INTRODUCTION

   Just recently we show everyone what a high quality, high performance custom watercooling kit is capable off even when used with one of the hottest CPUs currently available. However although the pros of a custom watercooling kit are undeniable at the end of the day only enthusiasts, hardcore gamers and overclockers will opt for such a solution not only because of the somewhat high cost but also due to the time required to install it and the various things you need to watch out for such as leaks (mostly at first use) and the need to add more coolant when needed. This is also the reason as to why a while ago many manufacturers decided to launch their very own AIO (All In One) liquid CPU Coolers that have all four parts (radiator, tubes, pump, waterblock) attached from the factory to simplify things for the masses. Antec became well known for their AIO Liquid CPU Coolers with the KUHLER H2O 620, 920 and just recently the 1220 model which unfortunately was not very widely distributed. Well Antec is back and so today we will be taking a look at the smallest member of their latest KUHLER line the KUHLER H2O 650 Liquid CPU Cooler.

   Antec, Inc., is the leading global brand of high-performance computer components and accessories for the gaming, PC upgrade and Do-It-Yourself (DIY) markets. Founded in 1986, Antec is recognized as a pioneer in these industries and has maintained its position as a worldwide market leader and international provider of efficient, quiet, and reliable products. Antec has also achieved great success in the distribution channel, meeting the demands of quality-conscious system builders, VARs and integrators. Antec’s offering of enclosures includes a large range of cases, such as its technically advanced Performance One Series, cost-effective New Solution Series and server grade cases designed for the needs of all workstation and server markets. Antec’s products also include front line power supplies such as its TruePower Quattro Series and EarthWatts, the most environmentally friendly power supplies available. PC gamers are an increasingly significant consumer of performance components, and many Antec products are geared toward the gaming demographic, like the Nine Hundred, the premier gamer enclosure. Antec also offers a computing accessories line comprised of many original products, including its patented LED Fans and Notebook Cooling solutions. Antec is headquartered in Fremont, California, with additional offices in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, as well as in Germany, China and Taiwan. The company’s products are sold in more than 40 countries throughout the world. Please visit www.antec.com for more information.

   Although the KUHLER H2O 620 and the KUHLER H2O 650 are placed into the same entry-level category their design is very much different so whereas the 620 model had a separate radiator, fan and pump Antec decided to merge all three in the latest 650 model and that automatically means 3 very simple to understand things. First that the location of the pump is a lot closer to the radiator and so cooling efficiency should be somewhat improved compared to its predecessor, second that since the pump is on the fan there are no vibrations on the mainboard and third that in the unlikely event that the fan stops working you can't use your own and keep going so RMA is pretty much your only way out. Of course we have every confidence that Antec has put there fan model through rigorous testing to verify that it will keep going for a long time but unfortunately nothing is full proof. In any case we can't comment on something that has to do with the "life expectancy" (MTBF) of a product so let's comment on what we can and that's its performance so without further ado let’s see what the new KUHLER H2O is capable of.