Performance Summary

With CPU waterblocks, both thermal performance and liquid-flow restriction are important metrics. Unlike radiators where component liquid-flow restriction is not as big a factor in the loop's overall flow rate, the CPU block choice will impact average flow rate a lot and can thus not be ignored. In order to quantify relative performance for a CPU block thus, a normalized (% based) data set was created, with 70% weightage given to thermal performance and 30% weightage given to liquid-flow restriction. The data set created was thus plotted with the subject of this review at 100%.


The goal of this chart is to tell you whether the block is worth considering or not after just a quick glance, and of course, I would request you read the previous two pages to figure out where it lands in the individual tests as well. As it turns out, this is where the larger gaps in flow restriction relative to thermal performance come into play. The XSPC RayStorm Neo was a solid performer throughout, and this combination led to it being in the top third of all the blocks tested so far in this relative performance summary.

Performance per Dollar

Prices are taken from Performance PCs in the USA when available, with all numbers reported in USD. For products not available there, the most obvious retail source is chosen, such as a manufacturer's web shop. For products no longer available, the last available reasonable price point is considered.


This chart, simply by the nature of some add-ons that can't be quantified in the metric, can be misleading without proper contextualization. In this case, the RGB lighting w/controller and glossy metal chrome/black chrome brackets are visual additions that enhance the aesthetic of the CPU block for a market that asked for it and wants it. With DIY watercoolers going for aesthetics, modding, and customization just as much as performance and noise-optimization, this bodes well for the RayStorm Neo in that it does fairly well here as it is. For those who care simply about best value for their money, however, there are definitely better options, and I am sure XSPC would not mind if you took that route and got their RayStorm that offers excellent value instead.