Alphacool waterblocks

[ahimoth]

Is there any benefit to either of these designs or is it simply an aesthetics thing? What are your thoughts? I'll purchase a plain black back plate either way for which ever one. For example is the smaller waterblock going to weigh any less? Or will it add to the structure integrity etc?

 

[SeekaX]

those are EK waterblocks, not alphacool. and no, there is no difference between the black ones and the acryllic ones, given that it's the same model.

 

[maniac]

As far as I can recall there is no difference between them apart from aesthetics. There could be some difference due to the properties of metal being better at conducting heat than plexi but even if there was I doubt it could be noticeable in the real world.

 

[SeekaX]

As far as I can recall there is no difference between them apart from aesthetics. There could be some difference due to the properties of metal being better at conducting heat than plexi but even if there was I doubt it could be noticeable in the real world.

that's probably even a downside, in a waterloop you want the heat to stay in the water till it hits the radiator usually, so the heat goes right out of the case and doesn't heat up the interior, but i don't think that it will make a difference worth noting.

 

[FTR.4500MHz]

The only difference in pic.1 is one block having an acetal top and the other a plexi one (plexi you can see through, acetal you can't obviously). No difference in performance tho.

The second pic showing the SE versions of the same block. These ones will cover the whole pcb of your grafics card. I would say these ones will offer more rigidity to your card especially if a backplate is added.

Other than that it is all about your taste to make your choice.

 

[ahimoth]

Lol sorry yes EK blocks. Derp... >.> Not thinking straight. I was more interested in whether or not the larger block would offer more integrity.

 

[maniac]

oh my bad then, I thought it was a plexi or metal thing. I'd go for a full block tbh if money is not an issue, mainly because I prefer the look of it.

 

[SeekaX]

oh my bad then, I thought it was a plexi or metal thing. I'd go for a full block tbh if money is not an issue, mainly because I prefer the look of it.

+1 for that
if you consider a waterloop those 10 euros in difference won't make a difference to you anyways and naked PCBs are ghastly

 

[SuB]

Acetal is less prone to cracking than plexi, that's the main benefit of it.

But if you mean what's the difference between the long and the short one, in this case... not a lot. Sometimes they include a plate to cool the power regs stuff but it doesn't look like it for these?

 

[ahimoth]

Acetal is less prone to cracking than plexi, that's the main benefit of it.

But if you mean what's the difference between the long and the short one, in this case... not a lot. Sometimes they include a plate to cool the power regs stuff but it doesn't look like it for these?

Mm it seems like it's just extra material around the PCB. Thanks guys