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I have obtained 6 AC waterblocks (4 different types) for my build parallel HEX (for those that havent seen it). Im not going to discuss the performance of these blocks, mainly because there isnt any water flowing through them just yet 
, and many would poo poo them anyway because of the uniqueness that is my water cooling circuit, testing methodologies, etc.
Instead Im going to talk about the quality, fitting and shortfalls of these blocks.
First block in the dock: Cuplex XT CPU Waterblock
Many will know this block and the recent review from System Cooling. Im modifying this to a 3 port design and will of course affect any results I will get. The problem with this block (if it is a problem) is the jet holes. In my block the chamfers or countersinks were offset from the actual holes.
Here's an image taken from the System Cooling Review:
And here is a macro shot of my jet holes:
Is it this way on purpose? Dont think so. Will it affect performance? Dont know. That's my only gripe with this block. It looks good, performs well (from reviews and hearsay) and by modifying it to 3 ports, I should improve the performance.
Next: Aquagratix X1900 Waterblock
I think this is a nice block, cools the memory as well as the gpu. The spring loaded core makes the height of the ram chips a non-issue. However, ATI fitted thermal pads to the X1900XT(X), some think to isolate the heat from the gpu, some think to cool the ram chips. I dunno. The Aquagratix cooler makes closer contact with the ram chips, so some TIM (other than the stuff on the stock cooler) is required, but not supplied. You have to recycle the thermal strip for the power ic's at the far end of the card.
There is an issue depending on what X1900 you are fitting the Aquagratix to. For instance, there is a difference between the X1900XTX and the X1900 Crossfire; the composition chip of the Crossfire card.
The ATI stock cooler has TIM between itself and the composition chip. To cool or to isolate? Regardless of this, the Aquagratix doesnt make full contact with it, and the height of the chip is quite low. Im unsure if I should apply TIM to that chip or not.
I did notice that when I removed the stock cooler, the composition chip had sweated a little, probably from the TIM itself. The ram chips were dry.
The tolerance in fitting this block is tight. There is a capacitor on the bottom left hand side of the cooler that touches the Aquagratix. Shouldnt be a problem, but worth noting.
The fitted LED to light up the Aqua Computer plexi logo is a nice addition, but could have been done better. First, the size of the LED pushes the plexi logo a bit high on one side so that its not flush. A minor niggle though. In my opinion they should have supplied clear logo blanks for people like me who are going to change them, instead of having to buy them separately. The gauge of wire used for the LED is a bit OTT, and at the end of the lead for the LED is a molex connector. Why they didnt fit a connector to fit in the socket for the stock fan lead is beyond me. Yes, the glow will change depending on what the fan speed would have been, but I think this would have been a nice feature! Its left up to me to modify it this way. Means I can use the fan control in ATI Tool to control the brightness of the logo.
Last moan the instructions are in German, but who reads them anyway
Next: Twinplex Pro North Bridge Waterblock
Firstly, the chippings inside the block.
To be fair, I really had to pick these off with a blade, but with all the hoo-hah with other blocks and their chippings, it goes to show you that not everyone is immune to this. All water cooling enthusiasts know to check their blocks for this kind of thing. If your block has a warranty void sticker, tough. AC blocks dont have these aforementioned stickers thankfully.
This is a tiny block, but with good reason its got to fit where other nb coolers fear to tread! The clearance of the north bridge chip on DFI RDX200 is low, and Im glad to say the Twinplex fits barely. Thats with two X1900 with Aquagratix fitted.
Due to a surface mounted component on the underside of the RDX200, the plastic screws supplied with the twinplex bend around it.
It would have been much better if they had supplied spring loaded clips with the twinplex. Luckily I can use the spring loaded clips from the original fan cooler of the motherboard. Hopefully these will give enough downwards pressure for the cooler to be effective.
Last: Aquadrive Micro Hard Drive Waterblock
This is one heavy water block, with a lovely blue colour and oddly no plexi in sight!
I really have go to question the effectiveness of this block. It hardly comes into contact with the hard drive, with only the outer perimeter of the hard drive touching. You can actually see light right through between the hd and the waterblock.
I was originally going to use Cooler Master aquaturles but changed my mind due to the questionable quality and horror stories (mine had what looks to be cracks in the acrylic). The aquaturles have a thermal blanket of sorts that comes into contact with the copper base and the hard drive. Aqua Computer should have included something like this with the Aquadrive. I'll peel the thermal blanket off the CM Aquaturtles and use it for the AC Aquadrives. More on that in my worklog.
---------------------------------------------------
I didn't post this 'review' of sorts because it's fashionable at the moment to knock Aqua Computer, but because you expect a certain level of quality for your money. Time will tell how these waterblocks perform in my water cooling circuit, but I have all the confidence they will be good.
Back to normal service!
, and many would poo poo them anyway because of the uniqueness that is my water cooling circuit, testing methodologies, etc. Instead Im going to talk about the quality, fitting and shortfalls of these blocks.
First block in the dock: Cuplex XT CPU Waterblock
Many will know this block and the recent review from System Cooling. Im modifying this to a 3 port design and will of course affect any results I will get. The problem with this block (if it is a problem) is the jet holes. In my block the chamfers or countersinks were offset from the actual holes.
Here's an image taken from the System Cooling Review:
And here is a macro shot of my jet holes:
Is it this way on purpose? Dont think so. Will it affect performance? Dont know. That's my only gripe with this block. It looks good, performs well (from reviews and hearsay) and by modifying it to 3 ports, I should improve the performance.
Next: Aquagratix X1900 Waterblock
I think this is a nice block, cools the memory as well as the gpu. The spring loaded core makes the height of the ram chips a non-issue. However, ATI fitted thermal pads to the X1900XT(X), some think to isolate the heat from the gpu, some think to cool the ram chips. I dunno. The Aquagratix cooler makes closer contact with the ram chips, so some TIM (other than the stuff on the stock cooler) is required, but not supplied. You have to recycle the thermal strip for the power ic's at the far end of the card.
There is an issue depending on what X1900 you are fitting the Aquagratix to. For instance, there is a difference between the X1900XTX and the X1900 Crossfire; the composition chip of the Crossfire card.
The ATI stock cooler has TIM between itself and the composition chip. To cool or to isolate? Regardless of this, the Aquagratix doesnt make full contact with it, and the height of the chip is quite low. Im unsure if I should apply TIM to that chip or not.
I did notice that when I removed the stock cooler, the composition chip had sweated a little, probably from the TIM itself. The ram chips were dry.
The tolerance in fitting this block is tight. There is a capacitor on the bottom left hand side of the cooler that touches the Aquagratix. Shouldnt be a problem, but worth noting.
The fitted LED to light up the Aqua Computer plexi logo is a nice addition, but could have been done better. First, the size of the LED pushes the plexi logo a bit high on one side so that its not flush. A minor niggle though. In my opinion they should have supplied clear logo blanks for people like me who are going to change them, instead of having to buy them separately. The gauge of wire used for the LED is a bit OTT, and at the end of the lead for the LED is a molex connector. Why they didnt fit a connector to fit in the socket for the stock fan lead is beyond me. Yes, the glow will change depending on what the fan speed would have been, but I think this would have been a nice feature! Its left up to me to modify it this way
. Means I can use the fan control in ATI Tool to control the brightness of the logo.Last moan the instructions are in German, but who reads them anyway
Next: Twinplex Pro North Bridge Waterblock
Firstly, the chippings inside the block.
To be fair, I really had to pick these off with a blade, but with all the hoo-hah with other blocks and their chippings, it goes to show you that not everyone is immune to this. All water cooling enthusiasts know to check their blocks for this kind of thing. If your block has a warranty void sticker, tough. AC blocks dont have these aforementioned stickers thankfully.
This is a tiny block, but with good reason its got to fit where other nb coolers fear to tread! The clearance of the north bridge chip on DFI RDX200 is low, and Im glad to say the Twinplex fits barely. Thats with two X1900 with Aquagratix fitted.
Due to a surface mounted component on the underside of the RDX200, the plastic screws supplied with the twinplex bend around it.
It would have been much better if they had supplied spring loaded clips with the twinplex. Luckily I can use the spring loaded clips from the original fan cooler of the motherboard. Hopefully these will give enough downwards pressure for the cooler to be effective.
Last: Aquadrive Micro Hard Drive Waterblock
This is one heavy water block, with a lovely blue colour and oddly no plexi in sight!
I really have go to question the effectiveness of this block. It hardly comes into contact with the hard drive, with only the outer perimeter of the hard drive touching. You can actually see light right through between the hd and the waterblock.
I was originally going to use Cooler Master aquaturles but changed my mind due to the questionable quality and horror stories (mine had what looks to be cracks in the acrylic). The aquaturles have a thermal blanket of sorts that comes into contact with the copper base and the hard drive. Aqua Computer should have included something like this with the Aquadrive. I'll peel the thermal blanket off the CM Aquaturtles and use it for the AC Aquadrives. More on that in my worklog.
---------------------------------------------------
I didn't post this 'review' of sorts because it's fashionable at the moment to knock Aqua Computer, but because you expect a certain level of quality for your money. Time will tell how these waterblocks perform in my water cooling circuit, but I have all the confidence they will be good
.Back to normal service!
