CPU Water Block

Now it is time for us to check out the processor water block:

This water block measures 50 x 50 x 42.5mm and weighs 137g. The base of this water block is made of nickel-plated copper. The plastic top pad already has the LGA 775 retention brackets attached. You will have to remove them and replace with different retention brackets (included with the accessories) for AMD K8 processors.

The internal diameter of the fittings and other tubing used in Aquagate Max system equals 9.5mm:

The base of the water block is covered with protective film warning the user that it needs to be removed before installation. The base finish quality is more or less satisfactory. Despite visible radial machine marks the surface is pretty smooth:

You can easily remove four screws at the bottom of the water block to find out that its top is made of aluminum:

However, the base is solid copper. Although it has very primitive internal structure: thin 4mm ribs are soldered to the base at ~0.5mm distance from one another:

It’s a pity that Cooler Master engineers didn’t take the trouble to design something constructively better and more efficient. They could have at least cur out micro-grooves in a solid plate instead of soldering the plates to the base. I cannot recall any other water block manufacturers who would be using such primitive internal design. Running a few steps forward, I have to admit that processor water block is the weakest spot of the entire Aquagate Max system.