Single Fan Configuration
Our retail Frio seemed ready to cool right out of the gate. The cooler was noticeably more efficient at lower RPMs than at higher RPMs. It came extremely close to matching the Venomous X at the higher RPMs. There was very little fan noise at lower RPMs and noticeably more than the other coolers at higher RPMs, except for the Venemous X.
While the field of coolers were extremely impressive, the Thermaltake Frio was definitely surprising for a $59.99 US cooler. It almost matched the Venomous X and tied the NU-12P for the most part.
Dual Fan Testing
Dual fan configurations haven’t really impressed too many folks. In many cases, the earliest dual fan coolers actually performed worse due to inconsistent or improper air flow. In other words, it’s really important that the two fans being used are identical, or the exhaust fan on the back of the cooler spin just a little faster than the intake. With that in mind, we only tested the coolers that were made to accommodate a second fan in this next test.
In the dual fan configuration the coolers benefited more at lower RPMs than higher ones. That’s most likely due to the consistent air blowing across the heat pipes at all times. Again, the Frio matched the NH-12P almost perfectly which is again a nice surprise since both gave the Venomous X a run for its money. Let’s just say that the unrounded temps revealed a closer fight between the three.
Final Thoughts
The Thermaltake Frio is an all around great performer especially for an all-in-one cooler. It isn’t very often that we see a first revision CPU cooler perform so well out of the gate. Besides the fact that it usually takes one or two revisions to find the sweet spot, there are very few all-in-one coolers that can keep up with extreme tower coolers like the Venomous X. This alone makes the Frio a very enticing choice.
Something else to consider is that tower coolers don’t usually include the cooling fan or fans. Add that extra cost to the cooler and you’re easily spending quite a bit more than the Frio’s seemingly measly $59.99 US price tag. This will definitely attract enthusiasts that can’t justify the extra scratch for a Venemous X which doesn’t include cooling fans.
Being that the Thermaltake Frio is the coolest performing all-in-one CPU cooler available, we are highly recommending this one for everyone who wants their money’s worth and for folks living in the warmer regions.
Pros
- Quality made cooler
- Great cooling performance
- Includes two 120mm cooling fans
- Integrated VR fan control
- Good
Cons
- Theme could use some polishing
- Slippery mounting bolts
Overall Rating: 8.75/10.0
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