Aqua Computer goes copper?

[waterlogged]

Anyone know about these new copper blocks made by Aqua Computer for the 8800GT cards? Found a reference about them here on the AC site. If my calculations are correct this cooler is about 1 pound (480 grams) of pure unadulterated copper for those who hated the older style aluminum coolers. They did go up in price a bit (80 Euro's), but copper ain't cheap anymore.

Course you in the colonies are going to suck the big one with the Euro to USD rates. I would figure about $120 USD.

If anyone has one of these could you pop the top so we can see inside?

I also found some some new Asus voltage regulators in copper as well.

I think it's time for a new 8800GT card and a new cooler.

 

[Arcygenical]

125$ CAD to Canada without shipping. 145 with shipping. nothxbye

 

[waterlogged]

Just took another look and this is a single slot design!

Can't wait to see the plexi option as it allows putting in fittings on both sides of the cooler for SLI steups. I suspect that the old Aqua Computer light may have been ditched in the interest of holding down costs.

125$ CAD to Canada without shipping. 145 with shipping. nothxbye

Sounds like Canadian money ain't doing well to the Euro either.

Shit, the DD product is about the same price in USD as the AC unit. I wonder if DD is outsourcing their machining to the EU?

 

[ikellensbro]

Anyone know about these new copper blocks made by Aqua Computer for the 8800GT cards? Found a reference about them here on the AC site. If my calculations are correct this cooler is about 1 pound (480 grams) of pure unadulterated copper for those who hated the older style aluminum coolers. They did go up in price a bit (80 Euro's), but copper ain't cheap anymore.

While the block looks pretty sweet (although most likely pretty restrictive, but that's the trade off with a gPU block that doesn't block any slots below), copper really isn't that expensive. In large quantities, sure, but say AC even starts with a 1kg (2.2lb) chunk of CU110, that's less than $8US (around 5 Euros...). It maybe adds a few bucks to the consumer price, but I bought a 4.5"x12"x3/16" (3 pounds of copper goodness) bar for $21 2 months ago when copper was more expensive. It's not that bad for water cooling, yet.

125$ CAD to Canada without shipping. 145 with shipping. nothxbye

Sounds like Canadian money ain't doing well to the Euro either.

Well, consider how back 2001 $1CAD could get you $0.65US. Today, $1CAD = $1.06US. Canada's looking pretty good in that regard (although their VAT equivalent is still annoying).

What's an EK FC run up north, currently?

 

[waterlogged]

While the block looks pretty sweet (although most likely pretty restrictive, but that's the trade off with a gPU block that doesn't block any slots below), copper really isn't that expensive. In large quantities, sure, but say AC even starts with a 1kg (2.2lb) chunk of CU110, that's less than $8US (around 5 Euros...). It maybe adds a few bucks to the consumer price, but I bought a 4.5"x12"x3/16" (3 pounds of copper goodness) bar for $21 2 months ago when copper was more expensive. It's not that bad for water cooling, yet.

The new coolers have G 1/4 spigots so I'm not sure this is a restrictive device or not. Soon as someone opens one up we will see.

Actually small changes in material costs can make big changes in consumer cost. Going backwards lets start off with an 80 Euro retail. Knock off 40% for your distributor and we come to around 48 Euro. Then we knock off another 10% for packaging and advertising costs and we get to about 43 Euro. Figure in machining costs of 20% and we are down to about 34 Euro. Then we have to pay all the employees (assembly, insurance, etc) and management (design, liquid lunches, etc) for another 20% and we come to about 25 Euro. Oh I forgot the VAT tithes (this is not a sales tax so it adds up incrementally at each stage from raw materials to finished product) to the government for about 18% so now we are at about 20 Euro's. Knock off another 30% for the machinery and building expenses and we come to about 14 Euros.

So what we have left for raw materials is about 14 Euro's in total and in actuality I bet it's less than 10 Euro. It is often said that any manufacturer will go out of business if their actual manufacturing expenses to make a product exceed about 10% of what they sell it for. Something to think about when you say that a 5 Euro piece of raw materials wouldn't make a difference in the end cost of a product. BTW, this is Business 101.

 

[Arcygenical]

What's an EK FC run up north, currently?

Mine ran me back 130$ CAD Shipped when the dollar was at 1CAD = 0.9 USD

 

[Shoggy]

Your 5 and 10 Euro theory is way to funny. Only the copper base that we use costs MUCH more. I hope you know that the price of copper depends on the quality and the purity

 

[R1ckCa1n]

125$ CAD to Canada without shipping. 145 with shipping. nothxbye

I'll pay 15CAD more everyday for quality.

Your 5 and 10 Euro theory is way to funny. Only the copper base that we use costs MUCH more. I hope you know that the price of copper depends on the quality and the purity

Shoggy - you know these guys must have something to complain about otherwise they might actually say something nice about AC products.

I hope AC releases a block for the HD3870's soon

 

[Arcygenical]

I'll pay 15CAD more everyday for quality.

Well, you can get an equal quality EK block for less... I don't really see your point?

 

[R1ckCa1n]

Well, you can get an equal quality EK block for less... I don't really see your point?

Well after owning several blocks from both companies, quality is night and day. For example both my EK blocks have spurs from the CNC where AC has none (ever). One of my EK blocks didn't come with all the necessary hardware and stripped holes (even have the distributor several chances to make it right with now luck). Hense he reason my EK goods is going on the FS forum. Obviously your mileage will vary.

 

[waterlogged]

Shit! How did we get onto EK blocks! My OP was about the new AC blocks. I want to know if someone can provide an interior pic and especially one with the plexi cover.

Why does everyone always make sniping remarks about AC quality and design when they don't no shit, have never owned their products, or even seen them? All we have seen is a superior machined product so far.

Just because a cooler is thin does not equate to a restrictive design. People who think so are stuck into a 2D mode. Think 3D as the block channels can be wider than height and thus have way less restriction.

One thing that isn't apparent is whether we will get the famous AC floating block (in copper) design in this G92 model.

 

[R1ckCa1n]

One thing that isn't apparent is whether we will get the famous AC floating block (in copper) design in this G92 model.

Based on the looks of the block, I would say NO. Something tells me they went away from that design and doesn't break my heart. My only concern is how thin it appears to be given the 8800GT likes to run very hot. The plexi version will no doupt be very sexy.

I just hope they get a similar block (plexi for crossfire) for the HD3870 since I will be getting a pair this week.

Why does everyone always make sniping remarks about AC quality and design when they don't no shit, have never owned their products, or even seen them? All we have seen is a superior machined product so far.

That will never end... Just wait until the rest of the anti AC group gets ahold of this thread

 

[HotGore]

Eddy from EK posted what the block looks like on the inside at XS. Looked pretty crappy. I can't seem to find the thread (maybe I am blind). After seeing the internals I would pass. Never judge a block by its cover?

 

[R1ckCa1n]

Eddy from EK posted what the block looks like on the inside at XS. Looked pretty crappy. I can't seem to find the thread (maybe I am blind). After seeing the internals I would pass. Never judge a block by its cover?

EK posted an internal picture of the AC block?

 

[Shoggy]

No ...

He showed an internal picture of THEIR block

Own goal for HotGore?

 

[n00btard]

Similar thread at XS, but it turned into an EK thread http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=165081

Maybe this one will survive long enough for us to see the internals of the AC block.

 

[R1ckCa1n]

I hope so!

 

[Erasmus354]

I am not too concerned about pics of the internals, I would assume it is not a lick different than the rest of AC's fullcover blocks. What I want to see is the mythical plexi top version that lets you put fittings on either side of the block.

 

[R1ckCa1n]

I am not too concerned about pics of the internals, I would assume it is not a lick different than the rest of AC's fullcover blocks. What I want to see is the mythical plexi top version that lets you put fittings on either side of the block.

It is something new as the "floating" core cooler would not work with a block so thin. Nice try though.

 

[waterlogged]

...Just wait until the rest of the anti AC group gets ahold of this thread

I am not too concerned about pics of the internals, I would assume it is not a lick different than the rest of AC's fullcover blocks. What I want to see is the mythical plexi top version that lets you put fittings on either side of the block.

Is this one of those anti-AC group you were talking about R1ckCa1n? This ones definitely got a sarcastic mouth, for sure.

 

[ikellensbro]

Sigh...

Eddy from EK posted what the block looks like on the inside at XS. Looked pretty crappy. I can't seem to find the thread (maybe I am blind). After seeing the internals I would pass. Never judge a block by its cover?

You mean this? http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=2544833&postcount=4
Please, explain how that's pretty crappy? Free flowing, wide channels with lots of copper contact over the core, not to mention I (and many others) love the look of machined copper.

Just because a cooler is thin does not equate to a restrictive design. People who think so are stuck into a 2D mode. Think 3D as the block channels can be wider than height and thus have way less restriction.

This is where I get my prediction of a restrictive block: http://site.sharkacomputers.com/images/aquacomputer/aquagra/18gt-cor-lg.gif
Tiny, tiny channels water is forced to go through, that aren't even copper. Restriction is somewhat to be expected with a single slot block, but it doesn't have to be that restrictive.

And while I do have to take credit for initially bringing up EK blocks, I was only using them as a Canadian import price guage.

 

[Erasmus354]

Is this one of those anti-AC group you were talking about R1ckCa1n? This ones definitely got a sarcastic mouth, for sure.

I am actually one of those Anti-Bullshit people. I purchased a Cuplex XT a long time ago for the sole purpose of putting it through its paces. Back then there was no testing on AC gear, just hearsay from people on the forums. Lee at SystemCooling turned me down when I offered to send it to him for testing because Sharka had promised him a review kit. Turns out Sharka yanked him around for a couple of months before actually sending anything. Irregardless, testing was done, it performed exactly as I predicted, a solid performer but very restrictive. I still have my Cuplex XT, and was actually planning on switching back to it if I purchased the AC 8800GT block which I am seriously considering. Nice try at trolling though.


@Rick : I guess you are right, it might not have a floating core. I have to say I am dissapointed that it isn't. After all of the AC hype from you guys poo-pooing any block without one. I wonder how they will overcome the horrendous problems of contact and IC height differences now without a floating core?!? Curious how this block seems to go counter what every AC Fanatic has been preaching (aluminum is just fine, copper is too heavy/expensive, any fullcover block without a floating core sucks because you will never get good contact).

I still like the looks of the AC block better than the EK block. I also like how it sticks to a single slot design, the EK one is likely going to spill slightly over into the next slot. I hope the plexi top doesn't make it much thicker.