Koolance PC5-1326SL Design and Features
Koolance is a one-stop shop for custom liquid-cooling assemblies. Rather than attempting to fit all markets with a standard kit, it sells individual components to suit a wide range of needs.
| Component | Part Number | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Case Kit | PC5-1326SL | $390 |
| CPU Water Block | CPU-340 | 55 |
| Pump | RP-1000SL | 208 |
| Nozzles | 6x NZL-V10KG1 | 27 |
| Tubing | 8x HOS-AP009P | 10 |
| Coolant | LIQ-702BU-B | 15 |
| Total Price | $705 |
Some buyers will be drawn in by the moderate price of a Koolance case, only to be turned away by the final costs. But high-end builders will be pleased to note that the above components are only a small sample of what’s available, as Koolance carries many case designs, the widest range of graphics card liquid cooling blocks, chipset coolers, and even unexpected items like hard drive and RAM coolers.
We mentioned that most high-end liquid cooling systems start out with either a jumble of external components or a great deal of case modifications, while modification is where Koolance shines. The PC5-1326SL begins with Lian-Li’s venerable PC-V1200 case, which Koolance reworks to fit a four-fan radiator assembly.
The biggest problem with Lian-Li’s case design is that it places the motherboard upside-down, which can negatively affect the operation of chipset heat-pipe assemblies. On the other hand, this orientation eases cable routing for the bottom-mounted power supply, which is a design that leaves room at the top for Koolance’s enormous 4x120 mm radiator and fan assembly.
Because the motherboard is upside-down, the PC5-1326SL opens from the right side. Notice that the RP-1000SL pump/reservoir assembly is mounted in the second drive bay, because elbow fittings on the radiator block the top bay. This leaves only three of the PC-V1200 case’s five bays available for drives.
Users who would like to get one bay back have several options. Koolance sells an aluminum spacer that allows the radiator to be mounted on top. Users who don’t want to destroy the look of the case with a spacer may also have the option of turning the radiator around so that its nozzles cover the motherboard’s bottom slot, rather than the top drive bay.
The PC5-1326SL comes with all the hardware needed for component installation, plus a set of rubber-band “tires” for its aluminum wheels and a jumper wire for turning on the power supply without a motherboard installed.
Other components required for our test include the CPU-340 water block assembly, two straight 3/8” nozzles, thermal paste, and coolant. The water block is held in place with threaded pins and spring nuts.
The gold-plated bottom of the Koolance CPU-340 water block is almost perfectly smooth. The smudges are our fault.
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I don't really see the point of reviewing these serious water cooling solutions if you don't test the additional coolers the companies offer. For example, why not test the Koolance rig with the chipset and graphics card coolers attached? This would have substantially lowered the chipset temperatures. The Koolance case was not designed to air cool internal components like an air cooled case. Koolance systems are for people who want to easily water cool as many components of their system as possible.
Also, you kept mentioning the Koolance's noise at maximum fan levels. In the 7 years I have owned a Koolance system (with CPU, Chipset, SLI Video card and RAM water blocks fitted), I have never seen my Koolance ramp up the fans beyond the low levels.
I purchased the Zalman LQ1000 in early September after reading the positive by xsreviews.co.uk review. Like Tomshardware I also had problems with the motherboard mounting holes and had to bend, twist and force the PCI Express cards into place as well as my PCI Audigy Sound Card. Really poor for a premium priced £400 case. Given that this looks like a general problem it is disappointing xsreviews.co.uk did not mention this and neither does the more recent bit-tech.net review.
Also I contacted Zalman through their web form with the following questions:
1) Looking into the case from the side, the hose coming out of the left side of the pump (factory preassembled), does not have a tube clamp on it. Is this a problem i.e. should this have a tube clamp fitted?
2) The other end of the same hose connected to the nipple near the radiator (factory default) does not have a clamp attached. Should there be one and therefore is it missing?
3) The CPU waterblock comes with Tube Clamp Size A (13.8mmx9.5mm) and Tube Clamp Size B (11.5mm 8mm). Which size tube clamps should I use?
4) The LQ1000-Z Machine manual advises not to use thermal paste with the CPU block. The CPU block comes with thermal paste sachet. Why would I not use thermal paste?
I posed these questions twice during September and have not received a response from Zalman either time. Again not good for a premium priced bit of kit. This lack of customer service would stop me purchasing Zalman again.
Apart from the mounting hole problems the case is superb and quite easy to set-up. It is very quiet and keeps my Q6600 CPU (o/c to 3.2Ghz) at 22C idle or 40C load (hottest core). Although my graphics card is air cooled it gains from the overall low ambient temp in the case. The left panel with the radiator and large fan does let a fair amount of dust in. The case is very heavy, even though it is aluminium.
Update, Zalman support in the UK is via QuietPc.com. So even though I didn't purchase through them they have arranged with Zalman for a new motherboard tray to be sent to me with correctly positioned mounting holes.
So my faith in Zalman customer service has been restored. Zalman never responded to my web form questions which is disappointing though.