MODTHEBOX.COM - Canada's Premier Case Modding Source - Reviews - Zalman Reserator 1 Fanless Water Cooling System Review

Click image for larger view

The Zalman Reserator 1 Fanless Water Cooling System uses a unique design which is slightly different than traditional external water cooling units such as the Koolance EXOS or the Corsair HydroCool. The Reserator 1 is a standalone unit that sits vertically when placed on a flat surface. The construction of the unit is very good consisting of an anodized aluminum circular frame with 44 fins measuring 2.5cm deep. The Reserator 1 measures approximately 150mm (L) x 150mm (W) x 592mm (H) and weighs 6.5 kg with a radiation area of 1.274 m2. The height on the unit is astounding and to provide a visual, I placed the unit next to a standard mid-tower computer for comparison. There is a clear indication that Zalman has used its successful and patent flower design in the construction of the Reserator 1.

Click image for larger view

Towards the bottom of the Zalman Reserator 1 Fanless Water Cooling System is a circular plastic base which provides stability for the unit. To connect the ZM-WB2 Gold and ZM-GWB1 VGA Water Blocks to the Reserator 1, there is one inlet and one outlet on the rear portion of the unit. The two external plugs use the same compression nut fittings as the rest of the components included in this package. To simplify powering the bundled pump, Zalman has wired a 2-position switch which allows the unit to be easily turned on or off. It would have been nice if this was incorporated into some type of relay device to allow the pump to be automatically powered when the computer is turned on. In this default configuration, consumers can either let the pump run 24/7 or manually turn it off or on.

Click image for larger view

To simplify the process of filling the Reserator 1 Fanless Water Cooling System; Zalman has incorporated a built-in reservoir with an easy to remove fill cap. In order to fill the system all that is required is to twist off the fill cap and add in coolant. The fill cap is threaded and includes a thick black O-ring which will prevent leaks when the unit is in use.