Compare: Frost Commander 140 vs Freezer 36

Design and Aesthetics:

Frost Commander 140

The Frost Commander is a sleek CPU cooler with a design reminiscent of the Peerless Assassin 120. This cooler features a dual-tower heatsink with 5 heat pipes for efficient heat dissipation, and uniquely, the heat pipe ends are hidden from view. Sporting gray and silver tones, the Thermalright logo adorns the top of the heatsink. Despite its larger radiator, the Frost Commander uses a single 120mm fan in front and a 140mm fan between the heatsinks, giving it a distinct, asymmetrical look.

Freezer 36

This cooler features an all black design with a single heatsink, two Arctic P12 fans, and a polished top. It offers a clean and polished appearance that's ideal for an all-black setup, which is my preferred build.

Install Notes:

Frost Commander 140

The cooler installation is quite similar to other mainstream cooler setups. However, during installation, securing the fans to the heatsink requires more effort (relative to other Thermalright offerings), which is due to the metal securing the fans requiring much more effort to place. For this reason, it's also a lot easier to slightly bend the heatsink fins, but this can be fixed by bending it back with a credit card.

Additionally, like other mainstream coolers, the Frost Frost Commander faces challenges in uninstalling when trying to break the thermal paste seal between the cooler and CPU, as it doesn't easily slide or twist off. This can be an issue if the thermal paste forms a strong bond.

Freezer 36

the Arctic Freezer 36 features a novel way to secure the fan to the cooler. It uses buttons that are pre-installed and attached to the fan to snap into the cooler. This makes the process much easier relative to the main steam method that uses wires that can sometimes bend the heatsink fans. The rest of the installation process follows the industry standard with mounting brackets that secure the cooler to the motherboard. Given it's size, it's much easier to handle than some of the larger dual tower coolers.

Cooling Performance:

Frost Commander 140

The Frost Commander delivers impressive performance for its size, rivaling premium cooler offerings. Capable of cooling some of the more powerful CPUs without being overly bulky, this cooler can also manage overclocking for specific CPUs. As a result, the Frost Commander is a strong contender for a wide variety of computer setups.

Freezer 36

This cooler is better than many others and runs almost at full speed when cooling high-power CPUs with a lot of use. It works well for medium-level CPUs that produce a moderate amount of heat. However, it might not cool down CPUs very well if they generate a lot of heat.

Noise Performance:

Frost Commander 140

Featuring two differently sized fans, this cooler generates above-average noise levels relative to the cooling it provides, unlike quieter options such as the NH-D15 or the Peerless Assassin 120. If you're seeking a quieter setup, you might want to explore alternative options that better suit your needs.

Freezer 36

This cooler is relatively quiet, making it perfect for setups where silence is important. Its efficiency in cooling relative to its noise level is matched by very few other coolers.

Summary:

Frost Commander 140

The Frost Commander is a sleek, dual-tower CPU cooler with an asymmetrical design, featuring 5 heat pipes for efficient heat dissipation and a unique hidden heat pipe end design. It offers impressive performance, capable of cooling powerful CPUs and handling overclocking, making it a strong contender for various computer setups. However, with two differently sized fans, it generates above-average noise levels compared to quieter alternatives, so those seeking a quieter setup may want to consider other options.

Freezer 36

The Arctic Freezer 36 features a novel fan attachment method with pre-installed buttons for easy setup, avoiding the complications of traditional wire methods. Its compact size and standard mounting brackets simplify installation, making it less cumbersome than larger coolers. With an all-black design, single heatsink, and two Arctic P12 fans, it offers a sleek look ideal for all-black setups. This cooler performs well, efficiently cooling high-power CPUs under heavy use, best suited for medium-level CPUs. Despite its effectiveness, it may not handle extremely hot CPUs as well. Its quiet operation is a significant advantage, making it perfect for noise-sensitive environments, standing out for its exceptional cooling-to-noise ratio.