X-bit labs

Four Liquid-Cooling Systems for the Masses (page 20)

Category: Coolers

by Vasily Melnik

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

To install the system on a Socket LGA775 platform, you must first install a special frame:

Then you can fasten the water-block with the clips:

Don’t be afraid to use force. The clips are very stiff and do not snap shut easily.

With the water-block mounted on the CPU, I began to deploy the water-cooling system. As I had expected, the main installation-related problem was the thickness of the pipes:

I don’t want to sound rude, but the enclosed pipe looks more like a spray hose rather than a pipe from a water-cooling system. The manufacturer’s desire to make the pipe thicker is understandable. The bigger the diameter of the pipe is, the less resistance the liquid finds on its way. The efficiency of the pump and, accordingly, of the whole system grows up. But the pipes are so thick here that it’s hard to install them in the system case – the pipes don’t bend easily. Here’s a snapshot of the assembled system to illustrate my point:

The bend of the pipes shown on the photographs is in fact the best you can normally bend them. You may have troubles if you curve them more. As I had expected, the lack of the clamps didn’t poise any problems. The pipes stretch out well and fit down on the fittings quite tightly, so there’s no need for additional pressure.