Value and Conclusion

This is a two-in-one product review that has been incorporated into a de-lidding awareness and testing article. As such, there are three things to cover here: whether or not to de-lid the Intel Core i7-7700k, how good is the Aquacomputer Dr. Delid Tool, and how good is the Rockit 88 de-lid tool with the re-lid kit.

I do not think anyone will disagree with me when I say it is well worth de-lidding for the much better heat transfer from the CPU die to the IHS, which in turn greatly increases the heat dissipation away from the CPU. This makes the CPU run significantly cooler no matter the means of cooling and helps justify higher-end cooling even more. There is also the potential extra overclock available here, and so one must instead ask why not de-lid? For most, the loss of CPU warranty will automatically be a deal breaker. Nothing has changed in the last few years as far as this goes, and if anything, the absolute prices of CPUs have increased further (although not as much with inflation considered), thus making the risk of losing a ~$350 part not seem worth it. The complexity of de-lidding is gone, however. No more is the vice or blade method worth it, especially with the thinner PCBs of the Intel 6th Generation architecture (Skylake) and onward. I am also seeing some retailers offer a rental program for such de-lidding tools, and yet others who offer de-lidding services as well with some form of replacement warranty included. For enthusiasts who want more than what the current CPUs allow, and who can not stand the fans on their cooler running fast to try and cool down the CPU further, these are all lucrative options, and I personally will de-lid all my non-soldered CPUs if supported by similar tools. Let us now examine the two products individually.

Aqua Computer Dr. Delid Tool