X-bit labs

Zalman Reserator XT: Effective, Quiet, Stylish and Expensive Cooling Solution (page 3)

Category: Coolers

by Sergey Lepilov

[ 11/20/2007 | 02:01 PM ]

The rear panel has input and output fittings, a power connector, and a grid to exhaust the hot air from the radiators. You can see a 140mm fan through that grid.

My only gripe is that the grid is not made from wire. It would be smaller and present less resistance to the air flow then. I guess the noise would be lower with a wire grid, too.

There are four rubber feet on the bottom panel for the main unit to stand firmly.

Trying to take that thing apart, I managed to remove its rear panel with the fan:

The interior design is very interesting and original.

There are two radiators at the sides of the box, each pierced with the pipe six times. The expansion tank is fastened to the top panel in the center of the box. Note that its sides are ribbed to reduce the temperature of the coolant. Under the tank there is a low-performance pump (300lph, 1.8m max head). The same pump (probably manufactured by Eheim, too) is employed in the Zalman Reserator 2. All the components of the system are connected by means of flexible pipes with clamps.

The 140x25mm fan installed on the rear panel exhausts the hot air out of the main block. Its speed is regulated automatically or manually within 900 to 2000rpm according to the monitoring tools (a speed range of 500-2000rpm is declared in the specs). The two radiators get cool air through the slits in the side panels. Each radiator is just the right size for two 120mm intake fans – this modification came to my mind instantly – but you have to dismantle the whole system and think about how to power the fans up. The fans can be installed on the external side of the radiators, i.e. on the outside of the main block, but this simple-to-implement solution will spoil the exterior design of this stylish system. Moreover, the fans are going to be quieter inside the case. So, there is something to work on yet, I think.