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Cathar · 08-05-2005, 04:46 PM

I have mixed feelings about it. It has very good performance, and its performance could be improved further I would imagine by increasing the radiator size. I have some concerns though (all with varying degrees of validity/applicability):

*) The requirement to mount in a gravity fed orientation. While this can be reasonably easy to achieve for those who are aware of its importance, it's once you involve the average user who doesn't read manuals and throws things together. It's not idiot proof.

*) The inability to simply add extra devices without including finding somewhere to mount an extra radiator to go with them

*) The hose length has to be fixed because it is a sealed system. This can mike life difficult when trying to install in a small case with too long hosing, and vice-versa. It's not a one-size-fits-all solution

*) Working temperature range. I would presume that the coolant has a boiling point temperature that does not track changes in ambient very well. Can the enthusiast still stick their computer on the porch on a cold night and get 20C lower temperatures?

*) Fragility. Heat-pipes are not indestructible either, but they're pretty tough and generally one has to be trying to break one. This solution seems less tough. Unlike water-cooling too, this is not a case of simply replacing a damaged part, refill, and you're away.

*) Tubing permeability. Any flexible tubing used will have to provide a 100% effective non-permeable seal, otherwise coolant levels will drop and affect performance. While such tubing commonly exists it's typically not attractive to look at.

Overall it seems like an effective cooling technology, however its results do seem to sit in-between air-cooling and water-cooling (as shown) and I would imagine that its final price-point would do so as well given the added complexity over air-cooling. If I were taking it to market I'd be asking myself if there was enough room to carve a niche between air and water in price/performance, given the issues raised above, and given that very effective quality water-cooling which has none of the above problems (except permability which is easily solved) can be had for the $130-200 mark.

08-05-2005, 04:46 PM	#6
Cathar Thermophile Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 2,538	I have mixed feelings about it. It has very good performance, and its performance could be improved further I would imagine by increasing the radiator size. I have some concerns though (all with varying degrees of validity/applicability): ) The requirement to mount in a gravity fed orientation. While this can be reasonably easy to achieve for those who are aware of its importance, it's once you involve the average user who doesn't read manuals and throws things together. It's not idiot proof. ) The inability to simply add extra devices without including finding somewhere to mount an extra radiator to go with them ) The hose length has to be fixed because it is a sealed system. This can mike life difficult when trying to install in a small case with too long hosing, and vice-versa. It's not a one-size-fits-all solution ) Working temperature range. I would presume that the coolant has a boiling point temperature that does not track changes in ambient very well. Can the enthusiast still stick their computer on the porch on a cold night and get 20C lower temperatures? ) Fragility. Heat-pipes are not indestructible either, but they're pretty tough and generally one has to be trying to break one. This solution seems less tough. Unlike water-cooling too, this is not a case of simply replacing a damaged part, refill, and you're away. ) Tubing permeability. Any flexible tubing used will have to provide a 100% effective non-permeable seal, otherwise coolant levels will drop and affect performance. While such tubing commonly exists it's typically not attractive to look at. Overall it seems like an effective cooling technology, however its results do seem to sit in-between air-cooling and water-cooling (as shown) and I would imagine that its final price-point would do so as well given the added complexity over air-cooling. If I were taking it to market I'd be asking myself if there was enough room to carve a niche between air and water in price/performance, given the issues raised above, and given that very effective quality water-cooling which has none of the above problems (except permability which is easily solved) can be had for the $130-200 mark.