Conclusion

It turned out pretty hard to draw any definite conclusions today. On the one hand, let’s try to answer the following question: what will potential Aquagate Max users get? A liquid-cooling system as efficient as a good air-cooler, compatible with limited number of system cases, equipped with uncontrollable fans generating tangible noise and featuring a price tag of $229. Doesn’t seem to be very promising, does it?

On the other hand, Aquagate Max has tremendous potential. Just replace the default processor water block, and get an instant 4ºC improvement in quiet mode and 5ºC improvement at maximum fan rotation speed. Besides, we would like to make a few recommendations to Cooler Master that will undoubtedly make this solution a hit: add a universal graphics processor water block into the accessories bundle, give up the thermal sensors and implement manual fan rotation speed adjustment (if they give up the sensors and PWM fans, they could even save a bit), replace the bulky and not very informative front panel indicators with digital ones, make the radiator unit fit for installation outside the system case, add a filling funnel into the bundle. Then, Cooler Master Aquagate Max will be a definite beauty and will win a lot of fans. However, as always, the choice is yours.