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Product:
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PrimoChill Dual and Floppy Bay Reservoirs |
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Price:
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Dual Bay Reservoir $45 (CAN) / $35 (U.S)
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Price:
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Floppy Bay Reservoir $32 (CAN) / $25 (U.S)
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Supplied By:
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PrimoChill
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Author:
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Hi-TEK
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Date:
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November 13th, 2003
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Rating:
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Click image for larger view
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Click image for larger view
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On the left and right hand sides of the PrimoChill Dual and Floppy Bay Reservoirs are two pre-drilled
mounting holes which simplify the process of securing both units in a drive bay using standard mounting
screws. In the middle of both units is a center bar designed create the what has been dubbed as a
"channel" effect. Our first preview of this feature was covered in MTB's review of the
Bayres Revision 2 product. The center bar eliminates
turbulence which in turn causes a smoother flow of water. In the Dual Bay Reservoir, the center channel
has been positioned horizontally while the Floppy Bay Reservoir has the center channel positioned
vertically.
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Click image for larger view
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Click image for larger view
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To test out the PrimoChill Dual and Floppy Bay Reservoirs, I assembled a few items to simulate a small
water cooling system setup. I will be using a Hydor L30 320 G/H pump, CritiCool PowerPlant PCI Relay
Card and standard 3/4" OD x 1/2" ID vinyl tubing. The Hydor L30 is centrifugal pump that measures
approximately 114mm x 76mm x 89mm and can be configured to run either inline or submersible. The pump
is capable of pushing a maximum flow rate of 320GPH (1200 l/h) with a delivery head of 75" (135cm). Both
reservoirs were configured in a standard water cooling loop without the use of a radiator or water block.
In a normal case installation, all that is required is to slide either reservoir into the appropriate
drive bay, use the supplied screws to mount it into place, and finally connect the hoses. Each barb,
port and fill cap are re-enforced with a black O-ring which aids in providing a water tight seal. As
an alternative consumers can also consider using Teflon tape to make the inlets more water-proof.
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Click image for larger view
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Click image for larger view
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The test configuration was run overnight for approximately 12 hours and only a few minor issues were
noted. The positioning of the center channel in the Dual Bay Reservoir tends to trap air bubbles rather
than release them to the top portion of the reservoir. This is only apparent if you position both barbs
towards the bottom of the unit instead of placing one on the top and one on the bottom. This issue is
easily solved by raising the front portion of the reservoir upward to release the trapped air. The
O-rings do provide a good seal but I had a few small leaks even after confirming that I tightened the
barbs as far as they could go. Again, this re-enforces my idea that adding Teflon around the barbs along
with the O-rings will guarantee a better water tight seal than the recommended default configuration.
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Conclusion:
The PrimoChill Dual and Floppy Bay Reservoirs are the perfect solution for overclocking enthusiasts
looking for a simple yet effective system to complete a DIY water cooling system. The overall construction
of both reservoirs is first rate thanks to the use of 1/4" cast acrylic. The overall design does not
stray to far away from the original Bayres product yet adds new convenient sizes to fit any configuration.
The use of straight 1/2" ID nylon barbs allows you to custom design and plan the type of flow rate you
want circulating in your system. Consumers will appreciate the size dimensions of the reservoirs which
fit conveniently into any dual 5.25" or 3.5" drive bay. By far the best feature of the product is the
easy to remove fill cap and hole which simplifies the process of effectively filling and bleeding a
system in less than an hour. The center channel is a nice feature which eliminates turbulence and
guarantees a smoother flow of water. During my evaluation, I did notice that air was being trapped in
the larger of the two units, but this problem can be easily fixed. The O-rings included in the package
are helpful and but during my testing, I found wrapping the barbs in Teflon provides a better seal
with the O-rings that what is recommended in the documentation. In order to get the best effects for
these products, it is recommended to add UV based dye and complimentary UV lighting for the perfect
aesthetics. Overall, I was pleased with the PrimoChill Dual and Floppy Bay Reservoirs and award both
products a final rating of 9 out of 10.
If you have any questions regarding this review be sure to visit the
PrimoChill website for more information
or discuss them in our forums.
NOTE: At the time of this review, one of PrimoChill's U.S distributors, VoyeurMods
is offering both the clear and UV revisions of the Floppy Bay Reservoir. Canadian residents can find
the standard Floppy Bay Reservoir over at Lux-Design.
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Pros:
- Fits conveniently into any dual 5.25" or 3.5" drive bay
- Adds great aesthetics to a dull looking case
- Easy to fill and bleed any water cooled system
- Good construction and easy to install
- Perfect for water systems using UV dyes
- Outfitted with either 3/8" or 1/2" nylon barbs
- Price
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Cons:
- Advanced DIY type users will prefer to manufacture their own reservoir
- Center channel on the Dual Bay Reservoir tends to trap rather than release air
- Inlets were leaky and need to be more re-enforced
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