Thermaltake Symphony mini External Water Cooling Kit Review

[Capper]

Ahhhh......water cooling. What once was a tedious cooling method practiced only by the bold and experienced enthusiast, has over the past couple of years been reduced to a ho-hum mainstream cooling method that any **** can accomplish without much stress. With processors consuming less and less power and generating much less heat, extreme cooling has for the most part become quite passe, unless you are one of those crazy people that, on a daily basis, push their systems to the very edge in an attempt to knock that last .00002 off your Super Pi time.

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[yurimxpxman]

Originally Posted by Capper

has over the past couple of years been reduced to a ho-hum mainstream cooling method that any **** can accomplish without much stress.

You really think so? What about leakage? Is that ever a problem? Like if I took my PC somewhere would it hold up pretty well? That's what I've always wondered about it.

[Quakindude]

On the down side, the unit really should not be called the "mini", unless you are comparing it to your house's water heater.

Now that right there's funny! Great review. I've been thinking of watercooling, but never really wanted to risk it. Now with my E6600 though, I might look into it after the first of the year.

[onebxr]

Like the fittings on the Symphony mini itself, the PCI slot cover is labeled "IN/OUT", making the entire setup basically idiot proof; I say basically because you never really know....


Yeah, I could screw this up!
-1

[Jokerswild]

I see water in my future.

[Capper]

Originally Posted by yurimxpxman

You really think so? What about leakage? Is that ever a problem? Like if I took my PC somewhere would it hold up pretty well? That's what I've always wondered about it.

Well, time was leakage was a pretty big issue....but starting a year or so back with Swiftech's quick connect system, companies have been releasing kits that make installation extremely simply and operation trouble free. This honestly was the easiest kit I've ever seen when it came to setup......as to moving your system around, look at the shear size of the thing yuri, then think to yourself how feasible it is to lug this thing around everywhere.

[Capper]

before you make a decision, wait until you read Paul's review of the Zalman Reserator1 v.2 hopefully next week.....its his first foray into W/C, and that kit seriously impressed me.
As to this kit, I had some serious issue when it came to pump noise the first day, but it settle down alright......I've already had a person contact me complaining of the same pump noise

[Jokerswild]

Originally Posted by Capper

before you make a decision, wait until you read Paul's review of the Zalman Reserator1 v.2 hopefully next week.....its his first foray into W/C, and that kit seriously impressed me.
As to this kit, I had some serious issue when it came to pump noise the first day, but it settle down alright......I've already had a person contact me complaining of the same pump noise

Pump noise = bad news

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

Originally Posted by Jokerswild

I see water in my future.

Are you going to reincarnate as a fish?

Is this the first water cooling review? I haven't paid attention.

[Capper]

no, we've done a few others....and have a few more coming up.
I personally think a good air cooled solution is fine for most everyone......water made a lot of sense during the Prescott days.