Koolance Support Center

64-bit Windows Vista drivers are now available for the Koolance TMS-100K software interface card.

By demand, Koolance is now offering a custom manufactured Voltage Regulator Wing for the VID-387 water block. This will allow compatibility with Sapphire (model 11122-03) ATI Radeon HD 3870 512MB video cards.

Trubritar has posted a helpful installation and performance video on Koolance's VID-398GX2 block for the NVIDIA 9800 GX2 video card. Disassembly of this card can be a little more complicated than usual.

We've confirmed the Koolance GPU-200 water block to fit adequately on eVGA's 780i SLI board. It will cover both the northbridge and nearby PCI-E chip if carefully positioned (See Picture). This should also work for XFX's similar 780i layout. Both boards have been added to our Product Selection Wizard.

ASUS' 780i is very different, and we are still evaluating additional cooling options for these boards.

A few customers have contacted Koolance with video problems when using the VID-278 block versus the default heat sink. We have yet to duplicate this problem, but a successful resolution was mentioned when using the Koolance-supplied mounting screws and plastic washers. If true, this would seem to indicate a grounding issue with the default NVIDIA screws and springs. It is therefore recommended to use the Koolance screws and insulating washers (included with the VID-278) to mount the water block.

Koolance will be revising the VID-278 block for better compatibility with the GeForce 8800GTS 512MB (65nm) video card in early 2008. At this time, the VID-278 is recommended only for water cooling the 8800GT.

Koolance has standardized most new products to use G1/4 threading. We also try to keep our blocks as low-profile as possible, which means the threaded portion of our nozzles is shorter (<5mm, 0.2") than many G1/4 nozzles on the market. If customers will be using other branded G1/4 nozzles on Koolance blocks, it may be necessary to dremel the threaded length down in order to allow for proper water flow.

Current TMS software has been verified by Koolance for use with Windows 32-Bit Vista. The program should be run in "Administrator" mode.

We are expecting Vista-compatible software for the Koolance TMS interface board to be available later this month. Drivers are being finalized now.

The CPU-330 is being updated to help avoid conflicts such as that described on some 680i boards. Versions arriving next week and thereafter will have a diagonally beveled cold plate. No other changes are being made.

We've found the CPU-330 to mount the 680i boards we've tested thus far. Many have a nearby row of capacitors that can be slightly bent with the CPU-330 block while mounting (<1mm) without much issue.

The eVGA 680i board has two "R50" components that could interfere with the CPU-330. We have been able to get it mounted by gently pushing the CPU-330 while aligning it's top bracket over the backplate posts (per the Koolance CPU-330 user manual). This seems to adjust the backplate posts enough to allow the CPU-330 to fit. Motherboard tolerances can vary, however, and we can't recommend excessive force in mounting any component. Always double-check thermal paste contact on a cooling block after mounting to verify adequate heat transfer.

The Koolance VID-200-L06 cooler is compatible with GeForce 7900GT, 7900GS, and 7950GT cards while using the SLI bridge connector (and has been since about May, 2006). Koolance's compatibility chart has been updated to reflect this revision.

The previous "Nocona" 604 bracket should also be compatible with the new LGA771 Xeons. This product is already available on our website.

Current Ageia's PhysX™ cards (currently available under such brands as BFG and Asus) should be compatible with either the Koolance GPU-180-L06 or GPU-180-H06 chipset coolers. Both include Koolance BGA heat sinks that will attach to the PhysX' memory modules. (See photo with mounted GPU-180.)

Depending on the mounting hole layout, the longer or shorter Koolance GPU-180 bracket tabs will be used (or one of each). The bottom plastic insulating spacers might need to be trimmed with scissors to avoid any conflicts with surface-soldered components below the card.

NOTE: The Koolance GPU-180 cooler does not need to be precisely centered over the chipset, squarely aligned on the card, nor tightened heavily. It does, however, need to sit flush on the chipset with thermal paste (as with any cooling block).

The Koolance CPU-300 and CPU-305 blocks will need a new bracket for AM2/940 processors. This product is expected in June, with an availability announcement made on the homepage.

The VID-200-L06 has been modified for compatibility with ATI Radeon X1900XT/XTX video cards. Coolers shipped as of March 3rd, 2006 will feature three small notches in the bottom of the memory liquid block. This alteration is not required for the Radeon X1800 series, or for any nVidia GeForce cards.

If you have already purchased the VID-200-L06 with the intention of using it on the Radeon X1900XT or X1900XTX, please file an online RMA request. Koolance will make the necessary modification to your VID-200 cooler at no cost. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Consideration should be given to the type of cooling added to this particular board. One of the limitations of heat pipes is that they will only run in a direction which allows evaporated fluid to reach the heat sink. Therefore, the A8N can not be run upside-down as in a Koolance PC3-725 or other "BTX-like" chassis.

Furthermore, if it is a one-piece solution, removing the heatpipe assembly may expose the southbridge, northbridge, and VReg area of the board. Although Koolance does not specifically make coolers for the southbridge or VReg's on a motherboard, you may find sufficient cooling by manual attachment of a liquid cooling block, or with traditional heat sinks. The northbridge can be liquid cooled by the Koolance CHC-A05.

The thin retention spring included with CHC-A05 and CHC-A01 Chipset Coolers is for mounting the chipset to Pentium 4 Northbridge motherboard chipsets. It is not required to mount the cooler on any other type of chip.

The current CHC-A05 gold chipset will operate with ATI Radeon 9800 Pro cards, but not the nVidia GeForce FX.

Koolance will release a high-performance video chipset cooler in October which is expected to provide a significant increase in efficiency for these high-level cards.

Please continue to check the homepage for product announcements.

Some Tyan dual Xeon 603/604 motherboards have begun including a new plastic mounting clip style which will not fit the Koolance Xeon adapter.

Since the new clip does not appear to be model-dependent at this time, we are not yet able to list incompatible boards. Tyan's website includes user manuals which still feature the earlier (compatible) style of Xeon plastic bracket.

Now available is a completely rewritten User Manual for Koolance products (in color). This new format may not be included with Koolance systems for at least 4-6 weeks, but you can download it now from the manual page.

The new style should provide even easier instructions on the setup, installation, and maintenance of Koolance systems and liquid coolers.

NOTE: The "Universal User Manual" includes all current Koolance products, including: PC2-601, PC2-901, Exos, RM1-4U, and all Coolers. You will not need to download the cooler installation guides separately.

As mentioned in the User Manual's warranty, using alternative manufacturers' parts in a Koolance system will void the system warranty. This includes everything from coolers to pumps.

Our systems are designed to operate with pre-specified components. Pumps which are too fast or too slow may result in an inefficient flow rate through the heat exchanger and potential system damage. CPU or chipset coolers which use an incompatible metal type or alloy may result in a corrosive chemical reaction. Fans which do not provide sufficient airflow to the heat exchanger over the voltage range given by our control board may result in potential system damage.

Koolance does not offer technical support for warranty-voiding procedures or modifications. Please see the FAQ for more information.

The User Manual specifies applying thermal encapsulate to the primary semiconductors and spindle motor of the hard drive. The encapsulate material should not be applied to the motor if there is an opening in the center (See Example). The thermal material can cause additional noise, and may interfere with the drive's operation. In situations where the material has already been applied, we recommend cutting a hole in the encapsulate to free this area.

Version 1.07 includes more details on installation of the CPU-200 cooler, and includes the new hard drive revision (which lacks a need for the steel containment plate). If you have received a manual prior to 1.07 with your Koolance case, please see the downloads page for updated installation instructions.

The Hard Drive Cooling Plate has been altered so that it no longer requires the steel "containment plate". One side of the cooler is completely flush, so the thin plate is not needed to hold thermal encapsulate against the drive. (It is still included with the second hard drive kit.)

Although most boards will accommodate our liquid coolers, certain combinations on specific motherboards may simply not fit. Some Epox models (such as the EP-8K3A and EP-8K3A+) for example, have a very short distance between the northbridge chipset mounting holes and the CPU socket, so that the mounting bracket of our chipset liquid cooler on the motherboard may interfere with the CPU-200 cooler. In this case, we recommend to use the CPU-100, or not to use a chipset cooler on the northbridge.

If you do not receive a small installation sheet with your CPU-200 cooler, it can also be downloaded from the support page. The instructions include important information regarding thermal probe placement & bracket alignment, which differ slightly from the installation of a regular CPU-100 cooler.

The ATI Radeon 8500 lacks heat sink mounting holes found on the majority of video cards. Instead of using the Koolance bracket, thermal adhesive or tape should be used (such as Arctic Silver Thermal Adhesive).

While the latest User Manual is being printed, those who have received the "1.05 Addendum" insert can also download a full version from our support page. Changes apply mainly to the liquid installation, providing more detail through the process. There are other minor clarifications, particularly in the Hard Drive & Configuration sections.

The original USB/Audio front ports from the PC2-C do not fit correctly in the Deep Bezel. Unfortunately, the chassis manufacturer does not make a shorter USB bracket to fit the bezel design. The USB ports can still be utilized after removing the rotating "door panel", but the audio ports are unusable. We do not recommend purchasing the front USB ports with a deep bezel.

Utilizing CPU Shims with Koolance cases are unnecessary, and will void the system warranty. Our patent-pending CPU bracket is extremely safe, placing even pressure across the center of the processor as it's tightened. This is unlike regular heatsinks, relying on asymmetrical pressure in "leveraging-over" the mounting mechanism, which can damage a fragile core. Using shims with our systems prevents the cooler from making adequate contact with the processor, and may result in hardware damage.

As the User Manual states, adding alternative liquids to a Koolance system will void the manufacturer warranty, and may result in serious damage to the computer and hardware therein. This includes dyes, water (other than what is provided in the included refill bottle), "Redline Water Wetter", or similar products. We would strongly urge customers to keep and to utilize the original liquid solution, as it has already successfully undergone numerous efficiency and longetivity tests.

Because of the many varieties of upcoming socket designs, the standard K7/PIII bracket will be included with each Koolance case (& individual CPU kit purchases), and we will offer alternative CPU brackets as optional items. This is not foreseen to be an enormous issue, since a typical CPU bracket will probably cost around $3.00 (MSRP).

We are also working on a new P-4 bracket to fit Intel's new socket 478 "Northwood" processor, because the P-4 "Willamette" socket 423 bracket will not fit. The new bracket should be available soon.

For those who may want to browse the new PC manual while waiting for more technical information, it is now available for download. It also describes the installation process, as it varies from our previous unit.