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Today we are using the latest Intel Core i7 990x Extreme Edition processor which we reviewed a short while ago. This is the current mainstream flagship processor from Intel.
While we could use an open test bench, we like to try and mirror more ‘realistic’ conditions, so we have built the system inside an Antec Twelve Hundred chassis. Room ambient temperatures are maintained at a steady 20c throughout testing. We use diodes to measure core temperatures.
Intel System:
Processor: Intel Core i7 980x
Motherboard: Gigabyte X58 Assassin
Thermal Paste: Noctua NT H1
Power Supply: Corsair TX850W
Chassis: Antec Twelve Hundred
Memory: GSkill RipJaws DDR3 2000mhz 6GB 7-8-7
Graphics Card: Sapphire HD5670 Ultimate Edition
Comparison coolers:
Antec KÜHLER H₂O 620
Corsair H50
Corsair H70
Coolit ECO A.L.C.
Coolit Vantage A.L.C.
Noctua NH D14
All other coolers were set to their default fan speeds for this section of the review. We used Noctua NT H1 thermal material on all coolers, as it is higher quality than any of the supplied paste. We used a custom setting on the 920 with the system kicking into high performance when liquid temperatures reached 45c.
Testing these coolers at reference voltage and speeds does not highlight the ultimate performance, but it gives us a good reference point to start from.
We are overclocking the Intel 990x to 5ghz on this board with the core voltage set to 1.5, extremely high levels and a quick way to judge ultimate overclocked cooling performance.
The Antec KÜHLER H₂O 920 manages to outperform the H70 at high settings by almost a full degree. Very close indeed, and still around a single degree behind the Noctua NH D14 cooler.
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.