coolit | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net KitGuru.net - Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards Fri, 09 Dec 2022 10:32:48 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.kitguru.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/cropped-KITGURU-Light-Background-SQUARE2-32x32.png coolit | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net 32 32 MSI MAG CORELIQUID 360R AIO CPU Cooler Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/msi-mag-coreliquid-360r-aio-cpu-cooler-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/msi-mag-coreliquid-360r-aio-cpu-cooler-review/#respond Sun, 12 Jul 2020 12:04:26 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=476093 MSI has taken on a different approach with this AIO cooler design, but is it any good?

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MAG CoreLiquid is a brand new all-in-one closed-loop liquid CPU cooling solution from MSI. Unlike many of the alternative AIO liquid coolers on the market that mount the pump to the CPU block, MSI has chosen an entirely different approach with the MAG CoreLiquid series. MSI claims that its new radiator-mounted pump AIO will “drown the opposition”. Let’s find out if they are right.

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To say that this is a ‘revolution' in AIO closed-loop liquid cooler design would be inaccurate, but it does make you wonder why more companies do not go down this route and instead stick with the “trusty” Asetek and CoolIT CPU block mounted pump units. As far as I can remember, there is only one other mainstream manufacturer that has tried the rad-mounted pump design.

NZXT used this strategy for its M22 AIO CPU cooler series but have since switched back to Asetek as the company's closed-loop AIO supplier. MSI has moved in the completely opposite direction, by switching from an Asetek-style design with its previous Dragon 120mm AIO series, to the pump-in-radiator design of the new MAG CoreLiquid series.

The obvious and only reason I can think that MSI has taken this approach is to avoid any infringement of the Asetek patent of a CPU block mounted pump. Other companies have found ways around the Asetek patent while technically keeping the pump mounted on the CPU block, by designing a dual-chamber arrangement of the pump housing, which has proven to work well for them.

So, this is by no means a brand new design, neither is it one of MSI’s own ideas, in actual fact the CoreLiquid series is designed and manufactured by the same company that supplied NZXT with the M22. The company in question is Apalcool (Apaltek) who holds the patent for this design and manufactures various AIO liquid coolers for desktop systems as well as data centre and servers.

However, the MSI MAG CoreLiquid series does have a number of its own unique features. The CPU block is equipped with an MSI dragon logo which is illuminated by Addressable RGB lighting, as well as a top cover that can be rotated 270-degrees to ensure the MSI dragon is facing in the correct orientation no matter which position the CPU block is installed to the socket.

The RGB lighting of the MSI MAG CoreLiquid 360R extends to the fans, giving users two RGB lighting zones to configure and customise. RGB lighting effects can be synchronised and controlled either by motherboard manufacturer software such as MSI Mystic Light via a 3-pin 5v ARG header or by using an RGB HUB. However, a standalone RGB hub isn’t included with the MAG CoreLiquid, so if you plan to use this with an older motherboard without ARGB headers, then the RGB features will not work out of the box.

In terms of technical specifications, the MSI MAG CoreLiquid 360R is outfitted with a durable three-phase motor driving the pump with a maximum speed of 4200 PRM and low noise levels of 18 dBA, along with 120mm dual ball-bearing fans that have a speed range of 500-2000 RPM controlled by a 4-pin PWM connection and a maximum airflow rating of 78.73 CFM.

As is typical with AIO closed loop coolers, the CoreLiquid 360R features a 27mm thick aluminium radiator and low evaporation reinforced rubber tubing covered with a premium-looking braided sleeving. One noticeable and a rather unconventional feature of the MSI MAG CoreLiquid is a removable plug in the radiator that looks like it could be used to refill the system. Whether this is intended for the end-user to top up liquid or for initial factory filling hasn't been disclosed.

CPU socket support of the MSI MAG CoreLiquid 360R is extensive, all current mainstream desktop platforms from both Intel and AMD are covered, including the new Intel socket LGA1200 for 10th generation Core processors as well as AMD high-end desktop TR4/TRX40 Ryzen Threadripper platforms.

Key Features

  • Radiator mounted pump design
  • Rotating CPU block top cover
  • Two-zone ARGB lighting
  • Extensive CPU socket support

Specifications

Radiator Dimensions 394 x 120 x27mm
Radiator Material Aluminium
Tube length 400mm
Pump Speed 4200 RPM
Pump Noise 18 dB(A)
Pump Connector  3-pin
Pump Rated Voltage 12 VDC
Pump Load Current 0.34 A
Pump Power Consumption 4.08 W
Fan Dimensions 120 x 120 x 25 mm
Fan Speed Range 500 ~ 2000 RPM
Fan Noise Level 14.3 ~ 34.3 dBA
Fan Air Flow 21.63 ~ 78.73 CFM
Fan Connector 4-pin PWM
Bearing Type Two Ball Bearing
Fan Rated Voltage 12 VDC
Fan Rated Current 0.15 A
Fan Power Consumption 1.8 W
LED Type  Addressable RGB LED

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Zalman CNPS9900 Max – does anyone remember Zalman? https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/faith/zalman-cnps9900-max-%e2%80%93-does-anyone-remember-zalman/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/faith/zalman-cnps9900-max-%e2%80%93-does-anyone-remember-zalman/#comments Sat, 19 Jun 2010 08:26:17 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=5549 A decade back, as AMD finally started to crawl out of the shadow of Intel’s persistent domination of the desktop CPU space, KitGurus in long shorts with patches on their elbows started to experiment with this amazing concept called overclocking. Back in the day, a highly-sharpened HB was perfect for (a) multiple choice exams and …

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A decade back, as AMD finally started to crawl out of the shadow of Intel’s persistent domination of the desktop CPU space, KitGurus in long shorts with patches on their elbows started to experiment with this amazing concept called overclocking. Back in the day, a highly-sharpened HB was perfect for (a) multiple choice exams and (b) overclocking the nuts off your latest CPU. As our OC kung-fu blossomed, our eyes glimpsed the wondrous copper flower of Zalman. Whoooo. So, whatever happened to Zalman ?

From the revolutionary 7000 through to the evolutionary 9500, Zalman was a top pick for any enthusiast. Well, any AMD enthusiast. Each generation of cooler was bigger and more elaborate than the last and most of them were shown off in the UK for the first time at one of the Multiplay LAN gaming events.

Is it possible that Zalman’s success was so closely tied into the market’s move to Athlon and FX, that many forgot these coolers can be used with Intel systems as well?

We’ve been speaking with Zalman's engineers and they seem to think they have a winner on their hands with the CNPS9900 MAX.

CNPS9900 MAX Promises Serious Cooling

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Part of their confidence comes from the ‘slightly larger than most’ 135mm fan, which they tell us will increase the CFM across the cooling fins. The fins themselves have a special Black-Pearl nickel plating which is also supposed to assist in the movement of thermal energy from your CPU to your chassis.

Looks so serious. Let's hope it works!

On the subject of fins, there are a lot of them – possibly slightly more than you would find outside the Hartwell Areena after a Jokerit win in the finals against Turun Palloseura.

Assuming everything has been prepared correctly, more fins means a greater surface area for passing air molecules to bounce into the metal and pick up some heat.

Alongside air flow and fin area, another major factor is the smoothness of the base. If it is perfectly smooth, then a great amount will be in contact with the CPU – allowing greater heat transfer. The arse on the CNPS9900 MAX is so smooth that we gave up trying to the camera to focus on the base – and instead let it autofocus on the reflection of the tablecloth. Now that’s what we call smooth.

Because you're so smooth...

Our Zalman friends were also keen to point out the superior heat transfer capability of their STG2 thermalpaste. While it might not quite match the leading polysynthetic compounds like Arctic Silver 5, STG2 is still a ‘premier division’ competitor and a wise choice for Zalman loving KitGurus.

The big questions remain, how much will it be and what performance will it deliver?

Time to buy your Pay-Per-View tickets for Zardon Vs Zalman anytime soon.

KitGuru says: The market is now pretty well defined with the Noctua NH-D14, Corsair H50 and CoolIT Eco products taking the £60+ market and the Titan Fenrir at £29, then it’s going to need to hit a pretty small sweet spot. Better OC cooling than the Titan and cheaper than the Noctua. Good luck lads.

Sure that KitGuru's lost it?  How dare we suggest that Zalman ever went away? Share your angst in the KitGuru forums!

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Coolit launch new ECO 240 ALC – dual processor https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/zardon/coolit-launch-new-eco-240-alc-dual-processor/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/zardon/coolit-launch-new-eco-240-alc-dual-processor/#respond Tue, 01 Jun 2010 22:03:22 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=3668 After the launch of their successful ECO for single CPU systems, Coolit have followed up with the dual CPU version for workstations and server platforms. “Our aim is to offer a wide variety of configurations to satisfy a vast amount of individual cooling requirements across many IT platforms whilst maintaining cost effective, highly efficient, easy …

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After the launch of their successful ECO for single CPU systems, Coolit have followed up with the dual CPU version for workstations and server platforms.

“Our aim is to offer a wide variety of configurations to satisfy a vast amount of individual cooling requirements across many IT platforms whilst maintaining cost effective, highly efficient, easy to install and maintenance free cooling” explained Geoff Lyon, CEO, CoolIT Systems.

For the ultimate cooling performance, the CoolIT Systems ECO 240 ALC features a 240mm optimised radiator with a twin 120mm fan assembly powered and regulated by a single 12V motherboard header.  The fans can be configured in either a push or pull orientation according to the customer’s preference.

The CoolIT Systems Dual ECO 240 ALC is designed for dual processor workstation and server platforms.  Two award winning ECO units work effectively in series providing optimal stability and reliability whilst reducing acoustic output from an optimised 240mm radiator and twin fan assembly.

Addressing small form factor computing, the CoolIT Systems ECO 80 ALC features CoolIT’s newly developed 80mm radiator and fan combination.  Hardware components in confined environments can finally be effectively and quietly cooled by extracting heat directly out of the chassis.  For maximum compatibility, CoolIT have also introduced the ECO 92 ALC with 92mm fan and radiator.

“The possibilities are endless” continued Lyon, “further customisation can be requested on all our products to suit individual requirements and specifications, such as a 4 fan setup on the Dual ECO 240 ALC powered and controlled by just a single 12V fan header”.

Following the launch of the CoolIT Systems OMNI ALC universal graphics card cooler, both GPU and GPU/CPU combinations will soon be introduced to the new range as well as the infamous MAESTRO scalable wireless control system.  Lyon explained, “Imagine being able to control and monitor the cooling performance of multiple graphics cards, processors, fans and temperature sensors from a simple piece of software and more importantly without any wires!”

“CoolIT Systems is built on pure innovation, but our innovation extends further than our product line” added Lyon.  “We invest massive amounts of resources in the development of our manufacturing processes and services we offer.  This is what sets us way apart from our competitors” he concluded.

KitGuru says: Liquid cooling for servers, we like!

Discuss in our forums over here or just leave a quick comment below.

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