Waterblock Shootout

Introduction A menagerie of water blocks
 
In the very recent past AMD and Intel have been vocal about upcoming families of multiple core CPU’s which will take processors into an area that we have never seen before. With Intel’s current Q6600/ QX quad-core range and AMD’s  Phenom native quad-core processors, eight and sixteen cored processors will no doubt follow as the process is perfected and applications demand it.

It is a well known fact that water-cooling is really beginning to become a viable mainstream alternative to traditional air-cooling measures. No longer is water-cooling purely the domain of the hardcore overclockers, but ever increasingly it is beginning to make its way into more and more people’s homes.
With the advent of quad-core processors and the successful saturation of the market with dual-core processors as well, a need has arisen for cooling methods to tame these multi-cored beasts. So how do we look towards cooling these processors more efficiently…With water-cooling of course!

 
Today I have been given the opportunity to review the new Swiftech Apogee GTZ, XSPC Delta V3 and Aqua Compter Cuplex HD water blocks which all promise the highest cooling performance. It will be interesting to see which block emerges as the winner of a no-holds barred water block shootout. Can they tame the Quad-cored beast?
 
 
Specifications
 
The specifications for each water block were taken directly from each manufacturers’ product page.
 
XSPC Delta V3 CPU Acetal

– Designed for Quad and Dual Core CPU’s
– High Performance Copper Base With Over 1600 Copper Pins
– Pins Precision cut to 0.4×0.4×4.2mm
– 26mm Stepped Base
– CNC Cut Acetal Top
– G1/4″ Threads
– Universal Mounting Plate
– Supports Sockets A/462, 478, 604/603, 701
754/939/940, AM2 and LGA775

 
Swiftech Apogee GTZ Water Block

Block Base Dimensions: 50mm x 50mm x 7.2mm (2.0” x 2.0” x 0.3”)
Height (including barbs):37.2mm (1.5”)
Port Threading: Standard G 1/4″
Barb Size: Chrome Plated 1/2″ & 3/8” bards provided
Net Weight: 239g
Top Material: CNC machine Delrin
Base Material: CNC machine C110 copper mirror finished

 
Aqua Computer Cuplex HD
 
Thread Size: 1/4″
Mounting Type: 478 and 775
Flow Rating: High
Base Material: Copper
Top Material: Plated Aluminum
 
Let’s head over the page to check out the review candidates packaging and contents…