MODTHEBOX would like to thank Chris from Xoxide Modifications
for sending the Innovatek innovaSET1 Water Cooling Kit for review.
Introduction:
The high overhead of the new Pentium 4 chips and the ability to modify multipliers on newer Athlon XP chips without
potentially dangerous unlocking techniques, overclocking is becoming more and more commonplace among computer
enthusiasts. Now, more than ever before, users are pushing their systems to extreme limits. In this quest for the
highest speeds and best benchmarks, there is only one enemy: heat. And while performance air cooling products are
relatively successful at gaining ground, they simply can’t compete against water cooled systems when in extreme
overclocked settings. Water cooling kits are now more affordable and more accessible to end-users wanting more
performance, less noise, or both. German based Innovatek has been very popular with enthusiasts when it comes to water
cooling kits. Today in the MTB Labs, we will be testing the innovaSET1 Water Cooling Kit, an all-inclusive water
cooling system designed for users with limited space.
Specifications:
The innovaSET1 water cooling kit is one of two AMD offerings from Innovatek. The system incorporates 3/8 inch fittings
on all components. A low profile waterblock with a performance Eheim pump and a Maxxpert radiator make up the bulk of
the core components. Here are some key specifications taken from the Xoxide website:
Innovatek innovaSET1 Water Cooling Kit - Key Specifications:
Innovatek innovaSET1 Water Cooling Kit: Manufactured by Innovatek
Pump Specifications:
Maximum flow: 79 GPH
Maximum lift: 1.2m
Power type: AC
Power consumption: 5W
Radiator Specifications:
Dimensions: 5 3/4" x 4" x 4 3/4"
Construction: 3/8" Copper Tubing, Aluminium Fins
Connectors: 3/8" Inlet/Outlet Fitting
Waterblock Specifications:
Dimensions: 60 x 60 x 18mm (without fittings), 60 x 60 x 40mm (with fittings)
Contact surface: 7mm pure copper plate
Connectors: 3/8" Inlet/Outlet Fitting
Click image for larger view
Click image for larger view
The product ships in a standard corrugated cardboard box. The Innovatek logo is centered on each side of the box, while
the URL is imprinted on a small side banner. The kit is extremely well packed in custom fit foam packing material, with
each major component secured snugly in its own section. These units ship directly from Germany, and it was nice to see
that after at least two trips through customs, the unit suffered absolutely no shipping damage.
Click image for larger view
The product is truly an all-inclusive kit; with literally everything you will need to get the system up and running. The
kit is comprised of the following components:
1 x innovaFlatFlow waterblock for Socket 462 (A) or Socket 370
1 x Maxxxpert 120mm radiator
1 x Y.S. Tech 120mm fan
1 x 120mm fan guard
1 x Eheim 1046 water pump
1 x Aluminium filling tank
10 ft of 8mm ID (3/8" outside diameter) PVC tubing
1 x 3-to-4 pin Molex power adaptor
1 x Fittings and accessories
Click image for larger view
Click image for larger view
The kit ships with all the necessary hardware and fittings needed to install the product. Four right-angle elbow joints
are provided to minimize any kinking of the tubing if your installation requires some tight corners. Users will find
that these elbows are a requirement, as the PVC tubing does kink much more easily than other tubing I have worked with.
While the kinking is less excessive once the system is primed with water, it was still enough of an issue to warrant
concern for flow impedance. The two included brass fittings have compression nuts on them, and are used on the inlet
and outlet of the pump. One recommendation if you are planning on working in a tight space would be to purchase some
right-angled compression nut fittings, as these are much easier to install than sections of pipe and elbows. The kit
also includes some generic thermal compound, eight mounting screws for the fan and radiator and some zip ties.
One thing that does not come with the kit is English documentation. The provided documentation is in German, and has
very little in the way of illustrations. While most users purchasing the kit will be able to assemble the unit without
the use of instructions, it would have been nice to see some form of documentation. Some of Innovatek’s North American
suppliers have drawn up their own installation guides on their websites to compensate; Xoxide, unfortunately, isn’t one
of them.
