CRYORIG C7 CPU Cooler Review: On the Topic of Clearance
Final Thoughts about the CRYORIG C7 CPU Cooler
The CRYORIG C7 takes on the topic of clearance head-on with a compact but capable solution that is also as user-friendly as they come. That is clearance in terms of installed component conflict and clearance in terms of getting such an option for only $29.99 compared to its low-profile peers. Surprisingly, it comes packed with a full-size thermal compound and an option to extend its warranty up to six years total; which is beyond what most CPU coolers offer.
While the CRYORIG C7 does a lot of things well, it is not without its shortcomings especially when it comes to the bundled 92mm fan which is not readily swappable nor particularly quiet unless undervolted or forced to run at 1800 RPM or lower. The 15mm thick 92mm slim fan is built into the mounting frame and there are no alternate mounting options for any other 92mm fan should this one fail or should the user want to replace it with a quieter option. It gets exponentially louder as it spins faster than 1900 RPM and peaks at a very distracting 46.5 dBA at 2500RPM. This is not the acoustic characteristic expected or sought after from a low-profile cooler which typically finds its home inside HTPC and SFF systems.
On the plus side, at 1800 RPM, it manages to hang close to the more expensive Noctua NH-L9x65’s performance at the same fan speed; giving away a degree or two but dropping the fan noise level significantly at only 39dBA.
There is also the slight issue of possible rear PCB component clearance on ITX mainboards posed by the backplate as outlined in the installation page. Maybe a future revision can incorporate a true full clearance solution since the CRYORIG C7 is light enough that backplate support is not as crucial.
All things considered, the CRYORIG C7 is a strong alternative for those with very limited vertical clearance as it can fit in tight spaces with its 47mm height. The very low price also makes it an easy choice to make considering it can hang close to the more expensive Noctua NH-L9x65 even when the fan is limited to only 1800 RPM. This is the preferable operating speed for the CRYORIG C7 anyway since 2500RPM is simply too loud.
The CRYORIG C7 is a few points shy of earning our Editor’s Choice award but maybe if a future revision could replace the full backplate with a simple mounting screw and if an alternative fan mounting solution is presented, it can easily earn that crown. For now, the CRYORIG C7 version 1 gets the Modders-Inc. ‘Must Have’ award.
[sc:must_have_award ]
