Closer Examination

The Alphacool Eisblock XPX Pro Aurora comes in a couple of different top options and I have the newer full brass version in a chrome finish. This means the top, as well as the housing itself, are composed on brass that then gets plated to give this striking and shiny aesthetic. You will also notice how heavy the block is when you first take it out of the box, it weighs over 700 g! It is also more rectangular than square and fairly chunky at 76.5 x 63.5 x 31 mm, which is also how Alphacool is able to support HEDT and server platforms too. I appreciate the black frame on the top that helps break the monotony of the chrome throughout and this also hosts the truncated Alphacool logo that gets backlit if you connect the cable coming out the side. Note that the cable has a pass-through option so you can use the same LED header on your motherboard to power and control both this CPU block and a compatible GPU block, for example. There are two BSP G1/4" threaded ports on the top with arrows alongside to indicate the preferred inlet and outlet, as well as markings on the inside to do the same. These are spaced far enough apart from each other and the edge to allow all typically used fittings these days to be installed easily—gone are the days of large 3/4" x 1/2" soft tube compression fittings and even large quick connect fittings! The good thing with a metal top block is you are not likely to damage it by over-tightening fittings, but still, refrain from using tools and only hand-tighten everything.


There's a cutout in the housing to accommodate channels the mounting brackets slot into. Given the rectangular nature of the block, the mounting brackets only fit vertically, as seen above. This is as simple as placing one in and then orienting the other to lock in place. I have the Intel bracket for LGA 1700 shown here.


Turning the block around reveals a plastic warning sticker placed over the cold plate. Remove this to reveal a shiny polish applied to the nickel-plated copper cold plate which is quite reflective to match the rest of the block. There are some spots on the surface which may not appeal aesthetically but should be a non-issue for the block's contact and performance.


Disassembly was done after all testing was completed, and this happens from the cold plate side with six hex head screws to remove. At this point the cold plate can be pulled off to reveal an integrated jet plate in this metal top version. Indeed, there are no separate top/housing sections here as on the other Alphacool Eisblock XPX CPU blocks, with the company having machined everything out of a single block of brass! The cooling engine otherwise is familiar enough with the expected split central-inlet flow path for the coolant as well as an O-ring to help ensure the coolant stays in the desired travel pathway through the block. The cold plate itself is larger than average, as is the active heat transfer area involving a whopping 147 microfins that are 200 µm thick, and associated channels collectively occupying an area of 42 x 58.6 mm. This bodes well for thermal performance, but at the risk of having a higher pressure drop across the block.