AquaComputer Cuplex Kryos XT

[Skyguy]

The AquaComputer Cuplex Kryos CPU water block comes in a variety of versions and they all look gorgeous. We're going to pit the Kryos against a couple other top water blocks and see how things shake out.



Click HERE for the full review.

[smduff]

Good review Deton, not to bad looking of a block.

[Deton]

actually it's pretty nice block but the mounting mechanism need some improvement.

[Doctor_Death]

Good review Deton, nice block, decent performance, to bad the installs such a pain. Did you talk to them about this issue, and see if they had plans for a new version with out mounting problems, or some kind of fix to make the install easier?

[Drdeath]

Nice review Deton.I use my own custom mounting kit anyhow on Waterblocks. I may get one.

[bullydog]

Great review Deton, i was just looking at the silver edition of this waterblock yesterday and I nearly fell off my chair USD$279 for the silver plated one.

This XT version look just as good or almost identical! In fact the performance is surprising given the pin matrix design and its flow rate as compared to the Apogee XT.

BTW how are temps on a 5.0ghz OC'ed Sandy Bridge compared against the i7 4.2ghz Nehalem?? 24c on idle for a 5.0ghz overclock is really impressive

[Deton]

@DrDeath; technically you can mount all blocks with your own bolt-through hard mount method.

@DocDeath; no never discuss with AquaComputer and I'm sure they are aware of the mounting mechanicsm but it will take awhile for them to come up new design unless a lot of people are going to complain about it. Just like EK, took them awhile to decided to upgrade their mounting mechanism.

@Bullydog; I don't think it's worth to buy the Silver Edition block, the performance will be still the same. Because it's not pure silver but just plated, the true benifite of the Silver Edition is true compatible with 3/4" compression fittings.

Regarding to SB temp, 24c for idle because the system throttled down below 2Ghz and the Vcore drop below 1.0V. This is how SB works, no more constant speed due to Turbo overclocking. As for load temps, they are still pretty hot due to 1.4ish volt for the Vcore. However, it is not as hot Nahalem

[Earthmonger]

@Bullydog; I don't think it's worth to buy the Silver Edition block, the performance will be still the same. Because it's not pure silver but just plated, the true benifite of the Silver Edition is true compatible with 3/4" compression fittings.

Say what?! AC do not make a silver-plated version of the Kryos. They do make a version with a solid silver base.

I have it here. The body of which is custom plated by RRT, in fact, while the stainless top inlay is polished to a mirror finish. Quite lovely. It's currently wadded up in some tissue paper and tossed away carelessly in my china cabinet, because I'm too lazy to tear down my rig at the moment.

But, on to point number two: It won't handle 3/4" comps. Not without a 45 being used.

[Deton]

@ Earth; good to see you back. I should make it clear is that the whole block is not pure silver but just the base and it's cost over $200USD. That what I was talking about.

How much is performance grain to justify its cost?

Hey if you are hardcore Waco and money is no object then no body is agrue about it.

Regarding to the compression fittings, they did increase the ports spacing but still not further enough to fit the big fat Bitspower 3/4". It does fit with slimmer style such as Koolance compressions.

[Earthmonger]

I was looking around at silver blocks and ultimately decided on the Kryos with the silver base because it looked far better than the homebrew atrocities. I helped myself rationalize the decision because of its compatibility with the upcoming x79 lineup. Waterblocks have reached the point of diminishing returns, in my opinion, and I wanted something nice. I have about $320 invested in that block. I should probably break down and use it.

I'm pretty biased about compression fittings. Only two brands exist that I acknowledge exist: Bitspower and Enzotech. Won't catch me running with Koolance, or EK's knock-offs. DDs are rebadged BPs, and Feser is the bottom of the barrel. BP is a little nutty about pricing though, I admit. And regardless of brand, you have to be damn careful working with rotaries.

There's been a good bit of AC hatemail over the Kryos not accepting large compressions. But you have to consider the country of origin. In most of Europe, 3/8" is still the standard size, with 1/2" and 5/8" regarded as High Flow and overkill. Someone using 3/4" is rare and AC haven't embraced such madness yet.

[Deton]

the controversy 1/2" vs 3/8" is going for years. North America wants BigMac and coke and EU wants cracker/cheese and a glass of red wine

[Caleal]

Just an FYI, Sidewinder has a clearance sale going on the Cuplex Kryos HF for AM3/AM2 for $65.
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/aqcocukrhffo.html

If you need it for an Intel CPU, and also happen to be ordering some stuff from Aquatuning, you can get the appropriate mounting plate from them for around $12.

Just a tip for anyone that was ordering from multiple vendors anyway, and was looking to safe a few bucks on the Kryos HF.