Silverprop Cyclone Evolutions V2.0

Waterblock Test – Joe

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

Cyclone

Silverprop was nice enough to send a Cyclone Evolutions V2.0 waterblock to test.

The Cyclone EvolutionS 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:

Base

Pic courtesy of Silverprop.

The Cyclone EvolutionS series is composed of three waterblocks; according to Silverprop, the Cyclone Evolution has the least fins and least restriction, the Cyclone EvolutionS V2.0 has a higher fin density and the Cyclone EvolutionS V2.5 has the highest fin density. Having now tested the 2.5 and 2.0, I took the top off and found the following:

Bases

If you look closely at the two, you’ll note that there are more, but thinner, fins for the 2.5 than the 2.0. However, if you measure the gaps between the fins of both bases, 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).

I bring this up because I found pressure drop for the 2.0 to be slightly higher (0.73 vs 0.65) than the 2.5 – reverse of what I expected based on the description cited above – now I know why.

In addition, the top features a slot

Top

Pic courtesy of Silverprop.

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

Base

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

THE TEST

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

WATERBLOCK TEST RESULTS

Test Conditions: Inlet Water Temp: 28.5 C; Mounting force: 15 pounds; Heat Load: 70 Watts.

Plot

Waterblock

C/W

Pressure Drop – psi

Pressure Drop – inches H2O

Silverprop Cyclone Evolutions 2.0

0.14

0.73

20.2

NOTE: These results are NOT comparable to tests done by others.
Unrounded data: 0.139 C/W with 0.0010 std dev.

Test Results indicate that the Cyclone Evolutions’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 ½ºC).

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

CONCLUSIONS

Silverprop’s Cyclone V2.0 Evolutions Waterblock is a good choice for CPU cooling. Flow resistance is a tad on the high side, although the Cyclone Evolutions 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

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