OCZ Hydroflow Mini Review

[majestik]

This block reminds me of Cathar G5, which I think was one of the best-looking blocks ever made

[MomijiTMO]

I like that it comes with everything. OCZ don't seem to aim for the creme de la creme, instead opt to dominate the mid segment. The pricing of their keyboard is a win win win. While not related, I feel the performance and package is of a similar strategy. If I need to just do a cpu loop for another pc I would definitely consider this.

[iandh]

This block appears a worthy competitor to the Apogee GT.


I have honestly become more interested in value than performance in my watercooling products since the advent of cooler running 45nm Intel chips, and Phenoms which are so-so regardless of cooling (yes look what I have in my sig )

The whole "just a hair better so everything else sucks" trend has begun to make me rather disenchanted with aftermarket cooling... it gets a little boring TBH. Right now I am running stock cooling on my CPU and GPU.

It is nice to see companies looking to compete in this niche. I would love to start to see those on a limited budget designing more well balanced systems and getting more value and enjoyment for their dollar in the end.

DD seems to have rattled the pump market a bit with the CPX-Pro, enough to compete with the MCP350 at newegg for $55.

What I really would like to see is some variety in the low end (say less than $70) radiator market in the US. Swiftech pretty much is unbeatable at the moment IMO with the MCR320 at its current price point. That is a real value for your money product right there.

[CrixD]

It looks shexy and preforms shexy

SOLD

[Waterlogged]

You guys are my editors...off to fixing that, I just assumed since it was black and resembled delrin.

Thanks!

NP.

Even though Tony never mentioned the type Nylon used, I have a sneaking suspicion it might be Nylon 6/6.

[iandh]

NP.

Even though Tony never mentioned the type Nylon used, I have a sneaking suspicion it might be Nylon 6/6.

Just take a peek through McMaster-Carr and see what all of the pipe and tube fittings are made from.

No reason for OCZ to deviate from the norm... just costs more for no reason.

[Waterlogged]

Just take a peek through McMaster-Carr and see what all of the pipe and tube fittings are made from.

No reason for OCZ to deviate from the norm... just costs more for no reason.

Meh, could be. He did seem to get kind of defensive when asked about which type they are using though.

[HESmelaugh]

Very nice review (and great pics). Thank you, Martin!

[iandh]

Meh, could be. He did seem to get kind of defensive when asked about which type they are using though.

True, I did notice that... I suppose it could be taken either way.

I have dealt with quite a good deal of plastics over the years in my line of work, including various flavors of nylon so there is a good chance I could take an accurate guess if I had the block in hand.

[naokaji]

Going against the direction of the pattern would likely make it more restrictive, not sure what it would do for thermal performance though.

You knew someone would ask this sooner or later would you mind trying it out for us?

Nice review, hope the block will end up as one of the cheaper options though considering the performance.

[Aqua-Pc's]

Again another great review Martin!

You knew someone would ask this sooner or later would you mind trying it out for us?

Nice review, hope the block will end up as one of the cheaper options though considering the performance.

As for UK pricing we now have the blocks listed here

Its actually the second cheapest CPU Block we sell

[Tony]

We put a lot of work into the top material, it had to have a good resistance to cold and well as being good when hot...and it had to be tolerant to our injection moulds.

I have mentioned this to Martin already and i did mention this in the preview thread...If you increase mounting pressure to around 75LBs the temps will improve. Flow is accross the block in line with the channels as per Martins pic....it will flow the other way also with increased resistance although I never measured performance.

I test here a little different to Martin, I understand he asked you guys how you would like to see tests performed and i respect those wishes...From my tests using a controlled mount (IE the same exact pressure for all blocks) and temperature controlled water (average 20.5c) I had the Fusion just over 1C better than HF and HF better than the Apogee GT, however when all blocks were tested with 75LBs pressure the HF pulled away by near 2C, the Fusion did not react to mounting pressure increases anywhere near as good as the HF did and for that matter the Apogee GT. Each review you will see will be slightly different though, each has their own methods etc and we at OCZ respect that. I said we were here to compete and compete we do...I think pricing is on our side with this block and if I can get it down further with the next order I will be sure to pass the savings on to you guys.
If you want to try 75LBs pressure just add a 1mm thick Nylon washer under the spring but on top of the mounting plate...2mm will give 100LBs.

Overall i think the block did ok and i thank Martin for spending some of his personal time testing for you guys.

[Tony]

Again another great review Martin!



As for UK pricing we now have the blocks listed here

Its actually the second cheapest CPU Block we sell

Nice price for UK customers

[Kibbler]

Flow is accross the block in line with the channels as per Martins pic....it will flow the other way also with increased resistance although I never measured performance.

At this price we can all buy one and test it ourselves. Thanks for the info Tony.

[Tony]

This block appears a worthy competitor to the Apogee GT.


I have honestly become more interested in value than performance in my watercooling products since the advent of cooler running 45nm Intel chips, and Phenoms which are so-so regardless of cooling (yes look what I have in my sig )

The whole "just a hair better so everything else sucks" trend has begun to make me rather disenchanted with aftermarket cooling... it gets a little boring TBH. Right now I am running stock cooling on my CPU and GPU.

It is nice to see companies looking to compete in this niche. I would love to start to see those on a limited budget designing more well balanced systems and getting more value and enjoyment for their dollar in the end.

DD seems to have rattled the pump market a bit with the CPX-Pro, enough to compete with the MCP350 at newegg for $55.

What I really would like to see is some variety in the low end (say less than $70) radiator market in the US. Swiftech pretty much is unbeatable at the moment IMO with the MCR320 at its current price point. That is a real value for your money product right there.

We have the same pumps on the way, im doing my best to make them really attractive on price.

[Bojamijams]

Tony.. or Martin... any chance to test with with nozzles? Since its so free flowing, give the option to increase restriction to Fuzion v2 levels and see how it performs with that?

[iandh]

We have the same pumps on the way, im doing my best to make them really attractive on price.

Excellent... watercooling for the masses.


I may be picking up one of your blocks along with a pump in that case.

[Praz]

I have honestly become more interested in value than performance in my watercooling products since the advent of cooler running 45nm Intel chips, and Phenoms which are so-so regardless of cooling (yes look what I have in my sig )

The whole "just a hair better so everything else sucks" trend has begun to make me rather disenchanted with aftermarket cooling... it gets a little boring TBH. Right now I am running stock cooling on my CPU and GPU.

Same here, I used to spend whatever it took, both time and money, for that extra one or two degree difference in temperature. That was a long time ago. Now if a can buy a quality component that comes within that margin of performance at a decent cost savings that's the one I'll buy. For me this block looks like a win-win situation.

[Tony]

Tony.. or Martin... any chance to test with with nozzles? Since its so free flowing, give the option to increase restriction to Fuzion v2 levels and see how it performs with that?

I don't have Nozzles here, so its one for Martin if he is willing.

[Bojamijams]

Well consider the option nonetheless Tony... the Fuzion v1 IMO did a great thing with having a free flowing block that performed adequately.. but had the option to be 'upgraded' to better performance at the cost of restriction for those who can handle it.. If you could offer 2-3 extra nozzles for $4.99 that would be sweet spot I think and would further increase your market share as not just a 'value' block but also a performance block.

[nikhsub1]

...however when all blocks were tested with 75LBs pressure the HF pulled away by near 2C, the Fusion did not react to mounting pressure increases anywhere near as good as the HF did and for that matter the Apogee GT.

Yeah because at those sort of mount pressures you are FLATTENING out the bow... impossible to flatten out a step though

[nikhsub1]

Tony.. or Martin... any chance to test with with nozzles? Since its so free flowing, give the option to increase restriction to Fuzion v2 levels and see how it performs with that?

Sorry to say that nozzles will do nothing for this block since inlet is at the side... nozzles can only really potentially help blocks with center inlet....

I forgot to mention, nice review Martin!

[Waterlogged]

Boj, one little problem I see in trying to nozzles with this block is that the inlet isn't over the cores. The most turbulent part of the flow would actually be removing heat from the corner of the IHS.

edit: Dang, nik beat me to it.

[Bojamijams]

Ahhh... I understand now... thank you for the lesson guys .. love this place

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

We put a lot of work into the top material, it had to have a good resistance to cold and well as being good when hot...and it had to be tolerant to our injection moulds.

I have mentioned this to Martin already and i did mention this in the preview thread...If you increase mounting pressure to around 75LBs the temps will improve. Flow is accross the block in line with the channels as per Martins pic....it will flow the other way also with increased resistance although I never measured performance.

I test here a little different to Martin, I understand he asked you guys how you would like to see tests performed and i respect those wishes...From my tests using a controlled mount (IE the same exact pressure for all blocks) and temperature controlled water (average 20.5c) I had the Fusion just over 1C better than HF and HF better than the Apogee GT, however when all blocks were tested with 75LBs pressure the HF pulled away by near 2C, the Fusion did not react to mounting pressure increases anywhere near as good as the HF did and for that matter the Apogee GT. Each review you will see will be slightly different though, each has their own methods etc and we at OCZ respect that. I said we were here to compete and compete we do...I think pricing is on our side with this block and if I can get it down further with the next order I will be sure to pass the savings on to you guys.
If you want to try 75LBs pressure just add a 1mm thick Nylon washer under the spring but on top of the mounting plate...2mm will give 100LBs.

Overall I think the block did ok and I thank Martin for spending some of his personal time testing for you guys.

Just to confirm, can the backplate and mount plate handle this kind of pressure without risk?