Sunbeamtech Core-Contact Freezer

Conclusions and Value

The Core-Contact Freezer has certainly proved that a direct contact heatsink can compete with the big boys in terms of performance, displaying excellent cooling ability with the fan at full speed and recording an impressive delta T value of just 22°C.

However, thermal performance still struggles once the fan speed is reduced from hurricane down to light breeze, something that very high-end coolers don’t suffer from to quite the same extent, meaning that the Core-Contact is still some way off from seizing the ultra high performance crown.

However, what’s different here is the price. The Core-Contact Freezer is due to sell in the UK at an extremely wallet friendly £25. That’s £10 less than any of the coolers around it on our results table and represents simply stunning cooling performance for the money.

When you consider that it matches the Thermalright 120 Extreme for Delta T values, costs £10 less, AND includes both a 120mm fan and fanbus, you realise just what an attractive proposition this cooler really is. Well, providing you can withstand the extra noise that is.


However, there are some set backs. First and foremost is the mounting system, which is more than a little flawed. Fitting the heatsink onto an LGA 775 motherboard is troublesome, and for AM2 motherboards nigh on impossible to mount safely.

This is a very serious let down considering the advertised support for all AMD socket motherboards, and especially as the clever LGA 775 adapter bracket held such promise for simplifying the mounting procedure. Essentially the Core-Contact could be better built, but given the price it comes down to getting what you pay for.

Final Thoughts

Nevertheless, for those LGA 775 users looking for excellent cooling at an attractive price point, with the included ability to choose the compromise point between high noise levels and cooling ability, the Core Contact Freezer is a decent choice.

We imagine that by replacing the included 120mm fan for a high performance one, you'll see brilliant thermal results for your money, but most of us will want to turn the fan down to be as quiet as possible, which means very average results.

It's not just clumsy to fit - for AM2 it simply doesn't work for us, but at these performance levels you just won’t find a cooler to match it on price. Just steer well clear if you use an AMD socket motherboard.

• Features
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• -
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• 8/10

• Performance
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• -
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• 8/10

• Build Quality
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• -
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• 5/10

• Ease of Use
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• -
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• 4/10

• Value
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• -
• 9/10

• Overall
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• -
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• 7/10

What do these scores mean?