CoolIT Domino A.L.C CPU Cooler Review

Value

The term “Value” is such an amorphous term that it truly has different meanings for different people. For some a CPU cooler is only as good as it overclocking potential, for others it is how quiet it does its job; for others still it’s how effective it is for its cost. We here at HWC try to provide as many answers as possible for the term “Value”. Hopefully by this point in the review people looking at OC potential or loudness levels will have a fairly good idea of what its Value is. For the “best bang for the buck” crowd we have included a chart below showing how much each 1*c less costs when compared to Intel’s FREE stock cooler. No consideration has been made for noise levels, “looks” or any other extraneous factors; this is just raw performance vs. monetary cost. For any cooler which performs worse than the Intel stock cooler a rating of “FAIL” will be given. For any cooler which has a “Value” of more than $10 per 1*C a rating of “FAIL” will be used in the graph but the chart will list its actual “value”.

All prices are based on either their MSRP (if no e-tailer prices were available at review time) or the online price they sold for at the time of their review. IF a CPU cooler does not include a fan the price of a Scythe F has been included ($12).

To make it as easy as possible for you to modify this ratio we have also included the various coolers temperature difference so if you do come across one of them on sale you can easily modify its “Value” rating. We here at HWC are in no way saying this is the definitive answer to “Value”, rather it should be considered another tool to help you make your final decision. After all something is only as “valuable” as what you consider it to be.

E4600 Cooling Value

Please note: This chart has be calculated based upon the differences between Intel stock cooler’s average load at its highest OC on a E4600 @3.2GHz versus various after market coolers average load temperatures (in their stock configuration with MX-2 TIM) also on an E4600 @ 3.2GHz.


When we went back and updated out prices of the Asetek LLC we were shocked to see it going for nearly 50% more than it was originally. Actually, the only thing more shocking that a sticker price of $115 for the Asetek, was the ultra low $89.99 price quoted to us by our rep at CoolIT. If this price is not in error (and we truly doubt it is) the Domino is a very, very good deal. Heck, less than $4.50 for an all in one / plug and play WC loop with built in LCD, that’s not a good value that is a STEAL!

Here is the full email we received from our rep when we inquired about the price of the Domino:

Q6600 Cooling Value

Please note: This chart has be calculated based upon the differences between Intel stock cooler’s average load at its highest OC on a Q6600 @3.0GHz versus various after market coolers average load temperatures (in their stock configuration with stock TIM) also on a Q6600 @ 3.0GHz.


Wow, and we though the dual core value numbers were good. To put it bluntly $3.78 is about as good as you are going to see when it comes to prebuilt WC units. Heck, it comes with in a smidgen of matching the Scythe Copper Ninja and if we were to post all the air units we have reviewed and their respective values, the Domino certainly would be able to hold its own with a great value of $3.78. We are not sure how CoolIT can sell such a sophisticated piece of water cooling kit like the Domino so cheaply but we are certainly not complaining!