Details:

   The Reserator 1 Plus kit comes with two water blocks: ZM-WB3 Gold CPU and ZM-GWB2 VGA water blocks. The northbridge, or chipset water block is optional and left up to the user to order. In this particular kit, Zalman included the ZM-NWB1 Northbridge Water Block which definitely finishes off this kit.

BIG Box

Optional Chipset Block

   The ZM-WB3 Gold CPU block has an exceptionally smooth copper base that has particularly flawless finish while the top half is made of the Zalman-blue finished aluminum. The barbs themselves are already mounted in the CPU block top so you won't be needing to assemble any of those parts. The barbs include a nut that is tightened down after attaching the tubing which makes a leak proof connection.
 

ZM-WB3 Gold

Top

Bottom

   Opening the ZM-GWB2 VGA and ZM-NWB1 water blocks, you can appreciate a very nicely designed set of blocks. These blocks are completely made of aluminum, both tops and bottoms. The tops and the barbs are all one piece, so you won't have to assemble any barb components. The bottoms aren't as perfectly, mirror smooth as the CPU block, but should be able to perform none the less. Anything smoother than they already are wouldn't afford much of a difference, if any. None the less, the quality of these blocks definitely puts them among the finest blocks for modders or extreme users.

ZM-GWB2	Top	Bottom
ZM-NWB1	Top	Bottom

   The Reserator 1 itself has a very nice black, clear coat finish that is on par with the quality of the water blocks. The finish pretty much matches the nicest paint jobs seen on sports cars and is completely finished even in between the fins. What stands out most besides the Reserator's size are the many fins that span the length and circumference of the housing. How does it work? Here is what Zalman has to say.

The Reserator 1 V2 incorporates Zalman’s HCET(High Capacity Extrusion Technique) technology, high efficiency cooling technology, and optimal heat dissipation design for exceptional cooling performance even through natural convection cooling.
 

Front

Back

Front Reflection

Back Reflection

   Basically, warm water is cooled by the sub-ductal properties of the cooler metal fins and housing. If the Reserator were left in direct sun light, it would eventually heat up the water. The same is true keeping it in the shade as the metal will naturally stay cooler and keep the liquid near or at the same temperature as the housing.
 

Fins

Without Top

Up Close

Inside Pump

   Going back to its size, it stands at about two feet, built solid, and is quite heavy compared to any water kit on the market. While it stands tall and seems as though it could easily be knocked over, glass desk owners can take comfort in that the base provides a good amount of balance. It takes some effort to tip this unit. To give you a better idea of its size, it was compared to a full-sized tower cases.
 

Mid Size Tower

Full Size Tower

   Along with the kit is plenty of blue rubber tubing, Anti-corrosion Coolant, water block mounting kits, and barb clamps. Zalman has made sure you have ample instructions and directions for a successful installation. The main manual is very detailed and easy to understand and follow. Each water block also includes directions on the back of the packaging or inside the optional mounting hardware boxes.
 

The Manual

Large Print

Package Instructions

On the Box