Most liquid cooling users are a very eclectic bunch. The system configurations can range from cooling just the CPU to everything in between, from GPU to even hard drives. While liquid cooling the CPU is by far the most popular, it’s GPUs like the ATI HD 59xx and NVidia GTX 4xx products that signal the need for more aggressive cooling. That’s where Coolit System’s latest Omni A.L.C. GPU cooler can help. We saw it at CES 2010 up close, and now we’re going to get personal with it.
Features and Specifications
Everyone loves the movie version of a book. So instead of cut and pasting out a bunch of specifications you could read at CoolIT Systems website, we’re going to give you our very own video walk-through of the Omni A.L.C. and highlight the important stuff.
As highlighed in the video, the two things I can’t say enough good things about are the Universal Liquid Plate and Interposer Plate. Besides the fact that the universal liquid plate’s high density micro-channels and aggressive directional flow are designed to handle the hottest GPUs on the market, it’s also “universal”. That means it can be used on future video cards. All that needs to be upgraded is the black interposer plate. Hopefully we’ll see these parts hit the pipeline soon to address the needs of enthusiasts with other video cards.
If you followed our Vantage ALC review, then you won’t be surprised to know the Omni uses the same special coolant with all the additives to prevent corrosion and fungal growth. And, the same exact tubing carries it between the radiator and FHE (fluid heat exchanger).
And, who doesn’t love a warranty? A 2 year manufacturer’s warranty is always nice to have. I don’t currently know of any aftermarket air or water cooling products that hold this kind of warranty standard. If something goes wrong, or you think something might be wrong, they’re happy to talk to you up there at Coolit Systems and make you a happy camper.
The only thing we have not been able to get for you is an EXACT price tag on the Omni A.L.C. But we hear that $225 US should be around the target price, subject to revision of course. Definitely keep an eye on NewEgg’s CoolIT Product Listing for it to pop up.
Test System Notes
A similar system assembled for the Vantage A.L.C. just recently was used to test the Omni. For this round, we’ll be using a reference designed ZOTAC Geforce GTX 480 video card. Most any reference ATI or nVidia based video card tends to be the hottest cards around due to the cost saving compromise made on the stock cooling solution.
- Processor: Intel Core i7-870 (LGA1156) Lynnfield
- Motherboard: ASUS P7H55M-D EVO
- Memory: Corsair Dominator 4GB 1600MHz DDR3 Dual Channel
- Graphics card: ZOTAC Geforce GTX 480 (test card)
- GPU Test Cooler 1: Omni A.L.C. GPU Cooling System (as tested)
- GPU Test Cooler 2: Reference Stock Cooler
- GPU Test Cooler 3: GELID Icy Vision
- Power Supply: Antec SG-850 Watt
- Power Meter: Zalman ZM-ZFCM2 Fan Controller Built-In
- Enclosure: Thermaltake Armor A90
Our operating system of choice is Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit and as part of our regular testing process, we’ve updated the system with the latest availabled BIOS, downloaded all the Microsoft OS Patches and used the latest drivers available. The latest 258.96 nVidia drivers were used for the video card.
Since talking video card cooling performance, it’s also important to look at overall power consumption as a side effect of adding after market cooling. We’ll also be using Furmark to measure for an artificial “unrealistic” thermal threshold. Obviously, this isn’t a real world benchmark of any sort, but it’ll give us a good idea of where CoolIT’s Omni A.L.C. places compared to other coolers on the market. For more realistic testing, Battlefield Bad Company 2, Heaven Demo, and 3DMark Vantage were also added as supplemental heat generation methods. Let’s get on with installation.
Installation Notes
The only cautionary note we want to stress is to make perfectly sure you’ve removed all the reference GPU cooler’s screws. If you have stickers or any sponge like spacers like the ones on the NVidia GTX 480 we’re using, double check that there aren’t any hiding underneath. I found two which you couldn’t see by just looking at the bottom of the card. And, we don’t want any of our readers breaking something by accident.
The second note worth mentioning is to thoroughly clean off your bare GPU. Some Artic Silver Thermal Paste Remover and Purifier work great for this. Otherwise, you’ll want to use something that has a solvent in it to cut through the thermal goop. Once this is done, evenly spread Coolit’s special secret-sauce thermal paste on there. After prep is done, all you have to do is lay the Omni ALC on its top side and and then lower the video card on top. That way you can see all the screw holes. Use your video card’s original screws to fasten the card to the Omni and you’re done.
I found installing the video card first and then the radiator to be the easiest method. There was enough Omni-tubing to fit over the massive VenomousX CPU cooler. I plugged the 3-pin fan wire in to the chassis fan port because it has thermal control options in the BIOS. Otherwise, you can use a fan controller if you like full control.
Performance Testing
As you can see above, the Omni A.L.C. really puts the ZOTAC GTX 480 on a physical diet. The question is, how does this equate to its thermal performance? Remember, this is an area that nVidia has been criticized for almost as much as Apple has for their iPhone 4 antenna problems. Can the Omni A.L.C. tame the GTX 480? Let’s find out!
Thermal Performance
Using FurMark, we can generate an artificial, but completely reproducible environment where we can see uniform increases in temperature. But, in order to add a real world perspective to it, we also used 3DMark Vantage and Battlefield Bad Company 2.
Whether running FurMark or BFBC 2, the Omni pleasantly managed the GTX 480. It really gave our former champion the GELID Icy Vision cooler a run for its money. This was largely in part due to fan speeds being used. I found that auto settings balanced temps the best as well as keep the noise in check. As far as value goes, the GELID was really a surprise as it is a very inexpensive solution for around the $40 US price point while the Omni A.L.C. tips the wallet at around $200 US.
Noise Levels
FurMark can also come in handy for measuring worst case scenarios for noise. Keep in mind that regular 3D programs will result in more real world noise levels. Thus, we’ve included some of those measurements as well.
The only time the Omni’s fan spun to max was during Furmark where it topped out at 42dB. Otherwise, the average noise was in the area of 26dB measured two feet from the back of the case. However, the GELID Icy Vision produces much less noise than all three test subjects. Still, the Omni is much quieter and much cooler than the stock reference cooler and the GELID in overall general use.
Overclocking and Power Consumption
If you’re as curious about the Omni A.L.C.’s power consumption you’re not a lone. But, given the fact that all of their current units need only plugged into a 3 or 4-pin fan header to operate, we’re talking a – measly matter of milliwatts. Say that five times really fast!
Even when using my trusty Zalman ZM-CMF1 fan controller along with the system plugged in to a Seasonic Power Angel to measure consumption, there was not enough of a power draw that could be attributed to the Omni’s operations. The only thing that could be confirmed is that it does indeed require at least 12 volts and that a motherboard fan header provides more than enough power for the Omni to operate.
After applying some patience in to tweaking the video card, the GTX 480 easily overclocked best under the Omni A.L.C.. Anything higher just wasn’t stable or reliable under Furmark. Keep in mind that your results will vary based on things like your card’s memory and GPU yield quality. And, I would not recommend overclocking any GTX 480 for any significant amount of time with ANY cooler. That GPU just gets too darn hot and becomes slightly unpredictable when running real apps. Your mileage may very of course.
Final Thoughts
While the black cover is a little bland, we are told that cosmetic tweaks are on the way. But of course we’re less about aesthetics and more about the performance and value a product gives you at the end of the day. It would seem that the Omni A.L.C. is well tuned for an 80C thermal threshold where many of today’s high end GPUs seem to live.
In our testing, it seems that the Omni’s purpose isn’t so much as to out cool every after-market cooler, but to find that magical sweet spot in controlling temps and fan noise at the same time. This is very much like CoolIT’s Vantage A.L.C. that we reviewed earlier. The Omni does a great job of balancing both with average temps just beneath the 60C mark and average fan noise of about 19dB. Most importantly it really tamed our ZOTAC NVidia GTX 480 and turned a reference design video card in to a new, less fire breathing (temperature wise) beast while giving it a bit of a diet as well.
Most important is CoolIT’s innovative universal GPU mounting system. By simply changing the interposer plate, the Omni A.L.C. can live again on your latest and greatest GPU down the road. This in itself makes the $200 price point much more bearable and shows a huge improvement over previous designs. Along with the thermal and noise performance, this system is definitely recommended.
Pros
- Very stream lined low profile
- Good quality materials
- Offers better GPU overclocking
- Low maintenance and easy-to-install
- Upgradable Interposer Plate for future video cards
- More efficient than our GPU test coolers
Cons
- Fan is loud at full speed
- Heat exchanger a little bland – needs some character
- Unknown pricing at this time
Overall Rating: 8.5 / 10.0
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CoolIT Systems Omni A.L.C. Universal GPU Cooling System – Photo Gallery
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