Asetek Vapochill LS
Asetek Vapochill LS
Just about any hardcore overclocker or computer enthusiast can tell you that keeping your CPU cool is important. The cooler you are able to keep your CPU, the higher the overclock you can obtain. There is a generally accepted rule that for every 10C decrease in temperature, a CPU should be able to increase its operating frequency by about 3%. Of course this math does not always work out terribly well, but simply put: “The colder the better”.
Image courtesey of Asetek
Today we’re going to take a look at one of the most powerful CPU coolers available on the market: Asetek’s Vapochill LS.
Asetek has been in the phase-change game since 1998, and have released numerous different revisions based on their first production unit, now dubbed ‘Vapochill Classic’. The Vapochill LS is without a doubt their best performing unit to date, designed to chill even the hottest of PC processors on the market including AMD’s FX line, all flavors of dual cores, and the infamous Intel ‘Prescott’ chips.
Index
- Technology and Specifications
- Packaging and Components
- Getting Started
- Motherboard Preparation
- Installation Continued
- Final Installation Touches
- Starting the Vapochill LS: First Impressions
- Software and Configuration
- Performance and Overclocking Results
- Conclusion
This is awesome info! I don't think I have seen a better write -up for this product. Great images, nice detail I give you 150% on this one!
Also I have been looking into the LS for a few days now. I was thinking fo Watercooling for about $400 but I was liek why not go all the way for an extra $400 I mean if youare getting 3.3Ghz on a Opt. what do you think the FX-57 would score? It is all in the aire, but something I am looking into.
Excellent review, Lemonlime!
Lemonlime: You are
As leet as you are though you might want to spell Asetek correctly
He sent me an email asking me to do that, Im just about to edit but if you are.. Il wait!
Done
Pfft, the truly hardcore do not waste their time spelling things correctly. I've got benchmarks to run my friend..
Thanks for fixing that prime
Lemonlime - I, like many others followed your trials and tribulations in the forums when you were putting together your now infamous build. All I can say is "Hats off" buddy
Not only did you do a superb job of it, but you left a documented legacy for us all to share. And of course make us all green with envy.
Thanks for the comments Sledge!
My Opteron isn't even a terribly strong stepping stepping either
. AMD really puts some love into their flagship FX series chips. 3.3-3.4GHz should be no problem if you are willing to crank up the vcore a bit. I think the best CABNE stepping FX chips can do about 3.5. It's rare to see anything higher than that though without a more extreme cooling solution (definitely not anything 24/7 like the LS). Some of them have the cold bug, so I would look up your chip's production week just to be sure.
Not only did you do a superb job of it, but you left a documented legacy for us all to share. And of course make us all green with envy.
Thanks very much for the kind comments Winga
Thanks dude
Pretty cool!
Now how about some pics/specs on that planted tank in the backround...?
An excellent read
I sure flubbed catching that Asetek spelling though, huh?
Quite a lot of information and a very nice read. All in all a thoroughly enjoyable article. Well done!
Now how about some pics/specs on that planted tank in the backround...?
It's a watercooled 55g long
I thought you might notice the tank 
The anubias in the front there were pretty yellow in that picture. Cleaned them up since then. The DIY co2 I'm using now has made a huge difference.
This is the Chuck Norris of CPU coolers.. I think the vapo was so powerful that it automatically removed every third vowel from the article the last time I saved it. At least thats my excuse and I'm sticking to it
Thanks for the comments prof
This is the Chuck Norris of CPU coolers..
Asetek Vapochills aren't hung like horses, horses are hung like Asetek Vapochills.
Time for an 8 month update!
The 'LS' is still going very strong. Evaporator temp has not swayed at all, and is now cooling my slightly hotter (and cold bug free) 4200+ X2 chip at 3.1GHz without breaking a sweat.
I have had one encounter with Asetek technical support that I would like to share.
A couple of months ago, I had an issue where the unit would not fire up every try. I'd hold the power button in as perscribed, and the LCD on the front of the unit would simply go black without starting the compressor. I'd have to unplug the unit and keep trying to get it to successfully start up. Once it did start, it ran like a champ though. I went to support.asetek.com and opened a new ticket. Someone replied very quickly, and offered to replace the chill control board. I explained that the unit was working, and that I'd be without a computer if I had to send the defective one back before receiving a replacement. They had no isses sending the replacement prior to receiving the defective one. This is a rare thing this day and age
Not only did they send the new one first, it arrived within 3 days from Europe. I swapped the card for the new one, and now everything is 'good as new'.
Other than that card replacement, I pull out some dust bunnies from the heat exchanger every month, but that is about it
Quite impressive service.
Nice article LL.