The Radiator
The radiator is one of the pieces which were changed after the first revision. Revision 1 radiator was thicker and there weren't any "quick connectors". Along with this, you had to use two different sized pipes with the first revision. At this second model Asetek has chosen to use the high-quality and praised Black Ice Pro radiator, which is rather effective even though it is quite small. They promise cooling capacity for 400W with 100cfm airflow.
Externally there aren't any pipes seen besides the connectors. The water flows through the radiator in thin vertical channels which are seen in the picture. It is possible to attach a 120mm fan in both sides of the radiator. Because there are holes for screws at both sides it is possible to attach it in a case which has a place for 120mm fans. The attachment is designed so that the fan stays a few millimetres off the radiator's surface. Asetek recommends that the fan would suck the air away from the radiator.
The radiator's ribs are dense, and also very easily damaged. But so are also every other radiators which are made of soft and thin material. So this radiator isn't an exception anyway.
The radiator differs from singular Black Ices with the "quick connectors" which include with WaterChill version. It is possible to screw the connectors away so that the radiator can be used with other water cooling sets.
Water Reservoir
The tank is made of plastic and aluminium. The lower part and the cover are made of black coloured aluminium which gives the tank a stiff look. The size of the tank isn't so big, maybe something like a decilitre. The cover has a finger screw which makes opening easier after a little loosening.
The pipe connectors are at the bottom of the tank so they are always under the water level. This is a good solution because if the "water out"-hole would be above the water line it would cause noise and extra air bubbles. The tanks is a great product because of its stiffness, connectors and compact size.
The Pump
Asetek has chosen Hydor Seltz L20 out of many candidates because of its silence, quality and cheapness. Seltz is able to pump 700 litres per hour which isn't one of the most, but for sure enough for its task in this "project".
Hydor has been revised to WaterChill with changing proper "quick connectors" so that the pump is only supposed to be used in dry conditions, and not as a sunken pump like the "real" Hydor. The manual says that the pump can be installed in any position which gives the installation a whole lot of new solutions.
The WaterChill Control Unit
"The heart of the Waterchill", the WaterChill Control Unit stands in the pump's power cable. The unit is quite the same size with cold cathode inverters so the placement shouldn't be too hard.
There hangs a two-pin connector from the Control Unit which is used to power up itself. You connect power, fan and PSU power cable on the Unit. The unit switches power for the fan and pump and it this feature has found itself a name, SmartStart. It switches on when the platform is started and it notices the power coming from the power supply.
You can see the Unit's connections closer here in the picture. The fan connector is naturally for the fan attached to the radiator. Next to this there is connection for a led, which shows is there power switched on/off on the cooling system. Next is the jumper which makes it possible to choose the voltage input. The possibilities are 7 and 12V, and Asetek calls this the NoiseControl. At the right there is a connector for the PSU's power connector.
The Control Unit's utility power cable contains a "robber connector" which can be stuck for example between the PSU's and PC's power cable. For easy exit there is a PCI-panel which the cables go through. WaterChill's cable run is a lot better than the solution used in the previously reviewed H20 Sprinter Set.
Hoses
The pipes used in the kit are Legris labelled pneumatic pipes. The thickness is 10mm, and the inside diameter is 7mm. The kit contains 2,5m piece of pipe. The pipe is naturally quite stiff because it has been designed for big pressures. It was impossible to squeeze the pipe with my thumb and forefinger. So the pipe is stiff, but very lasting, and Asetek is aware with its choice. Some of the toughest angles are good the bend with hot-air blower.
The Fan
The fan hasn't been changed either from the first revision. Sunon's 120mm KDE1212PMS3 is still in duty. This fellow has an 83cfm airflow with 2300 rpm and 34dB. Sunon has five pieces of stiff and fascinatingly designed blades to move air.
The external look of Sunon is probably the biggest and most massive fan I have ever handled. The huge blades added with 38mm thickness makes it clear for the assembler that there is no business near the blades :)
Asetek WaterChill Complete Kit
