The packaging for the Ultra ChillTec cooler is like every other product Ultra has. It shows several high resolution images of the product, and lists all the specifications that a buyer would need to know before purchasing the unit.

     Once you pop the lid open on the box you will see the massive ChillTec cooler along side the display / controller. Everything is encased in a clear plastic cover and foam packed around the top and bottom of the cover. The ChillTec is very secure in the packaging so there should be no problems with anything coming damaged.

 

     Here we have the front view of the ChillTec cooler and an angled view of the display / controller setup it uses. The display has a polished aluminum face plate with a chrome outer housing. The chrome housing to me might be a little much unless you have a clear case you are planning on installing this in. With most setups this will probably never be seen other than during the build.

 

     Next up we have another box of goodies (holds all the hardware for the kit) and the instruction booklet and registration card. Registering the product online will give you an extended warranty of 3 years. See Ultras site for details.

 

     Inside the 2nd box you will find a bag of hardware along with 3 mounting brackets some clear and foam protectors used to keep the bracket from touching the backside of the motherboard. The Ultra ChillTec will fit several processor types and comes with the needed brackets for each of the setups.

     Here we have the needed hardware laid out for the Socket 939 installation that we are going to do. Top left of the picture shows the wiring harness that connects from the cooler to the controller. To the right of that we have the clear plastic and foam protectors that will go between the rear metal mounting bracket and the motherboard. Bottom left shows the Socket 939 rear metal mounting bracket. To the right of that are the two spring nuts used to secure the heat sink to the motherboard. Down and to the right are the two Socket 939 upper mounting brackets that will be secured to the cooler. These can be positioned for alignment of the cooler. Last but not least is the supplied thermal paste for the installation.

     The Ultra ChillTec cooler looks and has high quality designed in to it. From the chrome cover for the display to the polished aluminum covers on the heat sink. It is a universal kit that will allow you to install the ChillTec on more than one processor, which does allow for some flexibility when upgrading down the road. The coolers design allows for a user to push their processor a little further than stock. Using the TEC (Thermo-Electric Cooler) also know as a "Peltier Cooler" allows below ambient temperatures to be achieved. The one problem that this brings with it is the possibilities of condensation. This is where the display / controller comes in to play. The Chill-TEC's controller does not apply power to the TEC unless the CPU reaches a certain temperature. Up to this point, the CPU is cooled by the heat-pipes on the "cold" side of the TEC. Once the CPU is hot, power is applied to the TEC and the CPU is chilled. The hot side of the TEC is cooled by the second set of heat-pipes. This perfect balance of thermo-electric cooling and heat-pipe cooling ensures the CPU is kept at the perfect operating temperature. Ideal for hardcore use, even opening up the potential for overclocking that standard air cooling alone can not provide.