According to Xbit Labs, AMD is considering switching out the usual air cooler (HSF) for a sealed loop liquid cooling solution (LCS) for its high end FX Processors. Specifically, AMD wants to pair their highest end eight core processor (and possibly the next highest end eight core chip) with the sealed loop liquid cooling solution. This information, they believe, comes from a “source with knowledge of the company’s plans.”
If you are not familiar with the sealed loop water coolers, PC Perspective reviewed the Corsair H70 processor cooler last year and it is a good example. Sealed loop water coolers are similar to the large DIY water cooling loops comprised of a large radiator, copper CPU block, pump, and reservoir all connected in a loop by tubing; however, they usually have smaller radiators and pumps as well as coolant that cannot be refilled (and should not have to be). This coolant carries heat away from the processor to be dissipated through a radiator. Corsair in particular has heavily invested in this once very niche product with it’s H series of coolers.
Traditionally, both Intel and AMD have been content in pairing their chips with mid-range but cheap air coolers that did a decent job of keeping the processors within their thermal limits at stock speeds. Enthusiasts, and especially those interested in overclocking, have generally ditched the included cooler in favor of a more powerful and/or quieter aftermarket cooler. Needless to say, including a cooler, especially with high end chips that will likely go to enthusiasts, that’s never even used only serves to add additional unnecessary cost for both consumers and the manufacturer. Thus, this move to bundle a more powerful sealed loop water cooler with its high end chips may be an attempt by AMD to futher appeal to enthusiasts and keep with their traditional image of being friendly to overclockers and hardware enthusiasts. Having and using a water cooler that is supported by the chip maker certainly doesn’t hurt, especially if it ever came down to warranty and RMA situations. On the other hand, enthusiasts can be very picky about which cooler to use in their systems; therefore, bundling a cooler that is sure to add even more extra cost to the package may not be the right move for AMD. At best, consumers are likely to see an extra $50 or so added to the sure to be pricey highest end eight core chips.
Their idea, if true, surely has merit, but is it wise? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
My eyes lit up upon seeing
My eyes lit up upon seeing the title, I REALLY hope they start doing this, this alone cause be the determinig factor between me getting a 8-core bulldozer vs. a x79 based system, unless Intel pulls a rabbit out their ass.
Yeah Sandy Bridge’s
Yeah Sandy Bridge’s successors (I can’t keep them straight at this point, with all the codenames lol) better keep up the same performance increase pace Intel has been delivering for the past few iterations if they want to keep well ahead of AMD.
If anything, one can sell the
If anything, one can sell the stock self enclosed (probably amd branded as well) water cooler for that same overhead as the retail minus the bin oem cost of said processor (basically, just the processor cost itself), thus recouping the cost.
I suppose that is true, I
I suppose that is true, I always see people selling off the included HSF from Intel chips on places like HardForum and in PCPer’s Trading post. Still though, having that upfront cost kind of sucks.. I think the technical term is sticker shock? 😉
It’s a cool idea though, for sure 🙂
I like the H70 though should
I like the H70 though should put a heatsink and fan with the CPU in the box and let peeps decide if they want a H70 or something like it by selling it separately.
LOL that is a very unique
LOL that is a very unique thought, good call JSL
well, im pretty sure some
well, im pretty sure some hapless half-wit will see the AMD branded water cooling system and think “WOW! This thing is going to be sweet since its AMD!”, lol
I will believe it when I see
I will believe it when I see it, I highly doubt that AMD is going to add 50 to 100 dollars to their price tag when they are in a price war with intel. They need their top chip to be within 30 of intel’s top sandy bridge chip.
However I have no doubt that their marketing department would come up with some sort of combo deep blue edition chip and AMD branded watercoolers.
I dont see how AMD is really
I dont see how AMD is really in a price war with Intel, AMD’s prices have always been far cheaper than intel’s, and the way its been the past couple years, they wouldnt have survived if they priced their top end processors on par with their intel mid level counterparts, as they just havent been up to par performance wise.
I have been using the Corsair
I have been using the Corsair H50 on my AMD 865AMD64 for three years and am not going back ever. I did add a second fan in the push pull into the Antec P182 case overclocked to 3.8 ghz. It works just fine. 32 degrees C and maxes out at 39 degrees.
The right case and cooler.
You add a Swiftech MCRES
You add a Swiftech MCRES Micro Rev. 2 to that loop and it’ll work even better. (from experience)(only do it if your H-50 is already out of warranty)
Hmm interesting idea, how
Hmm interesting idea, how easy is it to mod those sealed loop coolers?
very. Here’s the original
very. Here’s the original H-50 res mod.
http://www.overclock.net/water-cooling/647943-guide-h50-replace-tubes-res-mod.html
The flat H-70 version isnt much different and is actually much easier since the screws holding the tubes into cpu block/pump are external already (same as the Antec Khuler H2O 620/920). I wouldnt doubt that the H-60/80/100 also would be fairly simple to do as well.
That’s pretty cool, I like
That’s pretty cool, I like how the finished product looks in those photos! I may have to try that once my H70’s warranty expires 😉 I’m assuming he used some different coolant though, as there wouldn’t be enough in the sealed loop to fill the res and all?
I think he used the same
I think he used the same coolant and just topped up with distilled water, and the uv dye..
but as for the directions, if you take a lighter, and heat the part where you’re support to cut the barbs, they just slide off with a slight twist, and also for a better seal when ziptie-ing, also heat the tubes a bit to make the plastic a bit more malleable.
Hmm, thanks for the tips. I
Hmm, thanks for the tips. I got a good chuckle at the usage of zip ties to secure the tubes.. that’s totally something I would’ve tried LOL