|
Let's mount the CPU and assemble
the CPU-Kit and Cold plate.
 |
| Installation
and Setup Of The Vapochill |
|
Not for the novice but neither
is it rocket science |
|
Looking at the top side of the board assembly, we have much the same
setup, a layer of foam insulation, the CPU and then another
layer of foam with a heating element on top. Finally,
we applied a thin layer of thermal paste to our CPU heat
spreader and we were then ready to attach the CPU-Kit and Cold
Plate. We want to point out that this article is in no
way an attempt at giving you a step by step assembly guide
for the new Vapochill. Rather, our intent is to cover
the basic construction of a system driven by Asetek's latest
Vapor Phase Cooling System.
The CPU-Kit is
largely improved over the old design. The kit itself
consists of a "boot" of sorts that has a layer of foam
insulation inside around the copper slug that protrudes out
from the bottom. The entire assembly is housed in
aluminum and there was no evidence of any condensation
build-up on the outside of the boot. The assembly is
then screwed into place directly into the two metal mounting
rods that you slide into the clips of the CPU retention
bracket. The top heating element is sandwiched in
around the outside dimensions of the CPU package and the
whole assembly cranks down nice and tight with the two bolts
into the mounting rods. All told the setup is quite
neat clean and reliable. It sometimes take a little
getting used to the proper alignment of the Cold Plate to
the top
of the CPU, but after a couple of attempts, you get the feel
of it pretty easily. Finally you can plug in the
rest of your components and then screw in the power supply.
We were a little
disappointed that the design still utilizes a power supply
that screws in on the side of the case versus on top.
However, Asetek assured us that is by design in that the
power supply also acts to extract heat from the area around
the CPU and also keep air moving in general. In
addition, you can replace a graphics card with ease, with
the supply is still screwed in to the chassis. The
only time you have to remove the power supply, is when you
change the CPU and even then it's only 4 thumbscrews away from
disassembly.
The exterior of
the case is stylish...we're talking VERY stylish. We
were sent the "Titanium" finish paint job and it sure does
look, shall we say, "Bad-Ass". Why yes, I think we
shall! The
front bezel unfortunately is not a snap fit design but
instead screws on to the chassis from inside the case for a
secure attachment. The good news is you never have to
remove the bezel to either add drives or adjust positioning
of drives. It can all be done from inside the roomy
case. Once the bezel is screwed on, you can plan to
leave it there for life. The side panels of the case
are removable, obviously, giving you full access on both
sides.
It's
getting pretty nippy in here! |
