ECO A.L.C. ECO-R120 CPU Cooler Review

The stock cooler included with retail-packaged CPUs represents the manufacturer's best efforts to provide a cooler that will keep the processor within its temperature limits at stock clock speeds, all for the lowest cost. But if you want to overclock your system, you're going to need an aftermarket cooler. The ideal cooler would be inexpensive, quiet, easy to install, and keep your CPU icy cold under all loads and conditions. But of course, in the real world it's always a balancing act among these various parameters. CoolIT Systems' new ECO A.L.C. ECO-R120 CPU cooler aims to balance these requirements by offering an easy-to-install sealed liquid cooling system for your CPU. Using both stock and high-speed fans, Benchmark Reviews compares it to the top air coolers and the Corsair H50 liquid cooling system on an overclocked and overvolted Intel Core i7-920 processor.

Aftermarket CPU coolers have changed a lot in the past few years: they've morphed from relatively simple finned blocks of metal with fixed-speed fans to elaborate heat-pipe designs with PWM-controlled fans; sometimes outfitted with multiple fans. Since enthusiasts often have windowed cases, manufacturers have started paying more attention to the appearance of their products, with elaborate fin designs, LED lighting, liberal use of polished copper, and colorful plastic shrouds. Some vendors carefully machine away part of the heat sink base so that the heat pipes have direct contact with the CPU, and each new variance in design is touted as the Next Great Thing.

Although sealed, pre-filled liquid cooling systems have been available for a few years - primarily as OEM components. The introduction of the Corsair H50 thrust this type of heat sink into the consumer spotlight last year. Offering performance competitive with high end air coolers of the time, low noise, and a reasonable price (for water cooling), it was inevitable that it would spawn competition.

CoolIT Systems is no stranger to liquid cooling systems, but many of their previous offerings have occasionally been expensive, high-end systems using Peltier-chilled coolant and elaborate pumping and electrical systems. The new ECO A.L.C. (Advanced Liquid Cooling) system competes directly with the Corsair H50 as well as high-end air cooling solutions.

About CoolIT Systems

For years, CoolIT has been working with leaders in the computer industry to research, design, and provide an affordable new cooling product that provides a comprehensive solution for end users while exceeding high OEM standards. This carefully designed and patented technology unleashes the full potential of a PC, providing superior cooling performance while reducing system level noise and improving reliability of vital components. This small, but potent, pre-assembled product can also be easily installed inside any standard chassis. The CoolIT MTEC Technology can be found in the top names in performance computing like Dell, Alienware, Velocity Micro, MAINGEAR, Hypersonic, Biohazard, Ultra, Ultraforce, Systemax, BFG, Commodore Gaming, War Machine and Shuttle.

Aside from the current product offering, there are several additional products poised for release in the coming months to service the demanding cooling requirements of high performance video cards, multi-processor computers, and servers.

Features & Specifications

CoolIT CPU FHE (Fluid Heat Exchanger)
Copper Micro-Channel

Universal Retention System
Out of the box support provided for Intel 775, 1156, 1366 and AMD AM2, AM2+, AM3 sockets.

CoolIT Proprietary Pump
Quiet, compact, long life CFF1 pump
Ceramic bearing
Life Cycle: 50,000 Hours MTTF

CoolIT Coolant
CoolIT Systems low toxicity with anticorrosion/anti fungal additives

CoolIT Radiator
Custom engineered for low noise high heat dissipation

CoolIT Fan
High reliability, Quiet 12V
Speed: 1800 RPM MAX

CoolIT CPU Thermal Grease
CoolIT Systems Pro A.T.C.
(Advanced Thermal Compound)

CoolIT 2 Year Manufacturer Warranty

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