Thermal Performance

Test System

Test Methodology

A Xylem D5 pump, Aquaero 6 XT controller, and an EK-Quantum Surface X360M radiator with Phanteks T30-120 fans help complete the loop. The CPU is not placed in the loop to make the only source of heat the GPU core/VRM/VRAM, thus limiting testing to the GPU 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 an environmental chamber with the ambient temperature 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 60 minute loop of 3DMark Time Spy Extreme was done, and temperatures were monitored until a steady state was reached, after which they were recorded. Omega NTC type thermistors were used to measure the temperatures of the nearest VRAM and VRM modules from the top. A delta T of GPU core/VRM/VRAM and loop temperatures was thus calculated for each run, and the average delta T that was then obtained across all three runs. This way, the ambient temperature is taken out of the picture.

Test Results

Every entry here, except for the CORSAIR iCUE Link XG3 universal block, comes with a backplate included. I do not have any active backplates this time, although some use higher performance thermal pads throughout whereas others go with thicker pads or none at all on the back! Watercool does a commendable job here in justifying its higher coolant flow restriction by offering excellent thermal performance throughout!

In the absence of time—I am traveling for work as I write this review—I am not presenting the performance summary/performance per dollar charts right now. When I get back, I will have those coded/plotted and add the graphs here as well as in subsequent reviews.