X-bit labs

Four Liquid-Cooling Systems for the Masses (page 13)

Category: Coolers

by Vasily Melnik

[ 10/14/2005 | 03:30 PM ]

Unlike the Rocket, the Big Water took little of liquid in:

Judging by the scale, there’s more than enough coolant left for a second refill.

The system at large leaves a very positive impression. Its high-quality components promise a high efficiency. I was wiser this time and put the pump into a deep dish beforehand, but this measure proved to be unnecessary – there were no leakages. Recalling my experience with the Rocket, I think the problem was not in the quality of the clamps, but rather in the pump’s case and its processing. Cast details are usually post-processed “with a file” after their manufacture to remove some minor defects. But as my practice suggests this is not a common rule among the manufacturers.

Here’s how the Big Water kit performed in my tests:

I wouldn’t say the results of this cooling system are impressive. They are rather comparable to those of today’s top-end air coolers. You’ll see the general picture of performance of consumer water-cooling systems in the summary diagrams at the end of the review, but as for the Big Water, it is more than sufficient for any existing processor, without any reservations. The fan-speed control should be set at the min position since the maximum speed of the fan doesn’t add much to the overall efficiency, as the diagram above shows. The radiator – or, rather, the condenser that plays the role of a radiator in this system – is quite indifferent to the speed of the fan. The only thing the Thermaltake engineers might think of improving upon is the design of the pump – it is the single weak link in the Big Water as well as in the Rocket. Both these systems from Thermaltake can be recommended not only to ordinary users but also to enthusiasts (who can improve their efficiency considerably by simply replacing the pump).

Talking about noise, there are in fact two modes with the Big Water – the maximum speed of 2500rpm and the minimum speed of 1250rpm (there’s no sense in choosing anything in-between because of a very small difference in efficiency even between these two extremes). In the min speed mode there is no noise (you can hear the rumble of the bearings only if you press your ear against the cooler). At the maximum speed, however, the noise is rather loud. It’s not very annoying, but you will hear it well if the rest of your system is silent. So I want to advise you once again to put the fan-speed control into the minimal speed position. You will lose a few degrees in efficiency, but will get an almost silent computer instead.

Our Verdict: Thermaltake Big Water

Highs: Good cooling; simple assembly; noiseless operation (at the min speed of the fan); high-quality water-block; nice-looking design; a very appealing price considering the quality of most of the system components;

Lows: Low-quality pump; a condenser instead of a radiator

Conclusion: All factors summed up, this is one of the best “ready-to-fly” water-cooling systems available today.

Average retail price - $91