XConnect gpu waterblock from AC discussion (concept only)

OK just thought it had to be done. The block was already mentioned by Shoggy from Aqua Computer here:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...0&postcount=32

and again today by lyl here:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...&postcount=122

but imo this block deserves a thread of its own @ XS

threads at AC in German and English:
http://www.aqua-computer-systeme.de/...278040;start=0

http://www.aqua-computer-systeme.de/...num=1211990713

from Shoggy:

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After presenting the aquagrafx G200 for the coming GTX280 cards a simple SLI assembly was often wished by several users.

We have followed this wish and the result is the Xconnect, which can be used for all copper coolers of the current aquagrafx (except for 9800 GX2) and aquagratix series, so it is not only suitable for Nvidias SLI but also for ATIs Crossfire.

The Xconnect is manufactured from delrin and has G 1/4 " threads. The water flows behind each other through the connected coolers.

Currently the Xconnect is only an idea and we would like to hear your opinion, whether you would buy something like that or not or which changes or improvements should be done.

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no need to add that I find the concept really good...
my first reaction, in another thread was:

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my god that XConnect wb from AC, discovering it now...absolutely amazing. When does that get into production ?downside maybe, it's all delrin made...no copper, they say it would be too heavy...
OK this said I find the concept absolutely fantastic.

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what do you think guys?

I like this concept... always good to see innovative watercooling products

PS, im not sure why you linked my post... its not very useful :P

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Originally Posted by lyl

I like this concept... always good to see innovative watercooling products

PS, im not sure why you linked my post... its not very useful :P

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I linked it just to acknowledge that you were the XS member from whom I got the info; didn't want to sound like I found it myself @ AC and just brought the big news ;)

Got one that'll handle 4 blocks?

finally? come on:

Eheim, Laing...no pump in your loops without the Germans (unless you choose Iwaki OK)

Mother of ___!

How's the flow in the top part though?

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Originally Posted by Chewbenator

Mother of ___!

How's the flow in the top part though?

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I just pm'ed Shoggy from AC to invite him to this thread. Hey he's the one in the know about this waterblock ;)

I wont jump on the halleluja bandwagon before i see internal pics and tests... but no alu is a BIG step forward

Edit: Thoose bends are dreadful tho.... ruins the whole picture.

funny...a few minutes ago someone posted a pic, in this thread, of a prototype wb from AC for the HD4870...pretending that would replace the XConnect project, which doesn't make sense as the XConnect is a complementary project to the single Aquagraphix solutions for GTX 280 and HD 4870...didn't have the time to copy the pic :mad::D The post got deleted....oh may be it's somewhere on their site...I'll be lurking :devil: Anyway no sign @ AC forums that the XConnect project was abandoned.

ps: all I can say is the single block for the HD 4870 was just as flat as the one for the GTX 280, but shorter.

edit: so now that the pic is available again, here we go, but guys please don't forget this is a thread about the XConnect. This block for the HD4870 will most likely go into production...The XConnect is just a project atm: and it sounds like AC is waiting for user's comments before producing it at all

Here you go Logos4. :yepp:

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Here is the message that has just been posted:
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this concept will not happen, Aqua-Computer has a new one....

Image: http://www.abload.de/thumb/hd4870_render_2tl1.jpg (http://www.abload.de/image.php?img=h...ender_2tl1.jpg)
***************

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Just the latest picture of their 4870 block. I do not know of this replaces the Xconnect or not.

I like the innovation and the spirit... but I don't see any advantages over, say, the Koolance sli fittings. The traditional FC block that has fittings on both sides if FAR more flexible and more elegant IMO.

Another issue is, what if the PCI-E slots have a wider distance? This block wouldn't work there.

I'd say apply the innovation into another area, I don't see any advantages, in fact I see more disadvantages.

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Originally Posted by lyl

Here you go Logos4. :yepp:


Just the latest picture of their 4870 block. I do not know of this replaces the Xconnect or not.

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wow thanks...don't know how you did that...:confused:, 'cause you didn't quote him here, or you just kept a copy of the post...oh well doesn't matter ;)

Email notifications... I will leave the original poster unnamed since he must have deleted his post for a reason. :confused:

How is that better to this design:
http://www.koolance.com/water-coolin...vid-280_p2.jpg

maybe it would work universally if it was adjustable for mobos with just one slot, between the cards to 2 slots or even 3 slots?? just an idea

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Originally Posted by migueld

How is that better to this design:
http://www.koolance.com/water-coolin...vid-280_p2.jpg

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Simple answer: Aesthetics. Aqua-Computer is known for their style.

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Originally Posted by lyl

Email notifications... I will leave the original poster unnamed since he must have deleted his post for a reason. :confused:

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np...thought you just browse your navigator's history. Mine got deleted 'cause I closed Firefox in the meantime (set to delete data), and I just forgot about email notification 'cause I deactivated mine to avoid inbox cluttering...I know, filtering, getting OT so...

OK that said I got to say that Aquacomputer seems to be working really hard for these new cards...:cool:

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Originally Posted by migueld

How is that better to this design

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not better, just different...I like this flat connector instead of the usual spacers.

I love AC aesthetics, as well as Koolance's. However, I do value functionality, and in this case I think the Koolance design shown above is far superior in functionality. Aesthetics is obviously arguable, but consider the functional aspects below for Koolance's design (or the traditional FC design also used by EK, DD, etc):

•PCI-E slots can be distanced in any way, just buy a different spacer length.
•You can SLI 2,3,4 cards, just buy additional spacers
•You can start single card, and then upgrade to SLI when you can afford it. Just buy another FC card and spacer.
•Fitting placement is more flexible, they are on top and bottom of each block.
•You can see what's in between each card, for example if you have a SATA RAID controller you could potentially plug or unplug SATA cables to such card without removing the SLI cards.

With this AC design I only see this possible advantages:
•Both fittings are at the top, someone may find this easier
•It provides additional structural support, so they may stay in place and not bend, and when you take them out, they both come out as a block which may be a nice touch.

Having said that, I think that this design is really poor and that the trade off between functionality and aesthetics is not justified at all, to say the least.

Personally I like the latest AC super thin FC blocks; I really like thin blocks because they don't cover slots. I'm glad that they shared this prototype and hopefully they'll take these points into consideration.

yeah OK but the XConnect would be just there as an alternative to usual solutions, for those who want a very quick setup of the WC gpu loop for instance. AC themselves just came out as you might have read with a new wb for the GTX 280 and most likely one too for the HD4870. The Xconnect will/would be a third possible choice, and some users I'm sure would appreciate.

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Originally Posted by lyl

Simple answer: Aesthetics. Aqua-Computer is known for their style.

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now tell me how that small heat sink is going to gool a 280GTX when the EK's DD and eVGA blocks bearly keep it in check.

:rofl:

And those are 2 times the size of AC blocks.

Well, I'm really suprised to see an extra thread about the Xconnect because we already stopped the developing of it around three weeks ago. The feedback that we had in our forum and an other relevant German forum was mixed. In our opinion more negative than positive feedback was noticeable.

Of course we could still produce a small amount of it if there is "enough" interest.

Using fittings on both sides without an plexiglas and/or delrin adapter is impossible with our flat design. The copper base is too thin. We would need a higher copper base and also a thicker cover. Great - than we would have almost the same design like the others... As lyl already mentioned: we also have an eye on design which sometimes mean you can't have everything. People with a single card (lion's share) love it, the rest hates it because at the moment they can only use bend connectors for SLI or Crossfire.

The second picture of the HD 4870 block with the additional fittings on the top is our current solution. If someone really wants to use SLI oder Crossfire, he can exchange the top with a modified top. The fittings in this picture are more or less only symbolic, we will offer screw connections in different sizes to make direct contact to the other cooling block.

The Xconnect was just our idea to solve that problem in a different way, but the customers have screamed for the current solution... We can live with it because the original design for our single card customers stays the same.
For a lot of our customers the flat design is an important reason for buying, so they would kill us if we change it :D

It looks cool, tho Ive never been a fan of having brand names all over my gear.

Looks to me like it will only fit with specific motherboards, since not all pcie spacing is the same.

@ Shoggy
OK then no problem; it's been interesting to start this thread anyway and at least someone will have leaked a pic of the 4870 waterblock and that's also good news. You left a post yourself about the XConnect but didn't say the project was abandonned. Nevermind ;)

OK I will edit the title of this thread...

That picture of the HD 4870 block is nothing really new. A few information and both pictures are available in our forum for ~1 week now ;)

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Originally Posted by Shoggy

That picture of the HD 4870 block is nothing really new. A few information and both pictures are available in our forum for ~1 week now ;)

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well it's new here, and as you came to tell us about the GTX 280 waterblock @ XS, we had no reason to believe that any other info was available as you didn't provide it for the 4870 like you did for the 280. Kein problem ;)

That block will be a hella-alot restrictive.:shakes: NaeKuh would not approve...:rofl::ROTF::rotf::lol:

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Originally Posted by Shoggy

Using fittings on both sides without an plexiglas and/or delrin adapter is impossible with our flat design. The copper base is too thin. We would need a higher copper base and also a thicker cover.

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No, just use two plexiglass and/or delrin adapters, one on each side. It's possible, here's an Alphacool:

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...s/12342_03.jpg

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...s/12342_02.jpg

Just make the top 2 or 3mm instead of .5mm. Alphacool's total thickness is 4mm, while AquagraFX's is 6mm, so it's definately possible.

:up:

Someone needs to hire me :)

BTW I really don't like that acrylic, I'd make it delrin.