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Hardware Alphacool working on cheaper graphics card waterblocks

Discussion in 'Article Discussion' started by Combatus, 16 May 2013.

  1. Combatus

    Combatus Bit-tech Modding + hardware reviews Lover of bit-tech Super Moderator

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    Combatus, 16 May 2013
    #1
  2. Tynecider

    Tynecider Since ZX81

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    I would have thought £50 would be cheap no?
     
    Tynecider, 16 May 2013
    #2
  3. Maki role

    Maki role Dale you're on a roll... Lover of bit-tech

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    This sort of manufacturing is probably a little more relevant for those not investing in £850 graphics cards and a watercooling setup...

    Still, it looks nice at least, and if it performs as mentioned then it's a strong contender. Thing is though, you're simply not saving very much. The blocks that retail for ~£40 more, like the EK XXL and Koolance NXTTN, generally include the backplate in their package, so really you should knock ~£25 off their prices. The next most expensive blocks are all nickel plated, unlike this block. So when comparing like with like, you're only saving £5/10 as mentioned in the article.

    Now if we start talking £50 for future, lower end cards then it's more meaningful.
     
    Maki role, 16 May 2013
    #3
  4. Big Elf

    Big Elf Oh no! Not another f----ing elf!

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    It's an interesting concept and the test results seem pretty good but the price is way too high. They need to work on the aesthetics as well, this one is fugly.
     
    Big Elf, 16 May 2013
    #4
  5. bodkin

    bodkin Overheating

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    Steel and copper? Does that not lead to galvanic corrosion?
     
    bodkin, 16 May 2013
    #5
  6. The_Crapman

    The_Crapman World's worst stuntman. Lover of bit-tech

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    I too am disappointed in the price and aesthetics. IMO the current crop of alphacool block are the best looking on the market, and considering they can be had for £76, this seems like a paltry saving at massive detriment to the looks.
    steel is a much more stable alloy, unlike copper, nikel and aluminium which are all elemental metals and therefore prone to enjoying the odd chemical reaction.
     
    The_Crapman, 16 May 2013
    #6
  7. riekmaharg2

    riekmaharg2 has completed the PowerCore scratch build

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    Not with stainless steel I don't think.
     
    riekmaharg2, 17 May 2013
    #7
  8. blackerthanblack

    blackerthanblack Minimodder

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    An interesting design, but I think a stage further would be better with modular or adjustable inserts into the housing to suit varying cards - it would push the price up but as others have said, it's not that cheap anyway.
     
    blackerthanblack, 17 May 2013
    #8
  9. Tangster

    Tangster Butt-kicking for goodness!

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    The title really ought to say "cheaper Titan blocks". I was getting hopeful about alphacool's future blocks costing less than current ones, not that the Titan block is cheaper. Hopefully the tech will trickle down into the GTX760(or equivalent)blocks for next generation.
     
    Tangster, 17 May 2013
    #9
  10. phuzz

    phuzz This is a title

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    Every time I think about watercooling my graphics card, I look at the prices for blocks and think "for that much I might as well wait a bit and upgrade my graphics card first". So I do upgrade, then I look at the price of blocks and think "for that much..."
     
    phuzz, 17 May 2013
    #10
  11. The_Crapman

    The_Crapman World's worst stuntman. Lover of bit-tech

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    Strap an aio cooler on it. Rad, block and pump for 50quid. Bargain!
     
    The_Crapman, 17 May 2013
    #11
  12. Joey Propane

    Joey Propane What's a Dremel?

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    "budget" and "Titan" don't really fit too well together in my opinion...
     
    Joey Propane, 17 May 2013
    #12
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