ModTek PC

Product: Aquagate S1
Reviewed by: J. Doggett
Provided by: Cooler Master
www.coolermaster.com

Positives:

· Easy to install
· No leaks, pre-filled with coolant
· No assembly required
· Adjustable fan speed

Negatives:

· Pump is loud

Company Information:

Cooler Master is well known for their unique style and superior construction of PC cases, such as the Mystique and the CM Stacker, as well as their cooling and thermal solutions.

Cooler Master was founded with the mission of providing the industry’s best thermal solutions. Since its establishment a decade ago, the company has remained faithful to this mission, emerging as a world leader in products and services for companies dealing with devices
where heat issues must be resolved.

In pursuing this mission, Cooler Master is absolutely committed to delivering solutions that precisely meet customer requirements for features, performance, and quality. Moreover, we strive to be a reliable long-term partner for our customers that they can truly depend on. It aims to be the first and foremost name that comes to mind for companies around the world seeking thermal solutions, and seeks to build such a reputation through outstanding technology, sophisticated design, and superior service.

Cooler Master’s current business encompasses a comprehensive lineup of thermal solutions for a full range of applications. Its products range from heat sinks and fans to component housing, chassis, and ducting for computers, industrial machinery, telecommunications equipment, and
many other devices.

A critical component of Cooler Master’s ability to successfully pursue its mission is an unstinting commitment to quality, as demonstrated by the ISO 9001 certification granted to its main manufacturing plant in Taiwan. It has also enforced ISO guidelines and is in the process of
applying for ISO 9002 certification at its second and third plants, located in China. Cooler Master has also implemented a number of analytical and testing protocols to ensure top quality, including its subcontractors, to further ensure thorough quality control. Moreover, Cooler Master’s dedication to quality extends beyond manufacturing to every aspect of its operation, including service.

Packaging Detail:

Product Views:

Specifications:

1. Universal design for Intel Core 2 Quad, Core 2 Extreme, Core 2 Duo and AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core, AMD Athlon™ 64 FX
2. Superior cooling performance
- Large aluminum radiator with LED 120 mm fan
- Copper water block for excellent heat transfer
- Powerful pump integrates into water block
- Quiet and powerful ceramics bearing pump
3. Clear and durable Tube
- 3/8” durable tubing
- Transparent tube
4. Flexible Installation decrease interference
5. User friendly design
- Special pre-fill liquid cooling system
- Refills coolant easily
6. Intelligent fan controller
7. Silent Operation at only 20 dBA

Testing:

The system specs for the test system are as follows:

Asus A8N-SLI mainboard (Phoenix-Award BIOS v.6.00PG)
AMD Athlon 64 3200+
1 GB Ultra PC3200 DDR SDRAM (2 x 512MB)
Western Digital Raptor 150 GB, 10,000 RPM, SATA
GeForce 7300GS 512 MB PCI-e Graphics Card

Performance:

Performance is only one component of the Aquagate S1. Quality construction and no assembly required are the other important factors that make the Aquagate a superior product. For those of you who are worried about leaks, the Aquagate comes pre-filled and all the lines are

connected with quality clamps. If you are going to build a cooling system yourself, you had better be 2000% positive that there are no leaks, or you could be out some major money for replacement parts. No worries with the Aquagate.

As you can see from the chart, the Aquagate does a decent job at keeping the system at acceptable temps. For such a small pump, this cooler really moves the coolant. Unfortunately what they gain in space, they lose in noise, this pump is loud. Which is to expected from such a small pump.

Conclusion:

The Aquagate S1 would be a excellent cooling component to most PC builds. I ran benchmarking and heat up tests for 24 hours, and the max. temp recorded from the CPU was 46°C (other results may vary). The Aquagate is perfect for those that want to get into liquid cooling but are afraid of piecing together their own system, and the price is good too. Thanks to the people at Cooler Master for the opportunity to review the Aquagate S1. I look forward to reviewing more products by them.