The way in which cooling systems for central processors have been developing in general over the past two or three years is hardly pleasing to connoisseurs of efficient cooling and low noise levels. The reason for this is simple - engineering thought for some reason left this sector, and marketing thought was aimed solely at making cooling systems shine brighter with various types of fan and pump lights. As a result, today a more or less decent level of efficiency by the standards of liquid cooling systems (LCS) can only be obtained from options with radiators measuring 280 Γ 140 mm or 360 Γ 120 mm. All other models either lose out to the best air coolers, or reach the same efficiency at the cost of a high noise level.
However, in recent months, positive changes can be observed aimed precisely at increasing the efficiency of the LSS. For example, the well-known German company be quiet! is now preparing an updated series of its liquid cooling systems, and the Swiss ARCTIC, which is even more common in Russia, has already released the Liquid Freezer II series, which includes four models with radiators ranging in size from 120 to 360 mm.
All systems received thicker radiators, optimized fans, new hoses and a pump, an improved water block, and even a small fan to cool motherboard VRM circuit elements. In addition, they cannot be called maintenance-free (refilling or replacing the refrigerant is possible), and plus they are connected with just one cable. Already a good bid for leadership in its class, isn't it?
In today's article, we will study and test the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 model with a 280mm radiator and two 140mm fans.
In future materials, we will try to check other models of this series, especially since the results of testing the Liquid Freezer II 280 simply oblige us to do this. However, we will not reveal all the "cards" at once.
Specifications and recommended cost
| Name characteristics of |
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 |
| Radiator | |
| Dimensions (L Γ W Γ H), mm | 317 Γ Γ 138 38 |
| Radiator fin dimensions (L Γ W Γ H), mm | 317 Γ Γ 138 26 |
| Radiator Material | Aluminum |
| Number of channels in the radiator, pcs. | 14 |
| Distance between channels, mm | 7,0 |
| Radiator density, FPI | 15 |
| Thermal resistance, Β°C/W | n / a |
| Refrigerant volume, ml | n / a |
| Fans | |
| Number of fans | 2 |
| Fan model | ARCTIC P14 PWM PST |
| Standard size | 140 Γ Γ 140 27 |
| Impeller/stator diameter, mm | 129 / 41,5 |
| Number and type of bearing(s) | 1, hydrodynamic |
| Rotation speed, rpm | 200 β 1700 Feet |
| Max Airflow, CFM | 2 Γ 72,8 |
| Noise level, sone | 0,3 |
| Maximum static pressure, mm H2O | 2 Γ 2,4 |
| Rated/starting voltage, V | 12 / 3,7 |
| Power consumption: declared / measured, W | 2Γ0,96 / 2Γ1,13 |
| Service life, hours/years | N/A |
| Weight of one fan, g | 196 |
| Cable length, mm | n / a |
| Built-in VRM fan | β 40 mm, 1000β3000 rpm, PWM |
| water pump | |
| Size mm | 98Γ78Γ53 |
| Productivity, l/h | N/A |
| Height of water rise, m | N/A |
| Pump rotor speed: declared / measured, rpm | 800 β 2000 Feet |
| Bearing type | Ceramic |
| Bearing service life, hours/years | N/A |
| Rated voltage, V | 12,0 |
| Maximum power consumption: declared / measured, W | 2,7 / 2,68 |
| Noise level, dBA | n / a |
| Cable length, mm | 245 |
| Waterblock | |
| Material and structure | Copper, microchannel structure |
| Platform Compatibility | Intel LGA115(x)/2011(v3)/2066 AMD socket AM4 |
| Additionally | |
| Hose length, mm | 420 |
| External/internal diameter of hoses, mm | 12,4 / 6,0 |
| Refrigerant | Non-toxic, anti-corrosion (propylene glycol) |
| Maximum TDP level, W | N/A |
| Thermal paste | ARCTIC MX-4 (8,5 W/m K), 1 g |
| backlight | No |
| Total system weight, g | 1 572 |
| Warranty period, years | 2 |
| recommended price, euro | 79,99 |
Packaging equipment
The design of the box in which the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 is supplied is typical for the products of the Swiss company - predominantly blue with a white image of the liquid freezer on the front side. Next to it are the product name, warranty period, and the included thermal paste.
On the reverse side, separate photographs describe the main components of the system and their key features.
The ends of the box are reserved for the list of advantages of the system and its technical characteristics with the dimensions of the radiator. The supported processor platforms are listed below.
|
|
|
There are two compartments in the box: a radiator with fans is located in the lower one, and its hoses with a pump are placed in the upper one, plus there is also a small box with accessories.
The latter contains fasteners with a set of screws, a postcard and a coupon with a QR code leading to installation instructions, as well as branded thermal paste with a thermal conductivity of 8,5 W/m K.
The system is manufactured in China and comes with a two-year warranty. Its recommended cost is 80 euros, and we will find out what it will be in Russia when the system goes on sale. But even if the Liquid Freezer II 280 is sold in Russia for 100 US dollars (about 6,5 thousand rubles), this is a very attractive price for a LSS with a 280 mm radiator.
Design features
The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 is a classic closed-loop liquid cooling system that is fully charged and ready to go. It would seem that we have already tested more than a hundred - and this is not an exaggeration - similar LSS, what else can be invented in this class? However, the new ARCTIC model differs from other such systems ... everything! She has a different radiator, hoses, fans, pump and water block, she even has a different connection. Let's take a look at each of these components of the new LSS in turn.
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 looks massive and solid. A thick radiator, a pair of 140 mm fans and long hoses with an outer diameter of 12,4 mm give the system a serious look, strikingly distinguishing it from classmates.
Despite the fact that the system heatsink is still aluminum, its dimensions have been increased to 317 Γ 138 Γ 38 mm, and the thickness of the fins is 26 mm, which is 9-10 mm more than the heatsinks of most other LSSs.
It consists of 14 flat channels spaced 7mm apart. Perforated aluminum corrugated tape is glued between the channels. The density of the radiator is relatively low - only 15 FPI.
Other systems with 280mm radiators tend to be 20 FPI, but here it is 25% lower because the thickness of the fins themselves is significantly increased. And for efficient operation of fans at low speeds, a dense package of ribs is useless.
One of the ends of the radiator is completely blank, but its dimensions are increased - again, in comparison with other maintenance-free liquid cooling systems.
This means that the volume of refrigerant inside the circuit is larger, and therefore, the cooling efficiency, all other things being equal, will be higher.
Two threaded fittings come out of the opposite end of the radiator, on which two hoses are clamped.
The length of the hoses, excluding the fittings themselves, is 420 mm, and their external diameter is 12,4 mm (internal - 6,0 mm). The hoses along the entire length seem to be stitched with a double white thread, which at first we took for a backlight, but in the end it turned out that this was not the case.
Between the synthetic braid of the hoses and the rubber tubes themselves, the cables of two fans pass. We add that the hoses turned out to be strong, but not overly rigid, as is sometimes the case in LSS.
At the other end, the hoses enter the pump block with a water block, where threaded fittings are also installed. The instructions for the system do not directly indicate the possibility of refueling or replacing the refrigerant in the circuit, however, if all the fittings are threaded, then what prevents this from being done?
The pump also looks original. From above it is covered with a plastic casing, in which a small 40 mm fan is installed to cool the elements of the VRM circuits of motherboards. The speed of its rotation is automatically regulated by pulse-width modulation (PWM) in the range from 1000 to 3000 rpm. The speed of the pump rotor is also controlled by PWM, but in the range from 800 to 2000 rpm. It is also indicated that the level of its power consumption (together with the fan) should not exceed 2,7 watts. Our measurements confirmed this value. Unfortunately, nothing is said about the performance of the pump in the specifications.
At its base is a built-in copper water block measuring 44 Γ 40 mm, the contact surface of which is protected by a film.
By the way, after such films, a thin adhesive layer can sometimes remain on the base, which must be removed with an alcohol-containing liquid.
The quality of processing of the contact surface of the water block deserves a solid "four" on a five-point scale. There is no polishing, but traces from a cutter or grinder are not felt at all.
The only thing known about the internal structure of the water block is that it is microchannel. There are no other details.
The evenness of the surface of the water block is ideal. Together with the high pressing force of the water block to the processor, we managed to get almost perfect prints on the processor of the LGA2066 design.
|
|
|
The Liquid Freezer II 280 is equipped with two 140 x 140 x 27 mm fans. It's about the model. , designed specifically for high static pressure. To do this, the fans are equipped with a 129 mm impeller with five aggressive large-area blades.
The fans are connected to each other in series using the proprietary ARCTIC PST technology and have PWM support. The speed range of their work lies in the range from 200 to 1700 rpm, and the maximum air flow of one fan is declared at around 72,8 CFM. Noise level - 0,3 sons (approximately 22,5 dBA).
The stator with a diameter of only 41,5 mm does not have any stickers, and the fan model and electrical specifications are stamped directly on the plastic.
The fans were only rated at 0,96W each, which sounded too optimistic for a 140mm 1700rpm fan in our opinion. However, according to the results of our measurements, it turned out quite a bit more - 1,13 watts. That is, in total (the pump and its fan + two fans on the radiator), the system consumes no more than 5 W at the peak - this is an excellent indicator. The starting voltage of the fans is 3,7 V.
The service life of hydrodynamic fan bearings is not specified in the system specifications, but on a separate page for ARCTIC P14 PWM, the manufacturer guarantees their uninterrupted operation for 10 years, which is five times longer than the warranty for the system itself. Of the shortcomings, we note only the absence of any vibration decoupling between the fans and the radiator: there are no silicone corner stickers or rubber washers. Direct contact between plastic and metal. But four such fans can be installed on the radiator at once, although even with a pair of regular βturntablesβ Liquid Freezer II 280 weighs almost 1,6 kilograms.
Compatibility and installation
The Liquid Freezer II 280 waterblock is compatible with Intel LGA115(x)/2011(v3)/2066 processors and AMD Socket AM4 processors. To fix the water block, two pairs of steel plates are used, which are screwed to it with two screws. Here, for example, what the mounting plates for Intel look like.
Further, to press the water block to the processor, either a reinforcing plate on the back of the motherboard or support bushings with double-sided threads is used. Since our test system is based on a processor and a board with LGA2066, the last option is relevant for us.
|
|
|
Another important step before installing the water block is applying a uniform and minimally possible layer of thermal paste. In addition, do not forget to tighten the clamping screws gradually, crosswise, in order to provide the water block with uniform pressure and efficient heat transfer.
Pay attention to how the water block is oriented on the processor. The fact is that under the small radiator there are two air ducts that direct the air flow to the elements of the power circuit of the motherboard. In our case, the air flow goes up and down, and it is the top flow that cools the VRM circuit.
As for the heatsink itself with fans, to place it in the system unit case, there must be a seat for two adjacent 140mm fans - and even more, because the heatsink is longer than a pair of such fans. At the same time, the length of the hoses is enough to install the radiator not only on the upper wall of the case, but also on the front. In our case, we used the first placement option.
The air flow of the fans was directed to blow out of the case, and its inflow was provided by three 140 mm fans on the front wall. We add that the system has no backlight at all and nowhere.
Source: 3dnews.ru