Summary
The Heatkiller IV then is an excellent thermal performer beating all the top blocks on our 4930K. Of course there are many other CPU options and it may not top them all, so we will be retesting on X99 soon. Without a reconfigurable bow there’s a chance that a block with more optimized bow might beat it on some other CPUs – however we actually like that it can beat other blocks without needing to open the block up.
Aesthetically there are a ton of options to meet the “look” of any user, and a budget option that sacrifices some performance still does extremely well!
The mount provided was easy to use, looked good and provided low variation of thermal performance.
Gold Award
Top performance, tons of varieties, decent flow and a good mount. What’s not to love? Our only niggles would be that the 1150/1155/1156 backplate isn’t included and that an AMD (lol) mount isn’t included, but those would unnecessarily raise the price for those who won’t use it. The only other niggle is that the ports while improved could still be spaced further apart. The package also doesn’t include any TIM meaning that the Basic edition may not be as cheap as some of the competition when you factor that and a backplate into the picture.
Where to buy: $60-$87 @ PPCS, 55-85 Euro @ Watercool Store
Greetings from Germany!
Awesome review, thorough as usual and very much appreciated.
While it may be impractical to add another block to the restriction graph, a graph with select blocks would be nice.
i remember a tweaked/moded HK3 on skinnees (http://skinneelabs.com/heatkiller-3-0-lt-lc/2/) for those with a HK3 it might be interesting to see how it compares. Vapor had an improvement of 1.3 deg C which would in theory even beat the HK4. 😮
all the best
DX2
p.s. i had a question about your testing, i sent an email.
greetings from Germany!
Awesome review, thorough as usual.
A restriction graph of the HK4 as a link or compared to a select few would be nice.
i remember on skinnees, Vapor reviewed the HK3 LT. He tweaked/modded it getting 1.3 DegC improvement. It would be really interesting to see if the tweak delivers, assuming it does, it would even beat the HK4 :-O
all the best keep the reviews coming!
i had a question about your testing. i sent a email. ^_^
greetings from Germany!
Awesome review, thorough as usual. Keep up the good work!
A restriction graph ith a select set of blocks would still be nice tbh.
The HK3 LT review from skinnee included a modded HK3. It was 1.8 Deg better than unmodded if those result hold true the modded hzk3 might best the HK4. It would be awesome if you tried the mod!!
many kind regards
DX2
p.s. i sent a question via email.
I’m curios about the price differences in these blocks. Was the universal back plate necessary at all? It adds ~12USD more to the overall price. Currently, this will make it ~100USD simply for the cpu waterblock. Just curios to know if they’re any help, or if they’re required.
Honestly I haven’t tried it, and of course its only needed for socket 115x, but I would be reluctant to not use it. CPU blocks can mount with a fair bit of pressure, and I’d want to avoid bending the board.
One thing I can add after learning from experience. The HK3 water block works real well. Then the plasticizer from the flexible tubing clogs it. This happens anywhere from 6 to 9 month intervals with a OC’d AMD FX 9590 and 2 OC’d R9 285s. After the 2nd cleaning you notice the fine cuts in base are filled with crud. I found the best cleaner is tooth paste mixed with vinegar. The real problem is finding a brush with bristles fine enough go in between the ridges and stiff enough to remove it without scratching or bending them. So if you are not using rigid tubing, the HK basic maybe be better when it comes to cleaning. It is best not reuse the old tubing (leaks). Have not done a ridged reinstall, yet,,, but I believe careful disassembly and attention to orientation can be done without heating and bending new tubes. It is possible that the heat from the 9590 is more concentrated than the heat from the 285s because I did not notice as much crud in them?
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