Details
The Alphacool Core 100 Aurora Reservoir Acetal/Acryl with VPP Pump is a 200 ml tube reservoir with an integrated D5 pump top, and it comes with Alphacool's VPP Apex PWM pump. The pump top is compatible with all original D5 pumps and all Alphacool VPP pumps. The same reservoir without a pump is the Core 100 Aurora reservoir D5/VPP.
Properties
- Pump
- VPP Apex, 2500 - 4500 RPM, included
- Capacity
- 200 ml
- Ports
- 3x G1/4 internal thread
- Size (L x W x H)
- 131 x 76.5 x 76.5 mm
- Maximum flow rate
- 340 l/h
- Lighting
- 12 digital aRGB LEDs, 5V
Acetal and acrylic
The reservoir tube is acrylic, while the D5/VPP pump top and the lid are made of acetal. Alphacool says the Core reservoir combines performance with design, and that the combination of these two materials gives it a discreet appearance. The wow effect, in Alphacool's words, is provided by the LEDs in the top of the pump and by the light tower water effect inside the tube.
What's new?
Compared to the previous Eisbecher models, the acrylic tube now has an external thread. According to Alphacool this ensures more stability and security when connecting the cover and the pump top to the tube. The integrated digital aRGB lighting is also new: the LEDs are included and will no longer have to be purchased separately in the future.
Extensive mounting options
Mounting option 1: stands in the box allow the expansion tank to be mounted on the bottom of the enclosure. These holders are fixed with 4 of the M4x8 screws, and 4 M4x8 screws with the M4 nuts go on the case. Depending on the enclosure type there are further fastening options.
Mounting option 2: 120mm/140mm mounting frames are also included. They can be used to mount the reservoir as desired on free fan spaces, on radiators or on the fans on radiators. The 120mm bracket or the 120 - 140mm bracket is screwed on with the 4 M4x6 screws first. The 4 M3x5 screws are for mounting on a radiator, where the bracket may need to be rotated depending on the radiator's size.
Digitally addressable RGB lighting
12 digitally addressable RGB LEDs illuminate the reservoir's tube. They are attached in a ring shape to the lower end of the tube, in the transition to the pump top. Alphacool says they ensure brilliant illumination of the entire reservoir and that, together with the Lighttower effect, a very special ambience is achieved. The LED lighting is connected via a JST 3-pin connector. It can be controlled with a digital RGB controller, e.g. the Alphacool Aurora Eiscontrol (Art. 15360, not included), or with a digital RGB capable mainboard. The included adapter plugs into the 3-pin female connector, and additional digital RGB LEDs can be added on the remaining 3-pin male connector.
Lighttower water effect
A special water effect is created in the Core reservoir via the riser tubes. If you don't fill the reservoir over the upper edge of the riser tube, you get a kind of fountain effect. The water is then pushed out the sides of the riser tube and sprayed against the tube. Depending on the flow of the circuit, the effect is stronger or weaker. Alphacool says it can be placed at the lower or upper inlet using the riser tube. To change the riser tube, unscrew the container at the bottom or top: the tube is simply plugged in.
Pump compatibility and the VPP Apex
The pump retaining ring, a pump O-ring and all screws are in the box, and the pump is mounted with the 8 M4x12 screws. The VPP Apex does without a spherical bearing and uses a ceramic shaft, and the motor's coils have been moved from the inside to the outside. Alphacool says these changes make the pump fundamentally more stable and smoother running, and that any vibrations have been significantly reduced. Another side effect it names is that power consumption has been almost halved. Compared to Alphacool's Eispumpe, power is not supplied via a 4-pin Molex connector but via SATA.
What the loop needs
The pump takes a SATA power plug from the power supply. Its 4-pin fan connector goes to the motherboard or to an external controller, which lets you control the speed range via PWM and read out the RPM signal. The IN and OUT ports are marked and take your two fittings. The inlet can be used for filling, and it is closed with the screw plug and the tool provided.
Technical data
| L x W x H | 131 x 76.5 x 76.5 mm |
| Pump compatibility | D5 |
| Capacity (volume) | 200 ml |
| Material pump top & lid (cover) | acetal |
| Material tube | acrylic |
| Connections | 3x G1/4 internal thread |
| Maximum working temperature | 60 °C |
| Pressure tested | 0.8 bars |
| Number of digital aRGB LEDs | 12 |
| Voltage digital aRGB LEDs | 5V |
| Power connection digital aRGB LEDs | 3-pin JST (male & female switch) |
| Weight | 504 g |
| Color | black |
Technical data VPP Apex
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 65 x 65 x 41 mm |
| Material pump | synthetic material |
| Material pump cover | aluminum |
| Material axle | ceramics |
| Connections | 4-Pin PWM | SATA |
| Rotational speed | 2500 - 4500 RPM |
| Cable lengths | 4-Pin PWM - 48 cm | SATA - 48 cm |
| Operating voltage | 8-13V DC / 14W IP32 |
| Starting voltage | 12V DC |
| Maximum pumping head | 4.25 m |
| Max flow | 340 l/h |
| Max working temperature | 60 °C |
| Net weight | 276 g |
| Color | black |
Notes
- Note on application: please use the reservoir only in conjunction with clear, transparent water cooling fluids. Alphacool warns that the particles and additives in Pastel liquids can clog and permanently damage water cooling products such as radiators, pumps, coolers and hoses. That can result in voiding the manufacturer's warranty as well.
- Make sure the filter with the inlay is always positioned on the top left, because only there is the water flow guaranteed.
In the box
- 1x Core 100 Aurora reservoir D5/VPP Acetal/Acryl, black
- 1x VPP Apex pump, black
- 4x M4x6 screws
- 8x M4x8 screws
- 8x M4x12 screws
- 4x M3x5 screws
- 4x M4 nuts
- 2x 120mm bracket
- 2x 120 - 140mm bracket
- 2x stand bracket
- 1x screw plug
- 1x Allen key
- 1x Plug tool
- 1x Digital-RGB adapter
- 1x O-Ring 53x3.5 pump
- 1x pump mounting
Alphacool's manual and data sheet with the pump specifications are both PDFs. Its 3D model of this reservoir is an STP file, and the 3D viewer shows it from every side.
