 36 A-RGB (White) |
| + High cooling performance... |
| + ... also suitable for even the highest performance CPUs |
| + Design works well with both mainstream platforms, Intel and AMD |
| + Wide fan speed range... |
| + ... with possibilities to optimize for very quiet but also high performance operation |
| + Attractive price/cooling performance ratio |
| + Visually appealing, white design |
| + Easy and quick installation |
| - Support for older sockets only after purchase of a mounting kit |
| Approximate retail price: 35 EUR |
The Arctic Freezer 36 A-RGB (White) is also available in the Datacomp e-store.
- Contents
- Details of the Arctic Freezer 36 A-RGB (White)
- Testing methodology
- Results: Maximum cooling performance
- Results: Higher performance (45 dBA)
- Results: Medium performance (42 dBA)
- Results: Lower noise level (39 dBA)
- Results: Low noise level (36 dBA)
- Results: Very low noise level (33 dBA)
- Results: Threshold of audibility (31 dBA)
- Conclusion
“If you don’t care too much about noise … can also be paired … with Ryzen 9 or Core Ultra 9.”
I agree with the conclusion on the Intel side, but not on the AMD side. The difference in clocks of 9950X @ 31 dBA mode (4594) vs. max fan speed mode (4638) is only 44 mHz. You can run it extremely quietly while maintaining 99% performance. The difference between running it at 31 dBA vs the best tested 360 mm AIO cooler @ max speed (4707) is only 2.5%! It seems that the performance of Zen 5 (or at least the 9950X) is quite insensitive to cooling requirements. Perhaps it’ll show more performance decreases when low profile coolers start being tested.
“Although especially in the latter case, it will be advisable to set the power limits so that the performance of the processors does not decrease due to “overheating”.
In fact, I advice not setting power limits if you are after best performance. By artificially setting power limits to avoid hitting thermal limits, the CPU will throttle due to power even if it has thermal headroom to boost further.
You’re right, it’s good to discuss this and different perspectives on the same things are definitely welcome. 🙂
The Freezer 36 is not really suitable for the most powerful processors. But all this is meant in the context that the cooler is at the limit at which there is no dramatic drop in performance due to the available cooling power. Even in 31 dBA mode, the difference from the Fera 5 is bigger, and the Freezer 36 is the cooler that still handles this situation relatively well. Sure, the performance of the R9 9950X is lower with it too, but it is still clearly higher than with the Fera 5. Cooling Ryzen 9000s with the highest possible performance in mind will not be as difficult as with the Intel platform anyway.