Here we have another “Smart” pump for water cooling, and one that is built by Eheim and Aquacomputers, the aquastream XT. Not only does it pump, it’s the only pump capable of being manually or automatically controlled via software, monitor’s water temperature, and it can also control the speed of one 5W fan channel (or a poweradjust 2 for 25w). While there are a few smart pumps that can control pump speed, this is the only one I’m aware of that incorporates a full software suite and control of so much.
A special thanks goes out to Shoggy of Aqua Computers for sponsoring this pump!
He included it as part of the Aquareo 5 package I’ll be reviewing soon following the pump in flow meter.
Packaging
Who doesn’t like un-boxing new products? Perhaps it’s growing up celebrating Christmas, but to this day I still enjoy this and perhaps why I still like doing these reviews. Besides the normal surprise element, I think it’s also important that products are packaged well and accessories can make a difference. The Aquastream XT ultra comes in a nice 6″ x 6″ x 5″ color printed box with various bits printed on the exterior.
Below are the specs printed on the box:
The specs check out well, and I would take note of the “automatic frequency adjustment”, this is a rather unique feature of this pump that causes the pump to restart on occasion as it’s testing the restriction level and tuning the pump. This is intended to ensure the pump operates at the best operating point which should ensure the pump can’t overheat and also turns up the speed when restriction is present.
And there are multiple versions of the pump, and those differences are fairly well outlined below. The model I’m reviewing here is the higher end “Ultra” flavor.
The bottom five features are what really makes this pump interesting for me, since it does much more than pump. These features basically makes it an advance fan controller. You can hook up a flow meter, fans, external temperature sensor, and monitor/control it all including the internal water temp sensor using software. That’s considerably more “Smart” that pretty much any other pump I’ve used.
Upon opening the box presents:
Pulling out the soft foam casing reveals the pump:
I’m impressed by the foam protection here, that’s probably the best protection I’ve seen on any pump reviewed before.
Pulling it all out gives the following contents:
The USB cable on the upper left, the RPM monitor cable upper right, PSU jumper lower right, and aeration jumper lower left.
There were several bits of paper, most of which are written in other languages, but there is an English manual that’s fairly detailed and nicely done.
So that’s the package, but before going too far you should know that you need this accessory. It’s a shame it’s not part of the pump box package as you pretty much need this for standard water cooling use where G1/4 is the standard. This adapter kit is necessary to convert the larger inlet and smaller outlet ports to standard g1/4 water cooling fitting size. AC sent me one, but don’t forget it; it’s a must-have extra.
Impression of the packaging was very good although I think the adapter kit should be a standard part of the package. The pump was extremely well protected and the overall presentation was done fairly well. The user manual was also done well and a welcome and somewhat necessary addition since this pump does soo much more than just pump.
martinsliquidlab.wordpress.com 
hey martin – i have one more question before i pull the trigger on them aquacomputer rads, should i get the D5 or the C600/12V (aka Aquastream XT ultra) variant of the Aquacomputer rads? will only run CPU and NB in my loop – rest (GPU) on air
Got any links to which ones you are talking about? I thought I saw a D5 version, but I didn’t know they made an aquastream XT rad.
Not sure about the rads…
But pump only they are pretty close in power, the D5 may have a smidge more power, but the aquastream has all the bells and whistles features. You could run your fans and flow meter off the pump and have software to play with, were the D5 would just be a manually controlled pump only.
Hi Martin,
initially allow me to say what a breath of fresh air, and insightful your site is. Great job-i came across it from a very old link (remember this? http://martinsliquidlab.i4memory.com/XSPC-RS240-Radiator-Review.html)-anyway, to cut a long story short i finally found you here-i have enjoyed myself immensely, not to mention, learned quite a bit, seeing as i am about to embark on my first custom water cooling loop. now that i have buttered you up :-), id like your advice on the Aquacomputer aquastream XT ultra-i found one for sale(brand new) for 69 euros-having looked at various sites, ive come to the conclusion that ive come across a bargain-so my 3 questions are as follows 1)is it a bargain? i plan to do a simple cpu loop, then expand in a few months to my gpu as well, would it be suitable? (ill be hiding it in my HAF 922 drivebay) if you think its a bit ott for a first timer, could you please suggest a good middle of the road pump that is reliable, i tend to have my pc running 24/7 365.
And finally i was thinking of getting this as a reservoir:http://shop.aquacomputer.de/product_info.php?products_id=2035 but somehow i feel that it is a bit ott-so what would you suggest a decent reservoir to compliment the said pump(s) i do not want to get a combo, due to the decoupling issue. i know that there are forums for these sort of questions, but frankly im tired of getting tons of different suggestions based on pure personal experience. it would be great if i could get the said info from an objective person who has actually tested the gear. thanks again for the effort in involved in running this site, im sure that i speak for many when i say that it is highly appreciated.
keep up the good work 🙂
That seems to be the going price over there, here you can also buy it for 69 euros from AC direct:
http://shop.aquacomputer.de/product_info.php?products_id=1299
1) I thinks its a very good pump for the features you get and by far the most advanced in features. No other pump provides an in line temperature sensor and mini fan controller that can be software controller. That’s where the “Bargain” lies. There are cheaper pumps that can do the job as well, but you don’t get any of the fancy features of the XT. So I guess it depends on weather or not you will use the software and control features or not. Also I think there is value in the pump quality being an Eheim, they have been around a long time and I can’t think of ever hearing about one failing.
2) Yes it will be fine for most loops. As long as it’s kept to standard CPU/VGA type cooling, it’ll be just fine. If you started getting into cooling everything possible in your case like motherboard blocks, ram, etc in a series loop with inverted radiators etc…that’s when you might want more power. But…more power can also just mean a second pump in series and it doesn’t even have to be the same pump..
3)AC makes some really high quality stuff, their machining and tolerances in machining are one of the best I have seen. With that said, I have no idea how the aquatube works. It’s machined from acetal/delrin which is good, but bleeding is one of those hard to guess by looks things and even under review I struggle to convey it very well because everyone has a slightly different flow rate which affects the bleeding performance AND everyone has a different “patience” level for bleeding. The swiftech MCres is probably my personal favorite reservoir that’s low in cost, small in sized, and easy bleeding. The bay type reservoirs are more like a T-fitting that takes patience and time. Most reservoirs that work well are either larger in size and/or they have some sort of baffle system to calm the water so the air bubbles can float to the surface without getting sucked back into the loop.
Just a short note to say thanx for the reply-much appreciated, ive found the MCres, and i like what i see, not to mention the specs will do fine.by the way my friend the one that sells for around the 65+ euros that i mentioned is the standard version, i found the ULTRA version for the same price. So taking into account your comments, and further research,i shall be getting the ultra version. ok so we have block(raystorm),pump, resevoir-now if i coulf only get a good 240 radiator that is on the thin side (30mm) ill be a very happy fellah :”-)
thanx again for your input m8.
[…] Simpelweg omdat hij erg veel features heeft en stiller dan de 655 of 355 pomp. Zie deze review LINK voor meer info over deze pomp. De iets mindere prestaties vergeleken met de 655 en 355 pomp neem ik […]
Martin,
I have just recently completed my second liquid cooled computer. I am using an EVGA SR2 MB. I have cooled in series and my set up looks like this: http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/9521/sr2schematic.png
All of the tubing is 3/8″ ID and all of the fittings are Bitspower compressions. I have the calibration number for the Aquacomputer Flow Meter set at 169 and Aquasuite 2012 is showing a flow rate of 0.435GMP. I can maintain an 8 degrees centigrade delta of ambient room to coolant at idle and at full throttle the delta moves to 16 degrees centigrade. The coolant temperature is reported by the Aquastream XT pump’s internal sensor. In this regard the system seems work. I question the flow rate. Is the 169 a reasonable calibration number? Should I expect more than 0.435GPM in flow?
Can you see anything that I could rearrange to make for a more efficient loop?
Thanks,
TJ
That’s a very complex loop, going parallel like you are is about all you can do. As long as your temps are good and you managed to bleed all the air out, I wouldn’t worry about the flow rate too much. Some of the AIO kits out there like the H100 use pumps with a max flow of .44GPM so .5 is still ok. I have just seen a couple of examples where big air bubbles get trapped at flow rates that low that can be difficult to bdleed out.
Martin,
Thank you for your reply. I ordered the Swiftech MCP35X2 and intend to replace the MCP655 that resides between the radiator and the first CPU waterblock. I read your review on the MCP35X2 and I am aware of the software that can be utilized to control the pump via PWM. I am using the Aquaero LT and have an Ultra Power Adjust 2 which is not hooked up at the moment but I would like to incorporate the MCP35X2 into the Aquasuite 2012 software. My questions are, how does the PA2 hook into the Aquaero LT, where would the green and blue wires from the MCP35X2 connect to the PA2, and would the Aquasuite software allow full use of the pulse width modulation capablities of the MCP35X2 pump?
Thanks,
TJ
I never did any PWM based testing on the Aquaero xt, but I believe you will need to use the one four pin fan port for your 35×2 four pin blue/green plug and simply use that one channel as you pump speed control. I believe the other two pin PWM ports are for lighting and operate using a different frequency than what fans or pumps need. You won’t need the PA2 for the 35×2 so you could use it as an additional fan channel. Alternatively you could also run the 35×2 speed control off the motherboard, but I would suggest the four pin fan channel so you can ramp up and down via water temperature rather than core temp which will be a much smoother ramping up and down.
Hope that makes sense.
I think I’ve got it but let me ask one more question and I’ll start with this from your MCP35X2 review:
“The PWM cable included is designed to take the 4-pin CPU header and split that signal over the two pumps so you can read RPM levels from both pumps. You plug-in the first female 4-pin into the CPU header, then the two 4-pin male connectors to each pump 4-pin, and finally take the last 3-pin female connector and plug it into a secondary motherboard header to read pump #2 RPM.”
So in your answer to me I would just use the 4-pin from the Swiftech splitter to plug into port #4 on the Aquaero LT and disregard the remaining 3-pin from the splitter and use one signal for both pumps?
Exactly..:)
Thank you very much. I’ll let you know how much the 35×2 bumps the flow rate at calibration number of 169. Going to be bummed if it doesn’t help.
Well the MCP35X2 is installed and port #4 on the Aquaero LT is occupied doing the PWM duties for the pump. For the effort of 33% gain in pumps the system realized a 29% change in flow rates. I have included some links below. I am not quite sure of what I am doing with the software but if you look at the picture of the fan settings you will see the 35×2 listed in port 4. At one impulse per rotation the rotation speed registers 9025rpm, 2 impulses/rotation 4025rpm, 3 impulses/rotation 3021rpm. The flow remains constant. They all multiply out the same but what is actually happening in this scenario? Your insight would be appreciated. Thanks for all of your help.
http://imageshack.us/f/849/img1013g.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/689/img1081sn.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/844/img1083h.jpg/ (don’t bust my chops for the 90 degree elbows at the pump. it just had to be.
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/526/img1082bk.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/600/img1069we.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/f/69/img1064uo.jpg/
Two impulses must be the correct setting. This is just an RPM readout setting. Depending on the PWM setting you should see up to about 4500RPM. Looks good!
Hi Martin
What do you think about 2 of these pumps in a serie, each pump installed with an aquainlet delrin black(art. 34019) and an aqualis xt reservoir (art. 34050), all connected to an aquero 5 xt??
The larger aqualis reservoir feeds water to the first aquainlet1+pump1 combo, then pump1 feeds water to the second aquainlet2+pump2 combo.
I’m thinking about the following loop:
aqualis reservoir -> pump1 -> pump2 -> cpu block -> 360 or 420 radiator -> gpu block -> 360 radiator -> aqualis reservoir all instaled in the upcoming Corsair 900d.
Sounds stupid to have one large 880ml reservoir and 2 smaller ones attached to each aquastream pumps?
I’m mostly looking for high performance (not xtreme though) and silence.
Radiators probably from alphacool for low rpm fans.
Should work just fine as long as you can seal up all the reservoir caps water tight. You may end up with air trapped in multiple reservoirs, but that’s ok. Series works well.
Thank you Martin. You are a legend. Such a quick response.
Just want you to know that you wrote a great review and I’m sold on the aquastream xt.
Thank you again!