X-bit labs

Corsair Nautilus500 Water-Cooling System in Questions and Answers

Category: Coolers

by Doors4ever

[ 07/31/2006 | 02:44 PM ]

Today we would like to offer you a review of the external water-cooling system from the well-known manufacturer of overclocker’s memory modules. Yes, we are talking about Corsair Nautilus 500. This time we decided to use the original Q&A form for our review. Read more now!

Table of contents:

• What is a CPU liquid cooling system and what does it consist of?
  
• What is a good CPU cooling system?
  
• What are the requirements to a serial liquid cooling system?
  
• Does Corsair produce cooling systems?
  
• How does the Corsair Nautilus500 come to the customer?
  
• What’s in the box, besides the external unit?
  
• What does the Nautilus500’s external unit look like?
  
• How is the water-block designed?
  
• How difficult is it to assemble the system and get it working?
  
• How to mount the water-block on the CPU?
  
• Is the system noisy?
  
• Is this cooling system efficient?
  
• What’s the advantages of the Corsair Nautilus500?
  
• Are there any drawbacks in Corsair’s liquid cooling system?
  
• Where can I ask more questions about the Corsair Nautilus500?
  

What is a CPU liquid cooling system and what does it consist of?

It is a system that uses some liquid as coolant; the coolant is usually water or its solutions (hence the term a water cooling system). Its main components are:

• Water-block transfers heat from the CPU to the coolant
• Radiator reduces the temperature of the coolant by transferring heat to the environment
• Pump is driving the liquid through the system (it is an optional component)
• Reservoir is a volume for the liquid (optional)
• Pipes connect the system components

What is a good CPU cooling system?

High efficiency and low noise level are the main requirements. Additionally, one may want to consider such factors as compact size, ease of installation, compatibility with modern processor types, maintenance, and exterior design.

What are the requirements to a serial liquid cooling system?

The same as to any cooling system, but the manufacturer has to find an optimum balance between the parameters of the good liquid cooling system and the manufacturing cost. For example, a larger heatsink improves heat transfer, but this contradicts the compactness requirement; a more powerful fan would make the system noisier, etc. This is a difficult task and the developer has to agree to compromises. The market success of a liquid cooling system depends on how optimal the result is.

Does Corsair produce cooling systems?

It may seem strange, but yes it does. Corsair, the famous manufacturer of memory modules, offers even not one but two models of liquid cooling systems: the COOL by Corsair was tested on our site (for details see our article called COOL Water-Cooling System from Corsair and Not a Word about Memory), and this article is about the Nautilus500. The Corsair Nautilus500 consists of an external unit you can put on the system case or into any other place and of a water-block that is mounted on the CPU.