GoKawiilDespite having a single heatsink and fan, the Arctic Freezer 36-S provides performance comparable to many dual-tower coolers.
Why you can trust Tom's Hardware Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
If you’ve followed Arctic over the past few years, you probably think of oversized radiators, VRM fans, and thermal domination. The company's Liquid Freezer III Pro 360mm AIO is a favorite of ours, providing top-tier performance while retaining a relatively affordable price tag.
But not every system needs a thick 360mm radiator, and many smaller cases can’t fit radiators at all. And let’s be honest: While having the strongest performance is great if you’re pushing CPU limits with overclocking, more basic cooling options are sufficient for most consumers.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
That’s where Arctic’s latest cooler, the Freezer 36-S, comes in. This is an entry-level air cooler available for less than $30, featuring only a single fan and tower connected by four direct-touch heatpipes.
Let's take a look at the specifications and features of the cooler, then we’ll go over thermal and noise benchmarks so you can decide if the Freezer 36-S will make our list of the best CPU coolers.
Cooler specifications
... continue reading