Which is the best waterblock?

[dxiw]

Just wondering what everybody thought the best waterblock was in terms of performance, ease of use, etc.

[ShadowFolder]

i don't know about manufacturers,
but i can say some important characteristic:
*contain copper
*supports sockets as well
*strong resistant
*comfort 4 tubing

[Element-Xero]

i think right now the maze3 and the spir@l are the favorites. Pretty similar performance.

[JFettig]

watch were your posting, this goes in the watercooling section,

but anyway, for the best blocks thats a hard decision, i really don't know..

as for the 'contains copper' thats faulse, the best of blocks perform close to the same in aluminum as in copper

[BillA]

This post deleted by its "derogatory and insulting" author so that it will not be (so) necessary
"to defend the little guys against the tyranny of the know-it-alls."

[wildfrogman]

Also i think the performance is influenced by the thickness of the material over the cpu and the surface layout the water flows over. Also wether or not the certain block is designed for high flow and works ok at low flow or needs a certain gph or a block that is happy with low gph flow and not see much extra performance upping the gph. It depends on your pump and how the waterblock is designed that most effects performance not to say you wont see a difference between copper and aluminum given the exact same design. Just it probably wont be a large percentage gain thats all.

[Asuka]

www.aqua-computer.de - EVO <- this is mine ! :D
www.innovatek.de !

I think these are the best blocks... don´t think the Maze is any good... against these !

[Illah]

Before you listen to everyone telling you to get a maze or a spiral, check this article (http://www.overclockers.com/articles546/) out. Then look for another post in this forum about the new Gemini blocks.

I got word that Gemini is coming out with a 1/2" barb version, and 1/2" barbs have a 3/8" internal diameter. The new blocks will have true 3/8" channels as well, meaning this block will give almost zero flow restriction and backpressure in a 3/8" system.

--Illah

[Lusankya]

sounds like gemini may be the new KOTH

[Yodums]

Yeh the new Gemini's are coming out, I'd say it's really a toss up between the Swifty, Maze, TC4, and Spir@l. I think the Gemini will do really good considering the performance of the regular Gemini and as you know they have really small barbs so that really restricts the flow.

Yodums

[Tecumseh]

Which is best? The answer: It depends.

If you are not caught up in getting that last mythological
0.01 degree of cooling, all the commercial and most of the
"homemade" water blocks will be just fine.

[Lusankya]

OK so while shopping around... this is my idea of the "best" w/c parts

86 heatercore
Gemini high-flow
Via Aqua 370gph

now correct me if I'm wrong but the waterblock would have 1/2' barbs meaning a 3/8' interior diameter? So would I use 1/2 tubes or 3/8? At what point is the pump considered highflow as opposed to lowflow?

I'm debating this cause D-Tek has the via-aqua 370gph pump for <25 bucks so if this would e a good pump I wanna grab it ebfore the price goes up again but I wanna make sure it would work well with the gemini block. I've only found 2 reviews for the gemini so far.. Hoots is against a maze 2 so I don't wanna take that too much into account as a comparison.

Which do you guys think? maze 3 or Gemini high flow? (leaning towards highflow)

Price isn't a factor :beer:

[Lusankya]

The CPU cooler will be offered in two variations. One is a "normal" volume model and the second is a "high" volume model. It is important to note that it is flow rate, not specifically the volume of water that aids in cooling. In testing the Gemini Cool system, it was found that the "normal" volume model yielded temperatures 10F cooler than the "high" volume model. So if you do not have at least a 360gph pump the "normal" volume unit should be used.

Normal Volume Cooler
This cooler's spiral channel cross sectional area is approximately .042in^2. The volume channel is tuned for 1/4 ID hose and will add only a small amount of back pressure. The overall height for the copper block is approximately .250 inches.

High Volume Cooler
This cooler's spiral channel cross sectional area is approximately .072in^2. The volume channel is tuned for a 3/8 ID hose and will add only a small amount of back pressure. The overall height for the copper block is approximately .5 inches. *Note this block will not perform as well as the normal block unless you have at least a flow rate of 360gph THROUGH your system.


If I'm reading this correctly.. the Highflow model only works as well as the normal model as long as you got a really good pump (thinking the 370gph via aqua would be pushing this limit for a high flow model)

So if I went with the 370gph pump.. I would probably be better of with the normal block right?

or should I go for the high flow block with a stronger pump?

[Lusankya]

Hmm the Gemini has no rubber o-ring between the copper and the poly top..

can't find a 1/2 barb version either...

What do you guys think of the TEC-4 Rev 2 block?
http://dtekcustoms.safeshopper.com/18/125.htm?482

[Wicked Klown]

Originally posted by Lusankya
Hmm the Gemini has no rubber o-ring between the copper and the poly top..

can't find a 1/2 barb version either...

What do you guys think of the TEC-4 Rev 2 block?
http://dtekcustoms.safeshopper.com/18/125.htm?482


Nice block have seen some nice things about it. Myself tho would stay away form the Rev2 and get the Tec-4. After all you wouldn't want anything breaking or cracking.

[Lusankya]

I can't even find the tc companys website... anyone got a link for it? So far as I can find.. D-Tek has the only instance of this block

[Wicked Klown]

If your talking about the Tec-4, D-Tek is the only one I know seling it.

[Lusankya]

and they don't even have a review on it

[JokerF15]

Originally posted by Yodums
Yeh the new Gemini's are coming out, I'd say it's really a toss up between the Swifty, Maze, TC4, and Spir@l. I think the Gemini will do really good considering the performance of the regular Gemini and as you know they have really small barbs so that really restricts the flow.

Yodums

The Gemini Blocks don't really 'restrict' flowrate.

The Gemini design promotes Velocity inside the block, and as you know the faster the water moves inside the block, the faster 'fresh' and 'colder' water comes in to the block. The goal is to keep the coldest water in the block at all times.

The Normal Volume block has been tweaked. It will not have 1/4'' channels which is the ID for 3/8'' tubing. This will promote less backpressure (that in turn usually means the pump works less, and an overall higher system flowrate). It also allows little flow restriction through the block. The New GPU and Chipset Blocks also have 1/4'' channels for the same reasons.

Another 'myth' about blocks is that the thicker the block, the better it performs. That is just a flat out lie. There have been tests with the same designs that thicker blocks (more copper), actually DECREASE the performance of the block.

The Gemini Block has been created in one of the 'best' designs i.e. the sprial. The water enters in the center (immediatly hitting the hottest portion). The shape promotes high velocity.

If you ever get a chance to talk to Peter from Gemini, you will know that a lot of testing and thought has been put into the design of the block. I really beleive it is the best block on the market right now.

The 'new' version that is being talked about will be TRUE 1/2''. That is atleast 3/8'' interior channels. There is no set design at the moment, but It is being worked on, and hopefully in a short period of time you will see the blocks.

Here is a real good review of some of the 'Top Dogs' It is lacking the newer blocks, but it shows overall how each block performs. Keep in mind that a lot of changes have been made to the gemini block since the review.

Also, Whatever block you go with, You are pretty much guaranteed good performance. It's that extra degree that we are talking about. =D

-JokerF15

[ElroyCarbon]

Nice article ILLAH. Wow theose Gemeni blocks are no joke. I have had the maze 2 and the maze 3 and can say they worked just fine, however I have not had the opportunity to compare to another block, but that article pretty much shows whats up. GEMENI!!!