CPU blockLooksThe block looks very solid, much stronger then any block with plexi. The block is made fully out of copper, it has 3/8" fittings, and the top and bottom part are held together with four steel screws.
The design itself is simple. That doesn't imply that it isn’t a sight for the eye. Its good looking, not too square shaped, but with some elegant curves.
InstallationWhen you receive this block, the package contains of course the block itself, but the parts needed for installation, such as 4 bolts, 4 springs, 12 nuts, ...
Installation is very easy, place the four bolts through the main boards holes, don't forget the isolating rings between the bolts/nuts and the main board. Then you tighten it with a nut.
After that you place the water block itself, place the other rings and springs, and finally tighten the last nuts.
Sounds complicated? Take a look at the pictures below.
I recommend removing the Pentium 4 retention bracket. This water block fits in it, but very tight, so a very small difference on the block or bracket and it won't fit anymore.
TemperaturesPerformance that's what it's all about.
Nowadays there a lot of water-cooling sets around. One of the best performing kits, and one of the most expensive, is the Asetek Waterchill (
[M]adshrimps review). I compared the water block from the asetek with this block. I installed the Waterchill, monitored the temperature, then I removed the Waterchill block, and put this one in its place. Thus the radiator and fan remained the same, and wouldn't have any influence on the tests done
.
And just for comparison I throw in an SLK 947U (
[M]adshrimps review) with an 80 mm fan at about the same sound level as the WaterChill fan.
Test setup: |
CPU | Intel Pentium 4 2.4 GHz 800 fsb HT @ 3.3 GHz - 1.65 Vcore |
Mainboard | Asus P4P800 deluxe |
I used Arctic Silver 3 As thermal paste and stressed the system for about 30 minutes before jotting down the temperatures.
Keep in mind, the temperatures are not that high, why? Ambient temperature was 20° C and the most important thing: no case was used.
| Temperatures after 30min 100% load |
Asetek Waterchill | 26°C |
Custom Made Water block | 27°C |
Thermalright SLK947U | 34°C |
The difference in performance between these two water blocks is too small to declare a real winner.
The block:
Nice & shiny:
The package & installation:
Let's take a look at the chipset block.