Current BEST CPU Waterblock out now? EK or Other brand?? Please help!

newls1

Supreme [H]ardness
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Looking to update my waterblock from my current EK EVO Supreme 1151 (the plexi cracked) to whatever is the current highend block. Looking at the new EK Velocity block but performance seems to be the exact same (which isnt bad, but maybe looking for a 2-3c drop if possible) What CPU block do you recommend that is just a great performer. If it matters, The CPU is in its own loop with a D5 and a triple rad, push pull config. Thanks
 
optimus, xspc raystorm, heatkiller iv If I remember right those all perform better. the optimus with stronger springs is the best.
 
There are so many variables and so few knowns when it comes to waterblocks and their performance.

If you take Threadripper block performance as an indicator of performance for a more normal sized block, you can use the H's testing.

The H's testing is some of the best out there for water blocks, but its not going to be perfect, as they are TR blocks, so not the same thing. It would be an estimate that they scale similarly, but not a given.

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Keep in mind- however - that these figures are from EK's acknowledged failblock for the TR, which they have since updated (though not provided one for Kyle to test)

It would probably not be an unreasonable assumption that the ranking here will be similar for the smaller sized blocks from these guys, except for the EK, which will probably do comparably much better.

If I were shopping for a new CPU block today, I'd probably be looking at the latest in the WaterCool Heatkiller IV, due to a combination of how well the larger block performed in Kyle's test, and how active and helpful WaterCool-Jakob (their rep in these forums) has been on the forums.

It's snazzy all metal design will never have a top crack, too, which is a plus.
 
WOW!! Thank you for such a detailed reply sir, hats off to ya! Im not looking for a threadripper block, but I see your point in the thread. Im going to look at the heatkiller blocks now, THANK YOU
 
In a bit of an echo to Zarathustra]H[ it really depends on the CPU and other components when you want to determine the best. Different cpus will react differently to waterblocks. Some need the water flow to go vertically down the long side of the die, others want it horizontally across the short side. Yet others have multiple dies and need their flow to originate between the dies and work their ways across the narrow sides of each one (Threadripper!).

As well other components may have an effect. For instance a high restrictive block and/or radiators would work best with a high pressure / lower flow pump (i.e. DDC) while high flow / lower pressure pumps (D5) work better with systems that are less restrictive. As well some radiators work with better with less water and air air pressure (lower fins per inch - fpi) while others demand higher air and water pressure (high fpi). Also tubing inside diameter will come into play.

There are a LOT of variables involved and it all depends on the mix of other cooling components which cpu waterblocks are better than others. Some waterblock makers have more than one block for a given socket configuration. Bykski (the block I will be using in my custom loop) comes with a coldplate having .5mm spaced internal fins (Kyle reviewed this one beside an XSPC Raystorm TR4) that are suitable for lower pressure pumps lime the common D5s and one with .3mm fin pitch that will give best cooling with high pressure pumps like the small DDC 3.2 and 3.25 ones.

tl;dr version : There really is no "best" waterblock that suits everyone's custom loop (there is a reason they are called "custom" :) ). The best blocks are the ones best suited for your application.
 
I'll make a vote for a Heatkiller IV block, from personal experience. The no-frills acetal version is relatively high flow, looks sharp without being garish, performs among the best, is competitively priced and is built very well.

My second would be an XSPC Raystorm. All of the above, with the ability to switch between multiple sockets with the purchase of the appropriate bracket.
 
First of all, thanks for all the recommendations in this thread - we appreciate it!

I'll make a vote for a Heatkiller IV block, from personal experience. The no-frills acetal version is relatively high flow, looks sharp without being garish, performs among the best, is competitively priced and is built very well.

My second would be an XSPC Raystorm. All of the above, with the ability to switch between multiple sockets with the purchase of the appropriate bracket.

I'd like to point out that the second point you are making is also valid for our HEATKILLER blocks: we have conversion kits for Intel 115Xand 20XX, multiple AMD sockets, Intel 2011 Narrow ILM, and even a conversion kit if you want to use your standard HKIV on a Threadripper (possible, but not highly recommended... :D). By the way, we value downward compatibility very high. So high in fact that, when AMD released their new AM4 socket layout in 2017, we not only made compatible brackets for our Heatkiller IV - we even supported all our older customers who had HEATKILLER 3.0 blocks with a conversion kit for the new socket! Yes, we even supported a nine-year-old product that was EOL since 4 years and with its successor already on the market - that's how much we trust the longevity of our blocks, and that's how much we value future compatibility!
 
First of all, thanks for all the recommendations in this thread - we appreciate it!



I'd like to point out that the second point you are making is also valid for our HEATKILLER blocks: we have conversion kits for Intel 115Xand 20XX, multiple AMD sockets, Intel 2011 Narrow ILM, and even a conversion kit if you want to use your standard HKIV on a Threadripper (possible, but not highly recommended... :D). By the way, we value downward compatibility very high. So high in fact that, when AMD released their new AM4 socket layout in 2017, we not only made compatible brackets for our Heatkiller IV - we even supported all our older customers who had HEATKILLER 3.0 blocks with a conversion kit for the new socket! Yes, we even supported a nine-year-old product that was EOL since 4 years and with its successor already on the market - that's how much we trust the longevity of our blocks, and that's how much we value future compatibility!

Nice, Narrow ILM. I can watercool my server now! :p
 
IMO forum reputation, especially in terms of customer service (and not just sponsoring flashy builds left and right) is the best way to decide, followed by price and aesthetics. Most modern blocks perform very similarly, and I personally wouldn't worry about 2 degrees of difference unless I was trying to set records. This is where EK would get a big fat fail, not only due to Threadripper but the nickel plating issue before that as well. EK has a history of screwing over the customer when they screw up. Watercool obviously has a good presence, Swiftech used to but I haven't heard much about them lately. Aquacomputer is supposed to the the luxury of luxury when it comes to the vast array of options available, but not sure on their customer service either. XSPC is your no frills get it done value brand.
 
ordering it now, hope its atleast as good as the EK Velocity. thanks for the reply
 
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