The CRYORIG C7 is, oh, who am I kidding, a cute itsy bitsy cooler that will fit into just about any system imaginable. Okay, back to being an adult. Looking at its small size, it manages to perform reasonably well considering there is no active cooling on the test bench to help it in any way. It manages to offer perfect memory, expansion slot, and power plugs clearance. If you need to squeeze a cooler into a tight spot without it blocking access to anything on the motherboard, the C7 is a strong option. Its main competitor in my test results is the Noctua NH-L9x65, which does beat it by about 4% but is also nearly twice as expensive. CRYORIG has a cost-effective solution here for SFFs and HTPCs. Like many other CRYORIG coolers, the C7 is relatively quiet; it is not silent with the fan at max speed, but all you will hear even then is a low hum. Installing this CRYORIG cooler is also extremely simple, just as easy as Intel's stock cooler if not more so. Good build quality backed by a strong three warranty you can lengthen to six years by registering the C7, it is a strong contender for those in the market for small form factor coolers.

A few issues do stand out. Just like the Noctua NH-L9x65, the C7 fails the overclocked FPU test. Granted, readers should not expect this cooler to offer good overclocking performance with the CPU under extreme duress. The C7 is limited to Intel's mainstream sockets, but thanks to AMD's uniform mounting system, all AMD sockets are supported. However, that does mean this cooler won't work with LGA1366 or LGA2011 CPUs. We also need to face facts—this cooler is for a very specific niche segment of the market; it has limited applicable appeal. The packaging, while solid, could offer better protection. Judging by the cooler's performance, the C7 is best-suited to CPUs with a TDP under 95 W. While there are a few issues overall, they are not all that serious, which is always nice to see.

My only other thoughts come down to the niche segment this cooler will be applicable to. If you need better cooling, CRYORIG has many far better options available. However, the C7 is a great option if you need a cooler that is gonna fit where nothing else can without having to shell out more for the more expensive competitors. It is good to see companies willing to offer options to these smaller market segments. So in summation, while the CRYORIG C7 may have placed last in overall performance, taking a closer look at what it offers for the price reveals what could be a great cooler in the right situation.

With perfect memory clearance, low noise levels, and an attractive price, the CRYORIG C7 is a great cooler for ultra-small form factor systems.