Thermaltake CL-C0001 Truelight LED Memory Cooler Review
Installation
Since my gaming computer has it's own problem (picture) of wire management, I will be installing the "Thermaltake Memory Heat Spreader" on my aunt's computer (much better). Keep in mind- this computer has no window, so I can not give a true "Action Photo."
Some times, instructions give the perfect installation; This is going to be one of those times. The thermal tape that was included seemed to be a puzzle for me in the end, However, because of this I can pre-warn you: The tape is between the lettered side, and the pearl-white layer. The tape itself is transparent, and is double-sided. Steps to install the tape and the whole mod correctly, the first time.
1. Start by grasping both sides with one hand, and peel (Grasping the non-sticky side with the free hand) VERY little
amount away.
2. Making sure the raised-area is facing you, Place the now-sticky surface on the
aluminum... About 1/4 Inch from one side (this is important, there isn't enough forgiveness for measurement errors)
3. Continue to peel down the metal, untill all of the one side is stuck to the metal.
Note: This is the piece I
did wrong, It was too far off center.
4. Place the circuit board in it's allotted place in it's original spot - It does not need to face the same direction, It doesn't matter.
Modder Tip: If you want to have a better sense of wire-management in the case, Plan which direction the circuit board will go. The power connector will be not in the middle of the motherboard.
5. Find the non-sticky surface portion of the piece of paper facing you, and pull to bring all the stickiness up.
6. Tilt the ram stick against the circuit board, and press down to flatten the ram against the thermal tape.
7. Repeat 1-6 with the other heat spreader.
8. Clips go on this way:
9. With both sides on tight, Tilt the clip at an angle - With the broken side being the tilted side.
10. Push the clip down and into the grooves. If the clip becomes caught on the second heat spreader, push it inwards with your thumb while continuing to push the clip in the grooves.
11. Push the light shield on. (I flipped the shield around so "Thermaltake" could be read)
12. Place the ram inside the original spot or some slot where the effect could be shown nicely.
--- Turn off the computer completely ---
13a. Find an open PCI slot, and remove the
original slot cover. (If there was no cover, skip this)
13b. Find a good spot to place the the mode switch. Remove a PCI, AGP, or another type of cover space taker.
14. Place the Mode switch in that new open space. (I had to hold the switch with my other hand to allow me time to screw the mode switch securely)
15. Connect the 3pin to the connector on the ram.
16. Connect the Molex connectors together.
17. Turn the computer on. The LEDs will automaticly turn on to "Mode 1."
18. Press the red button one time to change the mode number.
19. Press and hold the red button for 2 seconds to turn off the LEDs altogether.
Testing:
I reaped the rewards of my hardearned work. Even though I didn't much but put a stick of ram sandwhiched between two aluminium heatsinks. All I can say is "wow".
One thing worries me though, does Thermaltake know that their name can not be read when the LEDs are on? The picture, strangely, makes the words readable. In life I could not see any of "Thermaltake". The pictures were aken at the LED highest brightness.
  
I named all these modes, instead of just "1, 2, 3,...". Anyway, heres my list of mode names:
- Runner
- Back and Forth... Then fade away
- Come in full from connector
- Explode and exit to connector
- From Middle, From sides
- Full Flashing (Fast)
- Scared Comedian
- Full Flashing (Slow)
Unofficially Known Issues:
It might have been nothing - but I skipped a mode (between 6 and 8) while pressing the switch a few times. I haven't been able to replicate this, So don't worry about it all that much.
Conclusion and Rating:
Point 1.Color Choice were bad. If I had a theme other than Red and Black and I cared about staying with the theme, I would NOT want a red and black PCI slot cover. If I had a Red case theme, I would enjoy the mode switch - but the Blue LEDs wont do any sort of justice to my theme. Its all about the color schemes, and trying to keep with them. I would enjoy seeing popular case themes integrated better.
Point 2.I have to eat my words about my remark early on: "I'm a little skeptical on how bright these mini-LEDs are going to be in my case." The LEDs were very bright, too bright. The Blue LEDs are more like spot lights [Which
isn't a problem of brightness - its a problem of distributing the light], and they
don't show the "Thermaltake" words well enough to be shown at night alone. This is not an answer to a beginner's mod.
Point 3.Mods should be practical as well, this mod tried to be a practice mod with its passive cooling method. It does cool memory by spreading the heat through out the
aluminum metal. I cant see this product giving a good cooling to memory... I cant verify this, I
don't have any temperature sensors (I had [originally] planned on Overclocking with the temp-difference).
Point 4.Even with my above comments; I enjoy this mod thoroughly. Even with those little nit-picking problems with colors and brightness, this is a great mod for those looking to spice up their memory sticks, and can not (or do not) want to shell a lot of money for those expensive RAM sticks with LEDs programmed. Heck, the LEDs are blue. If you have a blue case or theme, this is a better product then those expensive RAM sticks.
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Good
1. Easy as open the case.
2. Its a mod, for ram even!
3. 8 Modes of LED flowing goodness.
4. I can turn it off!
5. It comes in the color: blue... And I like blue.
6. Simple installation - With a little luck this can be done without much time invested.
7. You wont need to buy thermal glue or tape. The mod comes with everything - even the forgotten case screw.
8. The mod cools down ram (Although I can't be sure of how good the cooling is)
9. The mod looks real cool
10. Bright LEDs
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Bad
1. The casing could've been a little less easy to access.
1. No pass-through Molex connector.
2. Colors clash with non-red/black or blue case themes.
3. Only 1 color LED for this mod at this time.
4. "Easy" installation. Stubborn clips and I ended up wasting one thermal tape because I messed up. I could've used 1 extra tape piece. |
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Ugly
1. The light is not distributed amoungst the entire word "Thermaltake". This makes the reading "Thermaltake" almost impossible using this mod alone. |
Downloads:
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