Comserver Components Watercooling Kit 2236

SUMMARY: Very compact external kit with mid-range performance.

Box

Size: 9″ x 5½” x 4″

The good guys at Comserver Components were nice enough to send a sample of their Standalone Water Cooling Unit. This is a very compact external unit with about 6′ of tubing, so it can be located some distance from the PC. The unit features:

  • AC ball bearing 26 dba 120 mm fan
  • 12 Ounce aluminum reservoir
  • 300 Gallon Per Hour Pump
  • Nickel plated, O-ring Push-To-Lock fittings
  • Aluminum radiator

Side

The bottom of the unit.

A closer look reveals how it gets its compact shape.

Open

There’s not much wasted space here – this diagram gives a good view of how things are stitched together:

Diagram

Pic courtesy of Comserver.

Note that the pump is directly bonded to the reservoir – saves a lot of space. The radiator is closely tied to the pump, so lines are kept to a minimum – a very neat, compact design.

There are two waterblocks – a P4:

P4

The base is reasonably flat:

P4 Base

And a Socket A version, which features spring-loaded clips:

Socket A

The base is flat – the marks are from polishing liquid and have no impact on performance:

SA Base

Performance Test

I tested the Comserver kit using the Die Simulator for both the P4 and Socket A versions. The Socket A clip is easy to mount and engages all three socket lugs; simply screw the bolt in, set it on the lugs, and unscrew until the bolt clears the top of the clip – simple.

However, I did notice that the clip might “hang up” as the clearance between the block and springs is quite tight – this could result in misaligned CPU contact; Comserver is correcting this problem.

Fan noise is tolerable – I measured it at 59 dBA three feet from the fan – not terrible, but definitely noticeable.

Test Results – Small Die

Kit

Die Temp

Ambient Temp

Delta

C/W

Comserver, P4, 70.3 watts

45.0 C

22.1 C

22.9

0.33

Comserver, Socket A, 70.0 watts

48.6 C

23.3 C

25.4

0.36

Delta = CPU temp – Ambient Temp
C/W = Delta / CPU Watts

Interpreting C/W: For every watt (CPUw) that the CPU
consumes, the HSF will limit the CPU’s temperature rise to (C/W x CPUw)
plus the temperature at the HSF’s fan inlet. For example, at an ambient temp of 25 C, a C/W of 0.25 with a CPU radiating 50 watts means that CPU temp will increase 50 x 0.25 = 12.5 C over ambient temp, or 37.5 C. The lower the C/W, the better.

Die Simulator results place the Comserver P4 with the P4 and Socket A waterblocks in the middle of watercooling kits tested to date (Heatsink Ranking). The higher pressure P4 mounting system resulted in better performance – not unexpected.

CONCLUSIONS

The Comserver Components Watercooling Kit is nicely built and quite compact – locating the “base” unit about 6′ from the PC is possible with resulting noise reduction. All told, a very nice unit to consider for relatively quiet, effective CPU cooling.

Thanks again to Randy at Comserver Components for personally delivering this unit.

Email Joe