What Block do I get?

[TheRealSon]

Hey all,

 

I am ordering my water cooling loop in stages in order to spread the cost out over several months. I just purchased a 360mm AlphaCool rad and I am starting to look for CPU blocks now. I was looking on EKWB and they have 18 different block for my CPU. How do you choose the right one. Is copper better than nickel? What is Acetal? They also have a Gold block for $90 (i wont be getting that). I guess I'm just overwhelmed with all the options. Is it purely ascetics or is there a dramatic difference in cooling between block types?

 

i5-3570K @ 4.5GHz @ 1.28V hits 80C under 100% load

Asus P8Z77-V Mobo

 

Thanks for any help.

[Oshino Shinobu]

There is very little difference between blocks. I'd suggest just going with whichever one you like the look of. The nickel plating is almost 100% for aesthetics.

 

I'm personally buying the components for my loop (EK compression fittings came today, they're sexy as hell) and I've gone for the EK-Supremacy Clean CSQ - Acetal+Nickel

[crazythomas2007]

i have this one and likes the looks of it and it keeps my cpu under 40C at all times 

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/17580/ex-blc-1376/Koolance_CPU-380I_Intel_Liquid_Cooling_CPU_Block_-_No_Fittings_.html?tl=g30c325s1118