The base of the Arctic Freezer i32 is a direct connect base, meaning there isn’t a cover plate providing a flat surface for your thermal paste and CPU mating surfaces. Direct contact CPU coolers are our preference, though only because they cut out the middleman, so to speak.
The surface is finished to a very high standard and we found zero flaws or imperfections.
The shiny bit isn’t so shiny due to the lack of a contact plate, but that’s ok for this type of cooler. When assembled with the fan, the Arctic Freezer i32 is simple and unintrusive looking. It will also look at home in most systems and should provide good clearance for memory and motherboards around the CPU socket.
The Freezer i32 is claimed to have a sophisticated fan controller developed by German engineers which enables the CPU to be cooled completely passively during typical Windows operation.
Arctic Freezer i32 Semi Passive CPU Cooler Review
Package - 7
Performance - 8
Price - 9
Consumer Experience - 8
8
The Arctic Freezer i32 Semi Passive CPU Cooler is a safe pair of hands. It's priced very well too, you will be able to pick this cooler up for little more than a stock CPU cooler, and Arctic still include premium Thermal Paste at this price point. The Arctic Freezer i32 is a bit of a hidden gem, with no corners cut.