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A
Closer Look:::...
One
of the obvious differences between the original Hydrocool200
and the new 200EX is the welcome addition of air filters
on both sides. These are removable for easy cleaning,
The
body of the unit is still the same, very dark tinted
Perspex which is pretty opaque in normal lighting
except for the backlit flow confirmation, but which
as if by magic, becomes almost transparent in low
light as the innards are lit from the same bulb that
provides the backlighting. Not quite sure why they
didn't use an LED here though?
Everything
you need to be up and running in no time is supplied
as standard.
As
I mentioned, the controller card doesn't require a
PCI slot, though it does tie up a spare expansion
slot. Two grommets keep the piping safe from damage
where the feed and return pipes pass through. The
Fifteen pin data socket takes the data cable which
connects the main unit to your PC and transfers power
to the fan, pump, backlight and LED temperature display
as well as temperature data.
The
base of the water block is machined very flat though
there was a little oxidisation around the edges. This
is mainly a cosmetic issue but perhaps a sticky label
over the bottom would help. I'd suggest a lacquer
but these tend to be missed and left on, so spoiling
performance.
The
water block is made entirely from copper, which is
then silver-plated to increase heat transmission and
to deter oxidisation.
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Water
Block and Thermistor
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The
fact that the thermistor sits in that cylinder on
top of the block means it's actually measuring coolant
temperature rather than the CPU's core temperature.
This still gives you a good indication that all is
well, or not as the case may be, but I think it would
be handy if Corsair allowed you to calibrate the displayed
temperature so it tallies with the actual core temperature
of your CPU.
Rather
than worry about pushing huge volumes of water through
the block it was manufactured with moderate flows
in mind using Delphi's proprietary micro-channel technology.
This essentially increases the internal surface area
and makes sure more of the heat in the copper is transferred
to the water flowing through it.
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