Page 3
Now, as you could have learned from our previous articles, you must know I initially was not a big fan of using water inside a PC. I've been converted though because fact is that I want all the primary systems in my office to be equipped with a water-cooling solution. Why you ask? Oh, just the noise level and the extraordinary cooling effect it has on components.
Let's get this review started. We discussed the basics of cooling, as we always do, on the previous page. Up next we'll have a small chat about the product bundle after which we'll dive into a photoshoot and emerge again later with a performance overview followed by Guru3D's verdict on this product.
When you've had a peek at one of the photo's you'll notice that is one huge block. Well, it looks huge but it'll pretty much fit in most PC cases. Since you will not be using a processor cooler in that direct area you'll have a lot of residual space, and exactly there is where we'll mount the Alphacool Cool Answer III 120 Compact 12V.
If you look at the product you'll notice a Radiator (NexXxoS 120), then a 120mm fan (silent rotation at 1300 RPM), then a reservoir holding cooling liquid (distilled water with anti-algea and erosion fluid), tubing with flexi connects (you can move the connectors around) and last but not least a copper waterblock that we'll mount onto the processor.
The set consists of the following components, which are completely installed for you:
- 1x Alphacool NexXxoS Xtreme I radiator
- 1x Alphacool CPU cooler NexXxoS XP light Universal, incl. mountings for AMD XP, AMD 64 and Opteron, Intel 478 and Socket 775
- 1x pump universal mounting
- 1x Alphacool Eheim Station 600 12V incl. reservoir tubing: 11/8mm transparent
- 1x 120mm fan
- Connections: screw connections
- 1x thermal compound
- 1x manual German/English
As you've just read, this kit comes with mounting brackets for AMD XP, AMD 64 and Opteron, Intel 478 and Socket 775. I'm not 100% sure about Socket AM2 but the 939 bracket should work fine.
Also included are thermal paste, retention clips, some screws for securing the unit and avery handy PSU ATX connector with pin 13/14 wired. This way you can enable your PSU with out enabling your mainboard. The cooler can be tested this way without the risk of frying your processor.
Product packaging.
Alright, let's submerge and have a look at the product and it's installation.
