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However, you should check the coolant level in the reservoir from time to time. As the H20-120's guide mentions, evaporation in a closed circuit is extremely limited, but is still present due to the permeability in the vinyl lines (tubes). In addition, it is important to check the coolant level because if a leak develops anywhere in the circuit, the level would have a noticeable drop. In addition to observing the coolant level, you should also periodically dust off the radiator to maintain maximum cooling efficiency.</p> <p><strong>Expandability:</strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/watercooling3/Bigwater/B19.jpg"><img src="atruereview/watercooling3/Bigwater/B19th.jpg" width="250" height="202" border="0" alt="Water-cooling for Everyone 3: Thermaltake Bigwater"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p> One great aspect about water-cooling kits is the ability to expand them. One of the most common ways to expand a water-cooling kit is to expand their "usefulness" by adding a VGA waterblock so that the kit also cools the GPU. Both Swiftech and Thermaltake offer VGA waterblocks for their respective kits. In addition, Swiftech also offers a chipset waterblock so the Northbridge can be water-cooled.</p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/watercooling3/H20-120/H10.jpg"><img src="atruereview/watercooling3/H20-120/H10th.jpg" width="250" height="156" border="0" alt="Water-cooling for Everyone 3: Thermaltake Bigwater"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font></p> <p>Another way to expand a water-cooling kit is to expand its cooling efficiency by adding a secondary radiator. Both companies offer their respective radiators as individual upgrade components.</p> <p>In addition to the usual upgrade components (VGA block, radiator, ...) Thermaltake also offers some other unique and informational upgrade components, such as a digital water temperature indicator, water level indicator, and water flow indicator.</p> <p>While Thermaltake offers unique upgrades, Swiftech offers practical upgrades such as the already mentioned and highly recommended Radbox. Because it uses the very common 1/2" OD and 3/8" ID tubing, the H20-120 is compatible with water-cooling components from other highly regarded water-cooling companies such as Asetek. This means, if you would like to use the Asetek Antarctica with the H20-120 Rev. 3 kit, you can.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong></p> <p> Performance wise, this is the best Water-cooling for Everyone yet. At high fan speeds, both the Bigwater and H20-120 have excellent cooling performance. But one of the main incentives of switching to water-cooling is to cut down on computer noise and that is done by slowing the fan down. This is why, in my opinion, low fan speed performance is the true indication of a water-cooling system's performance. At its lowest fan speed setting, the Bigwater showed a considerable increase in temperatures. In contrast, when the H20-120's fan speed was cut down, its cooling performance took only a minor hit.</p> <p>We are still at a point where there is a considerable price gap between a top tier CPU heatsink and a recommendable water-cooling system, but just like everything else, there is a price to pay for luxury. For those on a budget that want a water-cooling kit that performs, the Thermaltake Bigwater is a great choice. For those whose budget is more expandable and want something with superb cooling, the Swiftech H20-120 Rev. 3 is for you.</p> <p><strong>Thermaltake Bigwater</strong>:</p> <blockquote> <p> <strong>Pros:</strong></p> <ul> <li> Easy to setup</li> <li> LEDs in waterblock and pump</li> <li> Adjustable radiator fan</li> <li> Fills fast</li> <li> Great high fan speed cooling performance</li> <li> Near silent low fan speed performance</li> </ul> <p><strong>Cons:</strong></p> <ul> <li> Noticeable low fan speed performance drop</li> </ul> <p><strong>Ratings:</strong></p> <table width="227" border="0"> <tr> <td width="105">Overall:</td> <td width="183">Excellent</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Performance:</td> <td>Very Good</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Installation: </td> <td>Very Good</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Price: </td> <td>Very Good</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Esthetics:</td> <td>Excellent</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Packaging:</td> <td>Excellent</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Compatibility: </td> <td>Excellent</td> </tr> </table> </blockquote> <p><strong>Swiftech H20-120 Rev. 3</strong>:</p> <blockquote> <p> <strong>Pros:</strong></p> <ul> <li> Excellent pump design</li> <li> Nice reservoir design</li> <li> Excellent waterblock lap job</li> <li> Coolsleeves included</li> <li> Great performance at high and low fan speeds</li> <li> Fills fast</li> </ul> <p><strong>Cons:</strong></p> <ul> <li> No fan speed controller included</li> <li> Radbox not included</li> <li> Segregated waterblock types</li> </ul> <p><strong>Ratings:</strong></p> <table width="294" border="0"> <tr> <td width="90">Overall:</td> <td width="81">Excellent</td> <td width="109" rowspan="7"><div align="center"><img src="atruereview/watercooling3/../Images/award.gif" width="100" height="125"></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Performance:</td> <td>Excellent</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Installation: </td> <td>Excellent</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Price: </td> <td>Very Good</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Esthetics:</td> <td>Excellent</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Packaging:</td> <td>Very Good</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Compatibility: </td> <td>Excellent</td> </tr> </table> </blockquote> <p><strong>More about Swiftech</strong></p> <p> <strong>Pricing:</strong><br> As mentioned in the review, the H20-120 Rev. 3 kit is available with either a stepped or flat base waterblock. The kit with the stepped block is priced at $224.50 while the kit with the flat block is priced at $219.50. Alternatively, the H20-120 Rev. 3 kit is also available as a bare kit without a waterblock. This is a great option for those who already have a compatible waterblock or are planning to get a compatible waterblock from another manufacture. Checkout <a href="http://www.swiftnets.com">Swiftech's site</a> for a complete price listing of their available products.</p> <p><strong>Made in the U.S.A:</strong><br> Swiftech is the only computer cooling company I know of that actually produces their products in their Unites States location. In the case of the H20-120 Rev. 3 kit, this includes the MCP350 pump, MCW6000 waterblock, MCRES-525 reservoir, HydrX coolant, and the MCP-120 Radbox.</p> <p align="left"><a href="atruereview/watercooling3/performance.php"></a> <a href="watercooling3/performance.php">Previous (Performance)</a></p> </div> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <div id="footer" class="clr"> <div class="rk-1"> <div class="rk-2"> <div id="the-footer"> <script type="text/javascript"> var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); </script> <script type="text/javascript"> try { var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-6922792-1"); pageTracker._trackPageview(); } catch(err) {}</script>  </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </body> </html>