ARCTIC Freezer 4U-M Cooler For Ampere Altra Servers: A Comprehensive Review
For enthusiasts and professionals assembling custom Ampere Altra or Altra Max server builds, finding the right cooling solution is crucial. The ARCTIC Freezer 4U-M presents itself as an alluring option, balancing cost-effectiveness with performance that rivals high-priced alternatives.
The market for retail heatsinks tailored to Ampere Altra and Ampere Altra Max processors, especially for those housed in 4U servers or workstations, is rather limited. Options that maintain efficient cooling with acceptable noise levels are particularly scarce. Among the few available, one noteworthy competitor is the Noctua NH-D9 AMP-4926 4U, known for excellent performance but with a hefty price tag of around $130 USD. Enter the ARCTIC Freezer 4U-M, a budget-friendly solution priced significantly lower while not compromising on cooling efficiency.
Designed for 4U rackmount servers and workstations, the ARCTIC Freezer 4U-M includes a robust array of features: eight heatpipes, aluminum fins, and dual 120mm PWM fans arranged in a push-pull configuration. These fans efficiently maintain cooling by delivering an airflow of 71.90 CFM with a noise level of only 40 dBA, peaking at rotations of 2300 RPM.
The dimensions of the Freezer 4U-M are 160 x 141 x 211 mm, making it versatile enough to fit into most ATX dual socket server motherboards without interference. During testing on the ASRockRack ALTRAD8UD-1L2T motherboard, there were no issues with clearance over DDR5 memory slots, confirming its practical design for dual configurations.
For those with varying hardware requirements, ARCTIC offers a version of the Freezer 4U-M that is compatible not only with Ampere Altra processors but also with Intel Xeon and AMD EPYC/Threadripper workstation/server processors. This flexibility is enhanced by including mounting brackets for different CPU sockets such as LGA-4189 / LGA-4677 and AMD SP3, making it a one-size-fits-all solution in multi-processor environments.
The Freezer 4U-M is an excellent choice for those who seek affordability without sacrificing cooling power, making it a commendable asset to any server build. Its balance between performance and cost efficiency makes it a standout contender in the realm of server cooling solutions.
In conclusion, the ARCTIC Freezer 4U-M provides a perfect blend of performance, noise control, and compatibility, setting a new foothold in the competitive landscape of server cooling technology. For users aiming to optimize their Ampere Altra builds without a substantial financial outlay, this cooler is undeniably worth considering.