We really like overbuilt items although eventually sometimes, in today’s market they become niche products.
One such example is Cryorig’s C7, an excellent option to replace Intel’s stock cooler with increased performance and lower noise output. Not to forget longevity as well.
The C7 is an ultra compact cooling product at only 47 mm tall and with a lot other selling points which we will explore today.
First about Cryorig:
CRYORIG was officially founded in 2013, but took several years in the making. They began their journey right at the start of the first decade of the 2000’s. During what was the most prosperous age of PC DIY and Overclocking.
Members of their team have either worked directly or indirectly with brands such as Thermalright, Prolimatech, Phanteks and many more. Thus they are overclockers and PC modding enthusiasts, with a passion and drive to strive for improvement. With direct knowledge of manufacturing and design as well as holding multiple patents under their collective belt, they decided to make a name for ourselves, and that name is CRYORIG.
So what is CRYORIG exactly?
CRYORIG is about making the coolest rig possible.
Price when reviewed: $ 29.99 – via Amazon.com
CRYORIG C7 – 47mm tall, SFF Mini ITX CPU Heatsink
Presentation and specification
One of the best product presentation ever both in detail and design. Great job Cryorig !
Specification
SOCKET SUPPORT
– Intel: LGA1151, LGA1150, LGA1155, LGA1156
– AMD: AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, FM1, FM2, FM2+
HEATSINK
– Aluminum (Fins)
– C1100 Pure copper nickel plated (Heatpipes & Base)
– Dimensions: 97 x 97 x 47 mm
– Heatpipes: Ø6 mm – 4pcs
– Fin: T = 0.4 mm ; Gap = 1.2 mm
– Fin Pcs: 57 pcs
– Weight: 357 g (with fan)
– Weight: 295 g (without fan)
FAN
– Model: CR-9215
– Dimensions: 92 mm x 92 mm x 15 mm
– Fan Speed: 600 – 2500 RPM ±10 % (PWM)
– Fan Airflow: 40.5 CFM (max)
– Air Pressure: 2.8 mmH2O
– Ampere: 0.2 A
– Fan Noise: 30 dBA
– Weight: 62 g
FEATURES
– 25% Cooler than stock Intel HSF
– Quick mount system for fast installation
– Small and compact
– Zero interference design
– TDP: 100 W
– Quad Air Inlet™ System
– Built In Absorbers
WARRANTY
– Three years / Six years with registration
Packaging and content
At first glance you can’t say for sure what it is if you don’t see the front side where the fan is presented because at just 11.4 cm in length, 8.9 cm in width, and 12 cm in height; it’s so tiny.
From the side we see a big inscription with the model. Thank God it doesn’t say C4. 🙂
On the back we have the specs. Mind you it doesn’t support LGA 1366 or 2011, but that should be self explanatory considering its overall purpose.
And on the other side, some more highlights such as ease of installation and materials used.
Let’s open this petite homme.
It reminds you to register the product because you will double your warranty. Very nice.
Good to see that they stand behind their products.
Slowly …
Everything is firmly secure in this second box.
Inside, underneath the cooler itself we have more accessories.
Speaking of, these are:
– 4x Backplate single sided hex nuts
– 2x Multi-language user manual
– 1x Extended warranty card
– 1x Backplate
– 1x 92 mm x 92 mm x 15 mm fan
– 1x Heatsink
– 1x Tube of thermal compound
– 1x Hex screwdriver
Visual examination
It comes with the fan and the studs pre-attached. It is configured for the 115x sockets from factory. Of course as you can see the studs and brackets can be switched for other sockets.
We counted 57 aluminum fins and 4 heatpipes.
That’s a lot of cooling power in this little jem.
From this angle we also see the fan’s acoustic dampening rubber, one on each corner.
The contact plate is smooth to the touch, and while not a mirror finish, the nickel plating does look good.
And let’s compare it to an Intel stock for a visual reference.
Installation
They didn’t exaggerate that this is very easy to install.
Just apply the paste.
Flip the backplate to an Intel or and AMD socket orientation.
Drop the C7 in.
Then put the backplate in and secure it via the 4 hex nuts and the included screwdriver.
Done.
So yes, the easiest aftermarket CPU cooler to install to date.
Let’s admire our work.
We chose this motherboard because of its socket orientation, which is so close to the GPU PCI-E slot to see if any clearance issues.
As you can see none whatsoever.
DIMM slots proximity also checks out. Flawless.
Basically it respects Intel and AMD’s “no fly zone” areas to the letter.
It will fit 99.99 % of all possible scenarios and product combinations.
Testing methodology
The processor’s Turbo, EIST, and C1E functions are enabled, which will allow the CPU to clock down to a low 1.6 GHz while idle, or clock up to proper speeds under stock settings.
We used Prime95 as the ‘torture test’ with the option “In place large FFT” so it will use 100 % of the CPU power including the hyper threading feature.
Let it ran for 20 minutes and the let the CPU 10 minutes to cool, after which we measured the idle temperature.
Room temperatures is at 22° C with a +/- 1-2 °C margin for error.
To control the fans we used the auto feature of MSI’s own control center program.
To read the temperatures we used the AIDA 64 and Core Temp.
For the noise we used our Pyle PSPL01 placed 30 cm away from the setup.
Our video card stops its fans in idle so no interference in our noise tests.
Thermal paste used was the one supplied from C7.
We compared the results with some tower coolers and low profile ones.
Tested only at stock CPU settings, no overclocking because we are limited by the B75 chipset.
Any results over 85° C in any condition are considered a fail.
Let’s proceed.
Hardware used:
– CPU: Intel i7 2700k TDP 95 W
– Motherboard: MSI mITX B75IA-E33
– Memory Modules: 16 GB (2x 8 GB) DDR3L Crucial Ballistix Tactical VLP 1600 Mhz CL8
– PSU: Corsair CX600W
– Storage: Samsung 840 Pro 128 GB
– Video card: eVGA GTX 970 SSC ACX 2.0
– Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 mATX
The other coolers:
Tower:
– Reeven Ouranos @ Stock 140 mm
– Scythe Kotetsu @ Stock 120 mm
– Thermalight 120 Extreme @ 120 mm eLOOP Noiseblocekr B12-P
Low profile:
– Reeven Steropes @ Stock 120 mm fan
– Thermalrigh AXP-100R @ Stock 100 mm fan
– Intel stock
Software:
– Windows 7 Ultimate X64 SP1
– Prime 95 v27.9
– MSI Control Center v2.5.06
– AIDA 64 Extreme Ed. V1.70
– Core Temp v1.0 R6
Results
Analysis
Temperature wise, in out tests it confirms that it can handle an i7 in a high stress task way better than the Intel stock heatsink.
Noise output is under control as well, from our readings it was at ~ 65 % in full load and we didn’t hear much especially when it is in a good quality case.
Conclusion
We really like this tiny guy thus we can firmly say it’s on of the best alternatives for an Intel stock cooler.
The good:
+ Overbuilt build quality and attention to details
+ Superb presentation and design
+ Very good cooling performance considering its tiny size
+ One of the most compact CPU coolers, thus it will fit anywhere and no clearance whatsoever of any type.
+ One of the easiest to install
+ Very quiet
+ Excellent price and contents
+ Extended warranty via online registration up to 6 years
The bad:
– Like we started today’s review, it’s a niche product
– We would like to see support for the big socket’s as well, but that would defeat it’s purpose and this can’t be a fault per say.
– Can’t handle overclock because of too much TDP but again as stated as above.
Overall it is the coolest small form factor cpu cooler to date and thus it gets our:
Glob3trotters “Uber Cool” Award – 4.5 out of 5
