Introduction:

   Thermaltake is a large name that is easily associated with enthusiasts and modders alike. Thermaltake is all over the market place with their cases, enclosures, CPU Coolers, and cooling solutions.  About two years ago, Thermaltake decided to get in to the water cooling market with the same good reasons other manufacturers have as well.

   Thermaltake has put serious effort in to the liquid cooling area by revising their water cooling kits and bringing them to the market as soon as possible. Among these revisions have come the new Kandalf LCS and Armor LCS (Liquid Cooling Systems) which have sparked much attention in their favor. The first LCS case to bring about the new attention was the Tai Chi has been used in several convention displays which includes Computex.

Box Front

Box Back

   Not everyone can afford to buy preconfigured water cooling all at once or wants to push aside their current beloved and faithful cases that have long been a favorite. Some users may prefer to buy their water cooling components based on cooling needs and system use. Thermaltake kept the Bigwater kits alive with the 745 Bigwater. You can still keep your favorite case and add your own liquid cooling enjoying the best of both worlds.


A Closer Look:

   The CPU Cooler 208 Copper Block is made of acrylic and has a very smooth, thick copper base. The block has channels that zig-zag and direct the water from one end to the other. This design causes the water to pass over the center of the block several times before exiting the other end. There is also a small blue LED that is embedded in one of the block's acrylic corners which adds a very, very nice effect.
 

208 CPU Block

Solid Copper Bottom

Bolt on Barbs

   This extended kit also includes the Aqua Brazing VGA Copper Block (CL-W0088) and Aqua Brazing Northbridge Copper Block (CL-W0083) which are optional blocks. These aren't the most attractive water blocks on the surface, but do have very nicely polished bottoms which is where the performance can really matter. The barbs are part of the blocks so you won't need to assemble any barbs or worry about leaks. In each individual package, you will find C-clamps, black tubing that converts the connection to nut over barbs, directions, illustrations, and mounting hardware. The directions are easy to understand and detailed enough for any novice.
 

VGA Box Front	Back & Illustrations	Top	Bottom
Chipset Box Front	Back & Illustrations	Top	Bottom

   The Aquarius Series VGA Water Block (CL-W0038) is a new VGA water block that resembles the CPU block both being made of acrylic and copper. These blocks match more so than the Brazing block series. If you plan to order a VGA block you might want to consider keeping the kit more in matching uniform. Currently, there are no matching Northbridge blocks in the Aquarius series, but that doesn't mean something isn't forth coming.

   The Thermaltake 745 Bigwater utilizes a dual 120mm radiator and a single 120mm radiator to increase the kit's thermal dissipation. While a dual 12cm radiator could easily do the job, having the extra single can actually help drop the temperatures another 2 or more degrees depending on its construction. The dual radiator can be modded in to your case or comes with feet to set outside of the case.
 

TMG2 Front

TMG2 Back

Bolt on Barbs

Base Feet

   Looking at the single 12cm radiator, you automatically can tell it should typically mounted on the back of your case, especially if your case has the internal 12cm fan. The barb attachments on these radiators use the nut over barb method which ensures no leaks. This is still the most secure type of connection when it comes to any water or liquid cooling kits. You can hand tighten the nuts without the use of any tools and is recommended.
 

TMG1 Front

TMG1 Back

Clean Copper Joints

   The pump assembly is rated to 400 liters an hour which would rate this pump about the average with today's models. The tubing is a very stiff and clear UV. Instead of needing a UV dye that can hinder performance as with many kits, the tubing has an alien green glow when you add a black-light, or UV light.
 

12v Pump

UV Tubing and Fluids

Manual