Continually utilize your system with the Intel BXRTS2011LC High Performance Liquid Cooler’s 74 CFM performance for a regulated and steady airflow. The integrated 120mm fan and a 150mm Propylene Glycol radiator of this liquid cooler prevents your CPU from overheating. Deliver smooth computing operations without a lot of noise as the liquid cooler has a 21-35 dBA quiet level.
$ 78.92
[wpramareviews asin=”B006588Z7G”]
Almost perfect EXCEPT…,
Pros:
-Equal to or exceeding the cooling capability of most other self-contained cooling solutions available today.
-High quality components, particularly the hoses which are almost kink-proof and long enough for even oversized or custom cases.
-Fan & pump are very quiet at low speeds, quieter than other systems I’ve tried such as the H60, H100 and various open loop systems
-The blue-lit fan is kinda “meh”, but the glowing blue Intel logo looks very cool & sophisticated. Everybody comments that it gives it a very custom modded appearance.
Cons:
-Instructions are just pictographs and horrific to try to decipher. The star I took off is solely for that. More on that below…
-Pricier then equally sized systems, but you get what you pay for.
-On anything other than a 2011 series processor, you are going to have to patient to get this installed properly. That goes for 1156, 1155, etc.
-Misc parts like screws come in unmarked bags. Several are very similar in size so you are left to decipher from the unclear pics which go with what type of processors. You think Intel, of all companies, could afford the negligible cost to mark the clear baggies with the part number.
Ok, overall, this is a top-notch self-contained cooling solution. I saw temperature drops of 15{b81fbfd19e1fca5890798868c0714c408bbd5ec471654b6f9630c0fffa6e7eb3} across the board over my H100 system, even higher over my original H60 system, and massively better than the stock intel air cooler or the Noctus air unit I was using originally. Build quality is at Intel levels, meaning very high. Where this kit fails is in the horrific wordless picture-only instructions provided in the installation manual. Because this unit is configurable for other socket types besides 2011, you will end up haphazardly guessing at what goes where and how. Let me list some things that will make the installation in a non-2011 socket easier.
INSTALLATION TIPS IN NON-2011 SOCKETS.
-The backplate bracket that must be used on non-2011 sockets is universal, but not intuitive. There are three holes on each corner. In TINY TINY letters they are marked for use with the various socket types. You insert a rectangular-headed threaded insert into the corresponding hole. YOUR INSTINCT WILL BE TO PUT THE INSERTS INTO THE MATCHING HOLES ON ALL 4 CORNERS. THAT IS WRONG. Because the offset it different for different sockets, there will be a specific and DIFFERENT hole for each socket type on each corner. You have to look at the socket names on each hole and match it up or the backplate won’t line up with holes on your motherboard.
-The retaining ring is equally counter-intuitive. The corner standoffs can be rotated to fit different sockets. Again,there is microscopic lettering that you match up with your socket type. The directions make it look like it is easier to mount the retaining ring first and then twist on the cooler plate. I found it easier to mount the cooler to the ring first, and then insert that assembly into the motherboard as a single piece.
-The kit comes with different size and types of retaining screws. None come marked. You are left to figure out what, where and how they are used. The ones most people will use are the thumbscrews (vs. regular screw which are also provided) There are two sets of thumbscrews provided for 2011 or non-2011 mounts. Luckily the diameters are different, so pick the smaller diameter and that will be the one you use for non-2011 mountings like 1155, 1156, etc.
-Though the kit comes with two packs of generic thermal grease, I of course used my own that I trust (Arctic Silver 5). The cooler heatsink is micro-channeled copper. Make sure that you follow the thermal paste manufacturers instructions on how to apply your paste or you’ll end up with bubbles and/or excess (possibly conductive) paste leaking on your motherboard. You will then waste several hours trying to figure out why your CPU is running hotter than it did with the stock cooler, or why your motherboard suddenly shorted out.
Finally, there is a video on youtube and the Intel website that shows the installation procedure, but of course it does not show instructions for anything other than the new 2011 socket! I have yet to find a installation video specific to non-2011 mountings.
SUMMARY: One of the best self-contained closed loop water cooling systems you can buy. It costs a bit more, but is worth it. The only thing you have to get past is the installation manual which is simply not user friendly.
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|Solid Liquid Cooling System,
To be honest, I had to return this unit because it wouldn’t fit in the case of my Dell XPS 8300. My case has a 92MM rear fan and not a 120MM fan. But the construction of the product was solid. The Radiator was the largest I have seen on a Liquid Cooler and the tubing is flexible and sturdy. The instruction were clear and concise. Asetek, who makes this product for Intel, really got it right.
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|very easy, works fine in our NON OC rig,
I was a little apprehensive about this as I couldn’t find anyone who had installed it into a Silverstone FT-02 case. There was no problem at all. In this case it simply replaced the top exhaust fan. Here’s one complaint though: Intel’s directions have no words whatever. It’s all pictures. But I found a video on YouTube that explained what parts to use for our socket (2011) and really it’s very simple. The 3960X hasn’t been above 41C under any load we’ve tried.
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