Overclockers Hideout  Nitro Watercooled Case review

Published By: Paul Machado
Review Date: August 9/2002
Product Supplied By: Overclockers Hideout

Z4 Aqua Sink Waterblock: Video Here

The entire bottom surfaces of the Z4 Aqua Sink are quite impressive. With none to very minor machining lines there is no doubt that this waterblock will sit perfectly flat on the core of your CPU. OCH really puts a lot of effort and time into finding top quality copper alloy to be used in all of their waterblocks. Unlike other companies who just take what they get as long as it's copper. The block is a silver plated copper waterblock which really stands out in the Nitro system and will in any system.  Also all waterblocks are CNC machined which is the standard for OCH products .

Not only does the Z4 look great but the design and performance of the block are outstanding. Unlike most waterblocks the Z4 inlet fitting is placed is placed right above where the core on your CPU would be and water from the pump goes to the waterblock first. What happens after is the water gets pushed to the outside of the block where it exits the block and passes through the radiator to be cooled and then enters the pump once again. This is one of the better designed waterblocks to date and offers great performance.

CMD12V Magnetically Driven Pump: Video Here

The CMD12V pump is a CDM (CPUFX Magnetically Driven) pump which is power by 12V or a standard molex connect off of your computers power supply. The pump pushes about 3 gallons per minute with a 1.2 amp draw. The overall dimension fittings are 1/2 which goes for the same as the waterblock.

Being magnetically driven this pump is made to last longer than Ehiem pumps and runs quiter than their high end models. There are no shafts or seals to be worn out since it is driven by magnets. Being powered by magnets also allows for the design of the pump to change. This pump is very compact and fits nicely into this case and will in any mid or full sized case. The overall dimensions are 7 1/2" long x 4" with the fittings.

The CMD12V gets clamped onto the bottom of the HD cage of the Cooler Master ATC210 case. The clamp holds the body of the pump very well to prevent any type of vibration therefore decreasing noise. Also the pump runs very quiet itself and can hardly be heard over the also very quiet 120mm Enermax adjustable fan on its slowest setting.

Below is a picture illustrating the basic layout of how a system with the CMD12V pump should be setup. As you can see that since there is no reservoir the system comes with a filler neck which can be used to fill and bleed the system. The Nitro system comes completely filled and installed so you don't have to worry about filling it.

5"x7" Radiator w/ Enermax 120mm Adjustable Fan:

The radiator that comes with the Nitro system is the only part of the Z4 Intercooler kit that is not hand made. It measures in at 5" x 7" and comes with an Enermax adjustable 120mm fan already attached to it and installed. The radiator is quite small compared to current radiators available on the market but since the case is compact so must the radiator. Also it is not made out of copper as well which is another down point to the radiator.

Don't be fooled though it is fairly impressive in performance and gets the job done quite well honestly. The Enermax fan is attached to the radiator sucking air away from the radiator which provides the best results in lowering temperatures.

The Enermax adjustable fan ranges in speeds from 1500 pushing 67cfm @ 22dBA and 2300 rpm pushing 95cfm @ 39.6dBA. When running the fan at its slowest speed the fan is very quiet and can only be heard from a few feet away. Temperature range varies only about 2-3 degrees when running from fastest to slowest speeds. So the choice it up to you. If you really care about that 2 or 3 less degrees run the fan at its fastest when a little more noise. Personally I have been running the fan at its slowest speed and love the silence. A huge difference in noise from my 7000rpm fan used on my old heatsink.

Lets have a closer look at the housing of the Nitro system which is the Cooler Master ATC210 case with blue front swinging door and side window.