Alphacool Core 1 Aurora - Silver (13447)

The Alphacool Core 1 Aurora - Silver is a CPU water block for Intel LGA 1700 and LGA 1851 and for AMD AM4 and AM5. It is made entirely of metal: a nickel-plated copper base under a brass housing in silver, with subtly illuminated aRGB lighting. The mounting parts for both makers are in the box.

Properties

Intel sockets

LGA 1700, 1851

AMD sockets

AM4, AM5

Cold plate

Nickel-plated copper

Top

Brass housing, silver

Ports

2 x G1/4, nickel-plated brass

Lighting

18 digital aRGB LEDs, 3-Pin 5V

Fit

Compatibility covers the sockets named above: the box holds one bracket set for Intel and one for AMD, each with its four threaded bolts. Alphacool's manual says the Core Backplate is only required for the Intel socket. On AMD the two-piece retention frame comes off the board and the cooler mounts on the board's original backplate. Both mounts are tightened by hand only, in the manual's words.

Alphacool has revised the mounting system: compared to its previous models, it requires fewer screws. First, the backplate (Intel) is pre-assembled with four spacers. Then the thermal paste is applied to the CPU. After that the appropriate mounting frame is placed on the CPU cooler and fastened to the spacers with four nuts. Alphacool says the new system simplifies installation.

3D jet plate and cross slot

With the Core 1, Alphacool presents what it calls a new generation of CPU water cooling. Its reasoning: the latest desktop processors are constantly becoming more powerful, but they also produce more and more waste heat. Alphacool says this CPU water cooler reliably solves the problem with the help of its completely newly developed 3D jet plate, a part also used in industry.

Alphacool says the Core 1 brings the best of both worlds together, old and new. In addition to the new 3D jetplate, it returns to its roots, using a proven cross slot technique. That technique is evenly distributing the coolant on the revised base of the cooler. Inside the cooler, O-rings ensure precise water flow and thus effective cooling.

Brass housing and copper base

The housing is milled from a block of brass that Alphacool calls high-quality, and it has nickel-plated connections. The copper base of the cooler is also nickel-plated. It has been enlarged to ensure full coverage of large CPUs.

Core Design

Alphacool calls the functional and elegant design a central element of its Core series and says the block impresses with its appearance. The nickel-plated connections and the subtle contour line stand out from the brass housing. In Alphacool's words, the rounded corners give the overall picture the perfect touch. The Core 1 is available in different color designs, as well as in Aurora models with aRGB lighting like this one.

What the loop needs

The block has two G1/4 threads. Both take the compression fittings for your tube size, which are not in the box. The lighting has a 3 pin 5V power connection for Digital aRGB, and an ARGB adapter is included. To run, the block needs a pump and a radiator in the same loop.

Technical specifications

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.

In the box

• 1x Core 1 Aurora CPU Cooler
• 1x Thermal Grease
• 1x Putty tool
• 1x CPU Brackets AMD Set
• 4x Threaded bolt AMD
• 4x Screw sleeve
• 1x CPU Brackets INTEL Set
• 1x Core Backplate
• 4x Threaded bolt INTEL
• 4x EVA Washer
• 1x ARGB Adapter

Alphacool's manual for mounting, its second manual for replacing the LED strip and its data sheet (EN) are all PDFs, and the data sheet links the related product pictures. Its 3D model of the block is an STP file, and the 3D viewer shows it from every side.