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For testing today we are using an Intel Core i7 970 6 core CPU and an MSI X58A-GD65 motherboard – a combination we know already hits high overclocks with relative ease. Thanks to Intel and MSI for supplying these.
We are also going to be using 6GB of our favourite Ballistix Tracer DDR3 courtesy of Crucial.
Our chassis of choice is the Lian Li PC-8FIB which we reviewed a few days ago over here.
The cooler is supplied with a bracket prefitted for Intel processors, to change the fitting you simply slide the bar across to the relevant slot position. It comes set already at 1366 which is what we need.
We simply slide through a backplate and attach the CPU block to this with a standard screwdriver. We like the fact that Coolit have used little protective shrouds on the screws to ensure you don't slip and damage components.
There are two connectors which feed from the Vantage Pump assembly, the first is a four pin female connector which delivers power to the CFF1 pump via a CPU header on the motherboard. It is extremely important that PWM control is disabled in the bios so full power can be send via this connector.
A four pin male header delivers power to the fan mounted on the radiator. The Vantage control box can then adjust fan speeds to suit temperatures and settings.
There are many settings and options on the Vantage which allow for personalised configuration. The display can be rotated for instance to suit the fitting position.
Firstly, the main view shows the temperature of the Coolant as well as the speeds of the fan and pump.
There are coloured options to suit your own taste and you can make the unit ‘pulse' the colour if you wish.
We created a video to show the panel functionality.
As you can see the panel offers plenty of customisation, from fan speeds, to colours and rotation. We hear that upcoming units will support added software based functionality, such as auto detecting devices and controlling third party fans. This might be very useful for someone who wants complete control over airflow and system performance/noise.
As always Zardon, wicked overclocking skills 🙂
nice overclocking on a locked processor. I saw one site saying it sucked compared to 980X and they struggled to hit 4ghz!
Good product, if a little costly.
I love this product, the LED screen is worth the 50 quid !
My friend had a domino, it leaked, but its good to see the build quality has improved.
Nice idea of including the CPUZ verifications, ive often wondered how you did it, but clearly you have mad skilzz
Wow that is such an awesome looking product, thanks for including the videos lately they really help spice the content up. Lovely chassis that, fell in love with it at the weekend.
If you’re building yourself, then the Noctua and Frio still look like great options.
But they put an awful amount of weight on a mainboard and at 90 degrees.
This kind of water cooling might not be the best at cooling in the market, but it’s probably the safest way to get a strong OC without risking a problem during shipment.
Thanks to everyone for the positive comments!
When it comes overclocking, Zardon was cutting his teeth in the XtremeSystems.org forum when most of the world’s long-haired-lurkers were still in nappies 🙂
Unfortunately skill, experience and patience are not available in Primark.
Zardon’s in the minority that forces the hardware to his way of thinking. I’m with the great majority of people who just can’t do it 🙂
Fantastic review and this looks to be a very impressive product, love the video showing all the options.
Domino was terrible, but it was a good novelty item at the time, i read threads on anandtech with people’s systems destroyed! It would make me wonder if this is ok long term but I trust Zardon as he has helped me build my last 3 systems. Great review, but that goes without saying.
I just ordered one, I hope its as good as you say.
The fact you managed to get a core i7 970 to 4.5ghz is rather impressive. most of the main stream press can barely get a 980X to this. kudos Mr Z.
Im probably one of the few people who knows his secret name on xtremesystems 🙂 guy used to lead the charts in the old days. much respect Z 🙂
id buy that for a dollar. well 180 of them 🙂
Shit that 970 processor isnt as bad as I thought. everyone says its a waste of money, but clearly if you got the right motherboard (kudos MSI) and the right man on the case (Z) then the results are up there with the 980x!
Wish you made systems and id buy them. nice product, looks brilliant in a case like that lian li. love it. just a bit much dosh for me
Very impressive product. id rather have it than the noctua NH D14 for all the reasons Zardon listed in the conclusion. I bet that hurt though, he seems married to noctua
damn, that is sexy. it really is. shame the LED aspect is ramping up the price so much, 105 quid for a cooler is almost as bad as paying 250 for the corsair ax1200. makes for a very expensive system build.
Top review, nice product, well done coolit.
drop the price by 30 and id buy it, its too much cash for what you get right now.
I would buy this, but I need to get a CPU first. probably pick up a 1055T cheap here.
I already bought one of these last week and im very impressed. im embarassed to say I havent tried overclocking yet, but if I can get close to 4ghz with my 920 ill be happy.
It is a lot of money to part with for a cooler, but it seems not too far off the Noctua NH D14 but without the massive bulk. thats the only thing that puts me off that cooler. its bound to be a nightmare to fit, stress on the pcb. and getting near the mobo for other work? impossible. this looks to be ideal, if I can work out how to get the cash toghether
Too rich for my blood, but my friend read this earlier and ordered one online,. hopefully it sucks :p (he is rich)
How does this compare to H70, any review of H70 coming up Kitguru?
I have had the h70 here a while, and testing is done, just need to get time to write it all up 🙂
So this is better than H50 or much the same but over 100 quid? ilike the display, but once its set up does anyone really look at it all the time ?
50,000 hours life is good, that 5 years 24/7, or 10+ for most of us. will be on the next generation slots in 1 year, by 10 years these slots will all be long extinct!
I think its worth the money to be honest. NH D14 from noctua is clearly the best heatsink on the market but look at the downsides? the size for one. blocked ram slots, inability to get near half of the mobo. this is so small and not far from the performance levels.
Great review, video sold me when I saw it in operation. selling my left kidney on ebay as we speak.
All hail the Z – 4.8ghz on a 875K and 4.6ghz on a locked 970. 4.45ghz usable. 🙂
**bows**
Zardon I dont believe this will hit 4.5ghz, I bet this is the CPU right at the limit, no way it hits 4.6ghz.
Show me a CPUZ vailidation with the CPU over 4.5ghz and ill eat my hat.
What hat are you going to eat? http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=1358922
OMG pawned. I just pissed myself. anyone else? haha
Comedy hour on KG, love it 🙂
mwahahahahahahahahaha.
(good review).
lol.
Hey good review, im tempted to pick one of these up for my new Core i7. thanks!
very good review – seems like a good product
4.44ghz stable with an entry level liquid cooling unit. thats hella impressive. Coolit have clearly delivered the goods this time.
very nice indeed. very enjoyable to read, that screen Coolit made is a brilliant idea. the rotation options are inspired.
Nice review Z. Seems a lil’ Expensive but it sure looks worth the money… are we going to see a head to head with the H70?
Brilliant OC on the 970. Best I’ve Ever seen, I bow to your Overclocking prowess.