[Review] 22 CPU Waterblocks tested - Roundup
Hello again Folks,
After making you guys happy with a CPU block roundup for socket 775 a few months ago, it's now time for the socket 1366 roundup with 10 blocks, which is already eagerly anticipated by a lot of users. This review will most likely be extended with more blocks in the following time.
As I don't want to bore you with an unnecessary long introduction, let's get right down to business.
Update 05/24/10: Extended with five additional blocks!
There's been a changing of the guard of the top of the results. In addition to newer blocks like the XSPC Rasa, the Koolance CPU-360 and the EK Supreme HF in the version with the metal top, there are also two older blocks among the contestants to complete this big roundup, namely the D-Tek Fuzion V2 and the Cuplex HD by Aquacomputer, that's most probably soon going to be replaced by a new block.
Have fun with this update and with choosing your personal favorite!
Update 02/01/10: Seven more blocks now in this review!
The makers of waterblocks haven't only been sitting around those past few months and so it's no surprise that there has been quite some movement on the top of the results. The formerly unbeaten Heatkiller 3.0 had to pass its crown to Swiftech's new flagship: the Apogee XT. The revised version of the EK Supreme, now , as shown by the new flow chart, rightfully carrying the name "Highflow", also takes one of the places on the top. The range of the best coolers' performances is very close, so it's mostly a decision of optical preferences and the size of your wallet, which model to choose in the end.
The testing setup:
Banchetto 101 Bench Station
Gigabyte GA EX58 Extreme (Biosversion: F7)
Mips Fusionblock Nickel
i7 920 @4Ghz @1.40V (Bios setting)
Seasonic M12D-850
Corsair XMS3 Dominator DIMM Kit 6GB PC3-12800U CL7-7-7-20 (DDR3-1600)
Sapphire Radeon HD 5850
Mora 2 Pro / 9 Yate Loon D12SL12 @ 5Volt (600 rpm)
Aquaero VFD
Laing Ultra w/ Koolance top
EK Multioption Reservoir 150 V2
GMR flow meter
CPC metal quick Disconnect couplings
Masterkleer & Primochill 16/10mm (5/8") tubing + Perfect Seal and Bitspower Fittings
3x watertemp sensors (2x T-Line, 1x in reservoir)
1x dig. sensor in the reservoir for calibration
3x dig. thermometers for the room temperature (average)
used thermal compound: Arctic Cooling MX-2
Innovatek Protect
ArctiClean for cleaning purposes
Test procedure:
Every block is mounted three times, the EK Supreme HF was mounted three times with each bottom plate. The thermal paste was removed completely each time, Coolers and CPU heatspreader were cleaned thoroughly with ArctiClean and then new thermal paste was applied. The average of the three results was used as the end result.
To stress the CPU, I used Prime95 (SmallFFTs) in the newest version; to monitor the temperatures, Real Temp was used. The five temperature readings started after 60 minutes with five minutes between each of them.
A backplate was also used for the test runs, allowing high contact pressure without bending the motherboard. If the block didn't come with a backplate, I used the plate by Watercool, except for the Zern for which I had to use the universal plate by Scythe due to the M3 threads.
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The contestants:
Koolance CPU-360 Rev. 1.1
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From the US I got the successor of the CPU-350, which has been available for quite some time.
The CPU-360 has got a very massive feel and so it comes as no surprise that it weighs 410g. The body is made out of nickel-plated copper and can be used for every modern socket by exchanging the mounting mechanism with the included alternatives.
The bottom plate's fins are very delicate and the inner assembly looks very much like that of the Heatkiller 3.0, so it's pretty clear where this block will be on the result-chart: at the top of it.
The block is also compatible to each and every kind of fitting, even 19/13mm screw-on fittings.
The scope of delivery is rich, including the mounts for Intel- and AMD-sockets, thermal paste, a backplate and a manual. The mounting mechanism has been copied from the CPU-360's predecessor and can score with easy handling and its solidity. Also, in addition to the standard nozzle plate with one slit, the cooler also comes with another metal plate that can be used to create another nozzle plate manually.
Overall, the Koolance CPU-360's performance and build quality are on a high level, the mounting is easy and the scope of delivery is rich. Only the high retail price of almost 85 EUR in Europe can dampen it's success.
Technical details:
Material: nickel plated copper
Threads: G1/4"
Size: 125x125x16mm
Weight: 411g
Scope of delivery:
Koolance CPU-360 CPU Rev 1.1
Thermal compound
Illustrated manual
Mounting material
Price: around 85 EUR
EK Supreme HF Full Nickel
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This block is the newer version of the EK Supreme HF already reviewed in this roundup. The main difference is the nickel plated top, helping the newest block by EK Waterblocks to reach the very top of the result charts, just like it was with the Heatkiller's different versions, even though this block can even outperform the HK flagship by a little bit.
The build quality is very good, just like the scope of delivery; the retail box is also not to bad looking.
The nickel plated top especially improves to look of the block, making it look even more classy.
EK Waterblocks can was able to reach the best temperatures in this roundup, congratulations to Slovenia!
Technical details:
Material: copper, nickel plated
Size: 90x90x20 mm
Threads for fittings: G1/4"
Mounting screw size: M4
Compatibility:
Intel: 775, 1366, 1156, xeon
AMD: AM2, AM2+, AM3, 939, 754, opteron
Scope of delivery:
1x EK Water Blocks EK-Supreme HF Full Nickel universal (775/1156/1366/AM2/AM3/939/XEON)
1x Backplate
1x thermal paste Arctic Cooling MX-2 (2g)
1x manual (engl.)
Price: around 72 EUR
XSPC Rasa CPU (Acetal) Socket 775/1366/1156
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XSPC's newest creation, the Rasa CPU block, came to me from England.
It's predecessor hasn't been able to compete with the other top blocks for quite some time, which got me even more excited about the new Rasa, which comes in an appealing retail box and everything that's needed for mounting on modern Intel sockets, including several backplates and thermal compound. Mounts for AMD systems aren't to be found, though it's possible that XSPC will offer them at a later time.
From the outside, the XSPC Rasa looks very plain and unimpressive with the black acetal top featuring markings for the in- and outlet of cooling. Due to the huge distance between those, even large 19/13 screw-on-fittings are useable.
Thanks to the completely newly designed bottom plate, the Rasa performs very well.
The build quality can be called outstanding, there were no flaws to be found on my testing sample.
Technical details:
Material top: copper/acetal
Material mount: chromed steel
Threads for fittings: G1/4"
Size high performance copper plate: 50x50x4mm
Scope of delivery:
Cooler+mount
Backplates for socket 775, 1156 and 1366
mounting material
Thermal compound
Allen key
English, illustrated manual
Price: around 53 EUR
Aquacomputer Cuplex XT HD
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This block by Aquacomputer has been around for quite some time. As the Cuplex XT DI that I've already reviewed is Aquacomputer's flagship, this block is already available at a lower price.
The build quality is good and the block comes with all the usual mounting material, though no backplate, manual or thermal compound are included.
In difference to the XT DI, this cooler's top is made out of acetal, but the inner design has been copied, so the XT HD performs pretty much the same. The threads for the fittings are in the standard G1/4" size and have a large enough distance to allow the use of 19/13 screw-ons.
Scope of delivery:
Assembled block, S1156/S1366 mount with all required small parts.
Mounting kit with four screws, springs, nuts and plastic washers.
Price: Around 50 EUR
D-Tek FuZion V2
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This cooler made by the American company D-Tek was once one of the best CPU-blocks available and has been available for some time.
It's now part of this roundup for reasons of completeness.
Though the FuZion V2 can't really compete with the top blocks anymore when it comes to performance, it still offers good build quality and a solid performance. The block comes pre-assembled with barbed fittings for tubing with 13mm inner diameter, a backplate and a manual. The top is made out of plastic, labeled with IN and OUT.
The FuZion V2 was optimized for high flow rates, so it can still reach the top of the flow chart. The included mount only fits for S1366, which is slightly weak concerning the price of around 70 EUR.
Technical details:
Size: 55x55x26mm
Threads: G1/4"
Copper bottomplate
Scope of delivery:
D-Tek FuZion V2 Socket 1366 Waterblock
Mounting material
2x 13mm Fittings
Price: around 70 EUR
EK Supreme HF
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The EK Supreme, which has been around for quite some time, now got refreshed in this highflow variant. The optical changes are only cosmetic as a newer company logo and a black mounting plate were chosen, as there was no need for a complete redesign: the standard Supreme is still a very popular block, working well in a lot of PCs around the world, day in, day out. It has been the number one in a lot of reviews until the guys from Watercool took the throne. Its successor though, the Supreme HF, can close the gap to the Heatkiller, but it still can't outperform it, even though it comes very close.
The scope of delivery is rich and very complete, as the black-orange retail box includes five different jet plates, one of which is already inserted into the Supreme and another one is clean, so it can be used to be creative. In addition to the standard mounting material already known from the Supreme, it also comes with a manual, thermal compound and a backplate, which wasn't included with a lot of other blocks in this roundup. Well done, EK!
Testing this cooler's performance took a lot of time due to the different jet plates and the fact, I mounted every alternative three times. For the list of results, I took the best result I achieved by using the jet plate with three small slits (marked with an X in the picture). This jet plate produced the best performance, even though the flow was around 5l less than with the plate that is installed when shipped.
The EK Supreme HF's build quality is very good and the price, concerning the performance and the scope of delivery, is all right. For this test, I used the version with the acrylic glass top; other versions with black acetal top and one with a nickel plated bottom plate are also available. It's also compatible with all modern sockets, including AM2/AM3 due to the two separate mounts.
Technical details:
Material: copper, acrylic glass
Size: 90x90x20 mm
Threads for fittings: G1/4"
Mounting screw size: M4
LED holes (only on the acrylic glass top): 2x 3mm
Compatibility:
Intel: 775, 1366, 1156, xeon
AMD: AM2, AM2+, AM3, 939, 754, opteron
Scope of delivery:
1x EK Water Blocks EK-Supreme HF universal (775/1156/1366/AM2/AM3/939/XEON)
1x Backplate
1x thermal paste Arctic Cooling MX-2 (2g)
1x manual (engl.)
Price: around 59 EUR
Swiftech Apogee XT Extreme Performance
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Let's get to the new top of the result charts. It's predecessor Apogee GTZ already scored well with good performance and easy mounting. This concept was improved continuously and now we get the Swiftech Apogee XT, which is very nice to look at.
It comes pre-assembled in a black box and with a backplate, 2x 1/2" barbed fittings, thermal compound, a manual and a pair of hose clamps. The area used for the fittings can be turned around so that larger fittings, like 16/10 or 19/13 screw-ons can be used, though the block's performance decreases by 0.3k when using this option so that it barely can't perform as well as the HK3.0.
Overall, the block made a good impression, the build quality is good enough, even though some of the pins on the bottom plate weren't straight, which didn't affect the cooling performance, though. Still, the build quality can't compete with a Heatkiller 3.0 or the Ybris Black Sun.
I especially liked the easy mounting, as I usually had to collect several small parts from the box of the other blocks to mount them. This isn't an issue with this block, because it comes pre-assembled and you basically only have to put the backplate in place.
All things considered, it's a well done block, that reached the top standing on my charts.
Technical details:
Material: copper, chrome
Threads: G1/4"
Height without fittings: 14mm
Cooling-surface: 50x50mm
Scope of delivery:
1x WAC Swiftech Apogee XT Extreme Performance 775/1156/1366
2x 1/2" barbed fittings
1 pair of hose clamps
1x Arctic Ceramique
Price: around 69 EUR
Alphacool Livingstone
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Another waterblock by Alphacool, the Livingstone!
This block is made entirely out of metal, doing justice to the imprint "Made in Germany" just like on the Yellowstone. The build quality is flawless and the cooling performance isn't too bad, either. The scope of delivery is about the same as the one of Yellowstone, though the Livingstone doesn't come with a backplate. It's available in a lot of color variants at prices ranging from 40-55EUR.
Optionally available, there's the Cool Cover mounting kit, optically improving the Livingstone. Also, concerning looks: I especially liked the black and silver variant.
The bottom plate was taken from the successful NexXos XP Highflow X² series, the jet plate is implemented in the mount.
Anyone looking for a solid CPU waterblock with good performance, can find a good choice in the Livingstone.
Technical details:
Threads: G1/4"
Flow: up to 4.7 l/m
Weight: 404g
Compatibility: Intel 775, 1156 and 1366
Scope of delivery:
Blister-retail-box, thermal compound, screw-kit
Price: around 36 EUR
Ybris BLACK SUN
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The Ybris Black Sun ist the successor of the already tested Ybris Eclipse.
You can only rarely find block that are as well made as this Italian one, that gets crafted in small numbers in the north of Italy.
The scope of delivery includes the mounting material, two black, nickel plated barbed fittings and a backplate, but no manual. The Black Sun is available in a couple of color variants and can fit all modern sockets, depending on the chosen variant. The block in this test is the Black Sun PVD, featuring a black chromed body, that's held in place with a mount made of dark acrylic glass with a strength of 6mm. The Ybris waterblocks have always been eye candy and the build quality, as mentioned before, is just outstanding.
The cooling performance is more than enough for every modern CPU, even though it can't really get to the top of the results. One thing I didn't like about my test sample though were the silver screws when black ones would have fit better in my opinion. These silver screws of course fit the chromed version a lot better.
For all users that care about a high build quality paired with noble design and a good performance, the new Ybris Black Sun is a good choice!
Technical details:
Cooling-surface: 55x55mm
Compatibly: socket 775, 1156 and 1366
Material: copper/black chrome, acrylic glass
Threads for fittings: G1/4"
Threads for mounting screws: M4
Weight: 400g
Scope of delivery:
1x Ybris BLACK SUN PVD BLACK S775/1156/1366 -F
1x Mounting material
Price: around 36 EUR
Swiftech Apogee GTZ / GTZ SE
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These two blocks are the predecessors of the current best performing waterblock, the Apogee XT. They feature the same, easy to use mounting mechanism and also perform well when it comes to build quality and cooling performance. They also include the barbed fittings, hose clamps, a backplate, manual and thermal compound just like we're used to from other Swiftech products.
The normal version comes with a black acetal top, but the second block is a special version with a chromed metal top, which slightly improved to performance when compared to the standard version.
Once again, some of the pins on the bottom plates weren't straight.
Concerning the fact, that the successor is already available, you might be able to get these two blocks for a reduced price in one or another shop, so they're really worth a look.
Special thanks go out to Gabe & Michelle from Swiftech and Anatoly from www.dazmode.com for providing these samples!
Technical details:
Material: copper, acetal
Threads: G1/4"
Height without fittings: 14mm
Cooling-surface: 50x50mm
Compatibility: Socket 1366
Scope of delivery:
1x Swiftech Apogee GTZ 1366
2x 3/8" barbed fittings
2x 1/2" barbed fittings
2 pairs of hose clamps
1x ceramic thermal compound
Price: around 55 EUR
Note: Just like on the Apogee GTX, the included fittings on the GTZ have larger O-rings then usual fittings which must be used to replace those of other fittings before using them with this block.
AnFi-Tec Soleil01
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This block on hand was in the bulk variant (see thumbnail 1).
Against extra charge, it will also be delivered in a inventive retail packaging. It comes with mounting materials and an illustrated manual; the Allen key required for the installation is available against 1 EUR extra charge in their online shop. The Soleil is available directly at anfi-tec.de or at aquatuning.de
Thermal compound or alternative mounts for other sockets aren't included.
It's also possible to get this block with a white instead of the standard black top at 2 EUR extra charge. It's also compatible with all kinds of fittings in all sizes. Its build quality is good, even though the mount isn't completely straight. According to Anfitec, the reviewed Soleil isn't the latest variant, which is supposed to have a more delicate mount.
When looking at the manual, I kind of missed an illustration of the completely mounted block, so it would have been easier to get the order of the screws right.
Overall, this waterblock with its simple look doesn't perform especially well, but it still features a good flow rate.
Technical details:
Bottom material: high quality copper
Top material: POM
Fittings: G1/4"
Compatibility: Socket 1156 and 1366
Weight: 150g
Scope of delivery:
1x Soleil01 incl. mount for socket 1156 and 1366
mounting material
Price: around 41 EUR
Alphacool Yellowstone / Yellowstone Spirit
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Update: Alphacool improved the original Yellowstone - the new version is now called Yellowstone Spirit. From the outside barely to distinguish from the standard Yellowstone, just a little engraving on the mount.
The fins on the bottom plate are now more delicate, resulting in improved performance.
- Top / jetcombination out of metal- brass, glass beaded and protected with clear coat.
- integrated aluminum-mount, anodized (no contact to water)
- electrolyte - copper bottomplate with glass beaded pin-structure (pins cover all the CPU-core), plane bottom plate
- the pin structure of the CPU-block's bottom plate was optimized for new cooler geometries
This waterblock performed very well, had a flawless build quality and easy handling. It comes in an appealing retail box with all the required mounting material, thermal compound and an illustrated manual. To improve the block's looks, you can also optionally get the "Cool Cover Set" which is also included on the Niagara Block.
The old Alphacool mounting mechanism like used on the NexXxos XP hasn't been used anymore, but a red anodized, in the block integrated aluminum mount, fitting both socket 775 and 1366, making the purchase of a newer one almost unnecessary. Versions for AM2 motherboards are also already listed at alphacool.de and most other watercooling-shops.
To be honest, I was rather sceptical of this block's performance due to the bottom plate, which is very similar to the one of the NexXxos XP, but then I was pleasantly surprised: the new top really helped boosting its performance, so that only the Heatkiller was better in my previous tests and that those tiny differences in cooling performance basically can't be seen in practical use of the coolers. The Yellowstone also performed very well when looking at the flowrate, making it a very good block.
By now, the block is available in a lot of colors, both top and mounts.
Although it has been rather quiet around Alphacool in the past time, the company from Braunschweig, Germany now surprisingly is back at the top!
Fyi, Feser/Bitspower 13/10 and 16/10 screw-ons aren't compatible with this block, but barbed fittings with 16/10 hoses fit.
Technical details:
Threads: G1/4"
Weight: 404g
Compatibilty: Sockets 775, 1156 and 1366
Scope of delivery:
Blister-retail-box, thermal compound, screw-kit, manual
Price: starting at around 36 EUR
EK Supreme LT
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EK Waterblocks now also offer a light variant of the popular EK Supreme. This waterblock is available for only 34 EUR and is compatible with both 775 and 1366 sockets, with the mount basically being part of the block itself. It's sold in a white box, including the block, mounting material and an illustrated manual, but sadly no thermal compound. When ordering directly at www.ekwaterblocks.com, two barbed fittings are also included.
It's also available with a black acetal top. The build quality of my test sample was flawless, everything was very well done and there were no residues from the production progress to be found. The threads are cut cleanly, too.
In the middle of the Supreme LT, there is a second oval O-ring, making the water stay inside the middle of the block longer, resulting in a better cooling. Both the flow rate and the performance are all right, giving this block great value for money.
Technical details:
Threads: G1/4"
Material: copper, acrylic glass
Scope of delivery:
1x EK Supreme LT
1x mount 775/1156/1366
1x mounting material
Price: starting at 34 EUR
Watercool Heatkiller 3.0 (Copper Version):
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The three waterblocks of the recently released Heatkiller-series show, what Watercool can do.
All Heatkiller 3.0-models are very well done and were able to outperform all the other blocks in my 775-roundup.
For the CU-version, I'd have preferred a backplate to be part of the delivery, but sadly it's only available separately. The mounting of the block is easy, and an illustrated manual is also included. The entry model HK 3.0 LC features less fins than the other two models and also doesn't have a jet plate, but it still offers good performance. Due to the better heat transfer, the copper version CU can outperform the LT model.
The Heatkiller is also the best waterblock on my 1366 test rig, able to leave the other contestants in the dust and is even on one of the best places when it comes to flow.
13/10 and 16/10 Bitspower/Fester screw-ons also fit on it.
I used the copper variant for this roundup.
Technical data:
Material: copper, stainless steel
Size (block only): 59x59x17.5 mm
Weight: 400g
Pressure tested: 5 bar
Threads: G1/4"
Compatibility: Socket 1366
Price: around 60 EUR
Ybris Eclipse
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The Italian company Ybris could already make a name for themselves with the A.C.S. waterblock in the last year, but now they've made the A.C.S.'s successor: the Ybris Eclipse.
The version at hand for the review was the chrome version with a mount for both 775 and 1366.
The Eclipse came in a white box with the required mounting material and two barbed fittings for 10mm hoses, but no manual or thermal compound was part of the scope of delivery.
It also comes with a total of four jet plates, one already in the block, one with small holes for systems with low flowrates and two blank plates. The Ybris Eclipse is available directly at Ybris for around 60 EUR, but will probably soon hit one or another watercooling shop.
The process of mounting the block is easy, with the standard method of four screws, springs and nuts. The block is also flawlessly made and offers good performance, 13/10 Feser/Bitspower-fittings also work without a problem.
Technical details:
Cooling-surface: 55x55mm
Compatibility: Socket 775 and 1366
Material: copper/chrome, top out of acrylic glass
Threads: G1/4"
Weight: 400g
Scope of delivery:
1 x Ybris ECLIPSE FULL CHROME S775/1366 XS
1x mounting material
2x barbed fittings for 13mm inner diameter
Price: around 36 EUR
XSPC Delta V3
http://www.abload.de/img/img_8154h2z0.jpg
http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_8123c109.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_812838f2.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_813116o5.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_813417s6.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_8154h2z0.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_815918ro.jpg
http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_816453ts.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_8196o4oh.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_8202u6qe.jpg
The Delta V3 by XSPC comes with a universal mount and all the required mounting material in a nice retail box. The pictured mount for socket 775/1366 is also available for around 7 EUR, while the block itself is 45 EUR.
The build quality is flawless, the acetal top looks nice, just like the chromed mount. Also, all kind of fittings are useable on this block, even 19/13 screw-ons are no problem.
The cooling surface itself though is a bit to small for current CPUs, so the block couldn't perform quite as well as some other blocks, but still cools more than enough. The price is, considering the build quality, all right and the block is mounted with M4 screws, springs and nuts. The better looking mount is only sold separately, which I think is a pity, but it probably wouldn't have been possible at this price.
Technical details:
Material top: copper/acetal
Material mount: chromed steel
Threads: G1/4"
Size block: height 19mm, diameter 57mm
Size mount: 105x84mm
Scope of delivery:
Waterblock
mounting material
thermal compound
Price: around 45 EUR
Koolance CPU-350AT, acetal universal
http://www.abload.de/img/img_73408p5w.jpg
http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_7269ds9p.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_7276lwmj.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_73285qh7.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_7333nuz8.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_73408p5w.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_7346woz4.jpg
The newest block by Koolance, the CPU-350AT, offers a rich scope of delivery: In addition to the standard, universal mount, it also comes with a separate mount for 775 and 1366 only, a backplate, thermal compound and mounting material. This block is also available with an acrylic top instead of the one with an acetal top I've been testing. Sadly, the block is rather expensive; at around 80 EUR it's one of the most expensive blocks in this roundup. Positive aspects were the easy mounting of the block, the good build quality and the fact, that even bigger screw-ons from Feser/Bitspower could be used on this block. The performance, however, is only enough to get to the middle of the charts. The best performance of this block was achieved by mounting it the way that the fittings were parallel to the RAMs, so not like shown in pictures 1+2.
Technical details:
Material: nickel plated copper, acrylic glass
Threads: G1/4"
Size: 61x61x21mm
Weight: 508g
Compatibility: Socket AM2, AM2+, 939, 940, 754, A, 775, 478, Xeon, 1366
Scope of delivery:
Koolance CPU-350 AC, acryl universal
Thermal compound
Mounting material
Price: around 60 EUR
Zern PQ Plus Pro - Acetal and brass version
http://www.abload.de/img/img_8022b9dn.jpg
http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_7980vx6n.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_7984fyae.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_79873xo7.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_79895ban.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_7996obf7.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_80124zfk.jpg
http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_8015qzzu.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_8022b9dn.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_8027ozak.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_8038ezzx.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_8049az5w.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_80618xjc.jpg
The Austrian company Zern has been active with cheap, but at the same time high quality products in the watercooling sector. Not only with their PQ and PQ Plus CPU-blocks, but also with the universal motherboard- and GPU-blocks they've been very popular.
Sadly, the CPU-blocks offered until now weren't performing well enough or offering high enough flow for modern systems, but now I've received the remade PQ Plus Pro in two variants. Now, not only the build quality, but also the cooling performance and the flow rates are better. The acetal version only performed 0,2k worse than the brass version, so that I've done the results charts without further splitting of those blocks. Mounting is done with the usual M3 screws on the mount, that is made out of stainless steel, but not polished, just like the copper bottom plate, but the rough surface doesn't decrease cooling performance.
Thanks to the In- and Out-writing on the top, there won't be any errors when installing the block. The acetal version costs around 40 EUR, the brass version wasn't listed anywhere when I did this review but will probably be around 5 EUR more. 13/10 and 16/10 Feser screw-ons can't be used on the new Zern blocks.
Overall, the PQ Plus Pro CPU-waterblocks performed well and sure are worth their money. Mounts for more sockets will probably soon be available, too.
Technical details:
Material: copper / brass
Threads: G1/4"
Compatibility: 1366
Weight: 250g
Scope of delivery:
1x Zern PQ Plus Socket 1366 i7 CPU Waterblock
1x mounting material
Price: around 35 EUR
Aquacomputer cuplex XT di
http://www.abload.de/img/img_82876tmh.jpg
http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_8287e3gw.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_8304m8yu.jpg
The Cuplex XT di at hand is the most current version of this block, that's been around for some time. This version has improved flow when compared to the older versions.
The Cuplex looks very delicate and can convince with it's outstanding build quality. It comes in a retail box with the required monting material and a sticker, informing about the maximal length of fittings, but sadly no manual is included. The mount is socket 1366 only, so it can't be used on other sockets like most of the other blocks in this roundup. Feser/Bitspower/Koolance screw-ons of the size 13/10, 16/10 and even larger can be used without problems on this block. The performance is good, just like the flow.
Edit/Update: The waterblock is now available with a universal mount for 1156 and 1366 at 5 EUR extra charge.
Scope of delivery:
Assembled block, mount with all required small parts.
Mounting kit with four screws, springs, nuts and plastic washers.
Price: around 70 EUR
Alphacool Niagara
http://www.abload.de/img/img_7465868k.jpg
http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_7457l7xe.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_7465868k.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_7472y5ye.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_747778gv.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_7479h0t8.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_7487g1nk.jpg
http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_7497r2qo.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_7501v6bx.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_7504t2bh.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_7521751m.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_8079f013.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/img_808094y7.jpg
The Alphacool Niagara is the first waterblock, featuring G3/8" threads instead of the standard, smaller G1/4". This is the fact why the Niagara features the best performance concerning the flow rates, even though I used G1/4" fittings with adapters. If taking these steps further and using radiator, reservoir and pump, all with G3/8" threads, this would help the flow rates a lot.
Concerning the design, the Niagara features not only the gold/black coloring, but also the so-called Cool Cover-mounting mechanism. The build quality is flawless and the scope of delivery can be called "complete". It comes in a nice retail box with an illustrated manual and thermal paste. Of course, the popular large screw-ons by Feser/Bitspower/Koolance also pose no problem for the Niagara.
The cooling performance, though, wasn't enough to score well - it performed worst in this roundup.
Technical data:
Threads: G3/8"
Flow: up to 5.3l/h
Scope of delivery:
Blister-retail-packaging, thermal compound, mounting screw kit
Price: around 25 EUR
Test Results:
http://www.abload.de/img/deltatfb34.png
( Temp. Difference CPU-Water [K] )
http://www.abload.de/img/durchflusscxy2.png
( Flowrate: Liter / hour )
Conclusion:
As expected when looking at the results of my S775-roundup, the results of this S1366-block-roundup are very close together. All of the blocks in this roundup work for cooling modern CPUs...some of them perform better, some worse. The flowrate-results also show no outlier, which shows that the makers of those blocks did their homework and worked well on optimizing their blocks. Some contestants though could convince me with their superior scope of delivery or an universal mount, others didn't even include a manual, which is just unacceptable, concerning the price tag of 70€.
There is a block for every taste and every wallet size in this roundup, as the models by Zern and EK show you don't have to spend a lot of money for good cooling performance.
As soon as new blocks become available, I'll probably make this roundup more complete!
Conclusion, Update 05/24/10:
One thing became clear in the last few months: Everything good eventually gets copied a lot and sometimes even gets better this way. So it's not very surprising, that the block that was performing best before, got overtaken by other contestants, as the Heatkiller's been around for some time. I was surprised by the good results of the XSPC Rasa, as it's predecessor didn't perform well at all. The EK HF Supreme's metal top showed some strength and helped it to offer the best cooling performance. Koolance also did their homework and offer a very solid block with overall good performance.
It keeps interesting to see, which new developments and updates reach the customer in the coming months. I'll be sure to watch the world's market for you and organize another update for all other interesting waterblocks to come.
Thanks for providing the samples and other parts for this roundup go to: www.aquatuning.de , www.a-c-shop.de , www.Alphacool.de , www.Watercool.de , www.mips-computer.de , www.xspc.biz , www.ekwaterblocks.com , www.ybris-cooling.it , www.laing.de , www.zern.at , Swiftech , www.dazmode.com www.koolance.com and the user Sonnyboy & microsaft @ forumdeluxx.de
