Zalman Reserator XT Hybrid Liquid Cooling System

Rob Williams

Rob Williams

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Given their nature, external water-coolers have a lot of room to do things right. Zalman took full advantage of the space they had with the XT and delivered a superb external solution with excellent performance. Though slightly expensive, "you get what you pay for" rings true here.

You can read Greg's full review here and discuss it here!
 
Merlin

Merlin

The Tech Wizard
I heard the word " Huge " but didn't see any dimensions or anything near to get a reference to the size of the thing.....I guess I could go to newegg, if they have one....I was just wondering.

Merlin
_________________
Chuck Norris sells excersise equipment
 
sbrehm72255

sbrehm72255

Tech Monkey
Zalman makes some pretty stuff, that's for sure, the Reserator XT is sort of like my old old Corsair Hydrocool from years gone by (which also cooled pretty good for it's day).

Anyways, I didn't notice what program you were using to measure the temps with, I assume it was coretemp.

All in all, not a bad external unit.
 
Rob Williams

Rob Williams

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Hmm, I am not sure on dimensions. Perhaps Greg can take care of that once he sees this post.

If I can remember correctly, it is probably around 6" tall, 10" deep and 6" wide. I could be way off, but that sounds semi-reasonable.
 
Rob Williams

Rob Williams

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So... I was a little off.

SO WHAT?

(thanks for giving us the info I could have found myself if I weren't so lazy)
 
Greg King

Greg King

I just kinda show up...
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THUMPer said:
thats all we get...4 pages?
Click to expand...

The three thousand word review didn't provide you with enough coverage? Would it have been better to copy and paste the specs into the review and call it a 5 pager?

Seriously, what more would you have liked to have seen?
 
Rob Williams

Rob Williams

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We take pride in the fact that we write reviews that span only the necessary number of pages, unlike most sites that would take this 4-page review and turn it into a 10-page review.

If you don't like it, read somewhere else.
 
F

FISH

Obliviot
Zalman works!

Gentlemen,

I recently purchased the Reserator XT as well as 3 Zalman 8800GTX blocks and I must say they work rather nicely. (Though I did add another pump and a small radiator to help keep those cards cool)

CPU Idles at 44C (OC 3.4) Load:54C (this would be much lower if not for OC and the 3 video cards)
3 GPU's Idle at 33C, Load temps are 48C

It was extremely easy to setup.

Great article and thanks for the review.
 
Rob Williams

Rob Williams

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The secondary pump is intertwined with the already existing Zalman XT? Sounds interesting, and very useful.

The fact that load temps on the GTX's is 48C blows me away. Are all three cards that way, or are you measuring a single card?
 
F

FISH

Obliviot
Rob Williams said:
The secondary pump is intertwined with the already existing Zalman XT? Sounds interesting, and very useful.

The fact that load temps on the GTX's is 48C blows me away. Are all three cards that way, or are you measuring a single card?
Click to expand...


The three GPU's vary by 1deg usually but range for 46-48 under load. Yeah...they are intertwined. I needed an extra pump and radiator in there or otherwise it would be too much heat.

I have the Zalman pumping cool water into the CPU and the first GPU...then to the secondary pump which sends it over to the radiator (with fan) and the last two GPU's.

Fairly effective. First water cooling system for me so it was an adventure.

Heres a pic:

http://allenp.deviantart.com/art/FISH-79345845

I have the extra pump and radiator out of the case for testing...they are actually in the case normally tucked under my Raptors.

I have some pics too that show it along the way if interested. I tell you what...I give Zalman a huge two thumbs up for their products. I realize I had to add an extra pump and radiator but come on....its cooling some serious heat.
 
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Rob Williams

Rob Williams

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Damn, that's quite the setup! I am still impressed by the fact that the 8800GTX cards are kept at such wicked temperatures. My single 8800GTX hits 80C when it's not even doing anything, yet you have three smooshed together and temps are kept under 50C. That's fantastic.

Whenever I build a "proper" gaming rig, I think I might do something similar. In total, how much did that cooling setup run you?
 
F

FISH

Obliviot
$399.99- Reserator XT http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118032
$64.99- 8800GTX Waterblock http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118027
$64.99- 8800GTX Waterblock http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118027
$64.99- 8800GTX Waterblock http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118027
$53.95- Black Ice GTX120 Radiator https://www.dangerden.com/store/product.php?productid=255&cat=90&page=1
$44.95- DD-CPX1 12V Pump http://www.dangerden.com/store/product.php?productid=279&cat=4&page=1
$33.00- Shipping
________________________________
$726.86- Total

If you download Rivatuner over at Guru3d.com you can adjust your fan settings to a higher percentage and drop your GTX temperature WAY down. While the GTX can certainly run at those temps...its not all that healthy.

http://downloads.guru3d.com/RivaTuner-v2.08-download-163.html

Once downloaded and installed:
1. go to the "Target Adapter" section under the the Main Tab.
2. Click on the down arrow under customize.
3. Click on "low level system settings" (looks like a video card)
4. Check the "enable low-level fan control"
5. Check the "detect now" block
6. Check the "fixed" block
7. Adjust to the setting you like (I slammed it up to 95% myself but whatever works for you)
8. Check the "Apply fan settings at Windows start up" block
9. Check "Apply" at the bottom right.

That should cool your card down. Now...it will make much more noise on the other hand....but a cooler card is worth it to me. I use "GPU-Z" to monitor my Card temps and "Core Temp" to monitor my CPU temps.
 
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Rob Williams

Rob Williams

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Thanks for the information, but I don't use the 8800GTX except when testing. The high temps don't bother me too much, it just amazes me how much you were able to bring them down!
 
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