Alphacool Core GeForce RTX 4090 Strix + TUF GPU Block

[VSG]

Our GeForce RTX 4090 GPU block testing continues with Alphacool entering the foray. The newly released Alphacool Core is a relatively inexpensive full cover block with clean looks, integrated RGB lighting, excellent thermal performance, and low coolant flow restriction too.

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[kapone32]

This looks exactly like the block for my 7900XT. I love the fact that they seem to have doubled the amount of fluid the card holds.

 

[Ferrum Master]

We are splitting hairs here performance wise...

But either way... it costs way too much... it just does not appeal.

 

[VSG]

We are splitting hairs here performance wise...

You mean like how most comparable cooling solutions these days are?

 

[raddeon]

I like that the ports are made out of metal, no risk of cracking.

 

[Footman]

Nice to see Alphacool at the top of the charts. I have owned some of their earlier blocks that had terrible flow constriction. What really bothers me is the cost of blocks today and the general law of diminished returns.

The last gpu block I purchased was for my 6700XT, I picked up a Byksli waterblock and backplate from Aliexpress for $98 including shipping! I had to wait for a couple of weeks, but it was worth it...

With costs like this I am now more likely to use the cash to purchase a higher performing GPU with better air cooling, than go for a slower gpu and stick a block on it (based on the same overall budget).

I am running an Intel 13600K with an old Raystorm Pro block, that previously cooled a bunch of Ryzen cpu's and have no plans at all to buy a block for my 7800XT Hellhound as it runs quieter that my case fans...

 

[Ferrum Master]

You mean like how most comparable cooling solutions these days are?

Now it is all about bells and whistles... aRGB, displays... wait... where are freakin AI slogans in this product? It is so out of date

But still pricing matters most... it is ugly... at least they could have sugar coated it with some set of fittings, but they even do not care to include a spare o ring...

Next thing about the bracket, is it powder coated? Ie conductive, can you measure? It basically acts as a insulator, but it should not, it must be grounded.

 

[VSG]

Now it is all about bells and whistles... aRGB, displays... wait... where are freakin AI slogans in this product? It is so out of date

But still pricing matters most... it is ugly... at least they could have sugar coated it with some set of fittings, but they even do not care to include a spare o ring...

Next thing about the bracket, is it powder coated? Ie conductive, can you measure? It basically acts as a insulator, but it should not, it must be grounded.

It definitely feels powdercoated but either way why would the electrical conductivity matter here? Am I missing something obvious?

 

[kapone32]

Now it is all about bells and whistles... aRGB, displays... wait... where are freakin AI slogans in this product? It is so out of date

But still pricing matters most... it is ugly... at least they could have sugar coated it with some set of fittings, but they even do not care to include a spare o ring...

Next thing about the bracket, is it powder coated? Ie conductive, can you measure? It basically acts as a insulator, but it should not, it must be grounded.

Even if you don't like the appearance, performance is tantamount in any argument.

 

[harm9963]

Alphacool AIO for the 4090 as well , would the temps be close ?

Alphacool Eiswolf 2 AIO - 360mm RTX 4090 AMP with Backplate (13480)

pThe Alphacool Eiswolf 2 is the first full cover GPU AIO waterblock from Alphacool. It is based on the Alphacool GPX Eisblock Aurora GPX water block, a pump unit and a 360mm NexXxoS ST30 full copper radiator. The latter is equipped with the Alphacool Au

modmymods.com

 

[kapone32]

Alphacool AIO for the 4090 as well , would the temps be close ?

Alphacool Eiswolf 2 AIO - 360mm RTX 4090 AMP with Backplate (13480)

pThe Alphacool Eiswolf 2 is the first full cover GPU AIO waterblock from Alphacool. It is based on the Alphacool GPX Eisblock Aurora GPX water block, a pump unit and a 360mm NexXxoS ST30 full copper radiator. The latter is equipped with the Alphacool Au

modmymods.com

You would be good with that. It is the same Water block

 

[harm9963]

You would be good with that. It is the same Water block

Just worried about the AIO pump .

 

[Ferrum Master]

It definitely feels powdercoated but either way why would the electrical conductivity matter here? Am I missing something obvious?

You are missing the whole ATX standart and how electronics are designed in mind for consumer use.

Basically those brackets are conductive and look like that for a reason.

It is the shortest path to the ground. If for some reason an artist thinks he's smarter than engineers doing their job for decades then these things can happen.

1. Static Discharge. Events when you connect peripherals cables, touch the device, you introduce the device to few kV of charge that should have been dissipated via shortest ground path, if you cut it off it will travel to signal ground and PCB traces aren't that far away and that kV charge will overlap in to data lines.

Outcome. if you are lucky the device will just hang, the other is a dead device. In factory in the final product phases there are fun phase, where you take a taser and zap the device ports to test if the grounding is done properly so the customer doesn't damage the device. If you take away that grounding plate, you brake the defensive countermeasures for that.

2. EMI. There are two coins for it. So you render the device susceptible to outer EMI traveling via cables, shielding, as the shortest path again for the noise to travel will be via power ground though the card, pcie slot and motherboard. Depending on your connected devices and surrounding you compromise stability of the whole system, it may cause increased coil whine, freezes and other weird events, like monitor dropping signal etc.

The other event is that the card itself is a 0.5kW transmitter, if you cut off a trace that should have been grounded, no return path, you basically make an antenna, thus causing other devices to malfunction, let it be on your motherboard or outside in your room.

Outcome.

Well if my dear colleague in RMA service is generous, and doesn't void you warranty just because you changed the heatsink, he will write to Taiwan and tell you either way that the block killed your precious 2000$ investment. They will most probably ask to enquire Alphacool why they have designed a product not complying with ATX rules. Art before functionality answer won't cut here, it is 2K, you want accept any risks? Ok if you have warranty, but what after that?

You can ask old Bill if I am wrong here, he's a good RF guy. But it applies with the condition I asked before, if the bracket is conductive. Powder coated usually are isolated and that's a desired feature, like for socket brackets Thermal Grizzly makes, so it doesn't short the traces, but not here.

 

[Vya Domus]

Just worried about the AIO pump .

Worried about what ?

 

[EddyAlphacool]

Warranty has changed since this month. For Core GPU cooler 3 years: https://www.alphacool.com/en/warranty-terms

 

[argon]

Whats going on with gpu block price? Last wb gpu that i had purchased was aquacomputer kryographics for my r9 290x, bought at launch and price was under 100$, over that is too much for a block. I am wrong or the gpu block price was raised a little too much? thats also why I see a lot Byksli gpu block owner recently, their price tag are okish

 

[Vya Domus]

Last wb gpu that i had purchased was aquacomputer kryographics for my r9 290x

It's been more than a decade since then, everything has gotten more expensive.