Thermal Performance

Test System

Test Methodology

A Swiftech MCP35x2 pump, an Aquaero 6 XT controller, and a Black Ice Nemesis GTX 480 radiator with Noiseblocker NB-eLoop B12-3 fans complete the loop. The GPU is not placed in the loop to make the only source of heat the CPU and, thus, the CPU block itself. Average flow rate is set to 1 GPM and calibrated in-line temperature sensors are used to measure the coolant's temperature.

Everything required is placed inside a hotbox, and the ambient temperature is set to 25 °C. Thermal paste cure time is taken into account and three separate mounts/runs are done for statistical accuracy and to remove chances of any mounting-related anomalies. For each run, a 30 min AIDA64 load test is used, and CPU core temperatures are measured using the same, with the average core temperature recorded at the end of each run. A delta T of CPU core and loop temperature is thus calculated for each run, with an average delta T that is then obtained across all three runs. This way, the cooling solution is taken out of the picture.

Test Results

Note that metal top blocks generally performed slightly better than the non-metal top blocks in my hotbox with active ventilation. With that in mind, it was all the more impressive that the Optimus Foundation with the acrylic top outperformed all other blocks sans this Optimus Signature with the metal unibody top that still continues the trend. This definitely means the company has a good formula going with the design of the block as a whole and the spring-less installation combining high mounting pressure with a thin TIM spread. I also did a test with the older installation method you will find in the review of the Optimus Foundation, and I had already seen some leeway with the washers to where the performance was slightly worse, confirming that both the cooling engine and the new installation contribute positively here. There is no 5–6 °C improvement over the other blocks as some customers have reported, but other factors can account for that, including different CPUs across platforms, different testing methodologies, and some people seeing what they want to see.