Final Words & Conclusion
Conclusion
The reviewed Arctic Freezer A35/I35 cooler performed ok and handled both tested processors but couldn't cope with the overclocked Core i9 12900K at 5.1 GHz using the 1.3V (not saying anything with more "juice"). The noise at the maximum rpm (1700) is definitely hearable. Still - you can set your fan curve to make it more reasonable, especially on the AMD platform. There is no possibility of attaching a second fan to the other side of the radiator, so you won't be able to enhance the performance. The price is relatively high/not too attractive, and there are still some worthy competitors, especially from less-known Chinese brands. As the dimensions are relatively small (as it's a single-tower solution), there shouldn't be any issues with the RAM compatibility.
Aesthetics, Design & Installation
Starting with the aesthetics, the Arctic Freezer A35/I35 looks nice and sleek. There's the RGB available in the reviewed samples (but there are variants without it). The wiring for the fan itself is only one 4-pin, so not a challenge to manage it, and there's the ARGB cable as well (still – it's not problematic to arrange). Installation is not time-consuming and relatively easy, so most (or all?) users should work without problems. As for the AMD, the system was easy, and you didn't need to switch the backplate. You can't mount a second fan to the heatsink, as the clips are not provided (and the construction doesn't make it an option).
The Verdict
If you are looking for a decent-performing, sleek air cooler with RGB functionality, you might consider the Arctic Freezer A35/I35 A-RGB – but it's not the best option. The A35/i35 A-RGB's design with a plastic top cover looks attractive and has good RAM compatibility. The performance is usually enough (especially for the AMD system and when you don't plan to overclock), and the noise levels are more than good in most case scenarios. It costs ~50 EUR. The size of the cooler is reasonable, and it weighs not even 0.7 kg in total, so that shouldn't have any adverse effect on the motherboard (even without a backplate, it probably wouldn't have). Still - it was a rather strange/unnecessary move from the german manufacturer to distinguish the variants for AMD and Intel. If you want to swap the "sides" for some time, you must change the cooler. It's also not possible to attach the second fan. The Arctic Freezer A35/i35 is an ok product, but the performance doesn't stand out. The price is relatively high (~50 EUR), and the fact that AMD and Intel will need to have a different variant to cool – that wasn't the best idea.
EDITOR'S NOTE -> According to Arctic, making an i35 from A35 or the other way around is possible by contacting them and asking for the second mounting accessories. That's an example of great support (from which the Arctic is well-known), although it could have been mentioned on their website.
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