Introduction:

Our latest water cooling round up consisted of various kits from all over. Thanks to our great sponsors we were able to test the Swiftech, Vantec, Asetek, Thermaltake, Zalman, Alphacool, and Koolance kits. Each kit was installed as though it were the very first kit in order to preserve the actual experience anyone else might have. This meant unlearning some short cuts and going by any and all directions sent with each kit.

The kits tested for this roundup are as follows:

• Swiftech H20-220 Apex Ultra+ WaterCooling Kit 

• ThermalTake 745 Bigwater WaterCooling Kit

• Zalman Reserator 1 Plus WaterCooling Kit

• Asetek WaterChill Complete WaterCooling Kit

• Vantec Stingray WaterCooling Kit

• Alphacool NexXxoS Complete WaterCooling Kit

• Zalman Reserator 2 WaterCooling Kit

• Koolance EHX-1050SL External WaterCooling Kit  

This summary should help you cut some of the decision making short or help you decide what components you want to mix and match in your system. However, do keep in mind that each kit is being revised or replaced constantly and the best thing to do is to double check each sponsor or manufacturer web site to be better informed. There are other kits on the market besides the "Fabulous 8" we reviewed and it's very possible something new will be added later on.

Swiftech H20-220 Apex Ultra Plus:

Zalman Reserator Plus 1:

The Reserator Plus 1 did extremely well for a passive water cooling kit. Zalman's patented blue aluminum series VGA and Chipset water blocks look great and go well with their blue tubing. The Gold CPU blocks has an exceptional mirror finish. The mounting components are of the highest quality and go very well with the entire kit. Interestingly, the Reserator 1 did better filling the unit 4 inches from the top, despite directions to the contrary. Don't tip the Reserator 1 over and you won't have to worry about air.

Installing the Zalman was among the easiest kits on the market thanks to the quality mounting components and the manual which is well written and easy to understand thanks to the many illustrations. Mounting is easy and uses very few small parts, especially with the NB-1 Chipset cooler was as simple as 2 default style chipset spring loaded standoffs. The kit is a favorite for installation techniques.

The Reserator 1 and original water blocks can still be found for good deals at the moment. However, you won't be able to for much longer as the Reserator 1 V2 with new water blocks that are also used with Reserator 2 are being shipped with the kits.

ThermalTake 745 Bigwater Complete Kit:

The Thermaltake 745 Bigwater's CPU block is one of the coolest modded blocks thanks to the LED. It looks pretty cool and does reasonably well due to its size and copper finish. Also another cool modification is the kit's UV reactive tubing which is nice in that you won't need any dyes to get the effect. The Brazin series W2 VGA and W3 Chipset blocks could use a little more polishing surface. The VGA block mounting method wasn't the most secure, but may be better on your particular video card. One could consider the Aquarius VGA block in its stead.

The TMG2 is a good dual 12cm radiator in that you can mount it externally or stand alone. It's a decently finished radiator which means case mounting or integrating is feasible. The extra single 12cm radiator does well mounted in between the water blocks keeping the water temp lower. Thermaltake may currently also be revising the hose connecting the barbs and ring nuts in future kits.