MODTHEBOX would like to thank Mark from Chill-Tek
for providing the NextCool WaterCube GT3 for review.
Introduction:
There is no doubt that the North American market has a plethora of choices for consumers looking to
modify and tweak their computers. Overclocking is becoming more and more mainstream, and companies are
scrambling to jump on the bandwagon. While the United States and Canada have produced some excellent
and not-so-excellent watercooling gear, the rest of the world is certainly not oblivious to computer
modifications and extreme cooling. One merely has to look at some of the German sites, for example, to
see some new technologies and new looks for water and/or phase-change cooling that goes far above and
beyond some of the most recent additions in the North American market. One product that I had previously
seen on some European sites is the NextCool WaterCUBE. With a very similar design to units provided by
Innovatek and Swiftech, the WaterCUBE stands in a market of high-performance, high-competition, and ½
inch watercooling systems. While watercooling testing is subjective at best, today in the MTB Labs,
we’ll look at what kind of performance the WaterCUBE GT3 delivers.
Specifications:
NextCool is an Italian company whose primary focus is watercooling products. The WaterCUBE GT3 is one
of four blocks offered by the company, and one of only two socket water blocks. The WaterCUBE GT3 sent
for review is compatible with Socket A/462 and Socket 370, although a Socket 478 model is also available.
The unit features ½ inch outer diameter fittings, and incorporates a copper and brass construction
along with a screw-down retention mechanism. Here are some specifications taken from the Chill-Tek and
NextCool websites:
The product ships in a corrugated cardboard box with the product name dominating the bulk of the
graphics, while the specifications and product details are included on the side panel. The packaging
lists the product as a "WaterCube GT3 Watercooling Kit". When most consumers think of a watercooling
kit, it is assumed components like a radiator, pump, and water block coupled with the necessary hardware
are included in the kit. However, the WaterCube GT3 only comes with the water block, a hold down clamp,
and some tubing. The documentation provided with the product seems to indicate the product can be used
without the use of a radiator, as long as coolant temps remain below 40 degrees Celsius. I believe
NextCool recommends the use of an open-air reservoir for this setup, although the documentation is
unclear (more on that later). Most users will likely ignore this advice and incorporate some type of
radiator or heater core into their watercooling setup.
The contents are packed fairly well inside the box. Custom cut foam protects the hold down clamp and
water block during transit. The tubing is simply coiled on top of the water block, and I suspect if
there were to be any shipping damage, it would be the most likely candidate. However, given it’s also
the most inexpensive part to replace, it isn’t of major concern.
Click image for larger view
Click image for larger view
As was previously mentioned, the contents of the package include the water block, a hold down clamp,
some ½ inch OD tubing and an instruction pamphlet. Don’t expect too much in the way of instruction from
the included documentation. NextCool is an Italian-based company, and unfortunately their English
translation is almost totally incomprehensible. With maintenance instructions like "if the inside walls
of the tank owed to result clammy it is index of the presence of algae. These in a long run could
decrease the performances of Pump and WaterCUBE GT3. Use of antialgas is recommended", users are better
off using some common sense to comprehend the correct installation instructions. Given this is not an
all-inclusive kit, the target demographic is likely more targeted towards experienced users.
My initial impressions of the block were very positive. The size of the product is quite astounding,
being about the same height as the Innovatek innovaFlatflow water block included with the Set1 kit I
reviewed here. However, the GT3 is one centimetre smaller
in length and width. Measuring in at a mere 50mm x 50mm x 47 mm (fittings included), expect to be able
to install this water block in the smallest of spaces and most cluttered sockets. Although the unit is
exceptionally small, it’s no lightweight. The unit weighs in at 360 grams, making it as heavy as some
of the biggest heatsinks I’ve reviewed, although a 530 gram CoolJag still holds the record. As an
additional comparison, the Innovatek innovaCool rev. 3 water block weighs 220 grams and measures 60mm x
60mm x 40 mm. The unit is constructed of copper and brass, and is fitted with compression nuts
compatible with ½ inch outer diameter tubing.
