Asetek Waterblock Review

Waterblock Test – Joe

SUMMARY: Good choice for CPU cooling.

The good guys at Asetek were nice enough to send a WaterChill kit to test, which includes Asetek’s WaterChill CPU Cooler.

Asetek’s WaterChill CPU Cooler features

• 10mm/½” fittings
• 3/8″ thick acrylic top
• AMD and P4 mounting
• Copper base
• “Half Moon” interior design
• “Quick Connect” fittings

The base of the quick connect fittings used in the system are a bit smaller than the 3/8″ ID of the tubing – they measure 9/32″ at the widest point:

The base features a “half moon” design:

Machined into the base is a semicircular wall located off to the side of the intake fitting. This serves to increase turbulence within the block. The light streaks you see in the picture are machining marks from the cutting tool used to hollow out the base – these are small ridges in the base.

The base

appears well machined – I could feel no ridges.

The Asetek WaterChill CPU Cooler was tested using the CPU Die Simulator and Waterblock Test Rig.

Test Results indicate that the Asetek’s pressure drop (or head loss) across the waterblock is moderate; flow resistance such as this means that it should function well without using a large waterpump. Decreasing waterflow to 0.5 gpm increases die temps by about 1.4 C, while increasing flow to 1.5 gpm decreases die temps by 0.4 C.

For a comparison of the Asetek’s performance to other waterblocks tested to date, see Overclockers.com Waterblock Test Results.

Asetek’s WaterChill CPU Cooler is a good choice for CPU cooling. In addition, with moderate flow resistance, it will perform well with moderate power waterpumps, as long as other components do not unduly restrict waterflow.

Thanks again to Asetek for sending this our way.

Email Joe