discussion CoolIT Domino A.L.C CPU Cooler Review

[AkG]

Low Speed Performance Testing

Low Speed Performance Testing

We noticed a very interesting trend with the Asetek and Domino water cooling loops. As we said earlier, it appears that when both are paired with the same fan at high RPMs the Domino is a more efficient cooler. To further explore this phenomenon we reran some of the Asetek tests but this time we used a Noctua Ultra Low Noise Adapter to slow it down to replicate the “low sped” setting of the Domino. This is what we found.

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Our hunch was certainly borne out by these numbers. When all the possible variables are the same, The Domino IS a more efficient unit. This is nothing to sneeze at as Asetek make some pretty darn impressive pieces of kit!

 

[AkG]

Cooling Value

Value

The term “Value” is such an amorphous term that it truly has different meanings for different people. For some a CPU cooler is only as good as it overclocking potential, for others it is how quiet it does its job; for others still it’s how effective it is for its cost. We here at HWC try to provide as many answers as possible for the term “Value”. Hopefully by this point in the review people looking at OC potential or loudness levels will have a fairly good idea of what its Value is. For the “best bang for the buck” crowd we have included a chart below showing how much each 1*c less costs when compared to Intel’s FREE stock cooler. No consideration has been made for noise levels, “looks” or any other extraneous factors; this is just raw performance vs. monetary cost. For any cooler which performs worse than the Intel stock cooler a rating of “FAIL” will be given. For any cooler which has a “Value” of more than $10 per 1*C a rating of “FAIL” will be used in the graph but the chart will list its actual “value”.

All prices are based on either their MSRP (if no e-tailer prices were available at review time) or the online price they sold for at the time of their review. IF a CPU cooler does not include a fan the price of a Scythe F has been included ($12).

To make it as easy as possible for you to modify this ratio we have also included the various coolers temperature difference so if you do come across one of them on sale you can easily modify its “Value” rating. We here at HWC are in no way saying this is the definitive answer to “Value”, rather it should be considered another tool to help you make your final decision. After all something is only as “valuable” as what you consider it to be.

E4600 Cooling Value

Please note: This chart has be calculated based upon the differences between Intel stock cooler’s average load at its highest OC on a E4600 @3.2GHz versus various after market coolers average load temperatures (in their stock configuration with MX-2 TIM) also on an E4600 @ 3.2GHz.

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When we went back and updated out prices of the Asetek LLC we were shocked to see it going for nearly 50% more than it was originally. Actually, the only thing more shocking that a sticker price of $115 for the Asetek, was the ultra low $89.99 price quoted to us by our rep at CoolIT. If this price is not in error (and we truly doubt it is) the Domino is a very, very good deal. Heck, less than $4.50 for an all in one / plug and play WC loop with built in LCD, that’s not a good value that is a STEAL!

Here is the full email we received from our rep when we inquired about the price of the Domino:

from B.R. <********@coolitsystems.com>
to *************
date Sat, Dec 27, 2008 at 6:30 PM
subject Re: Domino HWC Review

Good day sir.
Go with 89.99 CAD for now

Thanks
CoolIT Systems

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Q6600 Cooling Value

Please note: This chart has be calculated based upon the differences between Intel stock cooler’s average load at its highest OC on a Q6600 @3.0GHz versus various after market coolers average load temperatures (in their stock configuration with stock TIM) also on a Q6600 @ 3.0GHz.

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Wow, and we though the dual core value numbers were good. To put it bluntly $3.78 is about as good as you are going to see when it comes to prebuilt WC units. Heck, it comes with in a smidgen of matching the Scythe Copper Ninja and if we were to post all the air units we have reviewed and their respective values, the Domino certainly would be able to hold its own with a great value of $3.78. We are not sure how CoolIT can sell such a sophisticated piece of water cooling kit like the Domino so cheaply but we are certainly not complaining!

 

[AkG]

Power Consumption

Power Consumption

To further help you make an informed decision based on a given water cooling kit’s value, we have also included the amount of extra electricity the water cooling system actually uses. While for most people a few watts one way or another will not matter, for others it does matter and we would be remiss if we didn’t give you all the possible tools we could to help make your decision an informed one. All energy figures are taken directly from a power monitor plugged in between the system's PSU and a Belkin F6C1200 1200VA 670W UPS. The only thing that was plugged into the Belkin UPS was the power meter with attached cable for the power supply itself, no monitors nor any external power consuming electronics were plugged into the UPS during these tests.

Idle consumption was the Peak amount observed during 1 minute of observation after 15minutes of inactivity.

Max consumption was the Peak amount of electricity during 15minutes of Prime95 large FFT was running.

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This is one test where if were to have placed a bet on the final results we would have lost….badly lost. We knew the Asetek was going to be more efficient but the Domino’s numbers are simply astounding! Unlike the Asetek which is nothing more than a large pump and fan, the Domino has a central processor and LCD to power, yet it is pretty darn close to matching the Asetek LLC at full speed!

When you look at the numbers it posts in performance and low speed mode. the Domino actually beats the Asetek for efficiency. To sum it up, the Domino is not only able to be quieter than the Asetek (on the fly) and perform better but it also has the ability to be more energy efficient as well! That certainly is a trifecta which is going to be hard to beat.

 

[AkG]

Conclusion

Conclusion

Well this certainly is an interesting piece of kit now isn’t it? Basically, the Domino was able to achieve everything we hoped it would and then some. Its ability to change noise characteristics with a simple push of button is certainly innovative; and more importantly it “Just Works”. Heck, I wish the Freezone Elite or the Boreas came with this option as it really does bridge the gap between total reliance on the basic “stock” settings and the complete tweakability of the MTEC control unit and its accompanying software. The only problem with this setup versus software is the fact you need access to the interior of your case to adjust settings.

When it comes to performance the Domino is actually quite good when compared to its immediate competition in the pre-built, closed loop category. It soundly beats the LCLC when set to high speed but tends to suffer when the Performance option is selected. It is also not able to keep up with high end air cooling but when you look at the sub-$100 asking price of the Domino you will begin wondering why you never went with water cooling before. That being said, when you increase the fan speed, things start looking alot better even though this is accompanied by a slight increase in noise. This noise increase is a small price to pay especially when you consider the majority of GPU fans product far more noise when the cores they are cooling are under high loads.

This unit is not only innovative in its approach to noise configurations but its built-in LCD really does push this unit from “good’ to “great”. If you have a windowed case (and this bad boy really does cry out for one) you will be treated to a veritable cornucopia of information. If you are like us your computer sits on the desk right next to you and your monitor so all the information that you need to know about your Domino (and CPU) is simple a glance away. Unfortunately, if you don't have a window on your case, all of this will be completely lost on you.

OK now that we have gone through a few of the good things about the Domino, we should mention that no all is wine and roses. The innovative 3 setting switch does feel a little heavy handed when compared to the MTEC’s near unlimited tweakability. It’s a heck of a lot better than nothing but it’s like going from a 6 speed manual to a 3 speed automatic; sure the automatic is easy and covers a wide band of usability but you can’t get under the hood and get all the capabilities that this cooler has.

Where the Domino has been shrunk like it was left out in the sun too long we really wish CoolIT had taken some of this space and doubled up on the thickness of the rad. The built in radiator is only a 120mm single row, single flow design and while it gives great performance for the price, we really wish it was a 120mm dual row, dual pass design like the Thermochill PA120.1 or Feser One X-120 TFC XChanger. This really would take the Domino from a great beginner's water-cooling loop and make into a great compact water cooling aficionado system. Would this add significantly to the Domino’s cost? It certainly would add a nice few dollars onto the build cost, but I for one would certainly consider it worthwhile. It would also bridge the (now obvious) gap between CoolIT starter lineup (PURE and Domino) and their intermediate line (Freezone Elite). Honestly, that is about all we can complain about when it comes to the Domino.

In the end we could go on and on about how compact the Domino is, or how it comes with the most elegant information system we have seen in a prebuilt WC loop; or even how it comes ready for 1366 systems. All of this is best summed up by saying the Domino is quite innovative while being a very good value if you want to get you feet wet with water cooling. Honestly, if CoolIT ever manages to tweak this unit and allow it to fulfill the potential we see in it and sell it for less than a hundred and twenty dollars you would be looking at the perfect trifecta of HWC awards (Dam Good, Dam Good Value AND Dam Innovative). In the mean time, I’m jealous over that LCD not being on my beloved Freezone Elite and all of us here at HWC would like to extend our congratulations to CoolIT on knocking another one clear out of the park.


Pros:
- Customizable
- Audible alarms
- Built in LCD
- Compact
- 1336 mounting plate included
- Good cooling performance
- Great price


Cons:
- Controller “only” has three settings
- Controller really needs MTEC like tweakability
- What’s up with that name!? It deserves a more visceral name in keeping with its power and flexibility.
- Less than optimal retaining screws (I.E. minor Installation issues)
- Wish Freezone Elite had that LCD!

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