Is it worth using motherboard blocks?

foop

foop

foop

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Joined
11 May 2004
Posts
131
Given that most Z97 motherboards appear to cool passively and don't have fans, is there any point using motherboard water blocks? I can understand the aesthetic appeal - I've seen some lovely builds with blocks on older motherboard types - but I'm uncertain about their utility as far as cooling goes.

On the off chance that motherboard blocks are a good thing, how long does it normally take EK and the like to start producing blocks after a new motherboard chipset has been released?
 
Newer Intel stuff no.

AMD is a different kettle of fish though. The VRMs on my Asus board with an overclocked 8320 got very very warm when the rest of the system was under water with no air flowing over them.

Intel is different as it doesn't use as much power so stuff runs cooler
 
Unless you're planning on over-clocking the snot out of your cpu then they're really more aesthetic than anything. That's not to say they're useless though. Prolonging the life of your motherboard is a benefit. I added one to my loop because it was only £30 for the block and I'm going to be running a high over-clock. Nothing wrong with wanting to make sure everything stays chilly.
 
I think that most motherboards are passively cooled now, I cannot remember having a fan cooled chipset in the last ten years.

The south bridge usually stays cool but the north bridge and VRM's can get very hot if overclocking. I have a single loop with CPU and NB/VRM blocks which keep it around 40C in most usage.

Not all boards are catered for, it is usually the higher end boards and the blocks are quite expensive due to a small user base.
 
Have had VRM/nb and sb blocks on my last handful of boards and the VRM blocks made a difference when it came to clocking fx 8 core chips to as far as water will take them.
 
For AMD socket boards then yes, especially if using a FX 8000 series cpu as they really hammer the vrm's. For Intel they are just not needed.
 
Reason my build will be using mobo blocks is because I like the aesthetic effect. Performance is not always the main things in this question...
 
^
Reason why i have continued to use them on Z77 and Z87. A clean connection from block to block looks so baller when you use acrylic or short lengths of rubber tubing.
 
This is limited to Intel but from what people have said AMD is worse anyway.

Cooling the chipset is mostly pointless these days, I do it simply because a lot of manufacturers don't do VRM blocks separate any more so you get the block anyway so may as well use it.

Cooling the VRM's is defiantly worth it if you plan to overclock (if you have X79 it's worth it either way), not only does it significantly reduce VRM temps but by doing so it also reduces CPU temps.
 
I figured it as

1. Run Metro Last Light rolling demo for 45mins
2. remove side of case
3. touch heat sink on vrm

hmm - luke warm at most. so not for me. Asus Z97 Deluxe BTW
 
Definitely worth it for me.

I run a RIVE and when overclocking the VRM's got very toasty until I fitted the water blocks (also added some heatsinks to the rear heat spreader). As has been said I ended up fitting the Koolance ASR4E board block as you couldn't just get the VRM block plus it made my pipe runs easier :)
 
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