Alphacool Core Geforce RTX 4090 Founders Edition with Backplate (13470)

The Alphacool Core Geforce RTX 4090 Founders Edition with Backplate is a GPU water block for the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Founders Edition graphics card. It cools the card with a chrome-plated copper block under an acrylic top, and the black aluminum backplate is in the box.

Properties

Fits

Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Founders Edition

Cold plate

Chrome-plated copper

Top

Acrylic

Ports

4 x G1/4

Backplate

Aluminum, black, included

Lighting

12 digital aRGB LEDs, 5V

Compatibility

Alphacool lists this card for this block:

• Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Founders Edition, 24GB GDDR6X (900-1G136-2530-000)

The block was designed for one PCB layout, and card makers sometimes revise a board so that a cooler no longer fits later models. Before ordering, compare your card and its PCB number with the pictures in Alphacool's GPU Configurator, or look it up in its Compatibility List for Nvidia cards. Alphacool's Eisblock Aurora block for the same card is the Eisblock Aurora Acryl GPX-N RTX 4090 Founders Edition.

Copper cooler and terminal

The core of this block is the copper cooler, which, like the end terminal, is milled from a single piece of copper. A hard and resistant chrome plating covers the entire copper cooler, so the cooler is made entirely of chrome-plated copper. Alphacool says the fine workmanship paired with that plating meets the highest quality standards. The chrome-plated brass G1/4 threads are integrated on both sides and stand out visually from the terminal. Alphacool names them a central feature of the new design language of the Core series. Its own line for the product series is that Core is characterized by high quality, outstanding performance and a uniform, functional design language.

Chrome plating

Alphacool says a chrome plating is much harder than a nickel plating and therefore less sensitive to acids, scratches and damage. It says chrome completely eliminates the risk of chipping nickel plating. Additionally, it says, chrome looks much more homogeneous and provides a shine that cannot be achieved by nickel. Chrome-plated coolers have previously only been used in the industrial sector, in areas where extreme influences act on the coolers.

Technical highlights

This block has been described here with Alphacool's text for the next generation of its Eisblock Aurora water cooler, the one for Geforce RTX 40XX graphics cards. That text says numerous optimizations were made compared to the previous model, in order to dissipate the enormous heat of this graphics card generation in the best possible way. The fin structure was developed together with Nvidia board partners. The fins are 0.4 mm in thickness and the distance between the cooling fins is 0.4 mm. Alphacool says the adapted structure enables a very good water flow while increasing the cooling surface. The modified jet plate has a revised inlay that spreads the water pressure better over the fins, thus optimizing the heat absorption. Its improved inflow engine ensures an optimal distribution of the water on the cooling fins, and the adjusted water inflow gives the water a better angle.

Alphacool's current page describes the Core block this way. The technical advancements can be seen in the water supply to the jet plate and in the jet plate itself, which was completely redesigned. The work was based on many simulations and practical tests in cooperation with board partners. The water flow to the core components with the greatest heat output has been optimized.

Design and lighting

The aluminum backplate is adapted to the design and, together with the terminal, makes up the entire unit. Alphacool says it gives the back of the cooler a clean and homogeneous look. The lighting consists of digitally addressable RGB LEDs, 12 of them, which illuminate the entire cooler evenly and effectively. The earlier text adds that the illumination is even better distributed throughout the cooler as a result of the chrome plating. It calls the Aurora design of the Geforce RTX 40XX Eisblock generation visually calmer and simpler. Only one O-ring runs around the entire cooler, and the design around the cooling fins and jetplate makes for a cleaner look. It describes the terminal's design as in line with the classic Aurora design.

Thermal paste and thermal pads

The store's earlier text names the included thermal compound as Alphacool's Subzero, with a thermal conductivity of 16 W/mK. Alphacool calls it one of the highest performing thermal pastes on the market. The compound is electrically non-conductive and particularly well suited for high contact pressures, but Alphacool says it can still be processed perfectly due to its viscosity of 850.000 TF. Alphacool Soft Pads with 1 mm thickness are used on the voltage converter and the graphics memory, and their thermal conductivity is 7 W/mK. The pads for the back of the PCB are 3 mm thick and have a thermal conductivity of 3 W/mK. Alphacool's current page speaks of special soft thermal pads with up to 7 W/mK that adapt to even the smallest tolerances.

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 plugs that are. The lighting connects through a 3-Pin JST plug, and an ARGB adapter is included. Thermal pads, thermal grease, a putty tool and the PCI bracket also come with the block.

Technical data cooler

Technical data backplate

Notes

• Please use the block 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. This can result in voiding the manufacturer's warranty as well.
• Remove the original cooler on an antistatic mat and clean the card of thermal paste and pad residues before you place the pads and fit the block.

In the box

• 1x Core Geforce RTX 4090 Founders Edition
• 1x backplate
• 2x 51x15x1mm Pad
• 1x 40x15x1mm Pad
• 1x 15x15x1mm Pad
• 3x 8x8x1mm Pad
• 2x 100x8x1mm Pad
• 3x 15x8x2mm Pad
• 1x Thermal grease
• 1x Putty tool
• 4x EVA Washer
• 4x M2x5mm Screw
• 1x 45x45x3mm GPU-Pad
• 2x 51x8x3mm Pad
• 1x 40x8x3mm Pad
• 2x 100x8x3mm Pad
• 1x 15x15x3mm Pad
• 1x PCI Bracket
• 7x M2x10mm Screw
• 1x ARGB Adapter
• 2x G1/4 Plug
• 1x Plug tool

Product information from Alphacool: its manual and English (EN) data sheet are both PDFs. Its 3D model of the block is an STP file, and the 3D viewer shows it from every side.