Nickel Plated Blocks still a problem?

Bryan Kortez · 17 Feb 2015 at 21:50

I am preferring the look of the nickel plated blocks for CPU's and GPU's.. Do they still have corrosion problems like they did a few years ago?

Jokester · 17 Feb 2015 at 21:51

Not seen any reports of issues for yonks.

Bryan Kortez · 17 Feb 2015 at 21:56

I've seen a mixture of both on google.. Some say the nickel keeps everything looking better for longer, some say it flakes off, and some say not to mix it with copper/brass (which pretty much every radiator is so tough cookie)

LePhuronn · 17 Feb 2015 at 23:30

Bryan Kortez said:
I've seen a mixture of both on google.. Some say the nickel keeps everything looking better for longer, some say it flakes off, and some say not to mix it with copper/brass (which pretty much every radiator is so tough cookie)

The nickel is only an exterior coating, the insides are still copper so you won't get issues in that regard.

.:SAmSuNG:. · 18 Feb 2015 at 08:39

How are the insides still copper? Yes it's made of copper but it's fully plated where the fluid comes into contact with the block.

LePhuronn · 18 Feb 2015 at 13:02

External coating as in the outside of the waterblock.

Nickel-plated blocks are only treated on the outside, aren't they? Dismantle the block and the water channels are still bare copper?

ErikN · 18 Feb 2015 at 13:10

LePhuronn said:
External coating as in the outside of the waterblock.

Nickel-plated blocks are only treated on the outside, aren't they? Dismantle the block and the water channels are still bare copper?

The fins on the The EK supremacy evo nickel with plexi top looks chromed:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-648-EK

(the fin ends can be seen just right of the logo in the second image)

.:SAmSuNG:. · 19 Feb 2015 at 00:01

Pretty sure nickel blocks are all fully coated Inc fins but I maybe wrong and some don't but I've not seen one before.

Avenged7Fold · 19 Feb 2015 at 00:40

I am sure its completely electroplated with nickel, not that it matters. You wouldn't want half of it electroplated and half of it not, since you would be increasing the chances of flaking anyway.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with nickel blocks. A quality nickel coated block has very little chance of corroding as most other parts in your loop. I suspect even with low quality electroplating, those who encounter trouble had a small potential difference across the loop to massively speed up corrosion, it literately takes years to corrode these blocks without some sort of voltage assist.