Water-cooling for Everyone: Cooler Master Aquagate and Asetek WaterChill

Provided By: Asetek and CoolerMaster
Retail: Aquagate - $199, WaterChill – see end of review
Review Date: June 15th, 2004
Written By: Daniel W.

There is really only one way to get a faster processor, that is with money. You can spend a huge amount of money to buy a new processor, or invest in a good cooling system and overclock your current processor. You can spend less than $100 and get the biggest badass HSF (heatsink fan) out there, or you can spend a little more and invest in a good water-cooling system. I say invest because most high performing heatsinks only fit one type of processor making them useless for future CPU upgrades. Most water-cooling systems can accommodate different types of processors by using different waterblocks or they are equipped with waterblocks capable of handling different processors.

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To help give you a better understanding of water-cooling and the options that are currently available, this review will be looking at two vastly different approaches to water-cooling: Cooler Master's new Aquagate Liquid Cooling Unit and the Asetek WaterChill (KT03A-L30) CPU Cooling Kit. One thing that makes these two cooling systems different, is that the Aquagate is a new product on the market while the WaterChill has been available for a while now and has already established itself in the field of water-cooling. As the review progresses, all of the differences will be explained including why the Aquagate is a Unit while the WaterChill is a Kit.

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Packaging:

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The Aquagate comes packaged in a glossy purple metallic colored retail box. The front of the box has the name of the product printed across the top along with Cooler Master's company logo. Also on the front is a brief introduction of the Aquagate and an icon list of features. The left side of the box has the specifications table while the right side has a features list. The back of the box highlights the products key features and components.

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Inside, the Aquagate and all its accessories are stored in two white boxes. The key components such as the waterblock and Aquagate unit among others are enclosed in plastic bags.

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The WaterChill kit is packaged and shipped in a cardboard style long plastic box. The product's name is printed with big letters across the front with a list of features printed down the right side.

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Inside, all of the WaterChill's components are sandwiched between thick sheets of foam. Smaller components such as the waterblock, screws and adapters are enclosed in plastic bags.

For Aquagate

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Contents:

• Aquagate Liquid Cooling Unit
• PCI Card
• Two 6.5mm*10mm PU water pipes
• Two pipe clips
• Two non-leaking pipe plugs
• 110 Volt AC cable
• 220 Volt AC cable converter
• Waterblock
• Four retention mounting screws for socket 478 and 754/940
• Socket 478 waterblock mounting retention set
• Socket 754/940 water block mounting retention set
• Socket 462 (A) clip
• LCD mounting bracket with screw and substitute block
• Thermal conductivity grease
• Cables (one of each): D-bus, thermal sensor, shutdown, LCD extension, 4-pin power
• 500mL bottle of Thermal Conductivity Fluid
• Nine mounting screws
• Four support pads (rubber feet)
• Secondary PSU mounting bracket
• Installation guide

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Features:

• All-in-one liquid cooling system, installation is a breeze! Multiple Installation Options - Aquagate can be installed into the standard computer case (using two 5¼? drive bays), a spare PSU bay in the computer case, or used as an external device
• Adjustable Fan Speed fulfills both low noise and high performance characteristics.
• Functionality - The LCD on the Aquagate front panel performs real-time system monitoring
• Optimum System Safety – Customizable water temperature, CPU temperature warning and low water level display
• Durability - High quality AC pump ensures reliability and longevity
• Compatible with AMD K7, K8, Intel P4 and various other specifications

Specifications:

• Dimension: 220mm (L) x 148mm (W) x 88mm (H)
• Case Material: Aluminum
• Fan Dimension: 80x80x25 mm
• Fan Speed: 2000 / 3100 / 4600 rpm
• Fan Bearing Type: Rifle bearing
• Fan Voltage Rating: 12V
• Noise Level: 23 / 34 / 49 dB
• Power supply: AC power (indoor: 110V and 220V) and DC power (DC 12V)
• Pump: 110V, AC 9W
• Power consumption: DC 12V, 2.2 W
• Water Block Material: Copper and Acrylic
• Weight: 2kg (Main Unit) / 5Kg (Total)
• Thermal Resistance: Rca 0.31 / 0.25 / 0.23 C/W (tested with p4 3.06G)
• Application: AMD K7 (socket 462), K8 (socket 754/940) and Intel P4 (socket 478)

For WaterChill (KT03A-L30)

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Contents/Specifications:

• Antarctica CPU waterblock: supports - Intel P4 S478, AMD Socket A, AMD S754/S940 (AMD 64)
• Antarctica Socket A waterblock top
• Black Ice Pro Radiator with push on fittings
• 120mm Low Noise Sunon Fan with push on fittings
• 1200 l/hr Hydor Pump with push on fittings
• WaterChill Control Unit with SafeStartTM, NoiseControlTM and LED connection
• WaterChill Plexiglas Reservoir
• WaterChill Tube Set (2.5 mtr.)
• ALL fittings and mounting accessories
• Anti Algae Fluid - 25 ml bottle
• Heat Conduction Compound - 2 ml tube
• Installation Manual

Features:

• Maximum cooling capacity
• Assembly ease
• Unmatched price competitiveness
• Reliability & operational security
• Broadest possible hardware support
• Component superiority & build quality
• Unique safety & noise control features
• Complete application flexibility
• Sharp design & strong visual impact

Next (Aquagate Description)