Alphacool Core 1 - Silver (13444)

The Alphacool Core 1 - Silver is a CPU water block for AMD AM4 and AM5 and for Intel LGA 1700 and LGA 1851. It is made entirely of metal: a nickel-plated copper base sits under a housing milled from brass, here in silver.

Properties

Intel sockets

LGA 1700, 1851

AMD sockets

AM4, AM5

Cold plate

Nickel-plated copper

Top

Brass housing, silver

Ports

2 x G1/4

Size

72 x 72 x 26.50 mm

Fit

Two mounting sets are in the box. The CPU Brackets AMD Set and the four AMD threaded bolts are for AM4 and AM5. The CPU Brackets INTEL Set, the Core Backplate and the four INTEL threaded bolts are for the Intel sockets, and Alphacool's compatibility list gives those as LGA 1700 and LGA 1851. Neither side needs a separately sold bracket.

The mounting system has also been revised: compared to the previous Alphacool models, it requires fewer screws, which simplifies installation. On an Intel board, the backplate (Intel) is pre-assembled with four spacers first. 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. On an AMD board, the manual has you remove the two-piece retention frame and use the original backplate of the motherboard, because the Core Backplate is only required for the Intel socket. Its instruction for the threaded bolts on both platforms is to hand tighten only.

3D jet plate and cross slot

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

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

Brass housing and copper base

The Core 1 housing is milled from a block of brass that Alphacool rates as high-quality, and it has nickel-plated connections. The copper base of the cooler is nickel-plated as well. It has been enlarged to ensure full coverage of large CPUs.

Core design

Alphacool names the functional and elegant design as a central element of its Core series. The nickel-plated connections and the subtle contour line stand out from the brass housing. Rounded corners give the overall picture what Alphacool calls the perfect touch, and in its words the all-metal CPU water cooler impresses with its elegant appearance. The Core 1 is available in different color designs, as well as in subtly illuminated aRGB Aurora models. This silver version has no lighting.

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. There is no lighting to connect on this version. To run, the block needs a pump and a radiator in the same loop, and the coolant has to stay under the maximum working temperature of 60 °C.

Technical data

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 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

Alphacool's manual and data sheet (EN) with the technical specifications are both PDFs. Its 3D model of the block is an STP file, and its 3D viewer shows it from every side.