Antec KUHLER H2O 920 Liquid Cooling System

Pros: Does it's job as expected and cools very well even when fan control is set to a minimum.

Cons: 1) Fans much to loud when operating at max speed.

2) Pump failed after 2 weeks. I suppose it is luck of the draw sometimes, but will update once I finally get a replacement

Other Thoughts: Pump failed and CPU overheated and then it failed. It wasn't obvious what had happened until I popped off the side panel of my case and realized why the PC was shutting down for temp protection. Well, that protection didn't workout too well. Now newegg is telling me that I have an "incomplete return" due to missing 4 mounting brackets...not sure what that is and now they will not replace my i7 950 because I did not send in the retail box ( I had shipped the CPU, cooler, and all the other "paperwork" including the CPU sticker. Guess I learned something today with their return policy. Now I get to wait another 2 weeks and go through Intel

Manufacturer Response:

Hi Wash,

We're sorry the luck of the draw wasn't on your side and we're more than happy to help you out here. Please contact us at VIP@antec.com and we'll see what we can do given the steps you've already taken. Thank you.

Chris
Antec Customer Support

Pros: Bought this for a Ivy bridge machine build. Keeps the temps around 30C under idle and under full load the max temps hit are 60c on stock settings.

Large radiator, USB control software works very well. The cables for the fan and USB header are quality made and don't seem very brittle or easily breakable (a good thing since you want to tug them in the back).

Cons: Pain to install. If you are building a PC by yourself have someone help you since it makes things easier and will make you not want to rip your hair out.

When installing the radiator you need screws that go through the back of your case through the first 120MM fan and to the radiator. The screws were not long enough to go through both my case (Lian Li PC-7FN) and to the radiator. So I had to do some manual hunting for screws to make this thing hook up securely.

Other Thoughts: The fans are very noisy at default settings but that is understandable since that setting only kicks in when you don't have the USB header plugged in.

The way I got my software to work is by not installing the USB header until I had my Windows 7 installed and got the Antec software installed. After that I turned of the machine and unplugged it. Took the USB header and plugged it on one of the spare USB 2.0 connections on the motherboard. Started up the computer and the software located the unit and I was able to change fan speed and make some other minor changes without a problem.

Pros: it did install physically, and the only speed it ran (slow 690 rev). My cpu (i5-2500k) was 30-36C running at 4 .1 Ghz

the opening in my case (Haf x 942) is not quite large enough to allow complete access to the backplate for CPU HS install. It makes for a tricky installation. This is not a reflection on this CPU HS

Cons: after software, that was included on disk, and the revised V1.2 that was on website, were installed, uninstalled and reinstalled per instructions from Antec, the software would open with an error and I was unable to manage fan speed with software. (stuck on slow)

Other Thoughts: Paul, from ANTEC, responded to my request for assistance (email) in a timely manner. He did attempt to help me get it to function, but ended with an RMA recommendation. Great Kodos to Newegg for their RMA process dept. Now waiting for replacement using older and slower puter.....BUMMER!

Manufacturer Response:

Hi finebldr0,

I'm sorry you ran into an installation issue here but happy to hear about the RMA. If you have questions in the future regarding our 920 cooler, please write us at VIP@antec.com and we'll be able to help you out. Thank you.

Chris
Antec Customer Support

Pros: 1. It was easy to install
2. Looks great
3. Fairly quiet

Cons: 1. I am a little disappointed in the cooling of this, I had a Cooler master fan and heatsink on it and it kept my processor cooler then the liquid cooling system both at idle and under stress.

Other Thoughts: I am going to give it time to set in a little longer and see how it cools, it is a nice set up just feel I may have wasted my money on this, not saying it isn't a nice setup because it is nice just I may have just stayed with what I had.....

Pros: waiting to see if it lives up to expectations. got it to overclock i7 3370k for a new rig. got Asus P8Z77-V Deluxe with 16 gb DDR3-1333. asus overclocked it to 4.6 ghz. let's see how long it really lasts.

Cons: manual is worthless. extreme setting is LOUD. have to take out the motherboard to mount the backplate. that sucks.

Other Thoughts: thought about Thermaltake Frio OCK, but went hydro instead

Pros: Fantastic unit that is very self contained. I seen an immediate drop in temps, under load, by 15 to 20 degrees. Straight forward install. After reading reviews about the noise levels I picked up some silent 120 mm fans to use with the unit. Ships with every piece you will need to fit almost any chipset.

Cons: Instructions are a little basic and I could understand some confusion for people new to installing parts on the PC. Youtube may be your friend in this instance. That being said, the installation is very straight forward. One thing I would like to note is that with the 2 fans that install around the radiator, I installed the second fan last. I found it easier to install it last rather than after the heat sink due to the processor placement on my motherboard

Other Thoughts: Overall I am very satisfied with this unit, and with the silent fans its much quieter than with the factory fans. The temperature change was immediate and I like how I dont have a heavy heat sink hanging off my motherboard. The hoses are super flexible as well, so no problems there. Quality product at a quality price, thanks Newegg!

Pros: Cept my system very cool, there are still spikes of high heat with my cpu often during games that aren't the best optimized.
League of Legends - Highest Temp: 48C
Diablo 3 - Highest Temp: 37C
Battlefield 3 - Highest Temp: 40C

Idle - 23-35C

Cons: Idk if I did something wrong or one of my connectors isn't working properly. But I have no fan control. The fans work at the stock speed, but using the antec software I can't boost the fans like I should. Pump speed can be changed, but for some reason the fans cannot.

Other Thoughts: Definitely a good buy, but see myself looking for something more powerful in the near future.

Pros: Awesome cooler for the hottest CPU. Tweaked my 2600k to 4.5 ghz and it kept it under 70c running at 100% using primie 95 for 48 hours. A complete liquid cooler package you don't have to mess with.

Cons: Worked for 3 months then the unit would no longer communicate through the usb connector to the software. Changed connector to different usb headers with no luck. No way to control the fan speed or led color on the head unit. Still cools my cpu great but I cant control the speed or ramp-up settings.

Other Thoughts: Low profile cpu head unit, great for tight cases. Fans and radiator package is rather thick but does the job.

Manufacturer Response:

Hi Lee,

Please email us at VIP@antec.com and we'll assist you with the software. Thank you.

Chris
Antec Customer Support

Pros: First liquid cooling ever. Processor used to run at a questionable 47 degrees, now operates at 32 degrees.

Cons: Hoses are already prefilled and attached to the block, made difficult to run hoses.

Pros: i got it for eighty bucks, good instructions, software works with win7 x64, quiet, looks cool, ui is easy to understand, driver disk has latest drivers 1.1 antec site has 1.0?

Cons: none so far

Other Thoughts: just put it in last night play a few rounds of bf3 temps never went about 50c once the thermal paste sets in it will get cooler
some specs
amd 1100t no oc
cm storm trooper case with upgraded top 200mm fan and two fans on the side panel also two fans at the bottom