CoolIT Domino A.L.C CPU Cooler Review

Installation

While the installation of the Domino is very similar to all of CoolITs other products, it appears CoolIT not only upgraded the backplate and retaining mechanism but the four retaining screws as well. As with the other CoolIT models we have reviewed, your first start by removing the motherboard from your case (unless you have a ATCS 840 or HAF 932 that is) to install the backplate. The backplate is a plastic but given the lightweight nature of the Domino this is not a concern.


What is a concern are those new long retaining screws / bolts CoolIT has gone with. With "gone" being the operative word, as in gone is the easy finger spinning tightening ability from past CoolIT products. Unlike past models whose screws were more like bolts with a recessed Philips screwdriver head which you could get started by just spinning it; the new models are more like screws with a big free spinning plastic cup on the top. The idea behind this is just in case your screwdriver slips it will not take out your motherboard, and to be fair it does do a good job at this.

If you are like us and you are used to the installation of CoolITs products please make sure no one is in the room to laugh at you as you spin those little black cups for the first time….just to have the waterblock pop off ‘cause you were just wasting your time turning these things for nothing. This is certainly one area where the old saying “just because its new doesn’t mean its better” is in full effect.


Of course, before you even get to the “make an ass of yourself in front of your friends or family” stage the first thing you may need to do is adjust the location of the four screws as their default setup is for the new i7 mounting bracket. If you are like us and are installing it in a 775 system you first need to pop off the retaining C clamp which holds each screw in place and reposition it slightly (though in its own separate hole). The easiest way to do this is to remove the bracket from the waterblock and lay it on a smooth flat surface so all four screws are supporting the bracket off your table; then using you hand press firmly (and evenly) down on the center of the bracket. This removes the spring tension and allows you to take a micro-tip screwdriver and pop the C clamps off. When you have one popped off we recommend repositioning it and then reinstalling the C clamp by once again pressing firmly down on the bracket. When one is done, simply rinse and repeat until all four screws are in their 775 mounting position.


When the bracket is properly set up, you can reinstall the bracket and then add a bit of TIM to your CPU and position the water block into position. At this point, tighten down towo opposite retaining screws (with a screwdriver!). You then repeat this procedure for the other two screws, alternately tightening all four in this back and forth manner. When all four screws are tightened down you can then reinstall your motherboard back into your case. Yes, you are really ready to install the Domino at this point as CoolIT has combined the waterblock and retaining mechanism installation procedures into the one easy (once you understand the cups are not attached to anything) process.

As with the PURE and Freezone Elite, the next thing you have to do is remove your computer case’s rear 120mm fan (if you have two of them you should remove the topmost one). Once this is done you then reinstall the whole works back into your case which is actually more difficult than the old way and may require a second set of hands to hold the attached Domino. You can the gently flip the unit over and install the Domino by mounting the fan into the back 120mm fan area.

Unlike the PURE and Freezone Elite, securing the Domino in place involves sticking the four rubber grommet tips through their appropriate mounting holes and pulling the rest of the grommets through to lock the Domino in place. This certainly reduces vibration noise, but does so at the expense of dependability and security. I personally do not know if I would install the Domino this way and leave it hanging over my expensive GPUs like some modern day sword of Damocles. Luckily, CoolIT has foreseen this potential issue and include the (old school) mounting screws.


When this simple and quick task is accomplished you simply have to insert the lone three pin fan header into your motherboard to provide the unit with all its power. As we wanted to make sure our motherboard was not going to interfere with the 3 settings (by adjusting the voltage sent to the attached “fan”) we used a 3 pin to Molex adapter to provide it with the trickle of power the Domino needs.

Overall this is an easy, if slightly quirky installation process; as long as you go into it with no preconceptions and you have a second set of hands to hold the Domino while reinstalling the motherboard it should not take you more than 7 minutes to accomplish. This really is a good introduction to the wonderful world of water cooling and will make a great starter kit for anyone interested in water cooling their first computer. Lets face it, you always remember your first time so you might as well splurge and go for a high end professional introduction.