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Prometeia Mach II GT Phase Change Cooler Review
Prometeia Mach II GT Phase Change Cooler Review - PCSTATS
If you consider yourself an overclocker, then you already know everything about the Prometeia brand of phase-change coolers, and we really don't have to say a single word more.
 97% Rating:   
Filed under: Cooling / Heatsinks Published:  Author: 
External Mfg. Website: ECT May 17 2005   C. Sun  
Home > Reviews > Cooling / Heatsinks > ECT Prometeia Mach II GT

If you consider yourself an "overclocker," then you already know everything about the Prometeia brand of phase-change coolers, and we really don't have to say a single word more. For anyone who isn't familiar with the name "Prometeia," it is special device that chills an Intel or AMD processor down to an operating temperature of between -20°C to -30°C, with the end goal being better overclocking.

By comparison, the best heatsinks on the market will keep an overclocked processor operating at 12°C to 20°C above the ambient air temperature. A high-efficiency water cooling system handles the task slightly better, allowing for processor operating temperatures as good as few degrees above ambient - but that is about as cool as things get. Consider then, the difference in temperature between these two methods and phase change cooling can be 80°C... or even more.

As temperature plays a very significant role in the long and complex overclocking equation, the quest for ever lower temperatures has influenced the adaptation of several industrial and laboratory cooling equipments into the world of personal computing. The phase change cooling solutions which resulted were exotic and expensive, considerably more powerful than a home refrigerator, flexible to future processor advancements and socket changes, and very quiet.

PCSTATS will be stepping away from the normal bounds of motherboard and videocard reviews you know us for, and over the following pages testing out an ECT Prometeia Mach II GT phase change cooler - tooled for an AMD Athlon64 processor no less.

The original supplier, Chip-Con/nVENTIV, had its business and assets bought out byElcold Frysere Hobro APS in 2004. Elcold was the Danish refrigeration manufacturer actually building the Prometeia units Chip-con/nVENTIV sold, so it was a natural progression for the company to move from a pure manufacturing position to one of sales and marketing for this niche product. The Prometeia is now sold under the name of Extreme Cooling Technologies (ECT for short), which is a daughter company of Elcod Frysere Hobro APS.

If you're contemplating the plunge into phase-change cooling, know this. Elcold has been in the refrigeration business since 1961, giving the new startup ECT a stable foundation and credibility to work with. Considering the retail cost of Prometeia Mach II GT hovers around the $1042CDN ($849USD) mark, this is critical for potential buyers peace of mind.

Prometeia Mach II GT
Includes:

Users Manual, Driver CD, Athlon64 CPU Mounting Kit, Arctic Alumina Thermal Paste, Heating Element, Assembly Instructions, LCD Display, LCD Instructions, One Role Seal String, Power Cord

As one of PCSTATS staffers is already the happy owner of a Prometeia Mach I, we'll be interested in seeing just how ECT has (or has not) improved on the original design. From the outset, the components are virtually identical, though the Mach II GT addresses many usability and cosmetic issues users had with the older models. However, the main development with the Mach II GT has been to replace the R134a refrigerant typically used to charge the compressor, with R404a.

According to Extreme Cooling Technologies, with R404a refrigerant the Prometeia Mach II GT evaporator head can reach a temperature -65°C under no-load circumstances. With an atypical 200W heat load, the cold head on the Mach II GT can sustain a -30°C evaporator temperature. Minus 30 degrees Celsius seems like such a nice temperature to run an overclocked Athlon64 4000+ processor at, don't you think? ;-)

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Contents of Article: ECT Prometeia Mach II GT
 Pg 1.  — Prometeia Mach II GT Phase Change Cooler Review
 Pg 2.  The Showroom Impression
 Pg 3.  Refrigeration Cooling 101
 Pg 4.  Setup and Assembly
 Pg 5.  Inside the Prometeia Mach II GT
 Pg 6.  Compressor by Danfoss
 Pg 7.  Room for Improvements
 Pg 8.  The Prometeia Mach II GT Software
 Pg 9.  The Mounting Kit
 Pg 10.  Mounting the Cold Head
 Pg 11.  Mounting PC Case to Prometeia Chassis
 Pg 12.  Overclocking With a Mach II GT!

 
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