The EVGA Hydrocopper blocks have always been made by Swiftech. However this is the first Hydrocopper block that Swiftech has also released their own Komodo series version of. The internals of the blocks are the same. The Hydrocopper is also by far the most expensive GPU block on the market retailing as it does for $170 without a backplate. This is $70 more than the cheapest block. It doesn’t even come in a handcarved box out of the finest cedar lined mahogany:
It does however come with some things that no other block does come with:
The first is the steel bracket that can be mounted around the GPU core itself. This does not come with the default card and is not provided by any other manufacturer. Swiftech claims that it will reduce any stress effects on the PCB from mounting a block. This seems like a good thing and it’s good to see it here. This also comes with the Swiftech version of the block. The other part that is unique are included compression fittings. These are four EVGA branded compression fittings in two different sizes. Like the block they are made by Swiftech:
Many people buying a titan gpu block will have already made a fitting decision and so this almost seems like a waste, or perhaps it’s just an attempt to get the foot in the door by EVGA to sell more fittings. After all 2 isn’t enough for an entire loop and many people like to match their fittings. Certainly it’s not worth paying $20 more for over the otherwise functionally identical Swiftech block. The block itself looks a bit mismatched:
The matte block top clashes with the glossy plastic EVGA insert and the machined “Powered by Swiftech” logo is hardly very pleasing either:
Here again the functionally identical Swiftech version wins as it uses a more tasteful full size brushed Aluminum insert and gets rid of the logo. The underside shows the chrome plated copper base with pre-fitted thermal pads:
It’s a nice to pre-fit the thermal pads, sadly as we’ll see later they are not very good. In addition there is a little 2 pin connector to power LED lighting inside the bridge connector:
This is a nice touch given that the air cooler on the Titan also lights up.
Internals
These are taken after testing so some wear and tear on the block is expected. These are also photos of the Swiftech block, however internals should be identical on the hydrocopper. Unlike most blocks the routing channels are not carved out of the copper but instead the acetal:
The chrome plating looked like it had been polished off a bit around the main coooling engine:
There is no additional surface area added for VRM/VRAM cooling.
Performance
For more detail of the testing check out the detailed analysis page. The Hydrocopper is a strong thermal performer coming in second place on single GPU core temperatures:
For lower flow rates, the hydrocopper loses some ground:
However it is the VRAM temperatures where the Hydrocopper starts to show it’s weakness:
The theme continues where it’s VRM temperatures are nearly 30C worse than the EK block:
Flow wise the block is the least restrictive of any block, however it’s not much better than the EK which produced significantly better results:
Fitting
The Swiftech design is by far the hardest and most complicated of any block to fit. While it is nice that Swiftech do have you screw the end PCB bracket down to the block itself, it also uses 5 different types of screws to mount the block properly. Nearly every other manufacturer uses only one type of screw. Two or three I could accept if they were necessary but five is just strikingly unnecessary and smacks of poor design.
Summary
A strong showing at 1GPM and high flow design is not enough to offset the poor VRM and VRAM results and ridiculous method of attaching the block using so many different screws. On top of that this is an overpriced block that is inexplicably priced $20 more than the already pricey and functionally identical Swiftech block that comes with a backplate. Because of all of this it should only appeal to EVGA fanboys who must have an EVGA sticker on their block.
If I were EVGA I wouldn’t be too happy with Swiftech right now. I’d ditch the included fittings, find out how to lower the price to compete with Swiftech and get more involved in the design of the next hydrocopper block.
6/10 – If you must, buy the Swiftech version, otherwise save your money and buy the XSPC or EK.
Where to buy: PPCs $170, backplate: $20
Next -> Koolance
