Thermaltake WATER2.0 Performer Review

[brandonwh64]

Thermaltake WATER2.0 Performer Review
By: Brandon Harrison (Brandonwh64)​

Though Thermaltake is no stranger to water cooling products, this is one of the first lines of closed loop liquid cooling systems. With the release of this series of closed loop coolers, Thermaltake has strived to bring large improvements to the hassle free liquid cooling solution. In this review we will be doing visual inspections as well as benchmarking to its competitor. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have on the product.

Unboxing



The box was well packaged and very protected with all of the components in their own individual packages. The whole package is tucked in an egg carton style cardboard container.



Specifications of the Thermaltake WATER2.0 Performer

the specifications of the Performer are similar to the Corsair H50. The radiators are identical in size. The pumps are not alike. The pump on the Performer is estimated ¾ inch in height while the H50 is estimated 2 ¾ inch in height.

Contents:

Back Plate (AMD “AM2/AM2+/AM3/AM3+”, Intel “775/1366/1156/1155/2011&#8221
Retention Rings (AMD “AM2/AM2+/AM3/AM3+”, Intel “775/1366/1156/1155/2011&#8221
Mylar
Grommet x4
Screws (Fan mounting) x8
Plastic Components Top x4 (AMD/Intel)
Plastic Components Bottom x4 (AMD/Intel)
Screws (CPU Block Mounting) x4 (775/1366/1156/1155/AMD)
Screws (CPU Block Mounting) x4 (2011)
Retention Clip
Washers x4
Fan Y Cable x1
120MM Fan x2
WATER2.0 Performer Unit

 

[brandonwh64]

Installation:

The installation for this product has improved over their competitors previous versions. Installation of the back plate with the mylar strips to hold the back plate securely to the motherboard. The grommet inserts must be inserted for specific socket of the board. The plastic components must be put together with the boards socket name facing out and the proper socket screws inserted into the plastic clips. Below is a picture of the CPU block with the retention bracket and clips installed.




Test Bed:

• Mainboard: Gigabyte P67A-UD4;
• Processor: Intel Core i7-2600K, (Stock - 3.4 GHz Stock Voltage),(OCed - 4.5 GHz 1.33V);
• Thermal interface: Arctic Silver Ceramique;
• Memory: DDR3 1333Mhz 2 x 2 GB Corsair XMS3Dual Channel (Spec: 1333MHz / 9-9-9-24 / 1.5 V);
• Power supply: Corsair TX550M;




Testing:

In this review I will be comparing the Thermaltake’s WATER2.0 Performer to the Corsair H50 which share the same characteristics and are closed loop water systems. The Corsair H50 is one of the older style coolers and this test will prove that the newer designed WATER2.0 Performer can outperform the older technology.

Corsair H50 Stock:

Corsair H50 OCed @ 4.5ghz 1.33V:

Results:
Stock: 53 Degree Celsius
Oced: 70 Degree Celsius

Thermaltake WATER2.0 Performer Stock:

Thermaltake WATER2.0 Performer OCed:

Results:
Stock: 46 Degree Celsius
OCed: 57 Degree Celsius

Temperature Differences:
Stock: 7 Degree Celsius
OCed: 13 Degree Celsius

Great numbers!


Value and Conclusion

*The Thermaltake WATER2.0 Performer has an MSRP $69.99*

Good
• Packaged very well with protective cardboard shell
• Very clean and well built
• Rubber tubes instead of metal coiled tubes of the H50
• Excellent performance!
• Easy installation
• Supports AMD and Intel along with the new socket 2011
• Hassle free liquid cooling!

Bad
• Requires a 120mm fan port inside case to install
• Motherboard requires removal to install
• Loop cannot be extended to other components like the GPU

Thermaltake has done a phenomenal job with this unit! It has many improvements over previous generations of closed loop liquid coolers. The fans that are included with this cooler move air greatly through the radiator and are very quiet. While not performing in the same range of custom built high-end water cooling, the Thermaltake 2.0 Performer is great for the typical overclocker. This cooler has provided significant cooling for the typical gamer or moderate overclocking enthusiast. Thermaltake’s sleek design of the CPU block and quiet fans has provided a simple cooling system that can be installed and does not require much maintenance. Basically, if you are looking for the cheapest water cooling solution for your CPU or simply want a great cooler for your CPU in the Thermaltake’s price range, you shouldn’t have to think twice.

 

[Halogen23]

Impressive. I wonder how the TT performs so much better than the H50 yet still appears to be so similar? Also, what is the noise profile of the fans like and what is the static pressure they are rated for?

 

[lehtv]

Seems odd to me that your H50 has a nine degree difference between cores one and three during load. Suggests uneven contact or uneven amounts of thermal paste.

 

[lsv]

Seems odd to me that your H50 has a nine degree difference between cores one and three during load. Suggests uneven contact or uneven amounts of thermal paste.

The i7's have a bad sensor on core #3. Mine for instance is reading 43,46,44 and core #3 is at 50. It's just an i7 thing.

 

[borisvodofsky]

So in the end it's no better than an air cooler. You got more parts that can fail, probably will fail, AND it's nearly just as bulky.

 

[brandonwh64]

So in the end it's no better than an air cooler. You got more parts that can fail, probably will fail, AND it's nearly just as bulky.

Actually its better than most lower/mid and some high end air coolers. These tests are done with NO power saving features or turbo so the core clock and voltage is set 100% of the time.

With what you said about bulky, With both fans installed its smaller than my Corsair A70 along with that, it can be mounted anywhere in the case not like the Air cooler that has to be mounted directly above the CPU.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask

 

[lehtv]

The i7's have a bad sensor on core #3. Mine for instance is reading 43,46,44 and core #3 is at 50. It's just an i7 thing.

It's the first core whose sensor is off compared to the other three.

H50: 67, 73, 76 ,73
WATER2.0: 54, 58, 60, 58

But you're right it's something about the CPU or its sensors, not the H50 because the first core is significantly lower with the other cooler as well

 

[CurseTheSky]

Great review! Nice to see some nicely documented / nicely written reviews done by members once in a while.

 

[Nizzzlle]

Sweet review man, odd that its preforming better than the H50, but also good that someone is taking on (and beating) corsair!

 

[TylerS]

I am running one of these and I find it to be very impressive. I don't have any temps to share, but they are very low (under 65C at load). I think I could push the chip further/hotter with this but can't make my RAM go any faster.

I know this is a late reply to this thread but I think this cooler deserves some talk and to let people know it is a good choice.

It is NOT for LGA775 out of the box. They do not put the right adapter in the box anymore and the Thermaltake website no longer makes reference to LGA775 (eventhough the retail box and the vendor I bought it from still do.) I did a bit of dremel work on the bracket (10 minute job) and now it fits fine.

It is very quite even under load -- but the only complaint I have is with the noise profile of the fans. They have a bit of a high pitch (faint background "squeal" noise), so though I can't really "hear" the fans I can "feel" the pitch. I don't know really how to describe it other than that. That said, I am now looking for replacement fans.

I also picked this up on sale for $50! so really a fantastic deal for a great cooler.

System: C2D e7500 @ 3.93 / GA-P35-DS4 (v.2.0) / 6GB PC 800 Patriot @ 895 / Asus 7870 (stock) / Corsair HX620 psu / Thermaltake Water 2.0 Performer (cooler)