An Enthusiast Review of CoolClouds' Revolutionary CPU Cooler Prototype

[TheHobbyist]

OP tough crowd, if only the haters would contribute something themselves.

Thanks Alkemyst! But, haters gonna hate! lol!

So what do you think of the prototype? I like seeing new tech. What do you think of my testing methods? I modeled them after Hardocp and I think I made good choices for comparison coolers. Is there anything you would have done differently in the testing?

What do you think of my OPINIONS about the prototype? We are all entitled to our own opinions, right? =) I don't think they made my objective data biased and I think I tested fairly.

Thanks for the post!

 

[TheHobbyist]

This is pretty disappointing. OP should have mentioned this at the beginning. Now it just feels like free self promotion rather than any sort of a fair review.

Hello VSG!

I'm sorry some people took the thread in this direction and caused you to feel that way. I think you will find that my testing of the prototype, which isn't even for sale, was fair and in line with enthusiast testing methods. If there is something different you would like to see in the way I tested, I'm all ears.

I don't know why some members here are so hostile, but this is an enthusiast look at a prototype that isn't for sale. I tested it, provided the objective data, and added my thoughts (opinion) in a way similar to any review of a cooler you would see on hardocp. I didn't link to the IndieGoGo, which isn't even selling what I reviewed here today.

I assure you that I have not been compensated for this review (which is for something that is not for sale and I therefore cannot promote the sale of ). I'd prefer it if we talked about the review I wrote and the cooler in it, as a matter of fact.

 

[alkemyst]

Hello VSG!

I'm sorry some people took the thread in this direction and caused you to feel that way. I think you will find that my testing of the prototype, which isn't even for sale, was fair and in line with enthusiast testing methods. If there is something different you would like to see in the way I tested, I'm all ears.

I don't know why some members here are so hostile, but this is an enthusiast look at a prototype that isn't for sale. I tested it, provided the objective data, and added my thoughts (opinion) in a way similar to any review of a cooler you would see on hardocp. I didn't link to the IndieGoGo, which isn't even selling what I reviewed here today.

I assure you that I have not been compensated for this review (which is for something that is not for sale and I therefore cannot promote the sale of ). I'd prefer it if we talked about the review I wrote and the cooler in it, as a matter of fact.

QFT...if he was selling this then that would be wrong.

I think he is looking for input to make it better.

I am not sure why all you guys see any one new on your 'turf' as a threat "if they have a better [insert whatever] than you do."

 

[TheHobbyist]

The CoolClouds heatsink falls into a gray area whereby it tries to be both but never actually consider the constraints and advantages that each solution has. If I had to make a pick, it would still be between the Noctua NH-D14 or something similar to a Corsair H80i.

Why choose the Noctua? It performed worse didn't it? If I were to assume that the results were legit, I would pick the Noctua as air heatsinks are fail proof and with no moving parts other than the fans, it has no major points of failure like a water pump. In fact, when it comes to reliability, I'd even choose the Noctua over the Corsair H80i.

As for AIOs that are like the Corsair H80i, while it requires a place in the case to mount, its compatibility goes far beyond what the CoolClouds can deliver. The advantages of having a flexible tubing instead of a fixed tower design:
1. Flexible tubing allows it to be mounted even in small mITX cases. CoolClouds have the same height/dimension constraints faced by large tower air coolers like Noctua NH-D14.
2. Radiator can be positioned to suck in fresh air from outside instead of recycling warmer case air, allowing it to perform better.
3. If tested with a GPU exhausting hot air from below, the results will skew towards coolers like Corsair H80i (Refer to point 2).
4. The weight of the radiator is bared by the case instead; less strain on the motherboard when the PC gets moved around.
5. You can have larger sized radiators(240mm, 280mm), more performance without putting more strain on the motherboard.

I'm not sure how accurate your sound tests are but from my experience, the CoolClouds would have been louder if both tests were conducted with the same set of fans. The CoolClouds has a high FPI radiator unlike the lower FPI radiator of the Corsair H80i. Higher FPI improves performance and likes high RPM, high static pressure fans but the downside to that is that air will have a tougher time passing through the fins, causing louder wind noise.

TL;DR, I'm not convinced that CoolClouds is the holy grail of PC cooling. Its just being different for the sake of being different(or just to circumvent Asetek's patent).

Hello dma0991!

Regarding reliability: in the past, I used to stick with air coolers as well for the fear of failure of a pump. However, every modern processor either throttles or shuts off before temperature damage can take place. Lets take the 3 coolers in the test and then throw in the possibility of pump failure.
- Noctua NH-D14: I don't have a pump, I don't care! I work fine! HA HA
- Corsair H80i: Processor begins to overheat and then throttles or shuts off
- CoolClouds Prototype: Not only is the water a path for the heat to travel, but the heat can also travel through the all-copper cooler to the fins. If the fans are still blowing, the cooling is acting as a large copper heatsink (albeit with less performance that what it could do with the pump. If your system was overclocked, it would likely throttle under heavy load like benchmarking. If it was at stock, it would like provide sufficient cooling for normal operation. Someone in on of the other communities was asking about fanless operation and pumpless operation, and I plan to check it out when i have some more time to tinker. I'll let you all know what I find.

Compatibility:
1) This cooler, and the Noctua NH-D14, are not made for ITX cases. You are correct!
2) If you are sucking in air from outside, you are dumping the hot air into the case. Not only that, but if you put it on the intake of the case, you are replacing the cool air that would have been coming in with the heated air. In the systems I have built, the discrete GPU makes the most heat (more than the CPU) and it relies on the case airflow.
3) I tested without a GPU to eliminate it from the equation
4) Excellent point. I wouldn't even consider moving my computer with a Noctua NH-D14 or the CoolClouds prototype installed.
5) Larger radiators are less compatible with cases.

Regarding the sound measurements: I agree with your theory and I am the proud father of many custom loop systems with high FPI and low FPI rads. However, in testing, there was no difference in the noise level between the two. Go figure. Either way, the prototype radiator wasn't tuned for either the Corsair H80i fans or the Gentle Typhoon AP-15's. I just wanted to see what would happen =)

I don't think this prototype is the holy grail either. I think it's pretty cool though and something different. In touring the office and meeting the team, I think they use the form factor they use because it is an adaptation of what they have been doing for the business products. But that's my opinion.

Thanks for chiming in!

Cheers!

 

[dma0991]

- Corsair H80i: Processor begins to overheat and then throttles or shuts off
- CoolClouds Prototype: Not only is the water a path for the heat to travel, but the heat can also travel through the all-copper cooler to the fins. If the fans are still blowing, the cooling is acting as a large copper heatsink (albeit with less performance that what it could do with the pump.

The CoolClouds would have failed just as well as the Corsair H80i in the event of a pump failure. In the case of a choice between both, the Corsair H80i still trumps as it comes with their Link software to warn the user should the heat gets beyond the threshold. CoolClouds can't do this as its pump power input solely relies on a fan header.

Compatibility:
2) If you are sucking in air from outside, you are dumping the hot air into the case. Not only that, but if you put it on the intake of the case, you are replacing the cool air that would have been coming in with the heated air. In the systems I have built, the discrete GPU makes the most heat (more than the CPU) and it relies on the case airflow.
3) I tested without a GPU to eliminate it from the equation
4) Excellent point. I wouldn't even consider moving my computer with a Noctua NH-D14 or the CoolClouds prototype installed.
5) Larger radiators are less compatible with cases.

2. Heat will rise naturally. That being said, it won't have a severe impact on GPU temps. It has next to nil effect on the GPU when there's are top exhausts, which most cases these days come with.
3. You may have fewer variables in the measurement but it won't reflect what happens in its typical use case. It would be fine if it were the Noctua vs CoolClouds as the source of intake is the same but it won't reflect Corsair H80i's advantage of cool external air intake.
4. You can't assume that the user will not move it from time to time. If the consumer is aware of this limitation, they will be less inclined to make a purchase and move towards the current AIO implementation.
5. The market have provided two different sizes(single-120mm, double-240mm) to suit each individual requirements. The question here is what would CoolClouds do to improve its performance to be better than the Corsair H110? The obvious answer would be to have a bigger radiator but its not feasible to place a 240mm copper radiator using CoolClouds' implementation due to weight and space constraints.

I don't think this prototype is the holy grail either. I think it's pretty cool though and something different. In touring the office and meeting the team, I think they use the form factor they use because it is an adaptation of what they have been doing for the business products. But that's my opinion.

This isn't a revolutionary product because it has been done in the past by Xigmatek and it didn't turn out so well for them. I may be a skeptic and naysayer of what could turn out to be a great product but if I were to judge(not based on rough looks and lack of refinement as it is a prototype) based from a customer's perspective, its still a firm no.

 

[VSG]

Hello VSG!

I'm sorry some people took the thread in this direction and caused you to feel that way. I think you will find that my testing of the prototype, which isn't even for sale, was fair and in line with enthusiast testing methods. If there is something different you would like to see in the way I tested, I'm all ears.

I don't know why some members here are so hostile, but this is an enthusiast look at a prototype that isn't for sale. I tested it, provided the objective data, and added my thoughts (opinion) in a way similar to any review of a cooler you would see on hardocp. I didn't link to the IndieGoGo, which isn't even selling what I reviewed here today.

I assure you that I have not been compensated for this review (which is for something that is not for sale and I therefore cannot promote the sale of ). I'd prefer it if we talked about the review I wrote and the cooler in it, as a matter of fact.

This should have been in the first post, that's all I meant. But this is good enough for me, thanks. I am still interested in seeing how this product grows, even if I will likely never use it.

 

[Rezist]

Saying your an enthusiast when you actually market for the company directly may be against the TOS of these forums.

 

[Markfw]

Saying your an enthusiast when you actually market for the company directly may be against the TOS of these forums.

Sure looks that way to me... I will let the senior staff ban you if they decide that, I will just watch the "discussion" from the sidelines.

 

[TheHobbyist]

The CoolClouds would have failed just as well as the Corsair H80i in the event of a pump failure. In the case of a choice between both, the Corsair H80i still trumps as it comes with their Link software to warn the user should the heat gets beyond the threshold. CoolClouds can't do this as its pump power input solely relies on a fan header.


2. Heat will rise naturally. That being said, it won't have a severe impact on GPU temps. It has next to nil effect on the GPU when there's are top exhausts, which most cases these days come with.
3. You may have fewer variables in the measurement but it won't reflect what happens in its typical use case. It would be fine if it were the Noctua vs CoolClouds as the source of intake is the same but it won't reflect Corsair H80i's advantage of cool external air intake.
4. You can't assume that the user will not move it from time to time. If the consumer is aware of this limitation, they will be less inclined to make a purchase and move towards the current AIO implementation.
5. The market have provided two different sizes(single-120mm, double-240mm) to suit each individual requirements. The question here is what would CoolClouds do to improve its performance to be better than the Corsair H110? The obvious answer would be to have a bigger radiator but its not feasible to place a 240mm copper radiator using CoolClouds' implementation due to weight and space constraints.


This isn't a revolutionary product because it has been done in the past by Xigmatek and it didn't turn out so well for them. I may be a skeptic and naysayer of what could turn out to be a great product but if I were to judge(not based on rough looks and lack of refinement as it is a prototype) based from a customer's perspective, its still a firm no.

1. , 2. , 3. Anything either of us says is just opinion with no test to back it up. I will explore this with an actual test to answer the question. Is there anything you would like to see in the test?
4. Any risk a user is taking with this cooler is that same that they would be taking with the large dual tower air coolers like the Noctua NH D14 from the test. The Noctua NH-D14 is the best selling aftermarket cooler, so I guess it's ok?
5. CoolClouds could use a dual tower, much like the Noctua NH D14 from the review to double the radiator space. As you mentioned, weight would need to be addressed.

I hear what you are saying, but the fact that different people failed at something similar to what you are doing in the past does not mean it can't, or shouldn't, be done.

I'll look for your feedback on the new test! Thanks!

 

[TheHobbyist]

Saying your an enthusiast when you actually market for the company directly may be against the TOS of these forums.

Sure looks that way to me... I will let the senior staff ban you if they decide that, I will just watch the "discussion" from the sidelines.

Thanks for stopping by Rezist and Markfw900! What do you think of the review? I look forward to your feedback about the topic of the thread

 

[TheHobbyist]

I am working on "Test Bed #2" and it would be great to take community feedback about how you would like to see coolers tested and what tests you would like to see.

So far the questions I will try to answer with "Test Bed #2" and subsequent testing are as follows:

• How great of an effect does side panel on vs side panel off effect the thermal performance of each cooler?
• How do the CoolClouds prototype and the Corsair H80i perform with no fans (cooler fans or case fans) but with the pump running
• How do the CoolClouds prototype and the Corsair H80i perform with fans, but no pump
• How do the different cooler form factors (I.E. AIO and motherboard mounted) affect the temperature of other components in the system? (i.e. CPU temp, case temp, vrm temp, cooler intake temp, etc)
• How do the 3 coolers perform using cooler intake temperature instead of room ambient
• How are temperatures affected by different AIO radiator placements (i.e. placed in rear exhaust as an exhaust, placed in rear exhaust as intake, placed in front intake as intake, etc)

What do you think?

 

[taq8ojh]

Guys, don't bother replying to him. It's clearly a spam marketing attempt. The person obviously registered on numerous forums to post this stuff.
It already was locked over at TechPowerUp, and I suggest the same is done here.

To quote my post from TPU:
I still believe this thread is some weird ass attempt at marketing or whatever.
It stinks from the very beginning. A huge successful company that has been doing this for years noone ever heard of asks a completely random hippie they find on a street to test their hyper awesome innovative revolutionary cooler prototype for them, and he quickly registers on some forum(s) to share it (and is allowed to) with people just because he loves the community and blabla. Yeah and I am Satan Claus.

 

[TheHobbyist]

Guys, don't bother replying to him. It's clearly a spam marketing attempt. The person obviously registered on numerous forums to post this stuff.
It already was locked over at TechPowerUp, and I suggest the same is done here.

To quote my post from TPU:
I still believe this thread is some weird ass attempt at marketing or whatever.
It stinks from the very beginning. A huge successful company that has been doing this for years noone ever heard of asks a completely random hippie they find on a street to test their hyper awesome innovative revolutionary cooler prototype for them, and he quickly registers on some forum(s) to share it (and is allowed to) with people just because he loves the community and blabla. Yeah and I am Satan Claus.

The thread was locked at TechPowerUp because certain members could not control their behavior and could not stay on the topic of the OP. Regarding me "registering on numerous forums to post this stuff" I have already replied to that accusation, please read the contents of the threads you are posting in. With regards to Anandtech Forums, I have been a member here with this account since Dec 2011, as you can clearly see. My account on hardforum dates back to over 6.3 years ago, as you can clearly see. My overclock.net account has a join date of 3/14/13. I encourage you to examine things on your own and draw your own independent conclusions.

To Quote Tatty_One, the moderator from TechPowerUp Forum:
"Edit: I am re-opening the thread, I have been in conversation with the OP and am happy that he is neither employed by the company or making any gain from this, he wants the opportunity to respond to questions so please keep things constructive."

and in the end:

"I think at this point, it would be a good idea to close the thread (again), it seems all questions have been asked, all have been answered and there seems little point in letting individuals derail it further, thanks for everyones contribution and for the OP sharing his findings with us."

I think his words paint a pretty clear picture of the situation. Now you have come here to continue this? Please, read the review (if you chose to, no one is forcing you to) and comment on it in this thread (if you chose to, no one is forcing you to).

If you read this thread on overclock.net:
http://www.overclock.net/t/1452713/welcome-to-coolclouds-new-sponsor/100
You can clearly see where the community asked CoolClouds to let an enthusiast review their cooler, and where I (TheHobbyist) offered to test and review it. I talk about this in the introduction of my review.

Octopuss: I encourage you to look at things on your own and drawn your own conclusions. The facts are there if you chose to look at them. If you have questions for me that have not already been addressed, feel free to send me a private message and I will be happy to respond. Otherwise, please respect this forum and this thread and stay on topic.

Thank you "Satan Claus"

 

[DigDog]

you know what .. im glad you dont work for the company and you simply have an unusual enthusiasm for a product which led you to break the silence you had for these past 3 years.
good for you; you still don't sound anywhere near like a AT poster or someone i would trust. gg and i'll make sure to not buy this product.

 

[alkemyst]

you know what .. im glad you dont work for the company and you simply have an unusual enthusiasm for a product which led you to break the silence you had for these past 3 years.
good for you; you still don't sound anywhere near like a AT poster or someone i would trust. gg and i'll make sure to not buy this product.

You went full retard.

Take a seat.

 

[Micrornd]

If you read this thread on overclock.net:
http://www.overclock.net/t/1452713/welcome-to-coolclouds-new-sponsor/100
You can clearly see where the community asked CoolClouds to let an enthusiast review their cooler, and where I (TheHobbyist) offered to test and review it. I talk about this in the introduction of my review.

Rhett,

This is the problem some of us here and on other forums have with this thread.
Lack of disclosure.
You fail to mention that in June you were/are running the CoolClouds sponsor showcase @ overclock.net - http://www.overclock.net/t/1498226/unable-to-access-coolclouds-sponsor-showcase

And then after posting the exact same review @ overclock.net as you did here, why did your review completely and utterly vanish from that forum.
http://www.overclock.net/t/1503263/an-enthusiast-review-of-coolclouds-revolutionary-cpu-cooler-prototype#post_22604322

Why did they delete the thread, especially since CoolClouds has been listed as a vendor partner there since 12/13.
http://www.overclock.net/t/1452713/welcome-to-coolclouds-new-sponsor/120
Threads get locked all the time, but threads don't get deleted on just a whim.

[H] is the only forum that hasn't completely crapped on your review - yet.

Total honesty of your involvement, your fanboi status, your contribution to the crowdfund, your "team" status, etc. would have made a difference in the way people "looked" at the review.
Or maybe you knew that, I just don't know.

I don't think it would have helped anyone's opinion of the product, it just doesn't cut it as a measurable improvement over what is already available.
You mention that you styled your tests as to fall in line with other testing sites, but what you failed to do, and that they do, is to be upfront about any involvement or history with the product or company.

This cooler will probably end up like CoolClouds first attempt at crowdfunding a subpar/overpriced/premature-to-market cooler
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1792657

BTW - That "cool_it_man" expounds, espouses and writes similar enough to be related to you.

 

[alkemyst]

OH NO POSTING SIMILAR TOPICS ON OTHER FORUMS

caps

 

[DigDog]

funny thing is, alkemyst, i would trust *your* review of this product.
*smiley*

 

[VSG]

The reason OCN deleted the thread is because I posted in there about the OP potentially being affiliated with the company making it a sponsored review. I guess the forum managers looked into it and deleted it because no sponsored reviews are allowed there unless specifically mentioned as such and a community based test.

 

[Micrornd]

OH NO POSTING SIMILAR TOPICS ON OTHER FORUMS

caps

Wow, just wow!
As usual you totally miss the point.

No one cares that he posted the same review on 4 forums and had virtually the same reactions on all of them.
It's the original and ongoing non-disclosure that makes the thread suspect, whether intentional or not.

You've got a "Vote for Crist" sticker on your bumper, don't ya'. :whiste:

 

[alkemyst]

Wow, just wow!
As usual you totally miss the point.

No one cares that he posted the same review on 4 forums and had virtually the same reactions on all of them.
It's the original and ongoing non-disclosure that makes the thread suspect, whether intentional or not.

You've got a "Vote for Crist" sticker on your bumper, don't ya'. :whiste:

It's clear on any forum the natives are quick to jump on anyone offering something to the crowd.

Lol, at the side attacks...you are proving the point.

 

[serpretetsky]

What is the intended price of this cooler?

 

[TheHobbyist]

you know what .. im glad you dont work for the company and you simply have an unusual enthusiasm for a product which led you to break the silence you had for these past 3 years.
good for you; you still don't sound anywhere near like a AT poster or someone i would trust. gg and i'll make sure to not buy this product.

funny thing is, alkemyst, i would trust *your* review of this product.
*smiley*

DigDog,

I'm sorry you feel that way. You've got a right to your own opinion, same as I do.

Cheers :thumbsup:

 

[TheHobbyist]

You went full retard.

Take a seat.

OH NO POSTING SIMILAR TOPICS ON OTHER FORUMS

caps

It's clear on any forum the natives are quick to jump on anyone offering something to the crowd.

Lol, at the side attacks...you are proving the point.

I appreciate your kindness and objectivity alkemyst, thanks :thumbsup:

You provide a good balance to the negativity going on here =)

Cheers!

 

[TheHobbyist]

What is the intended price of this cooler?

This cooler is a prototype that is not for sale and will not be for sale. As so, no price for it. Their goal is to provide a cooler using this technique for enthusiasts, if they are interested. Check out http://coolclouds.net for more info.

Cheers!