Silverprop Cyclone Evolution

Waterblock Test – Joe

SUMMARY: Very good choice for CPU cooling with moderate power waterpumps.

Silverprop was nice enough to send a Cyclone Evolution waterblock to test.

The Cyclone features

• ½” integrated hose fittings with only one seal between the top & base
• Directional velocity inlet
• Channelled base
• Type II, Class 2 Anodization for corrosion resistance

You will notice below that the Cyclone’s pressure drop is moderate – this is due to its interior design:

The Cyclone Evolution series is composed of three waterblocks; according to Silverprop, the Cyclone Evolution has the least fins and least restriction, the Cyclone Evolution V2.0 has a higher fin density and the Cyclone Evolution V2.5 has the highest fin density. Having now tested all three, I took the tops off and found the following:

If you look closely, you’ll note that there are more, but thinner, fins for the 2.5 than the 2.0, with the thickest for the Cyclone. However, if you measure the gaps between the fins of the 2.0 and 2.5, you find that the channel width is the same on each block; ergo, there is less space for water flow in the 2.0 (15 channels) compared to the 2.5 (18 channels).

In addition, the top features a slot

which directs the water over the base’s channels.

No such thing as a free lunch – increasing turbulence and channelling waterflow will require some “effort”, and it shows up in pressure drop readings (not good or bad – just something to recognize).

I did not test the Cyclone’s mounting clamps, but would caution that ensuring mounting pressure such that the waterblock is flat to the CPU core is critical to realizing performance. A mounting system using screw tightening might be a tad more difficult, as it depends on equality between the sides.

The base

appears well finished, although performance could be enhanced a bit by well done hand lapping.

The Silverprop Cyclone Evolution was tested using the CPU Die Simulator and Waterblock Test Rig.

Test Results indicate that the Cyclone Evolution’s pressure drop (or head loss) across the waterblock is moderate; flow resistance such as this means that Silverprop’s Cyclone Evolutions should function OK without using a very large waterpump, although anything less than 300 gph might compromise results, depending upon how restrictive other components are in system.

As with many waterblocks, I found that reducing flow to 0.5 gpm resulted in more of a performance decrease (about 1ºC) than the gain by increasing flow to 1.5 gpm (about 0.5ºC).

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

Silverprop’s Cyclone Evolution Waterblock is a good choice for CPU cooling. Flow resistance is a tad on the high side, although the Cyclone Evolution will perform very well with moderate power waterpumps (300 gph), as long as other components do not unduly restrict waterflow.

Thanks again to Silverprop for sending this our way.

Email Joe