Aqua Computer and Rockit Delidding Tools tested on Core i7-7700K

[Nordic]

the prices of CPUs have increased further

Adjusted MSRP to inflation to match 2016 dollars.

Q9650 $339(2008) $380.02 (2016)
875k $353 (2010) $387.41 (2016)
2600k $317(2011) $340.13 (2016)
2700k $332(2011) $356.23 (2016)
3770k $313(2012) $329.03 (2016)
4770k $339(2013) $351.22 (2016)
4790k $339(2014) $345.61 (2016)
6700k $350(2015) $356.40 (2016)
7700k $350(2017) $350.00 (2016)

The price of CPU's have not increased much if any at all. I should note that the MSRP for the 7700k is set to $339.00 - $350.00. It could be the cheapest intel CPU in awhile, or it could be about the same price.

You could argue that ~$350 is too expensive for the top end intel mainstream CPU, but that has been the approximate price for quite sometime now. The performance has not changed much in 5 years, but neither has the price. I think it is fair to say the CPU market is stagnant. That is not the point though. CPU prices have not increased as much as people think they have.

 

[VSG]

Adjusted MSRP to inflation to match 2016 dollars.

Q9650 $339(2008) $380.02 (2016)
875k $353 (2010) $387.41 (2016)
2600k $317(2011) $340.13 (2016)
2700k $332(2011) $356.23 (2016)
3770k $313(2012) $329.03 (2016)
4770k $339(2013) $351.22 (2016)
4790k $339(2014) $345.61 (2016)
6700k $350(2015) $356.40 (2016)
7700k $350(2017) $350.00 (2016)

The price of CPU's have not increased much if any at all. I should note that the MSRP for the 7700k is set to $339.00 - $350.00. It could be the cheapest intel CPU in awhile, or it could be about the same price.

You could argue that ~$350 is too expensive for the top end intel mainstream CPU, but that has been the approximate price for quite sometime now. The performance has not changed much in 5 years, but neither has the price. I think it is fair to say the CPU market is stagnant. That is not the point though. CPU prices have not increased as much as people think they have.

Purchasing power has not kept up with inflation, so I don't see the point of using inflation values and mentioned absolute pricing instead.

 

[Frick]

That is a nice price actually. I see 3D-printed things sold in groups on Facebook and the like, and they are often more expensive than this.

 

[cadaveca]

Where's @cadaveca and the anti-delidding crew? With all the at-length explanations as to why you should NEVER do this and how RIGHT Intel is to use 3.1 W/mK TIM under the IHS.

I don't disagree with the review; it says it's not worth it to delid, simply because of loss of warranty, then goes on to say, but if you do, here's new options to do so with elegance. That doesn't preclude anything I've personally said. That's elegance in itself. So nice of you to point it out.

 

[fullinfusion]

I purchased the Rockit kit in anticipation of doing my first ever delid on my 7700k. Are the any more tips and tricks? I was not going to re-lid it as I was going to let the pressure from the cooler handle that.

My worry is in spreading the liquid metal getting some on the PCB when the pressure is applied to the IHS when strapping it in and adding the cooler - so I'm not sure how I would apply TIM to the underside of the IHS without risk of getting it over the PCB for not having it lined up 100%?

I run my 7700K @ 5.2ghz @ 60c..

Use scotch tape and tape off the die and also use it on the IHS.. Grab a tool like this..

The top part of this tool use it to mark the bottom of the IHS, the paste from the shitty intel stuff will show the impression of the die so use the tool to score the IHS and then once done clean it off and use the scotch tape to mark the 4 corners like I posted in the other post I linked you all to.

 

[Logun]

I run my 7700K @ 5.2ghz @ 60c..

Use scotch tape and tape off the die and also use it on the IHS.. Grab a tool like this..



The top part of this tool use it to mark the bottom of the IHS, the paste from the shitty intel stuff will show the impression of the die so use the tool to score the IHS and then once done clean it off and use the scotch tape to mark the 4 corners like I posted in the other post I linked you all to.

K thanks!

 

[iBruce]

After reading VSG's amazingly detailed review for a second time, decided to pick up the AquaComputer Dr. Delid tool as soon as they become available at Performance PCs.com, it seems extremely well made. Every new AquaComputer sku usually takes between 30 to 60days (sometimes 90) from announcement to finally reach North America for purchase, not certain why, but that's the way it is with AquaTuning US and PPCS.com.

Guessing the delidder will only be around $29.99 or $34.99USD and I plan on delidding a very inexpensive Skylake Pentium G4400 Dual Core $59.99, I got as a place holder for testing the M8E motherboard when new, while waiting for a high bin 6700K from Siliconlottery.com way back in 2016. After destroying my 3770K in 2014 attempting a delidding, believe a successful delidding with the AquaComputer Dr. Delid will somehow heal the pain of that complete and absolute failure I've been holding onto for so very long, and I can finally move on with my life.

Believe the cost of $29.99USD is much less expensive than many months of adjunctive and recuperative therapy.

https://shop.aquacomputer.de/produc...=3617&XTCsid=ev5fn7gpkm0rt9ap8fka6j49rk60ff8g

Recently picked up a second AquaComputer Vision OLED display, this one for my Rampage workstation rig the Touch version this time. Adding it to the rig extended the AquaSuite software license into 2018. Another amazing product, thank you Shoggy!

PPCS had one left when I ordered mine, now out of stock. More on the way...

http://www.performance-pcs.com/aqua...-receiver-and-ambient-temperature-sensor.html

 

[Upgrayedd]

Is delidding with super glue harder? Could you warm it in the oven first if its too stuck?

 

[VSG]

Is delidding with super glue harder? Could you warm it in the oven first if its too stuck?

No need to warm in any oven, if you have just used it in the corners then it will come off fine. If you notice some resistance then stop and use dilute acetone (nail polish remover can help) to help dissolve some of it.

 

[oblivionlord]

The reason why Intel no longer uses solder on their mainstream CPUs is very easily explained here:
http://overclocking.guide/the-truth-about-cpu-soldering/

Why the hell they use a cheap TIM in its place though instead of a higher quality one? Beyond me.

Intel Clarksdale 2c is soldered and has a 81mm die size which is twice as small as Ivy Bridge 4c being 160mm which uses TIM. Sandybridge 2c is 131mm and 149mm which are also both also soldered and smaller than Ivy Bridge 4c.
Skylake 4c uses TIM and is 122mm in size compared to Clarksdale Soldered 81mm.

Unless you are seeing reports in the masses where these old cpu models are going bad from micro fractures as the article suggests then I will continue believing that the use of TIM is purely cost saving.

Clearly it has nothing to do with the die size.

 

[GorbazTheDragon]

Article forgets to mention the massive expansion coefficient of the polymer substrate... Most likely failure point should be the ball connection under the chips...

Guess that doesn't fall under their "metallurgy" expertise.

 

[VSG]

Article forgets to mention the massive expansion coefficient of the polymer substrate... Most likely failure point should be the ball connection under the chips...

Guess that doesn't fall under their "metallurgy" expertise.

Who said anything about having metallurgy expertise? If you know something more than me, I am all ears. Trying to be smart about it is not the way to get a useless discussion going.

 

[GorbazTheDragon]

whoops, was talking about the one linked above!!

The review was great

 

[VSG]

whoops, was talking about the one linked above!!

The review was great

I apologize then, as it ended up being a mere misunderstanding on the internet

 

[dao]

Hey thanks for the review ! So nice to have tools for newbies like me !
I'm gonna go for the aqua kit since i'm in Europe, they even sell cleaning solutions.
I had just 2 questions : is the conductonaut the best paste ? also, not sure what is the best/safe solution for reliding : superglue? silicone glue? not glue at all?

 

[VSG]

Hey thanks for the review ! So nice to have tools for newbies like me !
I'm gonna go for the aqua kit since i'm in Europe, they even sell cleaning solutions.
I had just 2 questions : is the conductonaut the best paste ? also, not sure what is the best/safe solution for reliding : superglue? silicone glue? not glue at all?

Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut has the highest reported thermal conductivity of any consumer grade thermal interface material, with Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra and Phobya Liquid Metal being close by. I have not tested these claims, and have no intentions of doing so, but I can tell you that Conductonaut does a great job.

Go ahead and try not having any glue first to see if the de-lid and TIM replacement worked fine. If you are happy with the results, then just leave it as-is.

 

[iBruce]

Realize you have not fully tested the Conductonaut VSG, and do not plan to, but from your limited time with the material, would you use it as a normal top of the IHS to heatplate TIM over the Kryonaut?

Only asking since I'm about to order TIM today for an R6E workstation build and was slightly considering the liquid metal Conductonaut. I used the CoolLabs Ultra a couple years back, and at the time as a top of the IHS thermal transfer material, it didn't seem worth all the application and removal hassle and added risk and complexity involved. Maybe that has changed?

Looks like a single 1gram application costs $8.99 at PPCS, maybe that's two applications.

Is Shoggy still hanging around this thread? Wanted him and you to check out (critique) my AquaComputer Power Panel, I kinda like it, please excuse the doofy case badge (for a power panel/board it somehow seemed appropriate) it's for the workstation build. Parts from CaseLabs are arriving this week to convert the S8S into another S8 open bench, this time black and gunmetal, went with carbon black HWL MP rads 1x240mm MultiPort and 4x120mm MultiPorts, yea four single 120mm MP rads (that's alot of ports man ), it's going to be an interesting radiator configuration when finished, that's for sure.

The AC parts are held in place by Low Profile Industrial Strength Velcro if anyone was wondering, no drilling, the four AquaComputer Aquaero 6 screws are only holding the passive heatsink to the PCB.

Currently as per the photos, the chassis is still in S8S configuration, changing it over to S8 open tech station on Friday this week and plan on ordering the extra skus to get the S8S back in operation later this Summer. Great thing about the Mercury S8 cases, you can move from S8S to S8 to S8 test bench and back again during the lifetime of the chassis, such an awesome capability.

If you change your mind and want to test some of the Singularity Computers brand new water parts combos from PPCS let me know, would love to know your thoughts on the components.

(no strings attached)

Started out as a simple TIM question, maybe this should have been a PM, my apologies TPU.

 

[Andrew LB]

Purchasing power has not kept up with inflation, so I don't see the point of using inflation values and mentioned absolute pricing instead.

Incorrect. Those prices are adjusted for inflation using the Bureau Of Labor Statistics own Calculator which factors in purchasing power. https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl

The same has been done with nVidia's graphics card prices over the past 20 years and they have not gone up at all.

 

[VSG]

Realize you have not fully tested the Conductonaut VSG, and do not plan to, but from your limited time with the material, would you use it as a normal top of the IHS to heatplate TIM over the Kryonaut?

Only asking since I'm about to order TIM today for an R6E workstation build and was slightly considering the liquid metal Conductonaut. I used the CoolLabs Ultra a couple years back, and at the time as a top of the IHS thermal transfer material, it didn't seem worth all the application and removal hassle and added risk and complexity involved. Maybe that has changed?

I personally would not. IHS-IHS geometry variation aside, coolers/cold plates are convex/concave/flat to varying degrees and liquid metal is not easy to work with in such cases. Others may have actually tried though, so maybe they can chime in.

Incorrect. Those prices are adjusted for inflation using the Bureau Of Labor Statistics own Calculator which factors in purchasing power. https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl

The same has been done with nVidia's graphics card prices over the past 20 years and they have not gone up at all.

Very cool, thanks for the source. I looked up the references on that link and that was good to know. I will edit the article to reflect this

 

[iBruce]

Why is the reviews overview page still stuck at a 9.6 rating?

https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/

btw: PPCS is not planning on stocking the AquaComputer Dr. Delid sku since it competes with their own "house brand" made by Hardware Labs.

I guess that was a no-brainer, it just didn't dawn on me at first since its only a rental program, and you cannot purchase outright.

Anyhoo, planning to purchase the Dr. Delid from AquaTuning US or AquaComputer direct. The webpage says AC is offering very low international shipping since the part is so lightweight.

 

[VSG]

Why is the reviews overview page still stuck at a 9.6 rating?

https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/

Thanks for reminding me to refresh the review, the database should reflect the correct score now.

 

[iBruce]

Thanks for reminding me to refresh the review, the database should reflect the correct score now.

I'm certain Mr. Shoggy appreciates that. Great review BTW!

Had to reconfigure the AquaComputer power panel. Forgot all about the Supermicro hot swap SSD mobile rack, it was covering all access to the Aquaero 6 when positioned in FlexBay slot one.

Like duh! Sometimes I'm so dumb.

Good thing about Velcro mountings, you can reposition every component without drilling new/any holes.

OK, I'll start a build log. Where do you start a build log around here?

 

[Caring1]

OK, I'll start a build log. Where do you start a build log around here?

https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/forums/project-logs.18/
or
https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/forums/cases-modding-electronics.17/

 

[Hayder_Master]

grate review dear
can you tell us about which type to sick it again and even the glue and thermal paste you use ? regards..

 

[VSG]

grate review dear
can you tell us about which type to sick it again and even the glue and thermal paste you use ? regards..

I am not sure what you meant by "which type", but I used RTV Silicone adhesive glue and Loctite liquid super glue as well as Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut thermal paste. The glue itself are brands in the USA, and you may get similar where you reside.