Bykski or AlphaCool GPU Blocks

Kirtis Jones · 15 Feb 2021 at 18:58

Hi All,

I am trying to get a waterblock for a Sapphire RX6800XT Nitro+

I have two choices
Bykski for £122
AlphaCool for £129

Please can you advise which one would be better quality wise.

The Bykski one is from Ali Express
The AlphaCool is from AlphaCool direct.

Please advise me on this

im4gine3 · 15 Feb 2021 at 19:21

I'm sure both are good quality. I was going to get a Bykski one for mine, until my AC one arrived earlier than expected

Kirtis Jones · 15 Feb 2021 at 19:23

Do you have the alphacool one for the rx6800xt?

MikeTimbers · 15 Feb 2021 at 20:32

Alphacool has a longer history but essentially everything in the world is made in China anyway. I've had Bykski and Barrow stuff and never had a major problem.

Kirtis Jones · 15 Feb 2021 at 21:36

Ah okay, I was just a little sceptical I suppose as there isn't much online about Bykski but the design on alphacool has soo many O rings

MikeTimbers · 15 Feb 2021 at 23:15

Bykski make some great stuff and probably have more gpu blocks than any other manufacturer and boast they will make one for you if they don't yet make it.

Kangaxx · 16 Feb 2021 at 09:15

I have also used Barrow fittings and found them to be very good, easily as good as the "recognized" brands.

I have an alphacool block on the way for my Reference 6800XT, so if it'll help, i'll let you know what its like when it rocks up on Friday.

Kirtis Jones · 16 Feb 2021 at 09:53

That's great to hear, it'll be good to see that.

Also is that the version with multiple O rings?

im4gine3 · 16 Feb 2021 at 12:12

Kirtis Jones said:
Do you have the alphacool one for the rx6800xt?

Yes.. for the Nitro+

I'm bleeding my loop this weekend so will show better pics

Kirtis Jones · 16 Feb 2021 at 12:14

im4gine3 said:
Yes.. for the Nitro+

I'm bleeding my loop this weekend so will show better pics

Thanks man

MikeTimbers · 16 Feb 2021 at 17:52

Seems a little tragic to have a block that pretty and not have a vertical GPU mount

im4gine3 · 16 Feb 2021 at 20:05

MikeTimbers said:
Seems a little tragic to have a block that pretty and not have a vertical GPU mount

heh true.. but tight spaces in a Lian li mini and a 60mm rad not gonna happen.. unless I block off the full view of the cpu. Would’ve been better if AC had a full acetal version.

will see what possible options there are when I hard loop it this weekend

Kirtis Jones · 16 Feb 2021 at 20:06

I am thinking there are a lot of O rings but then AlphaCool seems like the more recognised brand and there does seem to be support in place whereas Bykski are through Ali Express and support is quite limited.

im4gine3 · 16 Feb 2021 at 20:13

I thought Bykski was an American brand no? Or they are but just manufacturein China.

either way, I’ve not had much experience in terms of their blocks, but their fittings and flow meter seem decent.. and not had issues with leaks etc.

Alpha cools more familiar because they been in the scene much longer.

Im not put off by the o rings... I’m sure they made it that way to be more aesthetically pleasing, but I could be wrong.

im4gine3 · 20 Feb 2021 at 15:14

Not gonna dismantle the card/block as it'll be a pain to replace the thermal pads. They crumble if i move them.

It's a pretty thick block with a depth of around 30mm. The EK RTX blocks are less than 20mm IIRC

Kirtis Jones · 21 Feb 2021 at 01:37

I really do like that block. I have ordered it now just waiting on it to be dispatched.

Kangaxx · 25 Feb 2021 at 14:37

Kirtis Jones said:
I really do like that block. I have ordered it now just waiting on it to be dispatched.

I hope you have fewer issues than I have had. Delivery has been delayed twice due to "Brexit", so a parcel that was supposed to arrive over a week ago, is now looking to appear sometime next week, assuming it isn't delayed further, which is highly possible at this point, as the package is still in Germany.

It is rather annoying, as I cannot re-build my system until the block arrives, so I have spare parts lying about everywhere. Still, must be patient!

Legionaire68 · 25 Feb 2021 at 17:50

Kangaxx said:
I hope you have fewer issues than I have had. Delivery has been delayed twice due to "Brexit", so a parcel that was supposed to arrive over a week ago, is now looking to appear sometime next week, assuming it isn't delayed further, which is highly possible at this point, as the package is still in Germany.

It is rather annoying, as I cannot re-build my system until the block arrives, so I have spare parts lying about everywhere. Still, must be patient!

I feel you pain, mine has been sat in a German Ups warehouse for two days not moving after I forked out £57 for the import fees on the order.

Kirtis Jones · 25 Feb 2021 at 22:27

I'm currently waiting on the parcel it is delayed due to brexit but is apparently going to be here for Monday

Legionaire68 · 26 Feb 2021 at 13:54

My UPS is saying Monday as well, as for vague "Brexit" excuse DHL delivered from Germany and Slovenia to me last week without any trouble in three days door to door.