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Koolance CPU blocks good?

C

chanchan

Limp Gawd
Joined
Sep 14, 2005
Messages
482
I'm upgrading my blocks, I'm really interested in the Koolance blocks.

The two models I'm looking at are:

http://www.koolance.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=29_44&products_id=210

http://www.koolance.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=29_44&products_id=402

I'm wondering if anyone has experience with them outside of Koolance systems?

I'm interested in the first one more because it's rated at 300w!!

I'm going to get a Quad Q6600 for sure, I'm going to try and patience it for the 90w G0 stepping if not the current 120w standard ones.
 
No one works with Koolance blocks ... maybe they're bad?

I find they aren't that expensive and their build quality is very high.
 
chanchan said:
No one works with Koolance blocks ... maybe they're bad?

I find they aren't that expensive and their build quality is very high.
Click to expand...

No one really knows, there aren't too many testers out there nowadays. To me these Koolance blocks look very competitive and solid, it'd be nice to see some real world tests.
 
Im very interested in seeing also what people think of these blocks. I am also looking at buying the second block on your list... i think the quality looks outstanding, plus I like the style... I hope someone answers.
 
JLangevin said:
Im very interested in seeing also what people think of these blocks. I am also looking at buying the second block on your list... i think the quality looks outstanding, plus I like the style... I hope someone answers.
Click to expand...

Yea I like the industrial look of the second block and I think the round design is clever.
 
I used the CPU-200-G block for many years and it is an excellent performer. The Koolance block design hasn't changed in years. The only thing that has changed is a cosmetic make over. Here is the look of the underlying block. Regardless of what some people say about plexi tops I had to beat this one with a hammer to get the plexi off the top, thus the bent pins. :D




Koolance_CPU200G1.jpg






Koolance_CPU200G.jpg
 
No... I dislike Koolance for their lack of innovation and their rampant use of gold-plating...

There are way better choices for the money.
 
I had heard someone mention on another forum that the round or smaller contact area of some cpu blocks are not suitable for quad core processors. This is something I am interested in finding out if it has any validity, since I will be moving to quad core soon.

I would imagine that if the surface area of the block at least covers the entire surface of the heast spreader, that there shouldnt be an issue.
 
Arcygenical said:
No... I dislike Koolance for their lack of innovation and their rampant use of gold-plating...

There are way better choices for the money.
Click to expand...

See the pic I posted. That design is one of the best I have seen as it is cast or forged and all the imperfections add to the cooling.
 
Is there a drawback to using gold plating? I know that some of the finest electrical components in the stereo industry use gold plating on all connectors... how would this benifit or degrade the cooling?
 
Arcygenical said:
No... I dislike Koolance for their lack of innovation and their rampant use of gold-plating...
Click to expand...
i love the gold plating.
yes koolance blocks are good. The best? probably not. they are not "bad" by any means.

i am using the cpu-300 with 1/4" tubing and you'd be surpised by my temps;)

don't believe the wannnabe-noobie unfounded BS garbage, they are just talking.

people hate on 1/4" tubing and they hate on koolance blocks, but are people ACTUALLY USING these setups complaining????

NO i am not, and i do use koolance and 1/4":rolleyes:

I would reccommend the cpu-305 though, i like the vertical nozzle design MUCH more than the L models (horizontal for those koolance haters)

i do lust for the cpu-330 though, it looks mean!
 
From a mathematical, scientific or logical standpoint, gold-plating makes little to no sense.

It looks f*cking amazing though, I'll give you that!
 
Uberhitzung said:
i love the gold plating.
yes koolance blocks are good. The best? probably not. they are not "bad" by any means.

i am using the cpu-300 with 1/4" tubing and you'd be surpised by my temps;)

don't believe the wannnabe-noobie unfounded BS garbage, they are just talking.

people hate on 1/4" tubing and they hate on koolance blocks, but are people ACTUALLY USING these setups complaining????

NO i am not, and i do use koolance and 1/4":rolleyes:

I would reccommend the cpu-305 though, i like the vertical nozzle design MUCH more than the L models (horizontal for those koolance haters)

i do lust for the cpu-330 though, it looks mean!
Click to expand...

Look at the temps and OC information in my sig, thats on 1/4" as well ;-)
 
That is one reason why I am looking at upgrading, since I want to introduce GPU and Northbridge into the loop... Also, Im assuming that a single 120mm radiator wouldnt be enough for this? Im not using an 8800, so the heat wont be intense, but everything including the card is overclocked.
 
Actually the blocks I'm looking at use 3/8" ID tubing which works perfectly in my setup.

I just don't like my Thermaltake block and the fact that it has an acryllic top, I've got expensive components in the system and the last thing I need is a cracked block ruining my stuff.

I'm going to order the first block which comes with brackets for 775 and I'll report back in a few weeks.

I also remember that team HardOCP did a water-cooled XBOX 360 with two Koolance blocks, they seem to like their stuff so who knows. If the CPU block works out well I'll also purchase the Koolance 8800 GTX block and add that to my loop.
 
The CPU block might be nice, but it's been proven time and time again that the EK Fullcover 8800GTX block performs up to 10c better than the Koolance one.
 
Arcygenical said:
The CPU block might be nice, but it's been proven time and time again that the EK Fullcover 8800GTX block performs up to 10c better than the Koolance one.
Click to expand...

Where was it proved? Could you provide the sources? I haven't seen any comparison at all.. much less 10c temperature differences..
 
People hate on Koolance just like they do Alienware.

One big difference.

Koolance actually delivers decent performance given the cost and provide an excellent all-in-one solution for many people. Quality of components are excellent, especially some of their cool fittings and stuff...really classy but expensive. No one said Koolance was the best, but they certainly aren't Thermaltake.
 
migueld said:
Where was it proved? Could you provide the sources? I haven't seen any comparison at all.. much less 10c temperature differences..
Click to expand...

Direct comparisons between those that purchased the block and those that purchased the EK block show a 6-10c discrepency in favour of the Koolance block.

There are no direct internet sources for it (very few review sites do waterblock roundups anymore) but user experience right here on the board (BrandonB and Hemi just to name a few) who have purchased the Koolance blocks both are reporting load temps in the mid 50s.

Everyone else is reporting them in the mid 40s.
 
JLangevin said:
Is there a drawback to using gold plating? I know that some of the finest electrical components in the stereo industry use gold plating on all connectors... how would this benifit or degrade the cooling?
Click to expand...

In audio you're dealing with electricity, not heat.
 
Well, I did just read several in depth reviews where the block was compared to the Apogee GT and it performed very well. I personally like the looks of the Koolance over the GT and the build quality is out standing, especially when some of these reviews allow you to see the inside of the block. Im impressed with it.
 
Arcygenical said:
Direct comparisons between those that purchased the block and those that purchased the EK block show a 6-10c discrepency in favour of the Koolance block.

There are no direct internet sources for it (very few review sites do waterblock roundups anymore) but user experience right here on the board (BrandonB and Hemi just to name a few) who have purchased the Koolance blocks both are reporting load temps in the mid 50s.

Everyone else is reporting them in the mid 40s.
Click to expand...

There was a user on XS that reported a drop of 8C on the jump from a Koolance FC to an EK FC. I'll see if I can dig that thread up. I can only offer an indirect comparison. The DD blocks were higher than my EK blocks by 6c from my tests. A test released on overclockers awhile back reported that the FC Koolance blocks as being 6c hotter than the DD FC's. When I have time on my lunch break, I'll see if I can dig up the threads or at least talk to the user that reported the difference. However, I don't really see a point as Migueld will usually find away to find a fault with anything sort of procedure that might report Koolance in a bad light. It's like talking about his baby's momma.
 
Ranker said:
There was a user on XS that reported a drop of 8C on the jump from a Koolance FC to an EK FC. I'll see if I can dig that thread up. I can only offer an indirect comparison. The DD blocks were higher than my EK blocks by 6c from my tests. A test released on overclockers awhile back reported that the FC Koolance blocks as being 6c hotter than the DD FC's. When I have time on my lunch break, I'll see if I can dig up the threads or at least talk to the user that reported the difference. However, I don't really see a point as Migueld will usually find away to find a fault with anything sort of procedure that might report Koolance in a bad light. It's like talking about his baby's momma.
Click to expand...

A user here on the [H] also showed a similar change when going from AC full cover blocks to the EK blocks. Personally I think that was why AC finally started making the copper inserts for their FC blocks as it increases cooling about 20% to the better. I figure it is only a short while before they start making their FC blocks in copper just to eliminate the problems in putting aluminum next to copper.

That's why I stick with just using GPU blocks as they have forward usability. Heat sinks on the other heat producing parts with a little convection cooling is fine with me.
 
Top Nurse said:
A user here on the [H] also showed a similar change when going from AC full cover blocks to the EK blocks. Personally I think that was why AC finally started making the copper inserts for their FC blocks as it increases cooling about 20% to the better. I figure it is only a short while before they start making their FC blocks in copper just to eliminate the problems in putting aluminum next to copper.

That's why I stick with just using GPU blocks as they have forward usability. Heat sinks on the other heat producing parts with a little convection cooling is fine with me.
Click to expand...

I purchased the EK and DD FC blocks (fleabayed the DD ones) only to see what the craze was about the FC blocks. I don't regret purchasing th EK blocks, but I can't say it's something I'll be likely doing in the future. In most cases, it doesn't make much sense to me to buy a 100-150$ block that is thrown away with the next upgrade.
 
Ranker said:
I purchased the EK and DD FC blocks (fleabayed the DD ones) only to see what the craze was about the FC blocks. I don't regret purchasing th EK blocks, but I can't say it's something I'll be likely doing in the future. In most cases, it doesn't make much sense to me to buy a 100-150$ block that is thrown away with the next upgrade.
Click to expand...

Well, in about 6 months I'll be looking for a last-gen vidcard with a FC wb. So send me a PM when you want to upgrade.
 
The Koolance 8800 GTX block just fried my 8800 GTX!

I was getting great GPU temps with this water block for about a day then my
video memory fried. I took the waterblock off the card and the "thermal tape" - which was more like bad silly putty - was not making contact with the memory chips. Also I had to really glop on the gpu paste when I set it up. A thin layer did not make contact with the GPU. And believe me I really tightened those screws.

I think this comes from bad design and not that this is a 1 time only problem.

I'm looking for a new water block that makes better contact with all of the 8800 GTX components (that need cooling).

And a new 8800 GTX!
 
Dual said:
The Koolance 8800 GTX block just fried my 8800 GTX!

I was getting great GPU temps with this water block for about a day then my
video memory fried. I took the waterblock off the card and the "thermal tape" - which was more like bad silly putty - was not making contact with the memory chips. Also I had to really glop on the gpu paste when I set it up. A thin layer did not make contact with the GPU. And believe me I really tightened those screws.

I think this comes from bad design and not that this is a 1 time only problem.

I'm looking for a new water block that makes better contact with all of the 8800 GTX components (that need cooling).

And a new 8800 GTX!
Click to expand...

My condolences over the loss of your 8800GTX. Others may disagree with me, but I think a considerable number of us ex-Koolance users have run into a lot of horrendous problems with Koolance's products. I hope you bought an EVGA 8800GTX as they'll accept anything back that looks like a video card.

Now onto your cooling needs:
EK 8800GTX Full cover block. Best full cover block in the business.

However, I normally prefer GPU only blocks. If you rather go the Core-only route, I'd recommend a Swiftech MCW60 w/ the 8800 ram sinks set. If you choose this option, it'll be less restrictive than the EK FC, will cool the core better, and you'll be able to reuse the block at a later date when new generations of video cards come out.
 
Dual said:
I'm looking for a new water block that makes better contact with all of the 8800 GTX components (that need cooling).
Click to expand...

This is the BEST GPU cooler in the business as it eliminates just the problems you described. The cores float in the block so there isn't any mismatch problems. All FC blocks have this problem except Aqua Computer. One other tidbit: You can use the PCI slot next to the video card.




18gtx-bm-lg.gif





18gt-cor-lg.gif




With optional copper cores.



8800cu.jpg





Older block, but the front pretty much looks the same on the newer FC blocks.




23374.jpg
 
The AC design is top notch but will not touch the EK performance wise. I wish they would address the core design on the AC block as it leaves alot to be desired.
 
R1ckCa1n said:
The AC design is top notch but will not touch the EK performance wise. I wish they would address the core design on the AC block as it leaves alot to be desired.
Click to expand...

What about with the copper cores? AC says they get a 20-30% increase in heat dissipation.

BTW, if AC ever decides to make a AquagraFX out of copper with the adjustable cores they would literally clean up the market. IIRC, that method of using adjustable cores is patented.
 
Top Nurse said:
What about with the copper cores? AC says they get a 20-30% increase in heat dissipation.

BTW, if AC ever decides to make a AquagraFX out of copper with the adjustable cores they would literally clean up the market. IIRC, that method of using adjustable cores is patented.
Click to expand...

The cores on the AC blocks are relatively flat and unmachined... Not alot of extra surface area for water to come into contact with.

And... Cmon, you and me both understand the problems with copper directly touching aluminum in a voltaic solution...

A full-copper version of the block, with some deeper channels over the core, would do a lot of good yes, but who knows what it's price point would be compared to the proven competition.
 
Well I didn't say anything about the corrosion issue. AC voids your warranty when you use the copper inserts. However, when these were available for the 6800 class cards I never heard of anybody complaining providing you use AC Fluid. :)



8800cu.jpg





Here's what the copper cores look like and I would say that it has more surface area to the water than the EK block just by looking.



23395.jpg





23395_2.jpg
 
Now, what's the inside of the actual FC block look like... over the core area? I remember there being the ability for the water not to enter the channels and go right over them...

My only gripe in their design.
 
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