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ARCTIC Freezer 36 vs SilverStone PF360: Comparison
What is the difference between ARCTIC Freezer 36 and SilverStone PF360?
Start with height, because it is the widest measured gap between them: ARCTIC Freezer 36 159 mm against SilverStone PF360 28 mm, 468% in favour of SilverStone PF360. SilverStone PF360 also leads on fan count, 2 on the ARCTIC Freezer 36 versus 3 on the SilverStone PF360. SilverStone PF360 also leads on max speed, 1800 RPM on the ARCTIC Freezer 36 versus 2200 RPM on the SilverStone PF360. Rgb lighting is not the same on both, No on the ARCTIC Freezer 36 versus Yes on the SilverStone PF360. There is a split on lighting as well, None on the ARCTIC Freezer 36 versus ARGB on the SilverStone PF360.
Who each one is for
Buy the ARCTIC Freezer 36 for budget-conscious buyers upgrading directly from a stock cooler and mainstream non-overclocked builds needing roughly 200W of headroom, though it is the wrong buy for buyers wanting RGB lighting, since ARCTIC keeps this unlit. Avoid it for overclocked or high-TDP builds, where direct-touch heatpipe designs generally lag brazed-base competitors. The SilverStone PF360 suits builds wanting a distinctive flat-radiator aesthetic and 360mm-radiator cases with good exhaust, though it is not the pick for noise-sensitive builds and buyers wanting the lowest dBA at a given TDP. Our rating of the ARCTIC Freezer 36 (7.2/10): A perfectly serviceable entry-level upgrade over a stock cooler, without pretending to be more than that. Our rating of the SilverStone PF360 (7.1/10): A visually distinctive 360mm AIO that trades some acoustic efficiency for its shrouded look.
Frequently asked questions
Do the ARCTIC Freezer 36 and SilverStone PF360 differ on cooler type?
Yes. Cooler Type reads Air Tower on the ARCTIC Freezer 36 versus AIO Liquid on the SilverStone PF360.
Is the Fan Size the same on the ARCTIC Freezer 36 and SilverStone PF360?
It is. Both are listed at 120 mm, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- ARCTIC Freezer 36
- ARCTIC
- SilverStone PF360
- SilverStone
Cooler Type
- ARCTIC Freezer 36
- Air Tower
- SilverStone PF360
- AIO Liquid
Series
- ARCTIC Freezer 36
- ARCTIC Freezer 36
- SilverStone PF360
- SilverStone PermaFrost PF360
Model Number
- ARCTIC Freezer 36
- ACFRE00121A
- SilverStone PF360
- SST-PF360-ARGB
Height
- ARCTIC Freezer 36
- 159 mm-468%
- SilverStone PF360
- 28 mmBest
Socket Compatibility
- ARCTIC Freezer 36
- AMD AM4/AM5, Intel LGA1851/1700
- SilverStone PF360
- AMD AM5/AM4, Intel LGA1851/1700/1200/115X/2066/2011
Fan Count
- ARCTIC Freezer 36
- 2-33%
- SilverStone PF360
- 3Best
RGB Lighting
- ARCTIC Freezer 36
- No
- SilverStone PF360
- Yes
Fan Size
- ARCTIC Freezer 36
- 120 mm
- SilverStone PF360
- 120 mm
Max Speed
- ARCTIC Freezer 36
- 1800 RPM-18%
- SilverStone PF360
- 2200 RPMBest
Lighting
- ARCTIC Freezer 36
- None
- SilverStone PF360
- ARGB
Which one should you pick?
Choose ARCTIC Freezer 36 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose SilverStone PF360 if you want the lower height (28 mm vs 159 mm), the higher fan count (3 vs 2) and the higher max speed (2200 RPM vs 1800 RPM).
Price comparison
| Retailer | ARCTIC Freezer 36 | SilverStone PF360 |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
ARCTIC Freezer 36
7.2 / 10 Expert Rating
A perfectly serviceable entry-level upgrade over a stock cooler, without pretending to be more than that.
SilverStone PF360
7.1 / 10 Expert Rating
A visually distinctive 360mm AIO that trades some acoustic efficiency for its shrouded look.