Electrons can easily be pushed in current, creating electricity. In the last paragraph we explained that the speed at which electrons can travel is what determines the temperature. If it were possible to vary the speed at which electrons move through an object, we could create a temperature gradient, a difference in temperature. The speed with which electrons can travel is determined by the conductivity of the substance that it’s going though. TEC units generally use two different kinds of semiconductors - one that lets electrons through easily and one that doesn’t let them through very easily. Manufacturers stay away from metals because they conduct heat very well, thus negating the entire point of the TEC. Once these two semiconductors are put together, it’s simply a matter of pushing the electrons through on a current. Any power source can accomplish this. In the Freezone’s case it’s powered straight from the PSU.

The CoolIT Freezone has 6 of these devices. Generally speaking, when TECs are used for computers, they’re super-high wattage (400+), and applied directly to a CPU. A full-blown water cooling setup is required to cool the hot side of the Peltier plate. It’s big, it’s cumbersome, and it’s expensive, but it can also achieve temps in the -50+C range. (Note: All temperatures mentioned in this article are measured in degrees celsius unless otherwise specified.) The Freezone, however, consumes only a total of 50W at full power. The only point of the TECs is to pull heat away from the coolant as it cycles through and to the 92mm heat sink/fan combo that resides at the heart of the kit. Using a TEC system, the CoolIt can potentially achieve cooling beyond those of oversize, ugly water cooling kits that cost about the same. The ace that the TECs give is that TECs can give the coolant sub-ambient temperatures. The coldest any other water cooling kit and ever get is exactly at ambient. While we’re not talking -50 ranges, it’s still an impressive feat. Of course, this is only how the device is advertised. Does it stand up to the test? Let’s find out!


The Freezone from CoolIT comes in a relatively small box. Inside is the unit itself, all the required mounting equipment, and a manual. The manual is masterfully written and dumbs down the process for even idiots like us to comprehend. The device measures under a foot long and only a few inches deep.