Finished Looks

Zalman's Reserator 3 Max Dual looks fantastic. Its unique radiator design really makes it stand out. Add to that the tubing's central position and the radiator actually sports a nice symmetrical appearance.


The fans' and pump's blue LEDs make the Reserator 3 Max Dual clash a bit with the test system's red and black motherboard. Zalman's AIO cooler will add some serious flair in a system where blue is the prominent color. Well, if your case has a window, that is!


Clearance, as with most AIO liquid coolers, is very good. No obstructions around the socket make accessing the motherboard's top half easy. Meanwhile, the included radiator mounting brackets gives users some extra clearance and leeway in situations where the cooler may interfere with the motherboard's heatsinks. Granted, this will depend on the chassis, but the fact that Zalman thought of it to include a solution is commendable.


From the mSata slot, first expansion slot, and to all four DIMM slots, users have access to everything on the motherboard. However, the much thicker design might interfere with the EPS 8-pin header, although the chassis will also play a role here. As I mentioned before, Zalman has thankfully included radiator-mounting brackets to help offset the radiator and improve clearance. However, it is 73 mm thick, which might limit the height of DIMMs in some cases.