Closer Examination

The block comes in a plastic wrap to help keep it clean and free of dust for when it is first taken out of the packaging. Once done, the first thing you will notice is that cable jutting out the side, and no, it is not for any integrated LED lighting either. Remove the plastic wrap and your eyes will have now migrate to that screen on the CPU block. Perhaps next, and especially so in person, you then feel and touch the titanium-PVD-coated brass top and realize this is nothing like any other CPU block before it. In order to get said coating, a surface treatment of the machined brass top is done, followed by a round of nickel-plating and, finally, the actual PVD (physical vapor deposition) for the titanium on top to get a rugged, scratch-resistant coating. It looks and feels absolutely gorgeous, and the nature of PVD-coating is such that there will be minor run-to-run differences depending on the process chosen, so getting consistency is extremely hard. Aqua Computer sources this to an external agency, and getting these in stock took a while, so if this sample is anything to go by, their QC is definitely on top of things.

The block design itself is very reminiscent of the older cuplex kryos, and that remains a hit or miss as I have seen this not to be to everyone's liking. I personally like the curves and non-boxy aesthetic here, with the curves carrying over to the two-piece mounting bracket as well. This latter bit has functionality tied in as well, wherein the gap in the middle helps with motherboards that have capacitors way too close to the CPU socket than appropriate.


VISION is a new product platform from Aqua Computer featuring integrated and standalone OLED displays to display useful information. In all cases, VISION uses a 32-bit microprocessor, and integrated versions have temperature and/or flow rate sensors built into the product to further add to the functionality of the product. In this case, we have a 128 x 64 pixel monochrome OLED panel built-in, and it is compact enough to where it makes the block only an additional 6 mm in length over the non-VISION versions. The display can show readouts from the temperature sensor integrated into the top and jutting inwards to touch the coolant or accept and show readouts from their Aquasuite program, which we will examine on the next page. Needless to say, this is a one-of-a-kind feature not seen in any other companies' products thus far.

VARIO is the other unique feature here, and implementation is on the sides to keep it functional, easy enough to access and yet hidden out the way otherwise. VARIO technology by Aqua Computer involves a movable inner part and a fixed outer housing in the top. The inner part can be adjusted at an angle and positioned by the actuators seen at four points on the side, and this is where one of the included Allen keys comes in. These settings are transferred to the base of the cooler via a contact surface and deform it in the range of a few hundredths of a millimeter (reversibly). There are arrows on the inside spoke and the outside to denote the base point, which itself is calibrated by hand to match the default position of the non-VARIO configuration, and the way you get it working is to move it fully inwards to then slowly move it back out until the best performing "bow" is achieved. The reason for this feature is simple - not every CPU IHS is made the same. Small changes to the convex/concave nature of the IHS due to manufacturing issues can result in a poor fit and thermal paste spread. Companies such as Aqua Computer also can only scan a limited number of CPUs and their integrated heat spreaders to model the block-cooling engine for, and the VARIO technology allows users to get the best possible fit for their specific CPU.


There are two BSP G1/4" ports on the block, and they are spaced relatively close to each other owing partially to the VISION display, but also due to the split-central inlet flow design adopted here, wherein the port closer to the center is the designated inlet port for best thermal performance and flow. The threading was perfectly done here, and note that the closer spacing between the two means you will not be able to use large fittings directly, including some 1/2" x 3/4" compression fittings and quick disconnects. The cold plate is nickel-plated copper on this specific version, and we see a mirror-like finish to the surface in contact with the CPU IHS as a result of the applied polish.

The cable jutting out the side is for the VISION display of course, and it terminates in a 5-pin female USB IDC connector that plugs into part of the internal full size USB 2.0 connector on your motherboard. So if you do not have it available, you will need to get an internal USB hub similar to this one here.


Four H2.5 mm screws hold the block together, so let us take it apart now to see what is inside. As always, please note that disassembly was done after all testing was completed to ensure that any user error due to disassembly and re-assembly does not influence the block's test results. The housing has an integrated split in the center for the coolant to accelerate through and split as it flows through the microchannels in the base plate. There is an O-ring around this center section to make sure the coolant does not escape around the sides and is forced through the microchannels in the cold plate. As it is, this does the same as a removable jetplate. Given the metal nature, there will not be a lot of bowing pressure on the base plate as compared to blocks with a thin stainless steel or even plastic jetplate. This is where the VARIO technology comes in to help adjust the movable central piece. We also see the temperature sensor in the housing in the second picture above.

Seen here also are the two internal hex screws on each side that hold the two-piece mounting bracket in place. The conversion kit comes with an Allen wrench to remove these and replace the mounting bracket accordingly, and thus, Aqua Computer is more than okay with you disassembling the block in order to change the bracket.


The base plate is 2.4 mm thick, and the microfins/microchannels occupy an area of 28.2 x 31.4 mm, which is about average at best compared to other recent blocks with a larger area occupied by microfins. Aqua Computer has instead decided to increase the density of said microfins and microchannels by having them thin (<0.2 mm thick) and having ~438 microfins in 6 columns rather than what would normally be one column of longer fins and channels. To help compare this to other such blocks, we can divide this number by 6 and get 73 fins IF these were longer and not broken up, and this number is similar to those in blocks using a larger surface area and wider fins/channels. As such, I expect liquid flow restriction to be on the higher side of average, although this can also help with heat transfer/thermal performance. An optimum balance of the two is a must, and we will find out soon how they did.


Seen here is what the MCU and PCB look like under the VISION display. It is nearly impossible to remove the display without damaging it, so the picture above is courtesy of Aqua Computer directly. Also thanks to them, we see a mock-up of how the VARIO technology works, wherein the four points help control the position and angle of the movable central piece in the housing accordingly.

When re-assembling, just remember to put the O-ring back in place if it got dislodged and reverse these steps accordingly. As always, TechPowerUp is not liable for any issues that arise due to the disassembly of the waterblock.