Conclusion:
When running at 12v, Artic and Zalman heatsinks
performed within a 1c tolerance both at stock and overclocked.
Both coolers managed to stay under 50c at all times when
running at 12v. It was only when the Zalman was run at its
very quiet (5v) setting that the Freezer took the lead.
however at 12v the Zalman wasn’t very quiet; it easily
was the loudest component in the system. While the Arctic
Cooler Freezer 64 was nearly inaudible at all times. Extra
points for the Artic design so far.
Installing the coolers was very straightforward
even for the relative novice, the Zalman had a well laid
out and easy to understand manual. Arctic cooling didnt
provide any manual at all, on the other hand the mounting
is done in the same matter as the Amd stock heatsink, so
again an easy installation for users of varying skill levels.
Overall these heatsinks are more then able
to supply adequate cooling for any of the AMD 64 bit range,
but if I had to choose between them I would opt for the
Arctic cooling Freezer 64. primarily because it’s
only half the weight of the zalman, it is very quiet, and
just as important it’s almost half the price!! The
freezer at the time for purchase is retailing for 24 Euros
while the Zalman was 42.50 Euros.
Both companies can hold their hand up and
claim to be producing high quality and equally high performing
heatsinks for the AMD enthusiast crowd who arent venturing
to water or phase cooling, however for the reasons mentioned
above the Artic Cooling Freezer 64 walks away with a Driverheaven
Heavenly Hardware gold award.
Zalman CNPS7700-CU
- Heavenly Hardware Silver Award
|
Artic Cooling "Freezer
64"
- Heavenly Hardware Gold Award
|
