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Thread ID: 123557	2012-03-03 10:00:00	The Intel RTS2011LC	Iantech (16386)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1262795	2012-03-03 10:00:00	What is it? A name you will be coming much more familiar with, with Intel's LGA2011 CPU range. The new Intel processors don't come with a heat sink and fan like we were used to, now you buy it separate and now we have an option - air cooled (heat sink and fan) or water cooled. Intel and Asetek teamed up and came up with the RTS2011LC to fit not only the new LGA2011 but were also clever enough to make it work on the LGA1155, 1156 and 1366 sockets. So, keeping in mind my old LGA1156 i7 860 CPU which I have never thought was being cooled properly with Intel's stock heat sink and fan and the thought that at some time I'm going to have to deal with installing one of these anyway, why not get one and bang it on the 1156 and see what difference it makes to it (and gain some experience). Installation: My installation was a bit tricky, I first found out the radiator didn't fit in the 120mm existing fan location - the Cooler Master case I had was a little tight. I had another case here, so the first job was to strip my unit completely and re-assemble it in the new case. With the motherboard out, made it convenient to attached the back plate required to screw the top plate onto. Easily done. Re-assembled all the system and lastly mounted the radiator. I have to say the little multi-language booklet is useless but luckily I had found some good documentation before I started the project on Intel's website www.intel.com so had a good grasp on which of the many provided parts I needed for my installation and where they went. Installation difficulty: Easy ~ Easy/Medium. A little fiddly, but in a case with more room, it may be easier. Conclusion: My Intel i7 860 (Intel stock heat sink and fan) ran at idle (no load) according to Core Temp and Real Temp software ran between 48C and 51C (each of the 4 cores varies in temp), under load (like running Passmark Burnin software), the CPU reached temps of 70C ~ 72C. After installing the water cooler, at idle an amazing 29C ~ 31C and re-running Passmark Burnin to put it under 100% loading, temp rose to an equally amazing maximum of 43C ~ 46C. Noise Level: My original system consisted of a 120mm fan at front and another 120mm on the rear under the CPU heat sink and fan arrangement, while they were considered "silent running" a fan ripping around at 2000rpm is not silent. While it wasnt loud, you knew it was on as soon as you walking in the office. Now, gone is the front fan and too the rear one - replaced by the 120mm fan on the radiator and of course gone also, the noisy CPU fan. Noise level now is a gentle hum of the internal fans (2x GPU, 1x PSU & 120mm rear) and a slightly audible tone by the water pump at idle and under full loading you hear it change to a higher pitch but it is pretty much the same noise level. I'm sure this would be louder for a higher spec over-clocked CPU that reached higher temps and required more cooling. When I walk into the office now and the screen is off, you really have to glance at the case and see if the power button is lit up to know its running. Overall: Have to say I'm pretty stoked with it, I had heard it was difficult to install, which it wasnt thankfully to the online manual. I didnt think it would have made so much of a difference in temp reduction, I thought I would be happy if I could get a 10 degree reduction, it exceeded that. I was always worried it would be noisy (from reviews of other water coolers I had read - incidentally I have been looking at water cooling options for about the last 6 months, so had read a lot of reviews), its less than half the noise it used to be, so that has exceeded my expectations also. In my opinion, pretty damn good all round (including price) and look forward to clamping it onto a LGA2011 in the near future. Disclaimer: It is my opinon only based on my experience - results on other systems will vary I'm sure), additionally I dont work for or have shares in Intel :) Photos: 1: The Box. 2: Contents, 3&4: A few shots after first startup - still have some cabling to tidy up etc.	Iantech (16386)
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