Zalman Reserator 2 Fanless Water Cooling System Review

Installation

Zalman claims ease of installation is one of the Reserator 2 water cooling system’s greatest strengths.  Overall, I found each of the components and the system as a whole, to be very easy and straightforward to install.  The included User’s Manual does an excellent job of clearly explaining and illustrating the various installation steps.  The User’s Manual is also available for download from the Zalman website in an 8-1/2×11 pdf format.

Basic Reserator 2 Installation

1. Install the CPU waterblock
2. Install the GPU waterblock
3. Cut and install tubing
4. Locate the Reserator 2 main cooling unit
5. Fill the system with coolant and establish flow

As with most liquid cooling systems, I highly recommend running the system for a couple of hours (24-hours is the standard) to allow all the air bubbles to work themselves loose and make sure there are no leaks.  The fittings and tubing used with the Reserator 2 kit are very good and it is unlikely that you will encounter any problems with leaks.

Install the CPU waterblock

The obvious first step is to remove the existing CPU cooler and clean the processor in preparation for mounting the Zalman waterblock.  For this review I will be using an Intel LGA775 motherboard and processor, which for many will require removal so the backing plate can be installed. 

Once the CPU’s IHS has been cleaned and prepped with a little thermal compound the ZM-WB4 waterblock can be set into position and secured with the hardware appropriate for your socket type. 

It doesn’t get much easier than that!

Install the GPU waterblock

After removing the stock video card cooler the Zalman VGA waterblock can be installed on the GPU.  Again, all the necessary hardware is provided and the universal mounting system offers great compatibility for numerous cards.  For this review I will be using an nVIDIA 7800 GTX.  Four stud assemblies and nipples (stand offs) were first installed.

After the GPU has been cleaned and prepped with a little thermal compound, the ZM-GWB3 waterblock can be set in place and secured with four machine screws.  The two barb fittings can be rotated around into the optimum position for routing tubes.

Once again, installation of the VGA waterblock was quite easy and straight forward and the resulting mount is very secure — well done.  No V-RAM heatsinks were included with the waterblock.