Quick Takes

Aqua Computer cuplex kryos HF

• Overall great performing block
• Medium-high restriction (appropriate and acceptable)
• Mounting system’s initial installation is not easy or straightforward
• Mounting system’s thumbscrews rough on the fingers, not compatible with any tools
• Mounting system has set stops for even pressure at all corners
• Block assembly isn’t dead easy–mounting plates do not rest in their final position
• Intel or AMD mounting brackets included, not both
• Decent fitting compatibility
• Comes with a great TIM, Prolimatech PK-1; little reason to buy any other TIM
• Noticeably expensive, ~$99
• Available from AquaTuning and Aqua Computer

 

EK Supreme HF Full-Nickel rev3 (Easy Mount)

• Overall great performing block
• Low restriction
• Excels with premium TIM (Indigo Xtreme, PK-1, etc.); performance is dependent on TIM quality
• Mounting system (Easy Mount) initial installation is not easy or straightforward
• Mounting system’s thumbscrews are easy on the fingers but not compatible with any tools
• Mounting system has set stops for even pressure at all corners
• Mounting system repeated use is easy
• Mounting system doesn’t provide much mounting pressure; performance losses compared to rev2 mounting
• Block assembly isn’t dead easy–major o-ring held in place by two separate objects and can fall out; injection plate has no ‘home’ on the top
• Intel and AMD mounting brackets included
• Great fitting compatibility
• Comes with a good TIM, Arctic Cooling MX-4
• Expensive, ~$90
• Available from AquaTuning, EK, FrozenCPU, Jab-Tech, and Performance-PCs

 

Enzotech Stealth

• Overall very good performing block
• Medium-high restriction (appropriate and acceptable)
• Scales with TIM–using a really good TIM is recommended
• Mounting system’s initial installation is not easy or straightforward
• Mounting system’s thumbscrews are not very easy on the fingers and not compatible with any tools
• Mounting system does not have set stops for even pressure at all corners
• Mounting system repeated use is somewhat easy
• Mounting system doesn’t provide much mounting pressure
• Mounting system is fragile–broke two LGA1366 adapter kits in three mounts.
• Mounting bracket is a floating bracket and causes a lot of inconsistency
• Block assembly is pretty easy; 2mm hex screws do strip too easily, however
• LGA775 mounting as stock, comes with LGA1366 adapter; AMD and LGA115x adapters sold separately
• Decent fitting compatibility
• Comes with a mediocre TIM, Arctic Silver Ceramique
• Moderately priced, ~$75
• Available from AquaTuning, FrozenCPU, Jab-Tech, and Performance-PCs

 

Koolance CPU-360r1.1

• Overall good performing block; can’t reconcile why this CPU-360r1.1 did not perform as well in this roundup as the old block and roundup
• Low restriction
• Scales with TIM–using a really good TIM is recommended
• Mounting system’s initial installation is easy; nothing installed onto the motherboard
• Mounting system’s thumbscrews are very easy on the fingers but not compatible with any tools
• Mounting system has set stops for even pressure at all corners; tightening to the stops may provide too much mounting pressure
• Mounting system repeated use is easy
• Block assembly is pretty easy; 2mm hex screws do strip too easily, however
• Intel and AMD mounting brackets included
• Great fitting compatibility
• Comes with a mediocre TIM
• EOL

 

Koolance CPU-370

• Overall great performing block
• Medium-low restriction
• Makes tremendous contact; performance not very dependent on TIM
• Mounting system’s initial installation is easy; nothing installed onto the motherboard
• Mounting system’s thumbscrews are easy on the fingers but not compatible with any tools
• Mounting system has set stops for even pressure at all corners; tightening to the stops may provide too much mounting pressure
• Mounting system repeated use is easy
• Block assembly is pretty easy; Torx screws will not strip
• Intel and AMD mounting brackets included
• Great fitting compatibility
• Comes with a mediocre TIM
• Fairly expensive, ~$85
• Available from AquaTuning, FrozenCPU, Koolance, and Performance-PCs

 

Swiftech Apogee XT rev2

• Overall great performing block
• Medium-high restriction with inlet plate in the stock position
• High restriction with inlet plate in the compatibility position
• Makes great contact without excessive mounting pressure
• Mounting system has no initial installation
• Mounting system’s thumbscrews are easy on the fingers and compatible with Phillips screwdrivers
• Mounting system has set stops for even and ideal pressure at all corners
• Mounting system repeated use is easy
• Block assembly is pretty easy
• Intel LGA775/115x/1366 mounting bracket and backplates included; AMD bracket optional, uses inferior mounting system
• Great fitting compatibility but requires use of alternate inlet (slight bump in restriction which lowers flowrate which hurts temperatures a tiny bit)
• Comes with a mediocre TIM, Arctic Silver Ceramique
• $80 MSRP (can usually be found for $70 or less, however)
• Available from FrozenCPU, Jab-Tech, Newegg, Performance-PCs, and Swiftech