Stren's Titan Water Block Roundup

[Razor Time]

I honestly think it's more to do with contact on the resistors next to the VRMs and not all blocks do make good contact with those. I also think EK uses unusually thin thermal pads which explains it's results below. For example the swiftech didn't make contact with the resistors even though I added extra thermal pads on those resistors. Which leads me to the next question? My new probes came in so I can measure and log tons of points on the back of the board now. So far I have always added thermal pads to the resistors regardless of the installation instructions. Should I continue this method or follow the manufacturer's instructions. I.E. Do what I think is best, or punish those manufacturer's who aren't as smart as me (jk jk)?

Here's EK's VRM and VRAM temps. Very surprising.

Damn, I didn't realise you had replied. I think you could be right about the contact with the resistors as I have looked at the install pics for each of these blocks and its the only thing that makes sense. Your new results for the EK block look very impressive and it has kinda thrown a spanner in the works for me as I have already bought the Aqua block. Even though I have the Aqua block I haven't installed it yet so I could still return it if I so wish, but time is running out. I went for the Aqua block over the XSPC block as I wasn't totally convinced with the XSPC block after reading the other review which pegged it last, add to this I have always wanted to try out Aqua.

You mention that you placed thermal pads to the resistors regardless of the instructions. Did you place any pads on the Aqua block as I see they are the only block which doesn't use as much thermal pads compared to EK and XSPC? If you didn't place any pads here do you have any plans to do so in a future test?

You mention that you have a new probe, was the new EK reading done using this probe?

So if you were going to buy a block today for your own use which one would it be?

Sorry for the many questions but I want to make sure I buy and fit the best block I can.