Turn Down The Heat

As with most PC components, CPU speeds continue to rise, creating heat. The latest and greatest processors require more robust cooling systems and, for most, that usually means numerous large fans and heatsinks.

Because of their efficiency, liquid cooling systems are becoming more popular among gamers and overclockers. Unfortunately, liquid cooling is usually expensive and risky. Pumps, radiators and tubing all need a place to be stored or mounted, and running any kind of liquid throughout a case of sensitive electronics carries a slight danger in the event of a leak. Calgary, Alberta-based CoolIT Systems' Domino A.L.C. (Advanced Liquid Cooling) is an easy and affordable way to, as it states, deliver liquid cooling to the masses. Test Center reviewers had a chance to try out the new device. Aside from a few installation issues, the unit worked exactly as promoted.

The Domino comes assembled as a single, all-in-one, sealed unit. Necessary backplates and brackets are included for Intel's LGA 775 and LGA 1366 systems, as well as AMD's AM2 and AM2+ sockets. The Fluid Heat Exchanger (FHE) is connected to a radiator module by two flexible tubes that are stiff enough to hold their shape when routed. The radiator module is mounted to a 120mm fan that is meant to replace the chassis rear fan. This is how the unit is attached to the case.

When we reached the final step of installation, we ran into a problem with our case: The rear fan's mounting plate was just a tad too close to another mounting bracket, which interfered with the LCD and prevented the fan and radiator from lining up correctly. We slid the motherboard tray out a bit and mounted the unit in this position. We recommend noting the location of the fan for the chassis you are using before installation.

Out of the box, the Performance operation mode is selected out of three choices, the others being Quiet and Full. In all three modes, the system will automatically throttle the speed if safe temperature ranges are exceeded. Although the display showed a difference in speed, both the Quiet and Performance modes fell below the sound level in our lab, which was 57 dBA. In Full mode, the fan was audible, measuring 62 dBA on our meter. Unless we literally placed an ear against the unit, the pump was nearly impossible to hear.

As measured in the BIOS, on average we noted a reduction in temperature of about 8 degrees Celsius or 15 degrees Fahrenheit. While doing a little overclocking (which is not officially supported by any CPU manufacturer and done at your own risk), this temperature difference allowed us to push the CPU an additional 3 percent over our traditional heatsink and fan setup.

With a retail price of $79, the Domino A.L.C. costs about the same, if not less, than most of the high-end fan/heatsink solutions. It is a quiet, relatively easy-to-install system that is a good option for those wanting the advantages of liquid cooling without the added expense.

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