Specifications:

Blue anodizing looks good on the copies I received.	Internal threading makes finding adaptors easy.
A length comparison.	Ridges inside help promote swirl and heat transfer (manufacturer provided picture).

    Since the Xchangers are a relatively new product line (the items I received are late prototypes) the specifications are subject to minor changes with respect to colors, thread sizes and such.  Even so, the prototypes I received were extremely well machined.

    The inner bores are designed with ridges to promote a small amount of swirl to keep maximum coolant in contact with the inner bore, a detail that shows the thought put into the design.  Each unit has provision for a temperature probe to be inserted into the side to monitor performance.

Installation:

   These Xchangers are designed to assist the "Xtreme" setup, a system where the existing liquid cooling setup is either marginal in performance due to extreme overclocking, minimal airflow or both. 

   However, that is not to say that they can't be used in a more moderate system.  My particular system is designed to operate quietly, and more cooling capacity will enable me to operate my system with lowered fan speeds, reducing overall noise output.  Although this may not have been the number-one application intended, it is a valid one, and the installation steps are the same for both. 

   I was provided with an excellent PDF that is to be a standard inclusion in the kit with lots of good information and tips on how best to go about the installation process.

   For those with a more extreme setup, I have included two manufacturer-provided examples of how the Xchangers can be implemented in other setups.

Another installation.  Picture supplied by the manufacturer.

Xchangers installed in a different configuration. Picture supplied by manufacturer.

   Regular readers will be familiar with my test rig:  Custom Coolcases sound deadened case, Silentmaxx Semi-fanless power supply, temperature controlled fans (3) and a new addition, a Kingwin Aquastar 3000 liquid cooling system.  Expect a complete review of the Aquastar kit soon.

    In summary, the rig is very quiet, performs well with a outdated but power-friendly AthlonXP3000+ and a well-matched Nvidia 6800 series video card. The Aquastar has provisions for external or internal mounting, and I elected to install it inside the case to keep things neat and self-contained.  Ultimate cooling would have been better if it were outside the case, but that did not fit with my needs.