Winners:

Core Cooling Performance – Alphacool 

Alphacool makes a strong statement here beating their nearest competition by nearly 2C.  However this performance isn’t free and we would advise thinking about the system level cooling impact that such a restrictive block will have.  EK is about 1.5C behind and does not have any such concerns.

VRM Cooling Performance – Aqua Computer

Aqua Computer clearly dominated VRM cooling whether or not you get the optional backplate.

Restriction – Bitspower

Most blocks were similar with Bitspower edging the others for the lead here.  Only Alphacool was a cause for concern while XSPC was mildly disappointing.

Supplied TIM – XSPC

XSPC’s TIM beat our own MX2.  EK and Koolance’s were close, while Swiftech and Alphacool’s lagged way behind.  Bitspower and Aqua Computer did not include any

Mounting Hardware – Koolance

Good screws of a single type, washers and nothing missing or easily stripped.

Backplate – EK

This is a close call.  Bitspower’s backplate has the best plating, but EK’s backplate still has the least screws which are recessed and color matched.  It’s also more compatible than the cool active Aqua Computer

Aesthetics – Aqua Computer

Whether you prefer the copper/stainless steel or the nickel/plexi Aqua Computer really know how to make a block look good.

Quality – Koolance

Koolance’s machining and plating was the highest quality we’ve ever seen from them this pipped the perennial winner Aqua Computer whose machining looked sloppier in areas hidden from view.

Price – Alphacool

Alphacool includes a backplate in it’s $96 price, and in addition you can reuse the core later if you ever want to upgrade your GPU meaning you should only be out $45 for the parts to upgrade.  This is exceptional value.  If however you’re looking for a traditional full cover waterblock then EK’s cheapest version beats out Swiftech by $2 and arrives at $114.  Bear in mind that if you add on the cost of a backplate then Bitspower beats both at $140 as it includes one!

DSC_9790Summary

There is no clear winner here.  However in the spirit of round ups we have to favor someone and EK’s ability to be very close to the top on every single metric means it’s a solid all rounder and therefore gets the overall win!

As always for more detail on each block see the individual review pages:

Alphacool NexXxos GPX GTX 980 M02
AquaComputer Kryographics for GTX 980
Bitspower VG-GTX980
EK Waterblocks EK-FC-980 GTX
Koolance VID-NX980
Swiftech Komodo-NV-GTX9
XSPC XS-GTX-980

Where to buy: PPCS – $113-125 (block) + $35-44 (optional backplate) + $15 (Clear Terminal -optional)

 

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