Intel RTS2011LC

Intel RTS2011LC Liquid Cooling Solution

Intel's new Sandy Bridge–E processors offer outstanding performance, but the high price of chips such as the Core i7-3960X doesn't get you everything you need. Finally admitting that the enthusiasts most interested in this tier of products will probably want to buy their own coolers for keeping the chip chill, Intel has stopped packaging one with each processor. But Intel knows enough to keep its foot in the door, and is doing so with its own line of cooling devices. Among these is the RTS2011LC Liquid Cooling Solution ($85-$100 list), a closed-loop propylene glycol cooler the company has wisely designed to fit any of its contemporary sockets (LGA2011, LGA1155, LGA1156, and LGA1366). The good news is that it works as advertised; the bad news is that using it may get you hot under the collar. Because Intel intended the RTS2011LC to work with so many sockets, a lot of hardware is included in the package. In addition to the pump, which comes preconnected to the radiator, you'll find a 120mm exhaust fan, two mounting brackets (and the necessary double-sided tape for attaching one to the motherboard if required), three sets of screws, and two sets of retention screws (one for use with the LGA2011 socket, one for everything else), a set of four spacers to assist in unusual installation scenarios, two packets of thermal interface material (TIM), and zip ties for keeping everything organized.