The Socket Freezer

Supplied by: 3DCool $20

Specifications

• 5100 RPM
• 23 CFM
• 3 Prong Connector
• Socket 7/370

Introduction

With the introduction of the Socket A, many users will be switching over to new socketed motherboards. The Duron and Thunderbird will provide on-die cache and therefore may be better overclockers than current slot based Athlons. So what will you use to cool these new chips? Well, today we take a look at the Socket Freezer by 3DCool and see if it is the right choice for you.

The first thing one notices about this cooler is its sheer size. Pictured is the Socket Freezer next to the cooler off of a retail box K6-2 400. It simply dwarfs the standard fan. It is advertised on 3DCool as being for Socket 7/Socket 370/FCPGA. With the Socket A being the same physical dimension as the previous socketed chips, it should also fit it.

Installation

As clearly stated on the webpage, the socket freezer measures 66mm X 44mm. You MUST measure you board first to determine if this cooler is going to work. Because of the size of the heatsink, it overlaps the socket. I tried the cooler on two different Super 7 boards, an EFA and an FIC. Neither fit. The problem is that those boards had capacitors surrounding the socket. I had and IWill slocket laying around, so I attempted to try it. Again, it would not fit. I was able to bench the capacitors a little bit on the IWill card and get the heatsink on. However, I then noticed that the locking lever was causing the heatsink not to sit flush on the core.

Final Comments

Hopefully, newer Athlon boards will not have capacitors surrounding the socket. This may have just been a batch of bad luck for me. However, the design of the heatsink would have been a lot better if it were standard length and width with just extra height. If you determine that the Socket Freezer will fit your current board, then by all means it is a good deal for 20 bucks.

The Freezer is also available in Athlon Slot A flavor which we will be reviewing in the next few days. Thanx to 3DCool for the supplies!

Overall, I give the Socket Freezer a 5/10 because it's just too damn big!

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