Cooler Master Aquagate Max Liquid Cooling System Reviewed

The Cooler Master Aquagate Max (US$229) is a complete liquid cooling system package (AMD K8 or Intel LGA775) that includes the following:

• Main water block (water pump, expansion tank, 2x fan controllers, 5x thermal sensors, USB cable connector)
• Radiator block (aluminum radiator, 2x 120mm PWM controlled fans w/ green LEDs)
• CPU water block (K8 / LGA 775 retention brackets, solid copper base)
• ethyl glycol coolant
• UV reactive coolant tubing
• thermal compound

"It turned out pretty hard to draw any definite conclusions today. On the one hand, let's try to answer the following question: what will potential Aquagate Max users get? A liquid-cooling system as efficient as a good air-cooler, compatible with limited number of system cases, equipped with uncontrollable fans generating tangible noise and featuring a price tag of $229. Doesn't seem to be very promising, does it?" [X-bit Labs | Aquagate Max]

The reviewer did point out that the Aquagate Max would probably realise its cooling potential when the CPU water block is replaced with a more efficient model. It's probably a good idea to look at other liquid cooling packages. Personally, I would like a liquid cooling kit that beats any air cooler out of the box.

Technorati : aquagate, cooler, cooling, liquid, master, max

Five APACK ZEROtherm CPU Coolers Tested

X-bit Labs rounds up 5 CPU Coolers from APACK ZEROtherm: BTF80, BTF90, BTF92 Overclocker Edition, BTF95 Fanless, and Nirvana NV120 Premium. These CPU coolers are priced at the US$30 to $60 ranges.

"Our today's tests showed that there is at least one more very serious brand name in the cooling solutions market these days - APACK ZEROtherm. ... But I would like to specifically point out a remarkable performance of ZEROtherm Nirvana NV120 Premium - cooler with only four 6-mm heatpipes that managed to demonstrate the same cooling efficiency as Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme that has remained undefeated for quite some time now with very few exceptions." [X-bit Labs]

As a result of the tests, X-bit Labs gave te Nirvana NV120 Premium its Editor's Choice award as the best processor air cooler with heatpipe technology. The next time you build a new PC system, it would be great to look if ZEROtherm products are available in your favorite shops.

Technorati : apack, cooler, cpu, fan, heatsink, review, zerotherm