Back in August, it was reported that the retail packages of some, if not all, Intel's Sandy Bridge-E Core i7 LGA2011 processors will not pack the certified cooling solution like Core i7 LGA1366 processors do. It was also reported that Intel will sell its own-branded cooling solutions separately. It became a little obvious right then, that Intel won't selling dinky-little heatsinks that cost a couple of dozen Dollars. At the ongoing IDF event, Intel displayed its first retail-packaged cooling solution that's not only LGA2011-compatible, but also supports older socket types such as LGA1155, LGA1156, and LGA1366.The cooling solution is a closed-loop (self-contained) liquid cooler made by water cooling OEM Asetek. Called the RTS2011LC, the cooler is rated to cool processors with TDP of up to 130W. The cooler consists of an exposed-copper block that also houses the pump, tough and flexible tubing that runs to the radiator assembly, which houses a reservoir, and a fancy-looking 120 mm fan. Along with the fan, the Intel logo on the block lights up blue. The radiator used looks similar to that on the Hydro Series H70, a popular cooler by Corsair, which is also made by Asetek. Expected to be available around the same time as Core i7 LGA2011 processors, the Intel RTS2011LC could command a price over $99.

35 Comments on Intel Displays Self-Branded Water Cooling Solution for Sandy Bridge-E

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#1 DanishDevil

If they're priced similarly to their "insert brand here" counterparts, then I fully support this move by Intel. Posted on Sep 14th 2011, 8:56 Reply

#2 FordGT90Concept

"I go fast!1!11!1!" This is strange. Why offer a closed-loop liquid cooling solution and then go out of the way to out source it. It'd make more sense if they built something in-house and included it with all EE processors. Posted on Sep 14th 2011, 9:02 Reply

#3 btarunr

Editor & Senior Moderator FordGT90Concept This is strange. Why offer a closed-loop liquid cooling solution and then go out of the way to out source it. It'd make more sense if they built something in-house and included it with all EE processors. Because Intel never makes any cooling solutions in-house, they always source it. The reference LGA775/1156/1155/1366 coolers are all sourced from Sanyo-Denki, OEM'ed by Foxconn. Because Intel never makes any cooling solutions in-house, they always source it. The reference LGA775/1156/1155/1366 coolers are all sourced from Sanyo-Denki, OEM'ed by Foxconn. Posted on Sep 14th 2011, 9:14 Reply

#4 LAN_deRf_HA

LED and some of the most industrious looking tubing I've seen. They only had to pick the fan, block cover, and tubing and they dropped the ball on all of it. If you're sucking air from the back don't use a fan with concave sides. You don't want to suck any air from a case you've turned into an easy-bake oven by ditching an exhaust fan and dumping 130 watts into it. The LED, aside from looking shitty, adds another failure point. They should have taken a cue from the H70 with the chrome logo. Less complexity and reflects any other case light quite nicely. I swear if it weren't for the inefficiency of consumer spending every large company would have imploded long ago. Posted on Sep 14th 2011, 9:22 Reply

#5 Live OR Die

Most people dont use the crappy stock fan any ways but i wouldn't swap my H100 out for this. Posted on Sep 14th 2011, 9:43 Reply

#6 Over_Lord

News Editor 99$, lol. Posted on Sep 14th 2011, 9:53 Reply

#7 MikeMurphy

I don't understand why a 130w CPU necessitates liquid cooling.



^ unless its overclocked, then will crank out much more than 130w, but then this cooling setup will be grossly insufficient as rated to a max of 130w.



I'm not sure who this product is targeted at, other than suckers. Posted on Sep 14th 2011, 10:29 Reply

#8 NC37

thunderising 99$, lol. The glowing Intel logo on it costs more than $99. If they don't charge $150+ for this, I'd be shocked. It's good because it's got "Intel" on it :rolleyes:.



Now if it was Apple, they'd charge $300 for the similar kit with a glowing Apple logo ;) :laugh:. The glowing Intel logo on it costs more than $99. If they don't charge $150+ for this, I'd be shocked. It's good because it's got "Intel" on it :rolleyes:.Now if it was Apple, they'd charge $300 for the similar kit with a glowing Apple logo ;) :laugh:. Posted on Sep 14th 2011, 11:32 Reply

#9 techtard

I just saw the pics of the X79 mobos that are up. Maybe they're using one of the asetek kits because it will make working with quad channel memory easier. Posted on Sep 14th 2011, 12:41 Reply

#10 claylomax

Are LGA1366 cooling solutions compatible with LGA2011? Posted on Sep 14th 2011, 13:06 Reply

#11 fusionblu

claylomax Are LGA1366 cooling solutions compatible with LGA2011? Probably, but it's likely you CPU would be running warm as Intel's cooling is generally crap and there is always better cooler solutions than them.



As for my opinion on this cooler even though it's suppose to be the same as a Corsair H50 (just looks like a slightly modified and rebranded version) I would say the Corsair one is slightly better than this Intel one. Probably, but it's likely you CPU would be running warm as Intel's cooling is generally crap and there is always better cooler solutions than them.As for my opinion on this cooler even though it's suppose to be the same as a Corsair H50 (just looks like a slightly modified and rebranded version) I would say the Corsair one is slightly better than this Intel one. Posted on Sep 14th 2011, 13:38 Reply

#12 Live OR Die

techtard I just saw the pics of the X79 mobos that are up. Maybe they're using one of the asetek kits because it will make working with quad channel memory easier. Yer space saver maybe why have a big heatsink when you can have water cooling. Yer space saver maybe why have a big heatsink when you can have water cooling. Posted on Sep 14th 2011, 14:07 Reply

#13 95Viper

Does watercooling seem useful for Sandy Bridge-E ?

The poll gave no stipulations as to the environment, clocking, or other situations, so, I voted yes; and, because, from my personal use of this category of cooler, I have noticed better or equal cooling performance over most other types of finned air coolers (with the exception of custom water loops or exotics), with less intrusion on other components (I can actually, get to the memory modules and fan headers without slicing fingers open).



The Intel branded solution looks good from the pics, but before I bash the cooler or berate Intel... I will wait for some test results(comparisons) and, also, wait to see at what price point the retail market sets.

If all things being equal and/or cheaper at the same perfomance level, I would use one.

Just my opinions. Posted on Sep 14th 2011, 14:28 Reply

#14 Sasqui

MikeMurphy I don't understand why a 130w CPU necessitates liquid cooling.



^ unless its overclocked, then will crank out much more than 130w, but then this cooling setup will be grossly insufficient as rated to a max of 130w.



I'm not sure who this product is targeted at, other than suckers. Probably goes without saying, I'd say they are targeting the unlocked CPU / enthusiast sector. For stock, air will be just fine (and cheaper).



Never thought we'd see a boxed Intel watercooling solution, kind of sends mixed signals. Lets hope it's performance is competitive. Probably goes without saying, I'd say they are targeting the unlocked CPU / enthusiast sector. For stock, air will be just fine (and cheaper).Never thought we'd see a boxed Intel watercooling solution, kind of sends mixed signals. Lets hope it's performance is competitive. Posted on Sep 14th 2011, 14:44 Reply

#15 btarunr

Editor & Senior Moderator claylomax Are LGA1366 cooling solutions compatible with LGA2011? No. But this particular cooler is compatible with 1366, 1155/56. No. But this particular cooler is compatible with 1366, 1155/56. Posted on Sep 14th 2011, 16:12 Reply

#16 bear jesus

This seams like an even better idea than AMD doing it with bulldozer, greatly due to the RAM on either side of the 2011 socket really limiting the cooler options but mainly just with tall RAM.



Although i admit i personally like all these closed loop coolers so i am a little bias towards them. Posted on Sep 14th 2011, 17:40 Reply

#17 Live OR Die

It will also limit people to what cooler they can use, People that like coolers like the NOCTUA NH-D14 will have a cry :laugh:. Posted on Sep 14th 2011, 18:45 Reply

#18 mauriceh

I wonder



How they will screw Asetek on this development?

NONE of this is actually Intel designed (or produced) tech. Posted on Sep 14th 2011, 18:57 Reply

#19 Hayder_Master

WTF, every brand going with this stayle of cooling, it's new fasion what we call it EMO stayle, LOL‏.‏



And by the way, water cooling is better soltion for X79 cpu i see, cuz the two side of ram's slots make the big heat sink cover it all and that's mean extra heat for ram's-mosfites-phases. Posted on Sep 14th 2011, 20:03 Reply

#20 twicksisted

This is going to prove to be a huge pain in the ass for intel.

Have any of you looked on the forums of brands offering these types of coolers... theres a lot that can go wrong with them and loads of DOA, leaks, breakdowns.



I'm guessing that Intel will regret bundling this with their CPU's as people will end up RMA'ing the lot and as everything gets returned back with the RMA they will end up with loads of opened boxes and fully working CPU's returned.



Anyways its a nice idea.. hell I even bought into the whole "all in one" watercooling with my Corsair H100, but having done that I now realise just how many things can break on that kit and it dosent feel like a long term reliable cooling solution compared to a solid metal one with a fan. Posted on Sep 14th 2011, 20:04 Reply

#21 laszlo

if they are flat like in the picture where you see the intel logo mirrored on the contact surface and distorted concavely.... this is a failure Posted on Sep 14th 2011, 20:08 Reply

#22 Live OR Die

twicksisted This is going to prove to be a huge pain in the ass for intel.

Have any of you looked on the forums of brands offering these types of coolers... theres a lot that can go wrong with them and loads of DOA, leaks, breakdowns.



I'm guessing that Intel will regret bundling this with their CPU's as people will end up RMA'ing the lot and as everything gets returned back with the RMA they will end up with loads of opened boxes and fully working CPU's returned.



Anyways its a nice idea.. hell I even bought into the whole "all in one" watercooling with my Corsair H100, but having done that I now realise just how many things can break on that kit and it dosent feel like a long term reliable cooling solution compared to a solid metal one with a fan. I have a H100 also had a coolit there not going to leak the most that could go wrong is the pump craps out. I have a H100 also had a coolit there not going to leak the most that could go wrong is the pump craps out. Posted on Sep 14th 2011, 20:10 Reply

#23 twicksisted

laszlo if they are flat like in the picture where you see the intel logo mirrored on the contact surface and distorted concavely.... this is a failure I wouldnt say fail about that aspect of it... this isnt for overclocking, its OEM cooling and CPU tops arent very flat themselves. I wouldnt say fail about that aspect of it... this isnt for overclocking, its OEM cooling and CPU tops arent very flat themselves. Posted on Sep 14th 2011, 20:11 Reply

#24 laszlo

twicksisted I wouldnt say fail about that aspect of it... this isnt for overclocking, its OEM cooling and CPU tops arent very flat themselves. i have saw flatter contacts at oem coolers like this one,not to mention you pay 99$ and you can start lapping ..... i have saw flatter contacts at oem coolers like this one,not to mention you pay 99$ and you can start lapping ..... Posted on Sep 14th 2011, 20:16 Reply

#25 twicksisted

Live OR Die I have a H100 also had a coolit there not going to leak the most that could go wrong is the pump craps out. If you check the user forums for corsair alone, every problem you can imagine go's wrong as theres a lot of small components at play... fans dont work as controller is busted, coolant leaks, pump breakdowns etc.. check it ;)

EDIT: im not dissing the cooler atall, im just saying that I have concerns about its longevity as ive always used a large block of copper or aluminium fins to cool my CPU's in the past... nothing can go wrong with that. If you check the user forums for corsair alone, every problem you can imagine go's wrong as theres a lot of small components at play... fans dont work as controller is busted, coolant leaks, pump breakdowns etc.. check it ;)EDIT: im not dissing the cooler atall, im just saying that I have concerns about its longevity as ive always used a large block of copper or aluminium fins to cool my CPU's in the past... nothing can go wrong with that. Posted on Sep 14th 2011, 20:16 Reply