** CUSTOMER FEEDBACK REQUIRED **

  • Thread starter Thread starter rjk
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rjk

rjk

OcUK Staff
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Morning Guys

I have been working with a partner on a new CPU waterblock recently. An early prototype landed on my desk a few days ago.

I would like to hear some feedback from you guys about what influences your choice when it comes to CPU blocks.

what features or characteristics do you look for?

Any feedback would be hugely appreciated as it will only go to improving this product and getting it available sooner.

look forward to hearing your thoughts.
 
To be honest the biggest factor for me is price. CPU blocks generally perform very close to one another but pricing ranges massively. I also want something that doesn't stand out too much, however general appearance isn't super important as it has 2 fittings and pipes on top of it and it'll be surrounded by mobo heatsinks.
 
For me I want somethign that is cheap, preferably black (not see through), no lights and most importantly has a good mounting mechanism. Some of the blocks that I had on my AM2 setup just used the stock mount and they were useless, the pipes could lift the block off the cpu, needed cable ties to hold in place.
 
Looking to do my first WC Loop soon and aesthetics is something I was looking for (windowed case, why wouldn't you?)
An LED hole would be great as the option I wanted is out of my price range. Budget obviously plays a large part too especially if you have the rest of a loop to fund too.
 
Aesthetics, nice clear plexi top, the option for LED's if you want them, maybe ask members to do designs and see what you get.
 
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clear top,
led's is nice to have but would never effect my decision.
mounting mechanism is a big feature, making it useable and movable between builds.
different tops, like ek supremacy's nice, but if it's clear it's already fine. as fluid colour can define it's theme
 
Above all things, it's mounting mechanism.

I absolutely love EK's easymount system which stops you over tightening, on the other hand I despise the raystorm mounts which allow you to crack the plexiglass clamp plate.

Oh and leave enough room between the ports for larger compression rings :)
 
I don't prioritise price on a block. It's a one off cost and will last several years through many upgrades so it's a investment. For me it's performance over everything else. If it's not one of the best performing blocks then I am not interested. Next would be ease of fitting followed by compatibility. I wouldn't buy a block like the Heatkillers that only fit a single socket then have to buy another mounting plate if I change sockets. It has to be like the EK blocks and support all sockets with everything supplied in the box so I can keep my options open on future upgrades.

I have had my EK Supreme HF since they launched and it's been reused on several upgrades. It is about to be replaced by a Supremacy Evo but only so I can use the Naked Ivy mounting kit. This can't be used with the HF. The cost was only £48 brand new so it's not a lot for a top performing block with compatibility for all current sockets and will last me many years.
 
I think the option of having a Plexi, see through top is very important to myself.

I don't think the option of LED mount necessary for me, but the design of the final fluid flow pattern is important.

Like the latest EK 970 ACX2.0 block, the design of the fluid pattern through the plexi really give the block a unique and beautiful look :)
 
Plexi top is nice but in honesty the main thing im fed up is the standard layout with fittings.

The in and out ports are extremely close to each other, the in port being in the center is a must but theirs nothing stopping the block from having the out in a corner and designing the flow to maxemise itself for it. I've found myself compromising on fittings because they simply won't fit next to each other.

Kinda like this, sorry for the cude pic, quickly did it in ms paint. :D
Basic_zpsmvij1gsp.png
 
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Space for nice big 1/2id 3/4od compressions is a must. Some other inlet/outlet options could be nice but would also change the aesthetics.
 
as others have mentioned, aesthetics are most important as most blocks perform very similar temp wise (afaik) something that you can see the liquid through with optional LED lighting.
 
I am surprised about how much people care about the aesthetics of their CPU blocks. Then I remembered why I never see mine.

g6PIUIe.jpg
 
Don't use cheap rubbish plexia hold down, don't use Rubbish screw and spring as a hold down use some thing decent (xspc are you listening). Don't use fins to small that they end up as a fishing net for plasticizers, don't use XSPC to make them ....
 
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