New name, established technology
Based on Asetek's flexible LCLC (low-cost liquid-cooling) system but keeping costs down by having a single head for CPU, Corsair states that it has re-engineered the kit - the head, in particular - for better performance.The technology isn't new, as it's already been used in big-name projects such as Hewlett Packard's Blackbird 002, but Corsair is hoping to attract enthusiasts whose budget would normally extend to a high-performance air cooler.
The kit houses the head - encompassing cold-plate, reservoir, and pump - connected via two tubes to a single radiator that's cooled by a Corsair-provided 120mm fan.
There's also through-the-motherboard mounting kits for Intel's LGA775 and LGA1366 chips, but you will need to purchase AMD-based kits if that's your wont. Corsair says it will provide the AMD mounting kit for a nominal charge, to cover postage and packing, and expects to bundle in the bracket in the near future.
Keeping
matters simple, the two-piece unit is completely self-contained,
intimating that it's a fit-and-forget affair. Corsair backs the Hydro
H50 with a two-year warranty.
There's a single wire running from the head and terminating in a three-pin fan header. It provides the necessary power to the pump and, via the motherboard's header, reports on the speed of its impeller.
There's a single wire running from the head and terminating in a three-pin fan header. It provides the necessary power to the pump and, via the motherboard's header, reports on the speed of its impeller.
The heat exchanger/radiator is standard fare and is completely covered
by the supplied fan; you can see the mounting holes in the corner. The
fan fits in-between the radiator and the chassis and, as such, requires
a case that can take a 12cm-wide model.
A look at the other side of the radiator shows how the tubing attaches to it.
There are mounting holes on both sides of the radiator, thereby providing a degree of flexibility.