Installation:

First thing you need to do prior to installation is prep the pump, reservoir, and radiator. Oh, wait! That's already done since it's an external water cooling system! You should at least read over the instructions carefully as there are a few parts that should have illustrations or a little more detail, but do not. The manual format isn't quite the same as other manuals received with other systems. You will need to install the PC Interface Circuit Board on a vacant rear I/O case slot. The PCI Circuit Board won't actually attach physically to your motherboard, so you won't have to worry about anything special in that regard. The PCICB has two rubber ports that allow for one of the two types of tubing that come with the Aquaduct 360XT.

PCI Circuit Board (left)

Couplers Attached to Option 1

The black and gray tubing isn't nearly as flexible as the clear tubing. But, the twin tubing works with the quick coupling barbs that attach to the Aquaduct. The tubing simply slips in till it can go no further. The method is tool free and should suffice especially if used with distilled water so no system shorting is ever experienced. If you choose to use the clear tubing, it's much more flexible and, if I may say so, nicer to look at when installed in the system. The twin tubing offers up a more discrete set up and can be quicker. The clear tubing requires the bolted barbs to installed on the CPU block. And a pair of regular barbs should then be installed on the main Aquaduct unit ports. There are two ring clamps that will hold the tubing in place and connected very securely. Just make sure you tighten any of the barbs properly.

Quick Coupling Barbs

Standard Barbs

The Cuplex XT Double Impact CPU Water block installs similar to just about any other water block out there. Whether your have an AMD or INTEL based processor and no matter which version, the Cuplex kit you order will come with the appropriate back plates and brackets. As with all block installations, the motherboard had to be removed and the four screws, eight washers, and bolts have to be installed on the motherboard's four holes. Then the Cuplex simply slides down over the four screws till it sits firmly on the processor. Four more washers, tension springs, and thumb bolts secure the water block. It's a very simple installation process really. At this point, the tubing can be connected. Or if you choose, you can connect the tubing to the water block before hand to avoid having to press down on your processor. This method is typically the safest, but not always the most feasible as you continue modifying your system for whatever reason. One thing that would allow the Cuplex to look as good as possible would be the use of smaller, thicker thumb bolts rather than the large, flat thumb bolts. They do seem to crowd the appearance just a bit.

Installed

Big Thumb Screws

Before filling the Aquaduct, you must first make sure the lower port valves are closed. Two small black levers and screws can be installed for easier function, but oddly can't be left on or the unit will lean or tip over. It really wouldn't be too hard to replace the unit's rubber feet with taller ones so that the levers can be left on. Filling the Aquaduct requires removing the top blue acrylic cap via the screws using an Allen wrench. After it's removed, you'll notice a small thin rubber seal that must be put back in to place before closing. Unfortunately, the seal is just a bit too flimsy.

Acrylic Lid

Ready To Go

Using distilled water, the unit's right reservoir was kept filled as the unit was powered on alone. Filling the reservoir via the right side will provide greater success of flowing and filling quickly. Power was not connected to the computer system till the unit was fully filled, running, and tested for leaks. Once the system was tested, the included USB and port cables were connected as well as the rest of the system. Everything was powered up. The TFT displayed several functions and the appropriate default data. If you wanted, you can change the display data using the buttons, but not the system function settings.

Water In-Out Temps

Pump is Active

Pump Speed

After the system was powered up, the Aquasuite software was installed successfully. As long as your system's USB is working properly and once the software is installed, the software can be used to monitor, change, and configure the system's cooling parameters. The software is necessary to control every aspect of the Aquaduct system. Without it, the radiator fans can't be controlled and the internal water temps can eventually get too warm to cool the processor. Pump speeds are also set via the software. For testing purposes, the fan speeds are checked at off, medium, and high. Pump speeds were set 40 to 45 L/H.

Software Setup

Default Information

Fans	Sensor Settings	Flow Sensor	Pump & Levels
LED Settings	Timer Control	Power Mngmt	Alarms
Display-Hardware	Profiles	Scripts	Emergency Shutoff
LCD Data	XML Data Log	Network Reporting	Data Log

Got News? Send 'em in!