Overclocker Cafe - Thermaltake AquaBay M4 HDD Waterblock Review

Thermaltake AquaBay M4 Hard Drive Water Block

Manufacturer: Thermaltake Technology
Supplied by: Thermaltake Technology
MSRP: TBA

by Dean Barker (3/11/2006)

Introduction

Thermaltake has prided itself on offering a broad range of cooling choices for the end user. With the widespread acceptance of water cooling, individual components have become every bit as desirable as complete kits. Thermaltake offers a line of add on water cooling components and extras that can be installed into 1/2" OD or 3/8" OD systems with simple included adapters. Today, we take a look at one of these, the AquaBay M4 hard drive water block. Our thanks go to Thermaltake for their support in sponsoring this review.

Specifications

Application: 3.5" hard drive
Observed dimensions: 175 x 40 x 146mm
Construction: Aluminum body with copper hosing
Observed weight: 598 gms
Two piece screw type hose connections

What you get

The expected necessities that come with the AquaBay M4 HDD Cooler far exceeded my expectations. In addition to the unit, you get the installation booklet, two pieces of square gasket material, five feet of 3/8" OD UV reactive hose, 6.5 feet of 1/2" OD UV reactive hose, a pair of 1/2" OD hose connectors as well as a pair of 3/8" hose connectors. I have praised these quick connect connectors in the past and they are so good it bears repeating. Hoses are connected by pushing your hose over the exposed connector nipple then tightening down a lock nut that puts squeezes the hose tightly between the nut and the nipple. Simple and highly effective.

The AquaBay M4 unit itself somewhat resembles an external hard drive rack. But upon closer inspection you begin to notice things like copper tubing gracefully curving out of one side and you begin to suspect that this is something special.