CES 2011 Coverage

Cooler Master

The Aquagate line up had been removed from the Cooler Master catalog for a while, but it's now making a comeback due to the success of pre-filled and sealed liquid cooling systems from CoolIt, Corsair and Asetek. The unit we looked at is a prototype build with an all new coldplate. The looks and materials will change once this one comes to market, but expect it to perform in the same envelope as the H50 or H70 due to its one inch radiator.

Next up, we got a look at the notebook cooling solutions that are being offered. New solutions were offered in the Choiix line as well. Most of this centered around portability, sound, and power management. There were several different speaker combinations that had added functionality and can be used as a backup battery to charge your portable device, whether it's a phone or iPod. Some of these devices could be used as a USB hub or just a battery backup. One of the cooler items was a case for the iPhone 4 that charges a backup battery via solar cells on the back side. That's innovative thinking. Also on display were the universal charging systems for portable computers.

The CM Storm room had some new toys on display. The first thing was the SIRUS gaming headset that uses four drivers so you can hear those footsteps behind you. A new mouse was on display for the player who uses a claw-style mouse. Features include a 3500 dpi sensor, anti-drift control, and a built-in microprocessor. Last up was a new member of the CM Storm case line up called the Enforcer. This chassis is a mid tower design that can fit full-sized video cards while allowing you to minimize the footprint of your chassis.

We were also given a tour of the NDA room where Cooler Master showed off the upcoming products that should see the light of day later this year. Needless to say, there were some pretty interesting solutions in that room. I look forward to seeing these products make it to market.