Aquagate Liquid Cooling System Installation Guide
Copyright © 2004 Cooler Master Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Under the copyright laws, this manual cannot be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of Cooler Master Co., Ltd. No patent liability is assumed, with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Aquagate Liquid Cooling System, first edition February 2004 Disclaimer This manual has been validated and reviewed for accuracy.
Table of Contents
About the Aquagate Liquid Cooling System The Aquagate Liquid Cooling System is a revolutionary form of heat management for desktop computing platforms. It relies on a special liquid coolant to draw heat away from the CPU in order to keep it as cool as possible. It is designed to be extremely flexible, allowing you to install on an Intel Pentium® 4, AMD K7 (Duron, Athlon, AthlonMP, AthlonXP), or AMD K8 (Opteron, Athlon64), the three most popular processors on the market today.
Parts List The Aquagate Liquid Cooling System comes with the following components: Liquid Cooling Unit (LCU) (x1) PCI Card (x1) 6.
Specifications* Dimension: 220mm (L) x 148mm (W) x 88mm (H) Case Material: Aluminum Fan Dimension: 80x80x25 mm Fan Speed: 2000 / 3100 / 4600 rpm Fan Bearing Type: Rifle bearing Fan Voltage Rating: 12V Noise Level: 23 / 34 / 49 dB Power supply: AC power (indoor: 110V and 220V) and DC power (DC 12V) Pump: 110V, AC 9W Power consumption: DC 12V, 2.2 W Water Block Material: Copper and Acrylic Weight: 2kg (Main Unit) / 5Kg (Total) Thermal Resistance: RCA 0.31 / 0.25 / 0.
Features The Aquagate Liquid Cooling System has the following features: Multi-functional Aquagate features flexibility in installation. It can be installed either into the ordinary computer case (using two 5.25” drives), a spare PSU bay in the computer case, or used as an external device.
Aesthetics Aquagate’s unique and eye-catching outline features a pure aluminum case and cool blue-light panel. Durability The Aquagate Liquid Cooling System’s high quality AC pump ensures its reliability and longevity.
Installation Cooler Master has made installing the Aquagate Liquid Cooling System as easy and painless a task as possible. Before you begin installation, however, it is very important to first consider where you want to put the Aquagate LCU. If you install it internally, then you should make certain you have either two spare 5.25” drive bays available to you or a spare PSU bay.
Installation Flow Chart Internal Installation Shut down the computer. Install the water block.
External Installation Shut down the computer Position the LCU where you want to house it. Install the water block.
1a. Water Block (Intel Pentium® 4) To install the water block on an Intel Pentium® 4 CPU: 1. Open the side panel that gives you the easiest access to your computer’s internal components, especially the motherboard. 2. Fit two brass screws over the water pipes. 3. Fit the ends of the water pipes with the brass screws into the two pipe connectors on the water block. 4. Next, secure the brass screws tightly to the pipe connectors, thus ensuring the water pipes will not slip free.
5. On the motherboard, remove the original retention module surrounding the CPU. If necessary, you will need to use a pair of pliers to remove the four pushpins holding it to the motherboard. 6. Remove the motherboard from the panel, and then secure the back plate behind it and below the CPU socket. Ensure that the insulating board card is first placed between the back plate and the motherboard. 7. Four mounting holes should already be provided into which you may insert the plate’s mounting plugs.
8. Remove the protective film coating the water block, then attach the Aquagate retention plate to it. This replaces the original retention module and must be secured to the water block with four screws. 9. Apply thermal grease to the top of the CPU. This is an insulating substance that protects both the water block and the CPU over which it sits. 10. Press the end of the thermal sensor cable into the thermal grease. The plug end will later be attached to the PCI card.
11. Carefully position the water block and attached retention plate over the CPU, aligning the corner screw holes with the holes in the motherboard. Ensure that in doing this step the thermal sensor does not slip free. 12. With the four provided spring screws, secure the water block’s retention plate to the back plate on the other side of the motherboard through the holes.
13. Next, install the PCI card (see procedure 2 for details on how to do this) and the Aquagate LCU (see procedure 3 for details on how do this).
1b. Water Block (AMD K8) To install the water block on an AMD K8 CPU: 1. Follow steps 1-4 in procedure 1a, above. 2. On the motherboard, remove the original retention module surrounding the CPU socket. You will need to use a pair of pliers to remove the pins holding it to the motherboard. 3. Remove the motherboard from the panel, and then secure the back plate behind it and below the CPU. Ensure that the insulating board card is first placed between the back plate and the motherboard. 4.
5. Apply thermal grease to the top of the CPU. 6. Press the end of the thermal sensor cable into the thermal grease. The plug end will later be attached to the PCI card. 7. Carefully position the water block and attached retention plate over the CPU, aligning the corner screw holes with the holes used originally by the retention module. Ensure that in doing this step the thermal sensor does not slip free.
8. With the two provided spring screws, secure the water block’s retention plate to the back plate on the other side of the motherboard through the 2 holes. 9. Next, install the PCI card (see procedure 2 for details on how to do this) and the Aquagate LCU (see the procedure 3 for details on how do this).
1c. Water Block (AMD K7) To install the water block on an AMD K7 CPU: 1. Follow steps 1-4 in procedure 1a, above. 2. Apply thermal grease to the top of the CPU. 3. Remove the protective film coating the water block. 4. Press the end of the thermal sensor cable into the thermal grease. The plug end will later be attached to the PCI card. 5. Carefully position the water block over the CPU. Ensure that in doing this step the thermal sensor does not slip free.
6. With the provided spring clip, secure the water block to the socket’s two sides. 7. Next, install the PCI card (see procedure 2 for details on how to do this) and the Aquagate LCU (see the procedure 3 for details on how do this).
2. PCI Card To install the PCI card: 1. Open your computer’s side panel to give you unimpeded access to the system board. 2. Insert the PCI card into a spare PCI slot on the system board, fitting it so that the water pipe ports face outward on the computer chassis. 3. Connect one end of the D-bus cable to the PCI card. Two Dbus ports are provided, one for an internal installation and one for an external installation. Choose the one that suits your installation requirements. 4.
5. Connect the shutdown sensor cable to the PCI card. 6. Connect the shutdown sensor cable’s remaining Y-branch to the motherboard and to the computer case’s shut down switch. Case Motherboard 7. If you intend to put the Aquagate LCU outside the computer, you may need to connect the LCD extension cable to the PCI card if you put the LCD module in one of your computer’s spare 5.25” drive bays (see procedure 4).
3a. Installing the LCU (Internal) The following procedure is to prepare the LCU for internal installation. For an external installation, please skip to step 3b. To prepare the LCU for installation: 1. Open the coolant valve on the top of the Aquagate LCU assembly with a coin or a broad screwdriver. 2. Decide the location in which you want to install then LCU, then figure out the length the pipes will need to be in order to run from the water block on the CPU to the LCU.
5. Fill the coolant tank until it tops out. 6. Connect the D-bus cable to the LCU and then plug in the LCU’s power cable. Be sure to use the proper cord for your region (either the 220V or the 110V). 7. Turn on the computer to get the coolant flowing through it. As the LCU runs, the level in the tank will decrease naturally as it flows into the water pipes. 8. Gradually add more coolant to the tank until it tops out again.
9. Gently tilt the LCU in each of the cardinal directions for approximately 10 to 15 seconds in order to clear any air bubbles from the coolant and pipes. After you have done this, let the LCU sit on a level surface for about 5 minutes. 10. Close the coolant valve. 11. Shut down the LCU by turning off the computer. 12. Remove the protective panels from the two available drive bays you intend to use for the LCU. These two bays must be stacked consecutively. 13.
15. Attach the non-leaking plugs to the LCU’s non-leaking connectors and then reattach the cables. NOTE: You can also put the LCU into one of the PSU bays if more than one is provided in your computer case.
3b. Installing the LCU (External) To install the LCU externally: 1. Before you begin, be sure that you have cut the water pipes to match the distance between the LCU and the water block. This must be done before filling the tank with liquid coolant. 2. Position the Aquagate LCU near the computer inside of which the water block and PCI card have been installed. It should not be further away from the computer than the maximum length of the water pipes. 3.
4. Add the support pads to the underside of the LCU. 5. Fill the coolant tank until it tops out. 6. Connect the D-bus cable to the LCU and then plug in the LCU’s power cable. Be sure to use the proper cord for your region (either the 200V or the 110V). 7. Turn on the computer to get the coolant flowing through it. As the LCU runs, the level in the tank will decrease naturally as it flows into the water pipes. 8. Gradually add more coolant to the tank until it tops out again.
9. Gently tilt the LCU in each of the cardinal directions for approximately 10 to 15 seconds in order to clear any air bubbles from the coolant and pipes. After you have done this, let the LCU sit on a level surface for about 5 minutes. 10. Close the coolant valve.
4. Installing the LCD To install the LCD in a drive bay separate from the LCU: 1. Free up an empty drive bay on your computer case by removing the screws securing its protective panel and then removing the panel. 2. Detach the LCD panel from the LCU by removing 2 screws from each side of the LCU assembly. 3. Disconnect the black cable that connects the LCD module to the LCU box. 4. Detach the LCD module from the LCD panel by removing 2 screws from both the top and bottom. 5.
NOTE: You may have to rotate the LCD module in order to get the display characters properly oriented visually. Furthermore, pay extra attention to the orientation of LCD module’s wires. If you are not careful, the wires could get twisted up and cause problems. 7. Connect the LCD extension cable into the back of the LCD module. 8. Connect the free end of the LCD extension cable to the LCD module’s extension cable jack in the PCI card. 9. Install the LCD mounting bracket into a free 5.
NOTE: If you find the numbers on the LCD are upside, simply rotate the mounting bracket and reinstall it in the drive bay.
Using the LCD The Aquagate Liquid Cooling System has a built-in LCD module that allows you to monitor coolant temperature and the computer’s CPU as well as the cooling system’s fan speed. You can set an alarm on the cooling system to notify you if the CPU or the tank coolant rises higher than a specified temperature, if the tank coolant falls lower than the tank sensor, or the LCU fan fails. When the alarm goes off, the LCD on the cooling system flashes and beeps.
Increases the value of the selected parameter. Decreases the value of the selected parameter. Changes the display from degrees Celsius to degrees Fahrenheit, and vice versa.
Setting the CPU Alarm Temperature To set your optimal CPU temperature: 1. Press the first Function button. The CPU temperature values flash, indicating they are ready to be adjusted. 2. Use either the Increase or Decrease Function buttons to adjust the optimal CPU temperature appropriately. 3. When the temperature has been set to your satisfaction, press the first Function button again to confirm. If you take no action, the input settings will be set automatically after 5 seconds.
Setting the Coolant Tank Alarm Temperature To set the optimal coolant tank temperature: 1. Press the first Function button twice. The coolant tank temperature values flash, indicating they are ready to be adjusted. 2. Use either the Increase or Decrease Function buttons to adjust the optimal coolant tank temperature appropriately. 3. When the coolant tank temperature has been set to your satisfaction, press the first Function button again to confirm.
Setting the Fan Speed To set the optimal fan speed: 1. Press the first Function button three times. The fan speed values flash, indicating they are ready to be adjusted. 2. Use either the Increase or Decrease Function buttons to adjust the optimal fan speed appropriately. There are 3 speeds: ‘1’ is the slowest and ‘3’ is the fastest. 3. When the fan speed has been set to your satisfaction, press the first Function button again to confirm.
Setting the Shut Down Time To set the shut down time: 1. Press the first Function button four times. The screen clears, displaying the shut down time values. They flash, indicating they are ready to be adjusted. 2. Use either the Increase or Decrease Function buttons to adjust the shut down time appropriately. 3. When the shut down time has been set to your satisfaction, press the first Function button again to confirm. If you take no action, the input settings will be set automatically after 5 seconds.
