AMD Threadripper CPU Block Review Round Up

XSPC Raystorm Neo Threadripper

XSPC were the first to market with a “real” Threadripper solution that scaled up a waterblock to Threadripper size rather than just adjusting mounts or baseplates and not changing the internals.

Packaging is updated now that XSPC have embraced RGB:

A tick mark indicates which version is inside the box, as does a sticker with a barcode and description.Opening up the package reveals a lot of accesories:
The block  itself is protected in bubble wrap as well as shrink wrap. Instructions are provided as well as TIM, mounting screws and two LEDs with 4 pin RGB headers and a mini RGB controller.  This is the only block to include a controller as well as RGB lights.

The NEO consists of a copper base and an acrylic top with a free floating mounting bracket.
In this case the mount plate is a dark nickel, though other choices are offered including a full metal design.
The block is attractive, though the mixed metals may not be everyone’s taste, nor is it easy to match to a motherboard design.
The plate lifts off the rest of the block as is typical on all XSPC cpu block designs.  We would rather it be attached, particuarly as this would mean that the screws would thread into the metal mount rather than the acrylic.  However it’s not the end of the world.
The copper base is protected by a thin plastic sticker which is hard to see as there is print on it.  Indeed the block had already been shrink wrapped so at first I did not notice it was even there.
The result was that I was surprised by the quality of the mirror finish being subpar – but that is purely the sticker.

Once removed, the finish is pure mirror:

The mount consists of a threaded post, a plastic washer, a spring and a thumb nut that bottoms out:

Although this is fine, and is at least less chunky than Koolance’s, we still prefer a low profile design like Watercool and Aquacomputer.

Those thumb nuts really stick up, and the two tone metal colors can be hard to pull off:

After testing I take the block apart to inspect the internals:

6 screws secure the block, but no allen key is provided to open it.  The copper base as always quickly tarnishes.

Two o-rings are used, one to seal the block and one to seal the jetplate.  The jetplate is keyed to help keep it in place during assembly.

The channels are in an optimal orientation and measure ~47mm long.

The channel area is also quite wide at ~51mm.  The width of the channels is quite narrow so we are expecting good performance from so much surface area.