New Innovatek
Water-Cooling Eqpt Review
Date : Monday 30 June 2003
Author : Fujikuro
Provided by : Sharkacorp
Introduction
A few months back, I checked out the Innovatek Set5 water-cooling kit. Today, I will be taking a look at some of the new water-cooling components from Innovatek. I was sent one of the new X-Flow waterblocks, an inline water temperature probe, a 12v EHEIM water pump, and the Tank-O-Matic plug on (small). These new components are direct replacments for the existing Innovatek parts, and are designed to be an easy bolt-in upgrade.
Specifications
Before I write about anything, I would like to get a list of the features out of the way. Looks aren't everything, if the equipment doesn't have the basic features that you need, it's not worth buying it. I am pleased to say that new equipment from Innovatek has all the features you could ask for. Here is the list:
Innovatek X-Flow Waterblock:
- For Socket 462(A) or Socket 478
- Solid copper base
- Anodized aluminum housing
- Standard Innovatek 8x1mm compression fittings
- Complete re-design over previous model
- Retail: $69.95
The X-Flow achieves maximum performance due to a new and revolutionary flow guidance design within the interior of its compact dimensions. A unique turbulence principle makes optimal utilization of the cooling agent possible without cross-section contraction. Therefore, this water block does not create any back pressure nor stress the water pump.
Innovatek EHEIM 1046 Centrifugal Water Pump:
- Attaches directly to computers PSU on any 4-pin molex plug (no relay required!)
- Works with 115V or 220V powered computers
- Regulated by microprocessor pump electronics
- Standard Innovatek 8x1mm compression fittings
- Very quiet, almost noiseless and extremely reliable
- Retail: $69.95
The Eheim 1046-12V is a special version of the standard Eheim 1046 pump. This pump can now be attached directly to the power supply of your PC which means it will also work with 115V or 220V powered computers because it does not need a separate power source.
Innovatek Tank-O-Matic Plugon - Small:
- Attaches to the intake nozzle of an Eheim pump
- Aluminum and plexiglass construction
- Extra tubing and special fittings not required
- Standard Innovatek 8x1mm compression fittings
- Capacity: 83ml
- Dimensions: 50 x 67 x 145mm
- Retail: $49.95
The Tank-O-Matic Plugon consists of high-quality aluminum and plexiglass. It attaches to the intake nozzle of an Eheim pump and acts as a water reservoir form which the pump can access the cooling agent. This plugon version has advantages over other reservoirs because it can be connected directly to an Eheim pump without the need of extra tubing and special fittings. Being that this is a Tank-O-Matic style reservoir the cooling agent within can be accessed by the pump without turbulence or air bubbles forming.
Innovatek Inline Temp Probe:
- Can be inserted anywhere in the system loop
- 2-pin plug can connect direct to motherboard or external monitor
- Standard Innovatek 8x1mm compression fittings
- Retail: $24.95
This inline termperature probe meter from Innovatek permits the direct measurement of the water temperature in the circuit. The unit is connected inline with the tubing and then can be plugged into one of your motherboard headers. The probe reads the water temperatures by means of a copper transmission element. This item is intended for use with Innovatek 8x1mm PVC tubing.
More information may be found here at Sharkacorp, if you would like more detailed specs.
First Impressions
All the new components came packaged seperatly. Each item was well packed and protected from damage durring shipping. I suppose I should discuss each product individually first...
 |
The Waterblock...
Innovatek's new waterblock is a completely different design from the InnovaCool Rev3 waterblock. The new design is a much lower profile and a much larger copper base. The mounting clip is much easier to understand, and the block seems to mount more securly.
 |
 |
 |
The Pump & Reservoir...
This new pump is the EHEIM 1046 model which has been modified by Innovatek. The pump has been modified so it will run off of a 12v power source and has a plug in the back for a 4-pin molex connection. The pump is regulated by microprocessor pump electronics so that it can provide maximum water flow, with minimum noise.
 |
 |
The new reservoir seems to be a combination of the old "Innovatek Res" and the "Tank-O-Matic". The new reservoir is available in a small or tall size, and the one I tested out was the small size. The reservoir is pretty much exactly the same as the Tank-O-Matic, except it has a hole in the side with an o-ring seal. To attach the reservoir to the pump, you simply twist the reservoir onto the pump's intake. The seal is watertight thanks to the built-in o-ring.
 |
 |
 |
The Temperature Probe...
Finally, an easy way to monitor water temperature! Awhile back, I tried using a brass T fitting, a temperature probe, and some plumbers goop to make an inline probe similar to this...lets just say, the results weren't pretty. Innovatek's design uses a screw in probe and creates a watertight seal with the use of a mini o-ring. The probe uses a 2-pin connector and can be hooked up directly to your motherboard or an external temperature monitoring device.
Pre-Testing
The computer I decided to test the new equipment, was the computer that I had installed the Set5 kit into a few months ago. I let the computer run for 30 minutes, then checked Motherboard monitor for the temperatures. With these components, the computer was running at 37c at idle...very good, but could the new parts improve on this?
 |
 |
 |
 |
Installation
Installing all the equipment was literally a 20 minute process from start to finish. After draining the existing water-cooling system, I disconnected the tube from the pump and waterblock. Mounting the waterblock was as easy as mounting a heatsink. I applied thermal compund on the CPU, placed the waterblock on, then clipped the mounting hardware on to the socket and tightened it down. I cut the intake tube in half and installed the inline temp. probe, then connected the tube to the waterblock. With the waterblock connected, I next connected the GPU waterblock outlet to the reservoir's intake, and connected the pump's outlet to the radiators intake. Everything was connected, but then I decided to hook in the old Tank-O-Matic simply because it was still mounted to the back of the case. With everything connected it was time for testing.
|
 |
 |
Testing
Testing was a simple start and run process. I powered up the computer, and the water-cooling kicked in right away. The new pump was so quiet, I had to check to make sure water was actually flowing! It was of course, so after 30 minutes of up time I checked out Motherboard Monitor.
 |
Here are the readings
from Motherboard monitor after 30 minutes of up-time:
 |
35c! A temperature drop of 2c at idle. The previous temperatures were good, but this is awesome. Even with CPU and GPU waterblocks, the CPU was running at 35c. I was very impressed.
Conclusion
These new Innovatek
water-cooling parts aren't just all looks. These new products are perfect for
anyone out there, who is looking to get lower temperatures for their CPU. If
you already have Innovatek water-cooling, it's easy to upgrade too! There are
always Pro's and Con's when reviewing a product, and here they are for the new
products:
Pros
Cons
Final Thoughts
I would like to thank Sharkacorp for sending these products my way for review. All of these and more are available for purchase on their website. I encourage anyone interested performance water-cooling equipment to check them out.