Help me understand diff between nickel and acetal

grumpybeard

grumpybeard

grumpybeard

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Hi,

Putting together a parts list for my first foray into a watercooled build. Appreciate it if someone can help me understand the difference between acetal and nickel when in comes to selecting components.

For example, liking the look of this 980ti plus waterblock - it comes in 4 options:

1. Nickel
2. Acetal
3. Aceltal nickel
4. A "blank" option, whatever that is...

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-125-TL&groupid=962&catid=2091


Notice similar options on CPU blocks. Are there cosmetic differences between the options. For info I like the plain black look. Many thanks.
 
Ok that helps me with the cosmetic understanding. My preference would be acetal then.

What about any performance benefits of one over the other. Some enlightenment over the choice of the acetal nickel "mix" would be helpful.
 
I'm pretty sure it's purely cosmetic. I always go for acetal+nickel as it covers the full length of the card. Choosing a back plate will also ensure that the card looks good as it covers the PCB and also provides passive cooling. Also, the back plate that comes with the card is likely not compatible with the water block.
 
Acetal is a type of plastic and has nothing to do with the actual cooling. Acetal+nickel mean that the heat transfer medium (the piece you place against the CPU/GPU) is nickel, cause acetal will not conduct heat at all.
For ex. a CPU block that is acetal+nickel, the top part where you attach the fittings is acetal, and the bottom part with the cpu plate and liquid spreading fins is nickel.
A full nickel block will usually be more expensive as acetal is cheaper, but will, for some people, look more aesthetically pleasing.
 
For EK blocks:

They are either clear Plexi or Acetal.

The clear Plexi ones you can see the liquid in, but they are shorter blocks and don't cover the whole board.

Acetal is black and the blocks cover the whole board.

If you don't choose Nickel (plated copper) then you get the standard copper finish.

The thermal performance is very similar (almost exactly the same) it's just the finish which is different.
 
Nickel plated copper and copper have for all practical applications, the same thermal performance.

Acetal is stronger than plexi and is much less likely to crack under pressure if pump were to fail, where as plexi can show cosmetic scratches and cracks if fittings are overtightened.
 
Sorry to bump this thread but my question is directly related to this topic. Which weighs less between an acetal ek gpu block and a plexi ek gpu block?
I'm asking because I currently have a plexi + nickel vector 2080 ti block, which sags a little due to the weight of the plexi. Will the acetal + nickel block weigh less and not cause any sag?
 
There's little real difference, the weight of the block comes from the copper base (which is often then nickel plated). The top choice is usually either plexi (clear) or acetal (normally black). Plexi has a disadvantage that it is prone to cracking if you over tighten fittings into the screw threads. Acetal is a lot more forgiving as it's a softer plastic than plexi.
 
Fatpizza said:
Sorry to bump this thread but my question is directly related to this topic. Which weighs less between an acetal ek gpu block and a plexi ek gpu block?
I'm asking because I currently have a plexi + nickel vector 2080 ti block, which sags a little due to the weight of the plexi. Will the acetal + nickel block weigh less and not cause any sag?
Click to expand...

The weight is in the metal not the plastic, often the sag is due to the poor strength of the part which mounts the rear IO on the case so perhaps try screwing tighter or modding there.

Worth mentioning also if you are absolutely sure you are not pushing it down with the tubing above it...
 
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