Conclusion
Performance
The Koolance EXT-440CU liquid cooling unit gives the user a superb amount of flexibility without compromising cooling performance. In conjunction with a stock or overclocked CPU, the unit was able to keep the system stable withe temperatures rivaling some of the other top cooling systems tested. Combine this with the pump and fan speed configurability that the unit provides and you have a viable contender.
Pricing
As of February 02, the Koolance EXT-440CU Liquid Cooling System was available at Amazon.com for $272.19. The cooler was also available from other retailers such as Koolance.com for $274.99 and PerformancePCs.com for $274.99.
The Koolance CPU-380I CPU water block was available at Amazon.com for $79.99 with free shipping. The cooler was also available from other retailers such as Koolance.com for $74.99 and PerformancePCs.com for $74.95.
Conclusion
Before continuing with our closing thoughts on the Koolance EXT-440CU Liquid Cooling System kit, we would like to take this opportunity to give our friends at Koolance a hearty “Thank You” for allowing the opportunity to review us such an outstanding unit in combination with their CPU block and branded coolant. After playing with so many different iterations of Koolance products over the years, I was exciting to get my hands on their EXT-440CU unit as well as the latest generation CPU water block. The pictures really don't do the unit justice though. Koolance really took their time in designing the unit to be rugged and easy to use with obvious through put in to not only the unit's function, but how to make it easy to make field repairs as the need arises (and believe me, with a custom water cooling loop, the need does arise). The inlet and outlet ports accept G1/4" fittings for use with just about tubing on the market (up to and including 3/4" inner diameter) and the fill port is easy to access and evacuate if necessary. The included LCD display and included functions rival that of the functionality included with their bigger EXOS line of units with enough monitoring capabilities provided to appeal to the hard-core water cooling enthusiasts. Additionally, the provided pump is strong enough to support multiple in-line blocks or even additional radiators in the loop.
The CPU-380I is similarly well designed and meant for heavy use. The nickel-plating gives a level of comfort that the block will remain in good condition, while the hold down system gives enough downward force for superior block to CPU surface mating. The new block comes with a redesigned hold-down system, not that there is anything wrong with the older version. With the new version, they improved the design by replacing the screw-in threaded uprights (which you would fix directly to the bottom base plate) with Phillips-headed uprights. These uprights contain a slot and groove system so that they are locked in position with the bottom plate. The uprights are held in place with thumb-nuts affixed to the top-side of the motherboard, making for a much more secure holding mechanism for the upright in comparison to the old mounting plate. This minimizes the possibility of the upright coming loosing when you are attempting to install or remove the thumbscrews holding the CPU block in place (a common problem with the old-style mounting bracket that I encountered numerous times).
The only caveat to the EXT-400CU Liquid Cooling System was its price. At a base price of $279, the unit is not a cheap addition to you system and can most certainly be custom built for less. However, for the additional capital, you get the piece of mind and quality that comes as part of this finely built Koolance EXT-440CU Liquid Cooling System unit.
Strengths
- Sleek black appearance
- Performance under stock and overclocking conditions
- System reconfigurability through use of standard size inlet and outlet ports
- Build quality and unit durability
- Improved CPU block mounting mechanism
Weaknesses
- Price
A SILVER AWARD?????
For $235
A SILVER AWARD?????
For $235 (with out tax) i got a set that easily outperforms this set.
http://www.aquatuning.nl/shopping_cart.php/bkey/076bb0080a07151155ba90f1348acb18
Can be build in a case, and just looks better, because in the end, one of the most important parts the radiator is just way to small.
And spend the same amount as this set cost, then you have something real nice.
… your link in in €* …
… your link in in €* … that’s a euro.. not a dollar, euros are worth more.
I believe the US shows prices
I believe the US shows prices without tax, so I did the math.
€215 – 19% tax = €175 = $235
Was the block mounted
Was the block mounted perpendicular to the memory slots? This is the optimal config for the 380i, matters by 1.5 degrees. I have the 380i block in my loop.
The radiator isn’t too small,
The radiator isn’t too small, Koolance has been making good watercooling gear for along time. As for mounting the block perpendicular to the RAM, that is dependent on the motherboard chipset and if the motherboard is even a reference design. Chances are, the only reason someone has seen a difference is that at a certain angle the hoses were putting pressure on the mounting and screwing with the thermal joint between the waterblock and the processor.
I think it should be
I think it should be emphasized that the water kits being compared (XSPC EX240 and Corsair H100i) are both dual-fan radiators. EXT-440CU is just a single-fan radiator unit. Koolance’s dual-fan rad external unit is EX2-755.
Yes, I think anybody that
Yes, I think anybody that would go this route (external unit) would go for 240mm model .
Little OT but may I ask why the 4400 OC is done with a 42x by 105 blk , instead of straight 44x by 100blk . Is it is easier voltage wise for 42x@105mhz ?
Those specs were used for the
Those specs were used for the Z77 board because they were there stable o/c specs from when the board was originally reviewed. Using a 105MHz base clock atually puts the system under a little more stress than with a 100MHz base clock, requiring more voltage to stabilize..
Also Should of reviewed the
Also Should of reviewed the Ex2-755 V2 as its almost same price ( $285) . Which is 240mm and probably look good on top of case if it has flat top .