Best Pump and Reservoir Combo For 2021 (Reviews and Comparison)

Last updated on February 27th, 2021

There are two ways to cool your PC, by using air or using water. Water cooling is a popular choice as it cools much faster than air and is usually the quieter of the two methods.

Air and water cooling methods are very similar in price depending on the brand you go for. There are even some combo systems available at bargain prices, so your choice has to come down to what is more convenient for you… air or water cooling?

Using air to cool your PC is very noisy as you have to operate multiple fans to get the computer’s temperature down to an acceptable level. Many people are a little cautious to use a water cooling system due to their electrical components because of the danger of leaking and causing irreparable damage to their PC.

Not only do water cooling systems cool the CPU better than fans, but they also look a lot better and can turn what would normally be a very boring and practical bit of equipment, into a futuristic and funky addition to your PC. Fans and other types of air coolers are very big and bulky and very often do not fit into your PC case, and will need to be fitted externally. As you can imagine, external air coolers look very different than an internally fitted, LED-lit water cooling system.

Why Choose a Pump and Reservoir Combo?

Aesthetically, they will look pretty much the same if you buy the pump and reservoir separately. The massive plus of buying them together is that you can be sure they are compatible with one another and will attach correctly.

The coolant will always be filled up in the right place for the pump to work without any hiccups, and most of the time all of the components come already attached, leaving you to just install it into your PC.

Cylindrical VS Bay Pump and Reservoir Combo

When using a reservoir and pump water cooling method, you can get them in two different styles. The bay combos are the less popular choice these days because they use 5.25-inch drives and are designed for CD and DVD drives. Bay combos can not be upgraded by changing parts and once they have been installed, that’s the way they must stay until you buy a new system.

The cylindrical pump and reservoir combos on the other hand are a bit more versatile and modern. You will always see the reservoir above the pump, and the coolant must always be circulating in the system. If you run a cylindrical reservoir and pump combo dry, you risk damaging it. The acrylic cylinder can be swapped out for a longer or shorter one in the future, making it far more flexible and suitable for all side PCs and CPUs.

Benefits of Using Water Cooling Systems:

• Water cools faster
• Can be used to cool GPUs
• Looks better than installing lots of fans
• Much quieter than fans

Down-Side of Using Water cooling Systems:

• They may leak
• Often need to be installed by a professional

Regardless of the cooling method you use, you will need to cool your CPU somehow to stop it overheating and malfunctioning. I have chosen a handful of pumps and reservoir combos that are great quality and easy to use. Below is a breakdown of their best qualities, and their not-so-good ones to help you decide which is best for you.

Our Pump and Reservoir Combo Reviews and Comparisons

1. Thermaltake Pacific Pump and Reservoir Combo

Product Highlights

Use this system for custom PC cooling configurations. Suitable for mounting by yourself, without the help of a professional.

Features

• 6mm thick pipe wall
• Heat-resistant acrylic tank
• ¼ inch thread ports
• Up to 99 psi pressure
• Lightweight

 

 

What We Like About Thermaltake Pacific Pump and Reservoir Combo

It is made out of reliable and very lightweight POM and PMMA, making it very durable. It is easy to mount and can be detached and reattached multiple times without getting damaged. Let us not forget to mention that it is ridiculously quiet, you wouldn’t even know it is working if it wasn’t for the lighting, it is that discreet!

What We Don’t Like About Thermaltake Pacific Pump and Reservoir Combo

The wires are cheaply made and definitely not made to last a long time. They break with just the smallest twist or turn and must be replaced to avoid electrical problems. The LEDs are weak too and give up after just a couple of months.

2. Corsair Hydro X Series Combo

Product Highlights

A combination of both high performing and attractive. The Corsair Hydro X series combo is great to look at and does the job well.

Features

• D5 PWM pump
• Controlled via PWM
• Top mounted RGB LEDs
• Corsair lighting node
• Coolant on display
• Integrated fill port

 

 

What We Like About Corsair Hydro X Series Combo

It looks like a complete work of art once installed. Corsair Hydro has managed to make an essential piece of equipment look wonderful and striking. All of the equipment necessary for mounting the system is included too.

What We Don’t Like About Corsair Hydro X Series Combo

The pump is a bit hit or miss, I feel like a stronger pump would be more sufficient for a system like this as you can really hear it struggling to keep up sometimes. Pump issues can lead to more serious problems like leaks, so be very careful.

3. Yoidesu Pump and Reservoir Combo

Product Highlights

Full cooling system including both reservoir and pump. The Yoidesu combo has a high L/H flow and has a lot of power.

Features

• Available in black and silver
• 800L/H flow
• Protected for safe operation
• 4-meter head
• Waterproof
• Heat-resistant

What We Like About Yoidesu Pump and Reservoir Combo

Protects your PC by ensuring improved heat dissipation that stops it from overheating and short using. Its size is ideal for most internal installations as it can be maintained and refilled while still connected.

What We Don’t Like About Yoidesu Pump and Reservoir Combo

It is more of a basic system and not really appropriate for large capacity PC’s. It isn’t designed with longevity in mind, and at best will last a couple of years, even when maintained to the best of your abilities.

4. Fishlor Cylinder Reservoir and Pump Set

Product Highlights

Available in four sizes, from 110 mm to 300mm. Comes with all of the fitting components needed for DIY installation.

Features

• Heat resistant
• Tank is made of acrylic
• Can sustain high pressure
• Water proof
• Durable

What We Like About Fishlor Cylinder Reservoir and Pump Set

The instructions are easy to understand and clear enough for someone inexperienced to follow without assistance. You can be confident that the tank will not leak and damage your PC system as it is made of very durable material and can withstand high pressure.

What We Don’t Like About Fishlor Cylinder Reservoir and Pump Set

Although the tank is heat resistant, it can overheat from time to time. Measure the tank flow regularly to make sure it is flowing at a constant rate.

5. Eboxer Water Tank and Cooling Pump

Product Highlights

Acrylic cylinder water tank with an attached cooling pump radiator.

Features

• Integrated tank and pump
• Sustains high pressures
• Heat-resistant acrylic tank
• POM and PMMA construction
• Lightweight
• Colorless

What We Like About Eboxer Water Tank and Cooling Pump

The system can handle sub-zero temperatures and doesn’t freeze over and get damaged if those temperature conditions were to occur. It seems to keep a high flow rate going without overheating, malfunctioning, or leaking, so overall a great piece of equipment.

What We Don’t Like About Eboxer Water Tank and Cooling Pump

The pump doesn’t make enough noise to drown out your conversation, but if there is no background noise such as the radio playing, you will be able to hear it humming. If you have trouble concentrating with a lot of background noise then this will be extremely distracting.

6. Bewinner Integrated Tank and Water Cooling Pump

Product Highlights

Large water pump and cooling tank with 4,500 RPM motor speed.

Features

• 18 watts
• 1,200 L/H flow rate
• Weighs over 1,000 grams
• 12 volt DC
• Split design
• Easy maintenance
• 890 ML large capacity water tank
• Shock pad

What We Like About Bewinner Integrated Tank and Water Cooling Pump

Due to the size of the unit, it is perfect for external installation as not everyone wants the tank and pump fixed internally. The shock pad really does absorb the majority of the vibrations and significantly reduces the sound coming from the cooling system. This is a great feature if your computer is in a bedroom or living room.

What We Don’t Like About Bewinner Integrated Tank and Water Cooling Pump

If you only have a small computer, this unit will most likely be too large and bulky for your needs. The power connector is limited to large capacity drives only and is not appropriate for smaller systems.

7. Yencoly Tank and Pump Combo

Product Highlights

Integrated tank and pump system that cools effectively.

Features

• Integrated pump and tank
• Thick pipe wall
• Sustains high pressure
• Waterproof
• Durable
• POM and PMMA construction
• Heat-resistant acrylic tank

What We Like About Yencoly Tank and Pump Combo

A lot of thought has gone into the design of the Yencoly system so that it would look great and not be too big and bulky. The G1/4 connector easily connects the integrated pump and tank together making installation quick and easy for first-timers.

What We Don’t Like About Yencoly Tank and Pump Combo

Having a slightly higher water volume in the tank would be better and would cool the system faster. You need to keep an eye on the system’s temperature as it could overheat and leak.

8. EKWB Pump and Reservoir Combo

Product Highlights

High-performance water cooling pump with an integrated reservoir. Has great aesthetic appeal while being compact and easy to use.

Features

• 205 ml reservoir
• High-performance cooling pump
• 3.9m pressure head
• 1,500 L/H water flow
• 60 degrees celsius maximum water temperature
• 4-pin Molex connector
• 4-pin PWM fan connector

 

 

What We Like About EKWB Pump and Reservoir Combo

The lighting is really bright, the red LED looks especially striking in an office setting. Luckily, all of the tools needed to put the combo together and install it to the computer come with the box with very clear and easy to read instructions.

What We Don’t Like About EKWB Pump and Reservoir Combo

The RGB power cable is a bit short and reduces and may require an extension to fit your computer comfortably. Make sure that all of the components are securely in place otherwise your unit will make a tremendous amount of noise.

Final Verdict

Out of the above pump and reservoir combos, the Corsair Hydro X series combo is the winner. I loved how reliable it was over all and isn’t fussy in any way. Sometimes, the more simplistic systems are the most effective.

Which one did you like the sound of? Or have you already made up your mind? If you have used one of the above reservoirs and pump combo I would love to know what you thought about them and tips you have to share on the subject.