For once the Bykski US pricing isn't as bad as it is compared to Bykski's own Aliexpress store, but you'd still go with the latter anyway to get the ~16% discount available. But the issue is that I am not sure the Granzon GAI0.1 does enough to distinguish itself from the significantly less expensive Bykski block which offers a very similar user experience. In fact, the Bykski block even includes a printed set of instructions that this does not! The installation hardware is basically the same, as is the installation method itself. I don't see why a supposed premium brand in 2024 still relies on guesswork on achieving a uniform, replicable mounting pressure on the CPU. Also, while I understand wanting to keep things simple with pricing, the POM top block costing the same as the plexi top versions that also include many ARGB LEDs and the associated cable + adapter is not a great feeling.

This is not to say the Granzon GAI0.1 does not feel more premium than the Bykski block though, even with the subjectively dated aesthetic. The mounting bracket is arguably the best part of this design, which says a lot, and helps make the GAI0.1 feel fancier than it does in the photos. The cooling engine may seem simpler than some of the competing blocks from the likes of Alphacool and EK, although it performs quite well courtesy the extremely dense microfins and channels. The end result is decent thermal performance, albeit at the expense of slightly higher pressure drop. I would very much like to compare the Granzon GAI0.1 to other blocks too, but Bykski makes it hard to do so given Granzon is so closely affiliated with the parent brand. There needs to be more to distinguish them, especially given the price increment here. I am not convinced you get enough for your money here that you can't already get with the less expensive Bykski offering thus. I want to see Granzon go bolder in design, build, and features. Perhaps the next Granzon CPU block will prove me wrong, but for now I am not particularly inclined to recommend this.