W1zzard
09-06-2005, 01:56 PM
[Page=Introduction, Packaging & Installation]
Introduction
We recently reviewed the Thermaltake Aquabay M1 (review here (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M1/)). Today we bring you the review of the M3 which occupies only one 5.25" drive bay, instead of the two the M1 needs.
From the manufacturer Thermaltake (http://www.thermaltake.com):
<table border="1" class="resulttable" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3">
<tr>
<th colspan="2" valign="top">Liquid Tank</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<th valign="top">Dimension</th>
<td valign="top">178 x 139 x 30 mm </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th valign="top">Weight</th>
<td valign="top">103g</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th valign="top">Capacity</th>
<td valign="top">250cc</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th colspan="2" valign="top">Quick Install Connector </th>
</tr>
<tr>
<th valign="top">Connectors</th>
<td valign="top">For 6.4mm ID (1/4") tubing,<br>
For 9.5mm ID (3/8") tubing</td>
</tr>
</table>
Packaging
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/package1_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/package1.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/package2_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/package2.jpg)
Box contents:
5.25" Drive bay unit
Green neon PVC tubing
Fittings 9.5mm
Fittings 6.4mm
Mounting screws
Instruction manual
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/contents_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/contents.jpg)
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/back_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/back.jpg)
On the backside, the connectors can be found. Thermaltake includes fittings needed for both 6.4mm and 9.5mm.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/back2_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/back2.jpg)
When you turn the unit around you can see the watertank, which can hold 250cc of water.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/fingerprints_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/fingerprints.jpg)
The black paint of the M3 takes fingerprints VERY easy. This is not a big issue because once the unit is installed in the case, that metal won't be visible from the outside anyway.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/foil_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/foil.jpg)
It is very nice of Thermaltake to put a protective foil on the front Plexi, so that it can't be scratched during installation.
Installation
Installation is very easy and can be done in half an hour. It is very important to get all water out of your existing watercooling system. You wouldn't want to get water on your beloved components. The manual is very clear on all steps that should be performed for proper installation.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/installation1_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/installation1.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/installation2_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/installation2.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/installation3_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/installation3.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/installation4_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/installation4.jpg)
Now that everything is connected, you fill water of the unit by unscrewing a small cap on top of the Aquabay.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/cap_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/cap.jpg)
[PAGE=Performance, Value & Conclusion]
Performance
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/fitting_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/fitting.jpg)
A major problem I see with the performance of the M3 is the tiny tubing/fitting size. While 6.4/9.5 mm might be fine for the other watercooling components from Thermaltake, and some european systems, the hardcore people use bigger tubing - 1/2" (12mm). Reducing the smallest flow diameter from 12mm to 9.5mm (cross section=452mm² vs. 282 mm²) will reduce flow rate and cooling performance.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/incase_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/incase.jpg)
Mounted inside the case, the unit looks well, it doesnt matter which color the surrounding case is. The black smoked plexiglass gives it an elegant look without colliding with the color scheme.
What might be a nice addition for the modders, is some kind of lighting inside the unit. But this can be easily added by yourself.
When we tested the unit in a 6.4mm ID system, the CPU temperature did not change at all. On our reviewing system which uses 1/2" tubing we saw a CPU temperature increase of about 4°C - quite a lot if you consider how much people spend for waterblocks which improve their temperatures by 1 or 2°C.
Value and Conclusion
<table width="100%" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" id="result">
<tr><th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/dollar.gif</th>
<td>
The Aquabay M3 is selling for about $25 which I find very competitive. Building your own res might be a bit cheaper, but what about the risk of leaks?
</td>
</tr><tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbup.gif</th>
<td>
Solid performance
Good price
Looks good in-case
Everything included
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbdown.gif</th>
<td>
Might reduce flow rate
</td></tr>
<tr><th>7.9</th>
<td>The Thermaltake Aquabay M3 is a great accessory for users of Thermaltake water cooling kits. Its build quality feels very solid. I don't see the risk of any leaks, as long as its properly installed, which is very easy with the included instruction manual.<br />
Extreme watercoolers with big tubing sizes of more than 9.5mm should consider other solutions, because the flow rate might be severely reduced.</td></tr>
<tr><th></th><td></td></tr>
</table>
Introduction
We recently reviewed the Thermaltake Aquabay M1 (review here (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M1/)). Today we bring you the review of the M3 which occupies only one 5.25" drive bay, instead of the two the M1 needs.
From the manufacturer Thermaltake (http://www.thermaltake.com):
<table border="1" class="resulttable" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3">
<tr>
<th colspan="2" valign="top">Liquid Tank</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<th valign="top">Dimension</th>
<td valign="top">178 x 139 x 30 mm </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th valign="top">Weight</th>
<td valign="top">103g</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th valign="top">Capacity</th>
<td valign="top">250cc</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th colspan="2" valign="top">Quick Install Connector </th>
</tr>
<tr>
<th valign="top">Connectors</th>
<td valign="top">For 6.4mm ID (1/4") tubing,<br>
For 9.5mm ID (3/8") tubing</td>
</tr>
</table>
Packaging
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/package1_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/package1.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/package2_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/package2.jpg)
Box contents:
5.25" Drive bay unit
Green neon PVC tubing
Fittings 9.5mm
Fittings 6.4mm
Mounting screws
Instruction manual
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/contents_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/contents.jpg)
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/back_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/back.jpg)
On the backside, the connectors can be found. Thermaltake includes fittings needed for both 6.4mm and 9.5mm.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/back2_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/back2.jpg)
When you turn the unit around you can see the watertank, which can hold 250cc of water.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/fingerprints_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/fingerprints.jpg)
The black paint of the M3 takes fingerprints VERY easy. This is not a big issue because once the unit is installed in the case, that metal won't be visible from the outside anyway.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/foil_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/foil.jpg)
It is very nice of Thermaltake to put a protective foil on the front Plexi, so that it can't be scratched during installation.
Installation
Installation is very easy and can be done in half an hour. It is very important to get all water out of your existing watercooling system. You wouldn't want to get water on your beloved components. The manual is very clear on all steps that should be performed for proper installation.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/installation1_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/installation1.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/installation2_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/installation2.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/installation3_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/installation3.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/installation4_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/installation4.jpg)
Now that everything is connected, you fill water of the unit by unscrewing a small cap on top of the Aquabay.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/cap_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/cap.jpg)
[PAGE=Performance, Value & Conclusion]
Performance
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/fitting_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/fitting.jpg)
A major problem I see with the performance of the M3 is the tiny tubing/fitting size. While 6.4/9.5 mm might be fine for the other watercooling components from Thermaltake, and some european systems, the hardcore people use bigger tubing - 1/2" (12mm). Reducing the smallest flow diameter from 12mm to 9.5mm (cross section=452mm² vs. 282 mm²) will reduce flow rate and cooling performance.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/incase_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/M3/images/incase.jpg)
Mounted inside the case, the unit looks well, it doesnt matter which color the surrounding case is. The black smoked plexiglass gives it an elegant look without colliding with the color scheme.
What might be a nice addition for the modders, is some kind of lighting inside the unit. But this can be easily added by yourself.
When we tested the unit in a 6.4mm ID system, the CPU temperature did not change at all. On our reviewing system which uses 1/2" tubing we saw a CPU temperature increase of about 4°C - quite a lot if you consider how much people spend for waterblocks which improve their temperatures by 1 or 2°C.
Value and Conclusion
<table width="100%" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" id="result">
<tr><th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/dollar.gif</th>
<td>
The Aquabay M3 is selling for about $25 which I find very competitive. Building your own res might be a bit cheaper, but what about the risk of leaks?
</td>
</tr><tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbup.gif</th>
<td>
Solid performance
Good price
Looks good in-case
Everything included
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbdown.gif</th>
<td>
Might reduce flow rate
</td></tr>
<tr><th>7.9</th>
<td>The Thermaltake Aquabay M3 is a great accessory for users of Thermaltake water cooling kits. Its build quality feels very solid. I don't see the risk of any leaks, as long as its properly installed, which is very easy with the included instruction manual.<br />
Extreme watercoolers with big tubing sizes of more than 9.5mm should consider other solutions, because the flow rate might be severely reduced.</td></tr>
<tr><th></th><td></td></tr>
</table>