Asetek Vapochill Micro

Posted 09/26/2005 at 2:54pm | by

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Asetek’s Vapochill line of CPU-cooling systems has been limited to complicated phase-change water-cooling kits, which require compressors, flux capacitors, and so forth. With the Vapochill Micro, the company has ventured bravely into the air-cooling, um, waters. Though we were initially skeptical, Micro’s compressor-less phase-change performance is every bit as impressive as that of its water-cooling siblings.

The Micro’s unique design foregoes the standard base plate and heatsink in favor of a huge “evaporation chamber” full of liquid refrigerant that sits directly on top of the CPU. The chamber is connected to three fat copper heat pipes that transfer heat to a small array of aluminum fins. The fan bolts to a plastic shroud that snaps on and off of the heatsink with ease, and the shroud’s angled orientation allows the fan to cool the CPU and the capacitors and MOSFETS around the CPU socket, which is a good thing.

The Micro is available in three different models: Extreme Performance ($45), High-End ($40), and Ultra Quiet ($50). Each model uses the same heatsink, but the fan varies. Motherboard removal is not required to install any of the coolers.

We tested the Extreme Performance (super loud fan, ultimate cooling) and Ultra Quiet models (super quiet at the expense of performance); presumably, the High End model strikes a balance between the two. As the numbers show, performance for both the Extreme and Ultra Quiet models was fantastic. The Extreme model delivered temps lower than any of the water-cooling rigs we’ve tested, although we’d probably pass on it for our own rigs, given its insanely loud fan. The Ultra Quiet, on the other hand, ran a smidge hotter than the stock cooler, but was gloriously silent. In the end, we were convinced that there’s a Micro configuration suitable for any PC setup.

Our only complaints with the product: The plastic shroud that holds the fan is incredibly flimsy, and the base plate that attaches to the CPU socket appears to be made from crappy pot metal. Neither of these pieces show the attention to detail that obviously went into the fabrication and design of the rest of the Micro.


—Josh Norem

Month Reviewed: November 2005

Verdict: 9

kickass=yes

URL: www.vapochill.com

BENCHMARKS

Best temps are bolded. All temperatures were measured via the onboard sensors, using the utilities provided by the motherboard manufacturer. Idle temperatures were measured after 30 minutes of inactivity and full-load temps were achieved running CPU Burn-in for one hour.