Zero-Infinity Free-Flow+ Review
Conclusion
Published: 11th June 2012 | Source: Zero Infinity | Price: £59.99 |
Conclusion
Well all the right ingredients are there, two large fin stacks, each with 47 Aluminium fins, ducts and dimples to aid in heat transfer, 3x 1200rpm 140mm fans, additional heat sink on the contact plate, 5x8mm direct contact heat pipes, and with Purple bladed fans the Free Flow+ also has what could be called "Individual" styling. So how have Zero Infinity put these top class ingredients together
Quality wise things aren't great, not actually bad, although the "bent" towers were a bit of a concern, it's more that I wasn't left with the feeling that I had a quality product in my hands, more like I was holding something with every item sourced from the lowest OEM bidder.
Sadly my feeling for the cooler were not improved by the build process. I'm not going to rant here, if you want to get the full flavour go back and have a look at section 5 of the review. I'll summarise by saying this was the worst cooler install i've yet done (and that inclused the beQuiets).
So with all the above said I rather had my hopes pinned on the Free Flow+ putting in a truly stellar performance. I think I would be willing to forgive the above points if it had it where it mattered. Sadly however, it didn't. Not by a long chalk. The list of smaller, and at a smidgen under £60, cheaper coolers that better it at both 4.0GHz and 4.2GHz is long and distinguished. In use it's also on the noisy side (suspiciously dB(A) figures for the fans are hard to come by), but if I were to say it was clearly audible over the noise of my open Antec Skeleton system sitting closer to me than it was then you'll get the idea. Throw in that the size of the cooler may cause clearance issues with RAM and case sides as well as the rear fan and things are far from Rosy.
I never like to give a bad review, but on this occasion I really am struggling to find much to say about the Free Flow+ that would encourage you to select it for your system. Perhaps if you're looking for something that little bit different, with the colour Purple certainly being one that you don't come across very often then it may hold something of an appeal, but really I'm finding it hard to think of anything else. There are great coolers out there, at great prices. This isn't one of them.
You can discuss you thoughts on this review in the OC3D forums.
Most Recent Comments
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Originally Posted by SEBAR
This was a great read, I love the way you do your reviews. Hey Tom, did you read the directions before trying to install this thing? Just kidding, you probably should have thrown this out the window. This thing is all show and no go. |
Seriously, they need to start selling those fans on their own. Shame about the cooler itself, but oh my those fans! Do want!!!
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Originally Posted by Josh Weston
If by Tom, you mean Gary? |
Anyway, on the 2nd graph (overvolted CPU), shouldn't the delta T for the Free-Flow+ be 64.75 if the CPU temp was 83.75 and ambiant was 19?
Just our way of checking who reads the full review and who just skips to the end
I mean come on, there really is no excuse. Smaller coolers have the limitation of size and usually aesthetics. These twin tower coolers have no such restrictions. I see their only purpose is to perform to a high level!! (though I personally love twin tower designs
) which is why I am always excited by the thought of a new twin tower offering. But again we, the twin tower brigade have been let down so I and many others will be sticking with the trusted if a little long in the tooth Noctua Have the NH-D14 and the Silver Arrow really hit the limit of what an air cooler is capable of doing?
I would love a better looking alternative to the NH-D14, and will be one of the first to buy such a product if it ever materialises.
I really like the look of the Havik, though when I think about it maybe its the blade design on
the fans that I cant see past, I think those fans look bloody awesome
I may order some of them to see what they are like, Oh no, wait, I cant, I'M POOR!!!!
Another sign that this sample was a dud, is how the screws supporting the base seem uneven in the photo(s).
I am not a fan of the 'direct contact' heatsink design because the spacers between the heat pipes will never be as efficient as a thick and solid copper base. Still, it would be nice to see this one redone with a proper sample.
At least this isn't as bad as TTL's Zalman 9900(MAX?) review. That fan was wobbling soo bad, I'm surprised the rig didn't shimmy off the table ! lolz..And yes, its STILL giving me nightmares, Tom.
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If Jimi Hendrix were to buy a CPU cooler he'd probably be drawn to this psychedelic offering from Zero Infinity. Will it be a Foxy Lady or disappear in a Purple Haze
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