While all this may look like an overwhelming mess, once you get the instruction book open and read the installation directions, it all comes into perspective very quickly. Where you choose to install the AquaGate (internal or external) greatly affects the amount of hardware you will be utilizing. The user manual covers both methods of installation with an easy to follow flow chart and describes each step of the process in very adequate detail. This is also taking into consideration that the user understands the basic idea of hardware installation. For example, The Pentium 4 and AMD K8 methods of installation require the motherboards stock heatsink retention mechanism to be removed and replaced with a "bolt through board" style retention plate. AMD K7 users installation is made a little easier by utilizing a socket-clip adapter.

     The above picture shows the front of the main cooling unit. The four buttons you see here, the LED display above them,  and an audible alarm will be your means of interaction with the AquaGate once it's installed and operating. The buttons are used to set the CPU and coolant temperature warning levels, cooling fan rotational speed, and PC shut down time. If any of the settings you define, such as CPU or coolant temperature are exceeded, or the coolant level dips too low, the AquaGate will shut the PC down after the delay you specify has expired. This is done by a jumper wire that is attached to the motherboards front panel I/O header block, so your operating system must be able to interrupt the shut down command from the motherboard and respond accordingly. Since most of you reading this are Windows XP users, that shouldn't be a problem.

     The faceplate of the Auqagate is designed to be removed to allow the LCD control panel to be sub located to the front of your PC enclosure. A fitted drive bay adapter and an extension cable for the the LCD panel is included. This should only be required if you are installing the AquaGate into the rear portion of your enclosure where you won't have access to the LCD panel, such as in one of the power supply installation points.