Zalman recently launched the Reserator 3 Max, which is a new sealed loop liquid CPU cooler. The new cooler combines two radial radiators, a circular water block, and nanofluids to cool Intel and AMD’s latest processors. The cooler weighs a combined 897 grams and is available now in the UK.
The Reserator 3 Max is a sealed loop cooler. The CPU block has a pure copper base and internal array of copper micro-fins to increase the cooling potential. A pump is situated over the water block and two tubes connect the block to radiator. The radiator that Zalman uses is interesting as it is actually made of two (a smaller inner radiator, and a larger outer radiator) copper radiators. The radiators route the nanofluid coolant through copper pipes that are surrounded by copper fins. The copper on the radiator is nickel plated in a black pearl color. A 120mm fan with blue LED is bundled with the cooler, and users have the option to set up a push-pull configuration by adding a second 120mm fan. The bundled fan is PWM controlled and spins at anywhere between 1,000 and 2,200 RPM (18.9 to 36.7 dBA).
CPU compatibility includes LGA 775, 1150, 1155, 1156, 1366, and 2011 on the Intel side and socket AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, FM1, and FM2 on the AMD side.
Zalman was not specific on the “nanofluids” used in the Reserator 3 Max, but the company’s site states that “using nanofluid coolant improves thermal conductivity by mixing nanoparticles with fluids.” It must be pretty impressive considering Zalman claims the cooler is capable of cooling up to 400W. This cooler would be well suited for systems using AMD’s 250W FX-9590 processor if it lives up to the marketing!
The Zalman Reserator 3 Max is available now in the UK for £83.33 pounds from Quiet PC. US pricing would probably be close to $100, though importing it now from overseas will cost around $130 at the current exchange rates before shipping. More information can be found on this Zalman product page.
I think it is a unique design and should perform well as a AIO cooler, though I’m curious to see whether it lives up to the 400W TDP and if the nanofluids make any appreciable difference. Hopefully benchmarks emerge soon!
“nanofluid” Or in layman’s
“nanofluid” Or in layman’s terms – water.
That seems like a horrible
That seems like a horrible design. The fan seems to be molded into the plastic housing of the radiator.
If the fan dies, how will you replace it (if it fails after the warranty then you are completely screwed. if it fails before then you are partially screwed as you have to RMA the whole unit.
Also it will be difficult to clean it.
It also has fewer water channels in the radiator, many standard designs will have 5-6 water channels that span the depth of the radiator and in between the channels are radiator fins. This allows the water to be cooled faster
(if you have a custom water cooling loop. it i not un common to see water heating to 60+C when slowing through 1 waterblock, then being cooled to around 43C in the radiator. before going into the next device and being heated again before going into another radiator.
But when it comes to cooling the water past a certain point, it becomes difficult, the closer you get to room temperature, the slower the water cools as the differential is not very large.
this is why a 240mm radiator does not cool twice as good as a 120mm radiator.
Their design makes me question the cooling ability compared to similarly sized radiators. 2 long channels vs a bunch of shorter ones may introduce the same type of cooling issues that heat pipe based CPU heatsinks have (where you need a very large heatsink to provide similar cooling to a smaller radiator)
Will have to wait for benchmarks to be sure, but it seems like it will have trouble competing against the H80i
Also on their web page, the image mockup of the nano fluids represent H2O from the look (2 oxygen atoms bonded by a hydrogen atom)
also, believe it or not, I have a pipeline connected to my house that supplies a nearly limitless supply of nano fluids.
“also, believe it or not, I
"also, believe it or not, I have a pipeline connected to my house that supplies a nearly limitless supply of nano fluids."
hehe :).
I think you are correct about the fan, it looks like you would have to replace the plastic housing along with the fan as they are one piece. On the site, it shows adding a removable 120mm fan to the rear of the rad but no images of taking off the front LED fan…
You also have to take
You also have to take material into account. H80 uses aluminum while ZALMAN uses copper. And the heatpipe usually has better flow rate that the micro fins, especially when it gets old and the coolant will get jam easily in micro fins.
I bought their CNPS9700 fan before. And the fan failed after 5 years. I just took the fan out, easy, and call them.
And they sent me a new fan for free!!
the issue with that radiator
the issue with that radiator is, it may be harder to replace the fan, if you look closely you will see a plastic arm holding the fan in place and it is pretty much part of the rest of the plastic frame which is also holding the radiator in place.
due to the clips near the bottom of the radiator, it looks like it will be nearly impossible to get the frame off without damaging the fins.
Due to the fin density being high, it will clog pretty quickly (as common with all liquid coolers). The only difference is with the traditional ones, it is easy to remove the fan, or just have it in a pull config so that you can vacuum out the dust easily as part of your regular cleaning.
The cooling liquid breaking down is not an issue for the radiators of sealed liquid coolers because the fins within the water block are extremely close together, if any area will clog, it will be the waterblock
eg look at the fins on the h100 http://www.frostytech.com/articleimages/201204/CorsairH100_cu1.jpg
The goal of most radiators is to just cool the liquid by a set amount, and not bring it too room temperature as the smaller the temperature delta is, the slower the cooling rate becomes. eg (boiling water can lose more than half of its temperature in a few minutes, but it can remain above room temperature for well over an hour)
I hope to see benchmarks comparing it to the kraken x40, kraken x60, corsair H80i and the h100i as all of those coolers are pretty close in price.
In my experience with
In my experience with watercooling, “nanoparticles” whether rust, leaked plasticizer from tubing, chemical biocide, or coloring, always end up as gunk on the inside of waterblocks. Since this isn’t custom, cleaning that block might be a bitch.
Still, it’s nice to see companies trying new stuff for these all in one coolers. It’s definitely nice that people can easily buy these things and pop them right in. It’s a real gateway drug to real watercooling.
Wanted to also ask, how will
Wanted to also ask, how will a liquid cooler of that handle 400 watts of heat?
I have worked with custom water cooling setups before and have tried some crazy CPU voltages, and have noticed times when a liquid cooling system reaches a tipping point where the temperature will jump to an extremely high value, (eg a 20-30 degree jump causing the CPU to shut it’s self down. and in those cases, when the thermals get too high, you end up with the water reaching a boiling point while it is in the waterblock, and those bubbles causes the system to act as if there is no heatsink)
I would love for someone to to connect that cooler to a 400 watt resistive load to see if they really mean 400 watts, or if their 400 watt test involved cooling a 400 watt switching regulator at 97% efficiency.
http://www.tweak.dk/review/Za
http://www.tweak.dk/review/Zalman_Reserator_3_Max/1679/1/1
Danes have already made review
Eh those benchmarks are kinda
Eh those benchmarks are kinda half ass’ed. I will wait for some other sites to do a solid review of it.
One the biggest things i see wrong with this is fact how exposed the fan blades are. a wire shakes lose in to them wouldn’t be to good.
if those numbers hold up.
if those numbers hold up. it’s a
win. it looks great too.
it’s the limited mounting positions
that kinda suck.
Why use “Nano-Fluids” and put
Why use “Nano-Fluids” and put inside a closed-loop cooling
system like their Reserator 3?.. Well, Its because Zalman’s
Reserator 3 radiator kinda resembles their popular but not
so efficient circular style heatsink air type cooler models
and with that, they need a more efficient cooling medium or
rather, effective “Coolant” to cool the latest and power
monger processors from Intel and AMD.
I may be wrong tho, but if that “the cooler is capable of
cooling up to 400W” statement coming from Zalman is really
true or at least comes very very close to it as far as
bechmark is concerned, well… that would be an awesome CPU
cooler to use for gaming enthusiast and alike who are
planning to “Heavily” OC their AMD or Intel procs. but
can’t buy an NZXT Kraken or Swiftech H220 because it can’t
fit inside their Gaming case. In addition, the Reserator 3
would be an ideal CPU cooler to use to those who are
building hi-end gaming rig and want to use small form factor cases like those from BitFenix.
The Big question is,.. Can it match Aseteks