Danger Den RBX

Waterblock Test – Joe

SUMMARY: Good choice for CPU cooling, but needs a good waterpump to perform.

Jeremy over at Danger Den was nice enough to send an RBX waterblock to test.

Danger Den’s RBX features

• Chrome-plated barb connectors for ½” ID tubing with “Y” connector
• Lucite Top
• Base machined lapped and touched up to 1200 grit

This waterblock is designed around “accelerator plates” which serve to accelerate the waterflow to a high pressure stream. In addition, there are 6 channels machined into the base to increase turbulence. Details on these features are HERE.

I did have an issue with the RBX I received, as the accelerator plate did not fit in its proper orientation:

I had to sand down the edges of the plate to ensure a proper fit and orientation. Danger Den is working hard to ensure that this does not occur again; users can easily check the baseplate for proper fit by looking down the intake tube – the plate’s slot should lie across the channels.

Danger Den’s blocks carry a warning label on it stating “Warranty Void if Removed”. This does not mean that if the consumer who buys the block were opens it up, the warranty is voided. Danger Den informed me that “…the “Void” sticker is used to guarantee a sealed water block (leak tested) to the customer. We still have 100% manufacturer defect warrantee even if the sticker is removed.” See their FAQ HERE.

The base

is finished by hand lapping – very obvious on inspection.

Also available are additional “accelerator plates” for lower or higher pressure, and a blank so that users can try out their own design.

The RBX was tested using the CPU Die Simulator and Waterblock Test Rig. I used the #1 accelerator plate for this test.

Test Results indicate that the RBX’s pressure drop (or head loss) across the waterblock is moderate; resistance such as this means that Danger Den’s RBX needs something like a 300 gph+ waterpump to function effectively, an even more powerful pump if system resistance is high due to other waterblocks and a high pressure radiator.

For a comparison of the Danger Den’s RBX performance to other waterblocks tested to date, see Overclockers.com Waterblock Test Results.

Danger Den’s RBX Waterblock is a very good choice for CPU cooling, but with moderate flow resistance, the RBX needs a waterpump of something like 300 gph to function effectively. Other components, such as a radiator or GPU block, will add to system resistance, increasing the waterpump requirement. I’ll test additional accelerator plates as time permits.

For users who like to tinker, the accelerator plate design offers a LOT of possibilities for testing various ideas.

Thanks again to Danger Den for sending this our way.

Email Joe