Viscool CPU Waterblock

Waterblock Test – Joe

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

Viscool

Size: 50 x 50mm

The good guys at Viscool were nice enough to send their CPU V2 Waterblock waterblock to test. This is an updated version of their Viscool CPU V2 waterblock.

The Viscool CPU features

  • 5mm copper base with aluminium top
  • Nickel steel fittings with outside diameter of 10mm, on request 12mm, thread: G1/4, Screw connector AG 1/4′ on 10/8mm
  • Waterblock mounting adaptable to all current CPUs

The copper base features an interesting design:

Viscool Interior

Picture courtesy of Viscool

You will notice below that the Viscool CPU’s pressure drop is moderate – not too high for a design of this type.

Mounting involves fixing four brackets to the top of the waterblock:

Viscool

Picture courtesy of Viscool

You can orient the brackets to fit just about any configuration.

THE TEST

The Viscool CPU 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

Viscool CPU

0.13

0.67

18.5

NOTE: These results are NOT comparable to tests done by others.
Unrounded data: 0.127 C/W with .0025 std dev.

Test Results indicate that the Viscool CPU’s pressure drop (or head loss) across the waterblock is moderate; flow resistance such as this means that Viscool CPU will require a good waterpump – anything less than 200 gph might compromise results, depending upon how restrictive other components are in system.

I found that reducing flow to 0.5 gpm resulted in a performance decrease of about 0.7ºC and increasing flow to 1.5 gpm resulted in a gain of about 0.6ºC.

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

CONCLUSIONS

Viscool’s CPU Waterblock is a very good choice for CPU cooling; the Viscool CPU should perform well with moderate power waterpumps (200 gph or more), as long as other components do not unduly restrict waterflow. This updated waterblock performs better than the earlier version at lower pressure drop – a real plus.

Thanks again to Viscool for sending this our way.

Email Joe

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