Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This thing is a great idea, is built like a tank, and works great. The problem is that it doesn't work great for very long (only weeks or months rather than years) before it starts to malfunction. And even changing the coolant monthly doesn't help.
The problem is the built-in rotating fluid flow sensor, which is a round device that is viewable through the side of the unit. This is intended to be a safety feature that will turn off the pump if it thinks that the fluid has stopped flowing (causing the vanes in this flow sensor to stop rotating). The flaw in this design is that after awhile, the sensor is often fooled by bubbles or cloudy fluid into thinking that the fluid flow has stopped. So it shuts off the pump and starts beeping. This is exceptionally stupid because protecting your COMPUTER/CPU from overheating is much more important than protecting the pump in the Reserator XT. So since you can never count on the Reserator to keep doing its job when you're not around to watch it, you would think that shutting your computer down when you're away would be a work-around. But no, turning everything off for extended periods can cause larger bubbles to form in the flow sensor which leave a film behind that can then dry and cause the sensor to get permanently stuck. The next time you turn everything on, the Reserator XT cannot start- it just beeps Oh, your COMPUTER will still start up, but it will not be receiving any cooling because the pump is shut off. Good luck with not frying your CPU when that happens.
Next problem: the Reserator is diabolically difficult to drain completely. It needs a drain port- preferably pump-assisted.
In summary: I LOVE the concept behind this unit, but the crappy built-in plastic flow sensor ruins the whole design. It'll work fine if you're willing to fool with it every day, but it's not for people who want to just "set it and forget it".
So I'm replacing my year-old Reserator XT with air cooling. Yes, I'll still use Zalman air cooling hardware, as they're still the best at that. Watch for my slightly used Reserator XT on eBay or Craig's List really cheap.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Zalman ReseratorXTBlack Hybrid Cooling System (Black)
Reserator XT combines active cooling with passive to accommodate the needs of those who seek ultimate cooling performance without giving up silence.High Performance hybrid Cooling System(Natural air convention incorporated w/ forced convection by a blow-in 140mm fan). Switchable between automatic and manual control modes along with an alarm system for any abnormalities with the water flow rate / Flow Level of the liquid.
Click here for more information about Zalman ReseratorXTBlack Hybrid Cooling System (Black)
