SilverStone TD03-Slim Liquid CPU Cooler Review

Overview
Removing the protective plastic wrap we have the cooler itself, a single 120mm fan, a bag of hardware and a bag containing the backplate. The hardware in the photo is actually from our TD02-Slim review and is identical to what we have here aside from the fan splitter which is not included with the TD03-Slim.

SilverStone TD03-Slim Liquid CPU Cooler SilverStone TD03-Slim Liquid CPU Cooler

For moving air, Silverstone includes an APA 1215M12 DC 12v fan that is pretty much a pancake at only 15mm thick. At it’s max speed of 2200rpm, this thin fan should be pushing 35.85 CFM’s at 1.84 mmH20 of pressure and create 27.4 dBA of noise. All in it seems like a pretty decent fan especially considering how thin it is. We just hope it’s got enough pressure to really get air through the radiator.

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The radiator that is included is a pretty standard looking AiO radiator. It has a pretty dense FPI (fin per inch) count that is required for all thin rads, this one being only 22mm thick means that it will really be relying on those dense fins to help it dissipate as much heat as it can. The finish is a nice semi gloss black and like all of the other Silverstone units we’ve reviewed the paint is nice and thick.

SilverStone TD03-Slim Liquid CPU Cooler SilverStone TD03-Slim Liquid CPU Cooler

Connecting the radiator to the pump are two really thick pieces of rubber tubing. Silverstone says that the tubing is leak-proof and is 125mm in diameter. Whether it is or not, it certainly is nice and thick while still maintaining a great deal of flexibility.

SilverStone TD03-Slim Liquid CPU Cooler

Finally we come to the pump. Featuring the same pump we were impressed with in the TD02-Slim review, this all black plastic pump housing has a nice dark design and an LED back lit Silverstone logo on the top. The unit comes pre-installed with Intel mounting clips ready to go. Other than the 90° plastic swivel fittings, the only protrusion from the pump housing is a three pin power connector. Because of this we know already that we won’t have any software control with this unit.

SilverStone TD03-Slim Liquid CPU Cooler SilverStone TD03-Slim Liquid CPU Cooler SilverStone TD03-Slim Liquid CPU Cooler

The bottom of the pump is a solid copper base plate designed for excellent heat absorption and transfer. It is protected from the factory by a plastic sticker. (We had our SD card epically fail at the end of our initial shoot for this cooler. Turns out we aren’t as good as Silverstone at placing the sticker on the base which caused the air bubbles and wrinkling you see. From the factory it was perfectly flat.) The base is held in place by eight screws in the four corners and is a pretty high quality finish with plenty of shine.

SilverStone TD03-Slim Liquid CPU Cooler SilverStone TD03-Slim Liquid CPU Cooler SilverStone TD03-Slim Liquid CPU Cooler