Arctic Freezer 36-S A-RGB CPU Air Cooler Review

Test System Specifications

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
• Motherboard: ASRock X870E Taichi Lite
• Memory: 32GB (2 x 16GB Modules) Kingston Fury DDR5-6000
• Graphics card: Gigabyte RTX 4070 Gaming OC
• Storage: 1TB Corsair MP600 Elite PCIe Gen4x4 NVME M.2 SSD
• Power Supply: Seasonic Prime TX-1600
• Chassis: Open Test Bench
• Thermal Compound: Arctic MX-6
• O/S: Windows 11 Version 24H2

Testing Methodology:

We are primarily focusing on the performance of each cooler at 100% fan speed and also when locked to 40dBA noise output. We will focus on cooling performance using a manual overclock with all-core frequency and VCORE locked to 5.2GHz/1.3v (AMD) and 5.5GHz/1.3v (Intel) and Precision Boost Overdrive performance.

• The test data is logged using HWINFO and the final 10 minutes of the data is calculated to find the average CPU temperature and CPU clock multiplier (AMD PBO Test) and then plotted in the charts.
• For testing, we use a 30-minute looped run of Cinebench R23 and record the steady-state CPU temperature at the end of the test. This ensures that the CPU has had ample time to warm up and reach a steady state under all of the coolers.
• The ambient is maintained at 19-21 degrees Celsius. Where there is variation beyond this temperature range, we add extra repeated tests to ensure consistency. However, this is well controlled now with A/C.
• We also test each cooler with at least two fresh installs (typically three) to mitigate the likelihood of poor mounting spoiling results.
• Ambient temperature and humidity are controlled via a mini-split air conditioning system inside the test room. Ambient temperature is maintained between 22-23°C, Temperature delta figures are shown in the charts (ambient temperature is deducted from the measured component temperature).

Test Results:

Acoustics

With the fan running at maximum speed, the Arctic Freezer 36-S A-RGB records a noise output of 47 dBA. That puts it towards the louder end of our comparison chart, sitting 2 dBA below the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE V3, but 8 dBA above the be quiet! Dark Rock 5 and Cooler Master Hyper 212 3DHP.

It is worth noting that the Freezer 36-S A-RGB uses a high-speed single 120mm fan running at 3000RPM, so high noise output is expected, but similar single-tower coolers use single 120mm fan configurations operating at lower speeds, running quieter so it’ll be interesting to see if that high fan speed helps with cooling performance.

Thermal Performance:

With the Ryzen 7 9800X3D running at a fixed frequency and VCore, and with all coolers' fans running at maximum speed, the Freezer 36-S A-RGB records a CPU temperature of 66°C over ambient. That puts it towards the lower end of the chart, matching the Noctua NH-U12A but sitting 5°C behind the be quiet! Dark Rock 5.

Given the Freezer 36-S A-RGB uses a single 120mm fan, the 66°C result is respectable, though it doesn't compete with the larger dual-tower coolers at the top of the chart. It does, however, outperform a couple of compact air coolers, including the Valkyrie Surge 125 and both Cooler Master models we recently tested.

With all coolers' fans noise-normalised to 40 dBA, the Arctic Freezer 36-S A-RGB records an average CPU temperature of 70°C over ambient, again putting it towards the bottom end of the results, with only the Valkyrie Surge 125 and Cooler Master Hyper 212 3DHP recording higher temperatures.

The Freezer 36-S A-RGB therefore concedes around 10°C to the best-performing coolers when all models are restricted to the same 40 dBA noise level. Given its single 120mm fan and relatively compact design, the 70°C result isn't too surprising, but it shows the cooler benefits from running its fan at higher speeds when maximum cooling performance is the priority.

With AMD PBO enabled and fans running at full speed again, the Arctic Freezer 36-S A-RGB records an average CPU temperature of 66°C over ambient. In terms of clock speed, the Freezer 36-S A-RGB averaged a 50.9x multiplier, so 5.09GHz total frequency. Matching the Noctua NH-U12A, Cooler Master V4 Alpha 3DHP and Valkyrie Surge 125, while only the Cooler Master Hyper 212 3DHP is warmer at 67°C.

This is again at the lower end of the results, although the difference between the coolers is relatively small, with the best coolers reaching around 5.15 – 5.16 GHz. Overall, the Freezer 36-S A-RGB can maintain a consistent clock speed under sustained PBO load, despite running slightly slower and hotter than the larger coolers in the test.

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