The SilverStone Argon AR07 Cooler Review: Tower Cooling on a Budget
by E. Fylladitakis on June 9, 2017 9:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
- SilverStone
- Cooler
It is a fact that stock cooling solutions rarely satisfy an advanced PC user, even if the system is not intended for heavy gaming, workload, or overclocked. While stock coolers are adequate for their intended purpose, most of the time are simply too loud or the user is uncomfortable with the operating temperature of the system.
Fancy as huge air coolers and liquid cooling solutions as they may be, it is an undisputable truth that the bulk of the market consists of users that are driven by a limited budget, thus seeking cost-effective, practical solutions.
In today's review we are taking a look at the SilverStone Argon AR07 cooler. It is a large tower cooler that is making use of a 140 mm cooling fan, much like the advanced tower coolers that we recently reviewed. Although this particular cooler also requires the user to have a rather wide case, SilverStone’s approach is a little simpler and considerably cheaper, with the Argon AR07 retailing for $35 including shipping. In the following pages we will examine its build quality, practicality, and overall performance in comparison to both more advanced/expensive offering and one of its primary rivals in the market, the Cooler Master EVO 212.
Packaging & Bundle
SilverStone supplies the Argon AR07 cooler inside a relatively simple but very sturdy blue cardboard box. The artwork is based on images and watermarks of the cooler itself, with plenty of information about the cooler printed on all sides of the box.
As expected from a product that is trying to compete in terms of value, the bundle is frugal, limited to the one-fits-all backplate, mounting hardware, two sets of fan affixing wires, a single dose of thermal compound, and a leaflet with very basic installation instructions.
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Rocket321 - Tuesday, June 13, 2017 - link
@tonyou - thanks!Drumsticks - Friday, June 9, 2017 - link
Great performance from Silverstone! Size permitting, it looks like this should displace the Hyper 212 as many default recommendations. Thanks for the review, as well.alin - Friday, June 9, 2017 - link
I would review the Arctic Freezer 13.Outstanding cheap cooler. I personaly use it to passive cool a i7 4790. Great. No throttling at all. Checked using intel own XTU.
marc1000 - Sunday, June 11, 2017 - link
nice review and cooler. though I enjoy scythe products a lot, and for smaller case I can only think of Ninja Mini, being only 112mm tall it's the shortest tower cooler I have found.I got one used from ebay some 5 years ago and it's still rocking fine a OC i5 2500k to 4.0ghz. not the fastest overclock, neither the coolest temps ever, but on a small case where no other towers would fit, it is cool and silent enough. way better than any compact or standard cooler.
based on other comments however, I got really interested in Arctive Freezer 13, with only 130mm size and what looks like a way better design. thanks Alin!
alchemist83 - Sunday, June 18, 2017 - link
lol for real? is ugly, has clips and gets nosiy at temp.Samus - Friday, June 9, 2017 - link
Wow $35? This effectively knocks the EVO212 from the top of the budget list, then.DominionSeraph - Thursday, June 15, 2017 - link
EVO and the new and improved 212X can be found for $20-25. (X is $20 right now) Their greatness is that it provides all the performance the majority of people need (silent operation at stock or a mild overclock) for the least amount of money. There are several coolers that beat the 212's at the $35 level, but they never fall under $35 and it's not such a big difference that there's any reason for most people to pony up the extra cash.Stock fans are loud. The 212 isn't, which is so worth the $20. Above that is only for pushing overclocks.
Oxford Guy - Sunday, July 2, 2017 - link
If someone can build a computer they can afford $10-15 more for a better cooler.yannigr2 - Saturday, June 10, 2017 - link
I wouldn't call it "budget" or "inexpensive" solution. The last few years, because of AIO watercooling solutions and their relatively high prices, manufacturers found an excuse to increase prices on their air cooling solutions. This cooler wouldn't cost more than 20-25$ a few years back. Coolers that you could buy for $15 a few years ago, now cost over $20.alchemist83 - Sunday, June 18, 2017 - link
$20? doubt it a bit. Infact I know thats ballz as its been my job to know prices for 15 years now.