Alphacool Eisblock Aurora Acryl GPX-A Radeon RX 6800/6800XT Strix/TUF with Backplate (11955)

The Alphacool Eisblock Aurora Acryl GPX-A Radeon RX 6800/6800XT Strix/TUF with Backplate is a GPU water block for AMD Radeon RX 6800 and RX 6800 XT graphics cards. It fits the ASUS ROG Strix and TUF Gaming boards. Alphacool also lists the ASUS TUF Gaming Radeon RX 6900 XT OC for it. It cools the card with a nickel-plated copper block under an acrylic top, and the black aluminum backplate is in the box.

Properties

Fits

ASUS ROG Strix and TUF Gaming Radeon RX 6800, RX 6800 XT, TUF Gaming RX 6900 XT OC

Cold plate

Nickel-plated copper

Top

Acrylic, transparent

Ports

4 x G1/4

Backplate

Aluminum, black, included

Lighting

Digital RGB LEDs, 5V, 3-Pin JST

Compatibility

Alphacool lists these cards for this block:

• Asus ROG Strix Radeon RX 6800 OC, ROG-STRIX-RX6800-O16G-GAMING, 16GB GDDR6 (90YV0FL1-M0NM00)
• Asus TUF Gaming Radeon RX 6800 OC, TUF-RX6800-O16G-GAMING, 16GB GDDR6 (90YV0FM1-M0NA00)
• Asus ROG Strix Radeon RX 6800 XT OC, ROG-STRIX-RX6800XT-O16G-GAMING, 16GB GDDR6
• Asus TUF Gaming Radeon RX 6800 XT OC, TUF-RX6800XT-O16G-GAMING, 16GB GDDR6 (90YV0FL1-M0NM00)
• Asus TUF Gaming Radeon RX 6900 XT OC, TUF-RX6900XT-O16G-GAMING, 16GB GDDR6 (90YV0GE0-M0NM00)

The cooler is constructed specifically for this one PCB layout, and card makers sometimes revise a board slightly so that a cooler no longer fits later models. Before ordering, compare your card with the pictures in Alphacool's graphics card configurator, or look it up in its List of Compatibility for AMD graphic cards.

More performance

Alphacool writes of this RADEON RX 6800/6900(XT) graphic card block: "we wanted to further increase the performance". During development, its first step was reducing the thermal pads to a thickness of 1 mm, to move the cooler closer to the individual components. Next it reduced the nickel-plated copper block, which is now only 5.5 mm thick instead of 7 mm. The water flow inside the cooler has been optimized as well. Alphacool says all important components, such as the voltage transformers and the memory, are now cooled significantly better and more effectively by the water. It says all this ensures a significant increase in cooling performance.

New design and lighting

The cooler was designed so that lighting is more important than on the previous models. The addressable digital RGB LEDs are embedded directly into the cooling block and run along all of it. The effect is that the entire block is lit, and Alphacool says no corner or edge remains unlit by the aRGB LEDs. The shape is more angular, with all edges beveled. Due to the reflections on these bevels, the light diffusion in the water cooler is better, which the design promotes. In addition, the bevels create various contours, and Alphacool says they give the Eisblock its very own unique identity. Alphacool describes the block as one that combines style with performance and extensive illumination.

Copper or aluminum?

Alphacool only uses copper for its water coolers, and here the copper is nickel-plated. Compared to the predecessor models, it says it has improved the nickel plating even further, which has considerably increased the acid resistance. This means that the nickel should resist flaking. Why does Alphacool rely on copper? Simply, it says, because copper has almost twice the thermal conductivity of aluminum, and it therefore calls copper clearly the better material for water cooling.

Is there anything else new?

The block also relies on Alphacool's new patented stop fittings, which sit flush with the surface of the terminal. The Alphacool logo now sits in the corner on the top. On the front of the terminal you can see the corresponding names of the compatible graphic card types. Logo and names are both fully illuminated by the digital LEDs. IN and OUT are marked by small triangles, which Alphacool calls easily recognizable and a fit for the entire aesthetics of the cooler. Of course these are Alphacool's own words, as is its claim of over 16 years of experience and the ability to create GPU blocks that represent high quality and fantastic performance. It says this perfectly describes the Aurora Acryl GPX. Alphacool calls the block a complete redevelopment of its previous graphics card water coolers. It says no technical compromises were made, but that the entire technical know-how flowed into the development and implementation.

What the loop needs

The block has four G1/4 threads. Two take the compression fittings for your tube size, which are not in the box, and the other two take the two screw plugs that are. To control the lighting, the included Digital-RGB adapter connects the block's 3-pin connector to a digital RGB controller, which is not included. Alphacool's example is its Aurora Eiscontrol. Thermal pads, thermal grease, screws, washers and a plug tool also come with the block.

Technical data cooler

Technical data backplate

Notes

• Alphacool asks that the block be used only with clear transparent water cooling fluids. It warns that the particles and additives in Pastel liquids can clog and permanently damage radiators, pumps, coolers and hoses, and that this can void the manufacturer's warranty.
• Remove the original cooler on an antistatic mat and clean the card of thermal paste and pad residues before fitting the block.

In the box

• 1x Eisblock Aurora Acryl GPX-A cooler
• 1x Backplate
• 1x 8x66x1mm thermal pad
• 3x 15x51x1mm thermal pad
• 1x 8x100x1mm thermal pad
• 1x 30x30x3mm thermal pad
• 3x 15x51x3mm thermal pad
• 1x 8x66x2mm thermal pad
• 1x 8x100x2mm thermal pad
• 6x M2x5 screws
• 6x M2x5 washers
• 6x M2x11 screws
• 2x Screw plugs
• 1x Plug tool
• 1x Thermal grease
• 1x Digital-RGB adapter

Alphacool's manual and data sheet are each a PDF download.