KitGuru KitGuru.net – Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards
The Antec KÜHLER H₂O 920 is the first CPU cooler we have seen to be supplied with its own driver and Windows software. The Coolit Vantage would be the closest, but it was all controlled by the unit itself inside the system, rather than via software.
This has the upside of being fully configurable from the comfort of your chair, rather than having to open the case everytime you want to change a setting.
The negative point is that you are limited to using a Windows Operating System. There is no documentation supplied with the 920 so it is just as well the interface is pretty much bulletproof. For those wondering, yes it also works on 64 bit operating systems without a hitch.
The ChillControl V software is based around a very stylish and clean interface with four submenus. Dashboard, Graphs, Fan Control and Settings. The dashboard, as seen above, groups together all relevant information such as liquid temperatures, fan and pump speed and even estimated sound levels, linked to the speeds. It is worth pointing out that liquid temperature does NOT mean CPU temperature. Top right is a little interface area for preconfigured options.
Setting the preset to ‘extreme' mode, puts both fans into turbo mode, and the noise levels are pretty much unbearable with the fans spinning up from a modest 660 rpm, to an ear pounding 2,640rpm. This setting means that the fans run at full speed, even if the CPU is idling.
The graph section shows an overview of the liquid temperature in relation to the fan speeds. This can be adjusted to suit.
ChillControl V has a ‘fan control' section which allows the user to adjust the fan speed, in accordance with the liquid temperatures. You can access these by using the ‘custom' setting top right. In here, you can also adjust the alert system for high liquid temperatures or fan failure. There is no audible alarm system in place, but there are popup options in windows when the settings are breached.
The last area is the settings panel which allows adjustments of how the temperature is displayed (to suit US/UK users) and to configure the logging system. You can also change the colour of the Antec logo, which glows on the main pump unit. You can set it to 65,536 different colours, so we can't claim that this isn't well supported. Of course it is only really worthwhile if you have a windowed case.
very good cooler, but the 620 seems better value, its under 40 quid.
That looks like my next cooler ! The D14 is great, but its a nightmare for moving things once I system is built. Cant get access to memory with it in 🙁
Reviews ive read say this is pretty much as good as it gets. Im interested myself, as my current cooler is very loud. id like this on the quiet mode.
The only issue I have is the hoses they use can cause evaporation over a long period of time. the smaller metal style hoses stop this. I dont know why Antec have ditched them with Asetek.
What do you mean they cause evaporation?
They are using the older soft style hoses. when the water heats up and cools, there is slight evaporation. its not the best system. this is why some of the other coolers use the harder hoses, to stop this. its not just for appearance.
Read a few reviews of this last week and just ordered one today. I almost crapped myself when I saw a review here. I hate buying stuff that people say sucks, so thank god it was a good review.
@ Roger, why would Antec sell something thats worse than a previous design>? I think you must have the facts wrong.
First of all – thanks Kit Guru for a great review.
For the KG community – with regards to evaporation, Asetek did a considerable amount of testing on rubberized vs corrugated tubing and found there to be no impact on the longevity of the product when comparing the two. They address this in a recent blog post.
http://www.asetek.com/blog/243-questions-of-the-month-may-2011.html
If you’ve got any other questions, I’ll keep my eye on the thread.
Thanks jessie. Good info. I had read on forums that people were concerned about evaporation after a few years.
What is the rated life? Any ideas?
I like these, its like an evolution of the excellemt corsair designs.
I just ordered one in uk, noctua d14 is great but its too big
Is it possible to use better fans in this? Like high grade ones? How does the control system work?
My friend had a corsair unit and it was awesome, but it was a nightmare to fit. I dont like the locking system and the tight little tubes, not very flexible.
This is quite expensive compared to 620. The double sized radiator has added a lot of money. I love the software idea, coolits vantage was a stupid idea if you wanted to change settings.
Any plans for linux software?
@roger – In the same testing mentioned above, Asetek concluded that the KUHLER would last greater than 50,000 hours.
@Eric – you can use other fans if you like. Keep in mind that the thickness of the fans does matter. If you go with thicker fans, you’ll need longer screws. The control system will work the same, but the decibel data will be incrrect as it’s calculated for the included fans.
That is great looking. I might get one myself for the sandybridge system im building. I do like the D14 from Noctua, but the size has always put me off. I like getting access to the memory without having to remove the cooler.
I was using a Noctua U12P SE2 on my OC I7 930 (4ghz, 1.38v) and in hot summer days I kept hitting Max Temp (100!) under load (that’s with 3 case fans + 2 fans on the heatsink).
Replaced it by the Antec H20 920… and I am more than pleased. It does get a bit noisy under load, but CPU temp rarely goes above 80.