The Blocks
WaterChill's blocks are maybe the finest I have seen. The bottoms are one centimetre copper; NB- and GPU-blocks bottoms are identical, as the CPU's bottom part is naturally bigger. The covers of the blocks are made of PMMA-plastic (Poly Methyl MethaCrylate) and this is why using alcohol in the circulation is forbidden. Every block has pneumatic connectors which will be explained later during the review.
Northbridge block
The northbridge block looks like a high-quality product. The clear cover seems to have a smooth finish, and it has a bit of thickness, 10mm. The cover is attached with socket-head screws from each corner.
The pipe adapters are placed in opposite corners and they are the same size than the other adapters in the kit. The block is completely "open" from the inside besides the 1mm deep trail in the middle of the bottom. The trail goes from the corner of the block to the opposite angle. You can see the trail from the picture.
The attachment is done through the cuts in the covers corners. They attach to the main board’s holes. In a P4 platform you might have to attach it with cable ties (they are included) because some P4 main boards don't have holes.
A white sticker protects the bottom, and naturally it is supposed to be removed before the installation.;) The bottom is very smooth and you can't feel any scratches. The surface hasn't been shined, and you can see this from the patch seen in the picture. Anyhow this doesn't have any effect with the cooling results especially when we are talking about the NB block without a core.
Graphic card block
In many cases the GPU blocks are identical with the NB blocks, but so what; the NB and GPU processors are about the same size. Asetek has designed it's blocks so that the pipe outs are aimed to the side, not down like in normal type blocks. The bottom is 10mm thick copper like the others and the cover is PMMA.
The pipe outs attach to the cover from the side, and there has been channels gnawed to make the water's controlling more effective. The cover is attached with socket-head screws from each corner. You can see that the inner bottom of the block is identical with the NB block. The block's compatibility has been approved since the earlier revision. The blocks installing happens like the NB block with screws through the graphic cards holes.
You might have noticed the quite thick cover from the previous pictures, but the correct thickness can be seen here in this picture. The cover made of PMM has a great thickness of 25mm, which makes me see this block quite stylish.:)
The pipe adapters are 10mm pneumatic models in the whole kit. Small differences to all the other adapters are the black plastic pieces which work as lockers. The side pipe outs are a genius matter because it decreases the need to bend the pneumatic pipe.
I assumed that the bottom's smoothness would be the same as the NB-blocks but I was surprised negatively after taking off the protecting plastic. The bottom was surrounded with white "stripes". After a small examination I discovered that there had been air between the plastic and the surface of the block. So the stripes were caused by oxidation. I couldn't get them off with any material I dared to try.
Despite the outward appearance the bottom of the block isn't less smooth than normal so the stripes don't really affect cooling abilities. Luckily, because otherwise the stripes would make the block worthless. Its smoothness is the same good quality than in the NB block.
Processor block
The CPU-block continues the externally beautiful line like it's "little sisters". There was no need to change anything after the first revision, and the compatibility problems with Epox's nForce2 motherboards have been solved well. More about this later on.
The block is attached to the main board through the holes around the socket. You attach metal plugs to the main board and the come through the block's cover's holes. Because the block is designed for P4, Socket A and AMD64 platforms, it has several installation holes. This makes the cover rather wide, and the first revision's compatibility problems are easily understood. The problems come because of the condensers close to the processor base.
The installation holes for different processors can be seen in the upper picture. AMD64 (Socket 754) needs a hole per side, when the Socket 478 and Socket A processors use only two holes. The furthest holes are for Intel's processors and the closest for AMD.
The connectors are again the same pneumatic model than the others. The "pipe in" is in the middle, right on top of the core. The "pipe out" is in one of the block's corners. The cover is attached with socket-head screw, which weren't tight at all. There are a lot of rifles and in a long distance so there isn't any fear that the cover would get off itself.
The quality of the bottom's surface is good average compared to other processor coolers. You could compare it to Thermalright's SLK- models quality. The routing tracks can be seen in a certain angle and can be felt gently with your nail, but overall the quality is rather good.
You can take off the cover easily with the hex wrench which is included. So now we get to see what is inside. After taking off the screws, the cover is still well attached, thanks for the black seal ring. In the middle there is a half-moon-shaped wall which separates the waters in- and outconnectors. Asetek has announced this the most efficient solution with this model.
The compatibility problems with the first revision which I mentioned has been solved by including a smaller cover which is only meant for Socket A processors. The cover is the same 10mm PMMA-plastic than the one attached already, but it differs a lot with its size. As I took off the cover for pictures I didn't remember that I own an Epox 8RDA3+ motherboard myself, so we'll see if the "original cover" can be installed without any harm.
Asetek WaterChill Complete Kit
