Zalman Reserator1 V2 Fanless Watercooling Kit Review

[One4yu2c]

Zalman Reserator 1 V2 Fanless Watercooling Kit Review

"Two parts hydrogen, one part oxygen. The end result is water, and without it we'd cease to exist, let alone partake in epic squirt gun battles, belch up our favorite carbonated soda, and survive the college years with a steady diet of boiled Ramen noodles. And while scientists continue to explore the implications of water on mars, we're focusing our attention on watercooling our PCs. Specifically, the Zalman Reserator 1 V2." - Paul Lilly

[Tyreal]

These reserators look pretty cool. I'd never buy one but an innovative idea none the less.

[stinger608]

That would be a fair system for someone that just overclocks mildly!

I may look at getting one in the next 6 months or so. I would go real good with my aluminum case.

Oh yea and BTW Paul, you always write some of the best and interesting articles I ever read

[One4yu2c]

Originally Posted by stinger608

Oh yea and BTW Paul, you always write some of the best and interesting articles I ever read

Thanks for the feedback! Despite what Rich will say, it's okay to feed the egos.

[Panda Man]

Yea, I don't care what Rich says about you paul, I still like you and your reviews!

Nice review btw, I won't be giving watercooling a try for a good while still.

[gvblake22]

Originally Posted by Panda Man

Nice review btw, I won't be giving watercooling a try for a good while still.

Same here. That looks like a great kit for someone who wants to try watercooling without modding their case or having several parts to try and fit all inside the case.

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by gvblake22

Same here. That looks like a great kit for someone who wants to try watercooling without modding their case or having several parts to try and fit all inside the case.

That, or someone that doesn't want to have a boeing next to their ears even on stock.

Nice review. I would have like to see how it compared to one of the top dogs of air cooling though. The artic cooling 7 pro, while being a great air cooler, is not in the "top 3". Looking great, but I really think the strong point of such a solution is the easy install and the rather silent operation, as opposed to the temperature.

[One4yu2c]

Originally Posted by polobunny

Nice review. I would have like to see how it compared to one of the top dogs of air cooling though. The artic cooling 7 pro, while being a great air cooler, is not in the "top 3". Looking great, but I really think the strong point of such a solution is the easy install and the rather silent operation, as opposed to the temperature.

We went with the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro comparison for two main reasons:

1) Simply put, I haven't built up a stockpile of LGA775 compatible air coolers and

2) With Zalman's focus on silent operation, users seeking a noiseless cooling solution need to decide if the pricing premium over an equally silent air cooler makes sense or not. The FC7 Pro included in the Puget system makes nary a peep, is only $35 shipped, and doesn't require mobo removal for installation, so it provides a good contrast in all three areas (acoustics, price, and installation) towards the same goal.

[stinger608]

Originally Posted by One4yu2c

We went with the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro comparison for two main reasons:

1) Simply put, I haven't built up a stockpile of LGA775 compatible air coolers and

2) With Zalman's focus on silent operation, users seeking a noiseless cooling solution need to decide if the pricing premium over an equally silent air cooler makes sense or not. The FC7 Pro included in the Puget system makes nary a peep, is only $35 shipped, and doesn't require mobo removal for installation, so it provides a good contrast in all three areas (acoustics, price, and installation) towards the same goal.

You DO make a real strong point there, One4!!! And to add to that point, the Scythe Mine that I am using is dang near silent, and I usually have great temps with this x2 3800. Never has even come close to hitting 50c!!!!!

Even when I do the overclocking, it never hits 50c

So I suppose there really wouldn't be one damn reason in the world to spend over 200 bucks for something that really isn't going to give me better temps!

[gvblake22]

Originally Posted by stinger608

You DO make a real strong point there, One4!!! And to add to that point, the Scythe Mine that I am using is dang near silent, and I usually have great temps with this x2 3800. Never has even come close to hitting 50c!!!!!

Even when I do the overclocking, it never hits 50c

So I suppose there really wouldn't be one damn reason in the world to spend over 200 bucks for something that really isn't going to give me better temps!

The only thing that could be argued against that and in favor of the Resorator is that it takes up virtually no space inside the case, allowing you to cool high end processors inside very small form factor cases that a Scythe Mine, Infinity, Ninja, etc. would never fit inside.