New Koolance CPU-360 Water Block!

[atomic ferret]

Wow, looks awesome! This is the best looking CPU block I've ever seen.

[Koolance]

Wow, looks awesome! This is the best looking CPU block I've ever seen.

Thanks, atomic ferret!

Just a quick note to anyone reassembling the CPU-360 base--- make sure the microfins are perpendicular to the impingement slot! When you look down into the inlet, the slot should look like the teeth of a paper shredder.

We received stock before the user manual was completed, but we hope to get this onto our website by early next week.

[bundymania]

.. looks interesting - i will include it in my roundup with 17 Blocks soon

http://www.hardwareluxx.de/community...d.php?t=611143


@Naecow (kuh = cow in german) Yes i do it the oldschool way..since 2001 and will not change the test procedure, because 95% are happy and satisfied with this method ! )

[eth0s]

That is a great looking block, and I like the jet-injector plate, and the micro-channels. And I am sure it will perform well.

However, my main concern is the idea of nickel plating the copper base. I am still not convinced this is a great idea, due to the vast difference in the thermal conductivity of the two metals.

For those who don't know: Thermal Conductivity (k) is the quantity of heat transmitted, due to unit temperature gradient, in unit time under steady conditions in a direction normal to a surface of unit area, and is measured in W/mK.

Here is a comparison of the thermal conductivity of Nickel and Copper (at 68F) (higher is better):

Nickel: 52
Copper: 223

Thus copper is more than 4 times better at transferring heat than nickel. So, if you nickel plate your copper block, then you have wrapped your copper block with nickel, and have thus reduced its heat absorbing effectiveness by 1/4. Perhaps the effect is negligible due to the thinness of the nickel plating, but I don't know. And it still bothers me, and I would rather see a solid piece of pure copper touching the cpu heatshield, and a piece of bare copper contacting the water for greatest heat transference. Now I understand that the nickel plating has great advantages in terms of increasing hardness, and in reducing corrosion, but we are not operating in an extremely alkaline environment, so I don't know if the use of nickel plating is justified, given its reduced thermal conductivity. And furthermore, nickel is even lower on the anodic index than copper, which would increase, rather than mitigate, any chance of galvanic corrosion with any other metal found in the loop, especially aluminum. Has anybody else ever had these concerns about nickel plating?

[Diverge]

Looks cool. You can use the mounting as a throwing star, if you sharpen it up ;p Makes me want to buy one... maybe when the new T3 comes out I'll have to upgrade stuff.

[Koolance]

Thus copper is more than 4 times better at transferring heat than nickel.

Conductivity ratings in W/mK is based on 1 meter of the material. Heat movement is the same through microns of it, of course, but actual impact on performance is much more negligible. It's there, somewhere, but can be difficult to measure. When we compare our plating vs. not-plated, the thermal paste spread, mounting variables, and temp sensor tolerance affect the results far more.

So with a very minor theoretical decrease in heat movement, you get a cleaner, longer-lasting, shiny block with a bit of corrosion resistance built in. Still, I understand it's a matter of preference.

Tim

[Koolance]

And furthermore, nickel is even lower on the anodic index than copper, which would increase, rather than mitigate, any chance of galvanic corrosion...

I'm not our expert on corrosion, but as I understand it, simply comparing anode potential is not all there is to determining what might get eaten away. It is also important to note which metals resist reaction. Also, a large anode area seems to make a difference.

For example, we have used gold plating mixed with aluminum rads for years (as EVERYONE knows :p), and I've yet to see an AL rad get eaten away unless there was bare copper and/or bad coolant involved. Gold is much further away from aluminum than nickel.

[kinghong1970]

some products shoot to be the best of the best of the best...
and we find members of XS nickel plating them for bling...

some products offer a good performance with looks...

nothing wrong with it...

too early to say good or bad, right? no numbers yet on this gorgeous block...

[bundymania]

I would suggest to include 3-4 different Jetplates like EK, so the users can experiment and find the best results between flowrate and temps

[Kenjiwing]

Block looks kind of cool.. cant wait to see the reviews.

[Manicdan]

I would suggest to include 3-4 different Jetplates like EK, so the users can experiment and find the best results between flowrate and temps

i second that motion, and a blank one they can modify themselves.

[Edward88]

+1 to 3 or 4 different jetplates with a blank one

[Sadasius]

+1 Needs more jetplates plus a blank.

[Koolance]

Ok, we got it-- jet plates.

[Sadasius]

Okay so I guess I can put the nipple clamps away now! You gave in sooner then I thought!

Jetplates just makes sense because if I am running just the CPU block I will make sure to have the plate that will be the most restrictive to cause the most turbulence. Later if I want to add a few blocks to the loop I can then change the plate so that everything runs in an optimized fashion according to the restriction placed which makes your block versatile and a customer will glare at your options when getting ready to make that purchase.

[mariop]

Damn, what a beautifull block! Koolance always coming up with nice performing and beautifull blocks!

congrats.

[Detale]

That is deff in the top 5 best looking blocks I've seen! Hopefully the tests make it comparable, if they are I am SOOOOO getting one Feb 6th

[skinnee]

I like the idea of different impingement plates for those of us who want to experiment. However, for the majority of customers they are going to want the best plate installed when they receive the block and not have to mess around with taking the block apart. I know I am probably stating the obvious, but with all the excitement surrounding the release I just had to say it aloud.

Tim, thanks for taking care of Skinnee Labs... Sorry for giving you guff earlier, I should've known better.

[mrcape]

Love my 350. If this does better I'll grab it.

Send one to someone who will review immediately! It's easy to break down a setup.

[Koolance]

The stock jet plate is stainless steel. We can offer blank versions, but it's not the easiest material to cut through and modify. It's also pretty thin, and care must be made that the plate doesn't warp when cut. We're evaluating some backup materials for spare plates; a lot is being discussed right now.

Sorry for giving you guff earlier, I should've known better.

No guff taken.

Tim

[iandh]

The stock jet plate is stainless steel. We can offer blank versions, but it's not the easiest material to cut through and modify. It's also pretty thin, and care must be made that the plate doesn't warp when cut. We're evaluating some backup materials for spare plates; a lot is being discussed right now.



No guff taken.

Tim

I would recommend brass. Much easier to machine than stainless or copper, and no worries about interactions with the loop. Reasonably inexpensive too.

[Envy]

beautiful shuriken block will hurt the competition.

[anubis_is_evil]

wow, looks very good..the concept is quite different from any block that i ever seen...i dont like much about that pretty big thumb screw there for mounting, it would be nice if it comes with smaller thumb...but sure it looks very good overall

[bobruto]

is this the first time somebody managed to make one hold down plate for THREE Intel sockets?
very nice finish, as usually

[Onoff312]

looks great could use some black highlights.