Item: Asetek WaterChill KT12-L20
Author: Ryszard Sommefeldt

Conclusion

I'll get the niggles out of the way first. The tubing is bad, I can't warm to it at all. With Gainward's CoolFX products with me for testing just now, using softer tubing, the contrast between that and the tubing Asetek provides for WaterChill is stark. It's top of my list of things they could change to make WaterChill better. A self priming pump is next, with the system being a pain to fill with the Hydor that will pump air if you let it. 2 hours of messing around to get the air out of the loop wasn't fun. It's forever blowing bubbles, pardon the poor pun.

Apart from those issues though, I'm very impressed. High quality waterblocks with well machined finishes, user adjustable CPU lids for the CPU block and the push-fit connectors are all high points. The manual makes it easy for anyone to setup, you get everything you need to get started and maintain your WaterChill.

Cooling performance was good too, it's a shame I couldn't test the chipset block, hopefully that'll come soon in a possible follow-up article using Socket 754. The 200MHz extra was what I was hoping for. It was certainly nice to run a super speedy Athlon XP system again at high bus speed, if only for a fleeting afternoon of testing. Silky smooth computing is always a good thing.

7V is definitely the preferred method of fan operation. It's set there from the factory, don't change it. Your ears will thank me. Overclockers.com registered 66dBA from 8" away with the same fan, I can well believe it.

Universal operation with all major desktop CPU socket types is a huge bonus. Being able to run the same waterblock on every system I have access to today made my reviewing task much easier and for you as a consumer, knowing it'll slap itself to any CPU you can grab is a boon. The GPU block was a pain to fit and use, but performed well. Compatibility with almost anything NVIDIA and ATI can supply is a plus, although look out for trouble using it on cards with memory heatsinks, they might need replacing if the air cooler is a one piece unit and you remove it to use the GPU block.

Painless operation using the pump controller means its hard to run into flow problems when using your PC normally. The pump could do with being swapped out for something else, but it's no big deal after the initial hurdle of setting it up. It's quiet in operation, silent when drowned out by the fan on the Black Ice Pro. 440W of potential cooling performance is more than enough, negating the need to buy a POWER kit with bigger radiator and L30 pump. The L20 kits will do you just fine, unless you want to show off.

Undoubtedly better than air cooling but not without its problems, the Asetek WaterChill KT12-L20 comes recommended if you have no fear of stiff pipes, or are willing to change them for something a little more pliable.

The cooling performance isn't in doubt, and with it being a cooling product, you can make your own mind up as to whether the niggles I came across are a deterrent to purchase. Purchase means laying out £198 or so in the UK, including dreaded VAT, from a popular UK retailer. I feel it's just about worth it if you can take advantage of all three blocks and there's always lesser WaterChill kits to consider, or the new DYO series where you can do a pick and mix of the parts you want.

I've been uhm'ing and ahh'ing over the score to award during planning, testing and writing. This seems fitting, now that I'm done. Very good, but ultimately flawed.

Note on the score

Be advised that should Asetek ship more pliable tubing in future Waterchill kits, or you have a cheap way of obtaining your own (along with the sleeves) the kit easily rates higher up on the scale. Asetek are keen to stress that they're happy with that user modification, should it be needed; they support all reasonable options with their hardware and I have to commend them for that.

They seem to be aware that the tubing as shipped isn't the best for all situations, don't let that put you off considering it, especially with DYO blocks and your own tubing.

Score

Pros

Cooling performance
Easy block fitment
Quiet in 7V mode
DYO options for upgrade
Push-fittings

Cons

Tubing is too inflexible by far
Hard to fill with the Hydor pump
A little expensive, given DYO component pricing, depending on what you want to put together