The Asetek Low Cost Liquid Cooling (LCLC) system reviewed by Fudzilla in 2007 was a pre-assembled OEM/ODM cooling platform, not a normal retail AIO. On the named test hardware it kept an overclocked Intel QX6700 at 61°C and an overclocked graphics card at 75°C, while the reviewer described it as the quietest component and easy to mount. Those figures are historical measurements, not a performance promise for modern processors or graphics cards. Original LCLC units were difficult to buy through ordinary retail channels, so a surviving unit should be judged mainly by socket compatibility, condition, mounting hardware and support.
What the page-2 review actually covered
Fudzilla’s 23 November 2007 page-2 review examined Asetek LCLC as a factory-assembled cooling platform for system builders. The design could be configured for a single CPU, a CPU plus graphics card, or two CPUs. Because the loop arrived assembled, installation did not involve filling and bleeding a conventional enthusiast kit.
The intended customers were OEMs and ODMs building high-end gaming PCs, professional workstations and home-theater PCs. The review says the system was not available through ordinary retail stores or online shops, which is why the article should be read as a historical evaluation of an integration platform rather than a retail product recommendation.
Test hardware and reported temperatures
The measurements below belong to the specific components, clock speeds and comparison conditions used in the 2007 review. No modern, standardized thermal benchmark or enough information to convert these numbers into a universal temperature rating was published.
#1 Best Overall
- The latest 8th gen Asetek pump equipped 3 phase motor pump delivers ultimate cooling performance with higher flow and lower impedance.
- The ASUS-exclusive Anime Matrix is a mini LED array that can display ROG-exclusive anime content, core system stats, and customize animations.
- Premium ROG ARGB fans deliver highly airflow and mutely noise.
- Aluminum masterpiece craft with vacuum coat lens achieve flagship aesthetics.
- CPU Socket Support: AMD: AM4, AM5 TR4 Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 115x,1366, 2011, 2011-3, 2066
| Review scenario | Hardware and settings | Reported result | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU overclock test | Intel QX6700, 2.6 GHz stock frequency raised to 3.4 GHz | 61°C processor temperature | A result for that QX6700 system; ambient temperature, workload details and modern CPU behavior are not established. |
| Graphics overclock test | Graphics processor at 618/1836 MHz | 75°C GPU temperature | A historical GPU result tied to the review hardware and clocks. |
| CPU testing with the graphics block installed | Graphics block operating during CPU testing | 55°C GPU temperature | This is a separate reported figure from the review and should not be merged with the 75°C overclock result. |
| Reference-cooler comparison | Intel Core 2 Duo X6800 Extreme on an EVGA 680i motherboard, stock and overclocked settings, compared with Intel’s reference cooler | CPU temperature changed little with the overclock; graphics temperature rose only slightly | The review’s qualitative comparison, not a current-platform benchmark. |
| 8800 GTX comparison | LCLC graphics block versus Nvidia 8800 GTX stock cooling | LCLC was reported as at least 10°C cooler | A claim from the 2007 test setup; it does not establish performance against present-day GPU coolers. |
The most defensible conclusion from these tests is that LCLC could handle the heat output of the review-era hardware while supporting overclocking. The figures cannot be transferred directly to a current CPU or GPU because processor design, power limits, sensors, workloads, radiators and mounting systems have all changed.
Noise and installation experience
Fudzilla described Intel’s stock cooler as noisy when its fan reached maximum speed. In the same rig, the reviewer called LCLC the quietest component. That advantage was part of the platform’s appeal: an OEM could provide liquid cooling without asking the customer to assemble an open loop.
The review’s installation verdict was that the system was “simple and easy to mount.” Factory assembly reduced the usual setup steps, but an old unit still depends on having the correct bracket, backplate, screws and tubing condition for the target motherboard and case.
Rank #2
- CONTACT FRAME FOR INTEL LGA1851 | LGA1700: Optimized contact pressure distribution for longer CPU life and better heat dissipation
- ARCTIC's P12 PRO FAN: More power at any speed - more powerful and quieter than the P12, especially at low speeds. Higher maximum speed for optimal cooling performance under high load
- NATIVE OFFSET MOUNTING FOR INTEL AND AMD: Shifting the cold plate center towards the CPU hotspot ensures more efficient heat transfer
- INTEGRATED VRM FAN: PWM-controlled fan that lowers the temperature of the voltage converters and thus ensures reliable performance
- INTEGRATED CABLE MANAGEMENT: The PWM cables of the radiator fans are integrated in the sheathing of the hoses so that only a single visible cable is connected to the motherboard
Why Asetek created LCLC
Asetek’s 2013 prospectus says the company released its first LCLC for commercial sale in 2007, building on technology originally developed and patented in 2003. The stated goal was to meet the cooling demands of higher-end consumer computers and workstations with a design suitable for system integration.
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The same explanation claimed that one tested LCLC system performed about as well as an enthusiast kit using half-inch tubing and costing $250 at the time, while acknowledging that LCLC could not beat every retail-grade system in raw cooling performance. This was Asetek’s historical comparison rather than an independent modern benchmark.
Rank #3
- The latest Asetek Emma Gen8 V2 pump with a 3-phase motor delivers ultimate cooling performance, higher flow and lower impedance
- Thickened ARGB fans for high airflow and static pressure with noise optimization, quickly snapping together with special magnets to streamline installation
- 3.5" LCD screen increased to 640x480 for custom animated GIFs or live monitoring of clock frequency, voltage, temperature, fan speed or coolant flow
- Enhanced embedded fan in the pump housing to cool motherboard VRMs
- New software features: Control of pump and embedded fan speeds, AIDA64 with special ROG themes that creates a unique visual style
Documented LCLC-related models
Asetek’s model-family datasheet identifies several versions. It is useful for recognizing an old label, but it does not establish current stock, socket support, warranty coverage or an authorized seller.
| Model | Positioning in the datasheet | Documented construction | Heat exchanger | Stated product life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 510LC | Mainstream | Aluminum cold plate; integrated pump | 120 × 120 × 27 mm | 50,000 hours |
| 550LC | Performance | Copper cold plate; integrated pump | 120 × 120 × 27 mm | 50,000 hours |
| 570LC | Premium | Not stated in Asetek’s model-family datasheet | Not stated | Not stated |
| 570LX | Extreme | Not stated in Asetek’s model-family datasheet | Not stated | Not stated |
| 545LC | mATX performance | Not stated in Asetek’s model-family datasheet | Not stated | Not stated |
The 50,000-hour figure is a stated product-life specification, not a guarantee that a used cooler will operate safely today. Pump wear, dried interfaces, degraded tubing and missing mounting parts matter more than the original rating when evaluating second-hand hardware.
What to check before using an old LCLC unit
1. Confirm complete compatibility
- Match the exact CPU socket to the bracket and backplate supplied with the cooler.
- Measure case clearance for the 120 × 120 × 27 mm heat-exchanger format documented for the 510LC and 550LC; allow additional space for the fan, screws and tubing.
- Verify whether the unit is CPU-only or includes a graphics block. A CPU cooler cannot be assumed to cool a GPU simply because the LCLC family supported multi-component configurations.
- Check motherboard obstruction around the socket and whether the original mounting hardware is present.
2. Assess age and physical condition
- Ask how long the pump has been stored and whether it was ever run dry.
- Inspect tubing, fittings and the cold plate for cracking, corrosion, residue or staining.
- Look for a pump-start or flow specification and confirm that the power connector matches the intended motherboard or controller.
- Do not rely on the five-to-seven-year OEM design target as a safety certification for a cooler now far older than that period.
3. Compare temperatures fairly
Use tests made on similar hardware, workloads and ambient conditions. The QX6700, X6800 Extreme and 8800 GTX results show what the 2007 installation achieved; they do not predict temperatures on a current high-power CPU. Compare cooler-to-cooler results only when mounting pressure, thermal compound, fan speed and radiator placement are reasonably equivalent.
Rank #4
- Customizable IPS LCD Screen – Features a vivid 5" IPS display with 1280x720 resolution and 300 nits brightness. Fully customizable via Antec software to show real-time CPU/GPU temperatures, GIFs, or personalized images.
- 9th Gen Asetek Cooling Platform–Supports overclocking up to 400W TDP with a redesigned pump and impeller that improve thermal efficiency, reduce vibration, and enable dynamic temperature control.
- Quiet Pump Acoustics –Engineered for low-resonance operation and delivers sub-14 dBA acoustics at 2800 RPM.
- 360° Rotatable Ball Joint–Freely adjust and lock the display angle with full-rangemrotation and built-in twist dial.
- RGB Backglow System–An addressable RGB panel behind the display delivers customizable ambient lighting across the pump block and surrounding components.
4. Weigh acoustics and support
LCLC’s documented appeal included low noise as well as cooling. A used pump may be quieter than a failing air cooler or may develop bearing noise, so listen for rattling, grinding or a changing pitch during operation. Also check whether replacement brackets, fans, tubing or a compatible pump are obtainable before committing the system to a primary workstation.
Can an original LCLC be treated like a current AIO?
No. Some modern all-in-one coolers may use pump concepts derived from Asetek designs, but that does not make them the same product as the original LCLC platform. Socket kits, pump electronics, radiator construction, firmware, coolant and warranty terms can differ substantially.
For a current build, an old LCLC is sensible only when its exact mounting system is documented, its condition can be verified and its thermal and leak risk are acceptable. A contemporary AIO with explicit support for the target socket normally offers clearer compatibility and replacement support, even if its historical performance cannot be compared directly with the 2007 figures.
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“Asetek 550LC liquid CPU cooler” is a useful exact search phrase because the 550LC is a documented performance model. Treat every listing as a separate verification exercise rather than evidence of broad current availability.
- Request a photograph of the pump/block label, radiator, tubing and every mounting part.
- Match the label to the 510LC, 550LC, 570LC, 570LX or 545LC family designation; do not infer the model from a seller’s headline alone.
- Confirm the supported socket from the actual bracket, not from a generic Asetek compatibility list.
- Ask for proof of a leak-free pump test and listen for abnormal pump noise before installing it in valuable hardware.
- Price in the cost of a replacement fan, thermal compound or custom mounting hardware, since original retail support is not established.
Bottom line
The page-2 review presents LCLC as a quiet, pre-assembled 2007 platform that cooled an overclocked QX6700 and graphics hardware effectively for its era. Its OEM/ODM focus and poor retail availability are as important as the temperatures. If you encounter one now, verify the exact model, socket hardware, radiator fit and physical condition first; use the historical results only as context, not as a guarantee for modern components.
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