The Aquagate S1 is one of the cheapest water-cooling kits we've seen - it barely costs one tenth of the price of the Vadim custom kit.
The Aquagate S1 is not only incredibly cheap, but also very compact. Its small dimensions are achieved by integrating the pump into the CPU waterblock, and the reservoir into the 120mm fan radiator. As such, there are only two pipes to concern you, and Cooler Master has fixed these in place with metal clamps. However, this means that if you want to remove the tubing (to mount the radiator/reservoir outside the case, for example), you'll need to buy new fixings, as the pre-fitted clamps aren't reusable. The system is pre-filled with a blue coolant, which can be topped up from a small bottle via a tiny hole in the reservoir.
Installing the Aquagate S1 should be a cinch, as the fan is already screwed onto the 120mm radiator/reservoir. However, the waterblock is a nightmare to secure on the CPU. Rather than mounting directly on the motherboard, it's held in place by four flimsy plastic feet; these are held down by a large metal plate screwed onto the motherboard. However, the feet are so loosely attached that they spring out of position at the slightest opportunity. Also, as the input and output tubes are fitted to the side of the waterblock and not the top, the tubes help to push the waterblock off-centre. Ideally, you need at least three hands to install the waterblock, so make sure you have a patient friend nearby.
Once installed, the Aquagate S1 proved to have abysmal cooling abilities. With the fan set to minimum speed, the CPU overheated and shut down after just five minutes of stress testing. Running at high speed, the CPU didn't shut down, although Orthos detected an error after only four minutes due to the high CPU temperature.
Given that the Aquagate S1 failed to keep our test system cool enough to run stably - a task of which the £33 Tuniq Tower 120 HSF was capable - it makes absolutely no sense to buy this appalling water-cooling kit.
Author: James Gorbold
Cooler Master Aquagate S1