Details
The Alphacool Core Geforce RTX 4090 Reference Design with Backplate is a GPU water block for Nvidia Geforce RTX 4090 graphics cards built on the Reference Design board. The Inno3D iCHILL X3 and the PNY XLR8 Gaming Verto Epic-X are two of them. It cools the card with a chrome-plated copper block under an acrylic top, and the black aluminum backplate is in the box. It does not fit the RTX 4090 Founders Edition: for that card Alphacool names its Core Geforce RTX 4090 Founders Edition with Backplate (Art. 13470).
Properties
- Fits
- Geforce RTX 4090, Reference Design board
- Cold plate
- Chrome-plated copper, 0.4 mm fins
- Top
- Acrylic
- Ports
- 4 x G1/4
- Backplate
- Aluminum, black, included
- Lighting
- 12 digital aRGB LEDs, 5V
Compatibility
Alphacool lists these cards for this block:
- Inno3D GeForce RTX 4090 iCHILL Black, 24GB GDDR6X (C4090-246XX-18330005)
- Inno3D GeForce RTX 4090 iCHILL Frostbite, 24GB GDDR6X (C4090-246XX-1833FB)
- Inno3D GeForce RTX 4090 iCHILL X3, 24GB GDDR6X (C40903-246XX-1833VA47)
- Inno3D GeForce RTX 4090 X3 OC, 24GB GDDR6X (N40903-246XX-18332989)
- PNY GeForce RTX 4090 XLR8 Gaming Verto Epic-X RGB Overclocked Triple Fan, 24GB GDDR6X (VCG409024TFXXPB1-O)
- PNY GeForce RTX 4090 XLR8 Gaming Verto Epic-X RGB Triple Fan, 24GB GDDR6X (VCG409024TFXXPB1)
The block was designed for one PCB layout, and card makers sometimes revise a board so that a cooler no longer fits later models. Inno3D uses two different PCB layouts for these cards: a card whose serial number looks like 32-879-xxxx8xxxx is not compatible. 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 also points out that a part of the PCB is not covered by the water block. Its ES block for the same board is the ES Geforce RTX 4090 Reference Design with Backplate.
Product information
The block belongs to Alphacool's Core product series, which Alphacool says is characterized by high quality, outstanding performance and a uniform, functional design language. Alphacool's text for the Geforce RTX 40XX generation presents these blocks as the next generation of the Eisblock Aurora water cooler. It 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.
Chrome-plated copper
The copper cooler is the core of the block and, like the end terminal, is milled from a single piece of copper. It is made entirely of chrome-plated copper, with the hard and resistant plating covering the whole cooler. Alphacool says this fine workmanship meets the highest quality standards. A chrome plating is, in its words, much harder than a nickel plating and therefore less sensitive to acids, scratches and damage, and it completely eliminates the risk of chipping nickel plating. Additionally, Alphacool finds that 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 them.
Technical highlights
The fin structure was adapted and developed together with Nvidia board partners. The fins are 0.4 mm thick and the distance between them is 0.4 mm, which enables a very good water flow while increasing the cooling surface. The jet plate was completely redesigned on the basis of many simulations and practical tests in cooperation with those partners. Its modified, revised inlay has an improved inflow engine that spreads the water pressure better over the cooling fins, thus optimizing the heat absorption. Alphacool says this ensures an optimal distribution of the water. The adjusted water supply gives the water a better angle of inflow, and the flow to the components with the greatest heat output has been optimized. Alphacool counts these among the technical advancements of the series.
Design
The chrome-plated brass G1/4 threads are integrated on both sides and stand out visually from the terminal. Alphacool calls them a central feature of the new design language that will be evident in all products in the Core series. The terminal's own shape stays in line with the classic Aurora design, which Alphacool describes as visually calmer and simpler for this Eisblock generation. Only one O-ring runs around the entire cooler, and the design around the cooling fins and jetplate makes for a cleaner look. The backplate is adapted to the design and, together with the terminal, makes up the entire unit. It enhances the back of the cooler with a clean and homogeneous look. The lighting consists of digitally addressable RGB LEDs, which illuminate the cooler evenly and effectively. As a result of the chrome plating, their illumination is even better distributed throughout the block.
Thermal paste and thermal pads
The included thermal compound is Alphacool's Subzero, with a thermal conductivity of 16 W/mK. Alphacool ranks it as one of the highest performing thermal pastes on the market. It is electrically non-conductive and particularly well suited for high contact pressures, but can still be processed perfectly due to its viscosity of 850.000 TF. Alphacool Soft Pads with 1mm thickness are used on the voltage converter and the graphics memory. These enclosed special soft pads have a conductivity of up to 7 W/mK and adapt to even the smallest tolerances. The pads for the back of the PCB are 3mm thick and rated at 3 W/mK.
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. A plug tool for them is included. The lighting connects through a 3-Pin JST power connector, and an ARGB adaptor is in the box. The pads, thermal grease, a putty tool, a screwdriver, screws, washers and the PCI bracket also come with the block.
Technical data cooler
| L x W x H | 222.36 x 145.85 x 32.65 mm |
| Material cooler | chrome-plated copper |
| Material cooler top | acrylic |
| Max working temperature | 60 °C |
| Pressure tested | 0.8 bar |
| Threads | 4 x G1/4 |
| Thickness cooler bottom | 11.3 mm |
| Thickness cooling fins | 0.4 mm |
| Distance cooling fins | 0.4 mm |
| Illumination | digital aRGB LEDs |
| Power connector digital aRGB LEDs | 3-Pin JST |
| Power digital aRGB LEDs | 5V |
| Number of digital aRGB LEDs | 12 |
Technical data backplate
| L x W x H | 222.36 x 122.85 x 5.78 mm |
| Material | aluminum |
| Color | black |
Notes
- Alphacool's note on application: please use the block only in conjunction with clear transparent water cooling fluids. It warns that the particles and additives in Pastel liquids can clog and permanently damage water cooling products such as radiators, pumps, coolers and hoses. Alphacool adds that this can result in voiding the manufacturer's warranty.
- Place the card on an antistatic mat to remove the original cooler, and clean it of thermal paste and pad residues before fitting the block.
- During assembly, make sure the taller parts of the card have enough space around them.
In the box
- 1x Core Geforce RTX 4090 Reference Design cooler
- 1x Backplate
- 1x Screwdriver
- 4x 8x8x1mm Pad
- 1x 15x15x1mm Pad
- 1x 40x15x1mm Pad
- 2x 51x15x1mm Pad
- 2x 100x8x1mm Pad
- 1x Thermal grease
- 1x Putty tool
- 4x EVA Washer
- 4x M2x5mm Screw
- 1x 45x45x3mm GPU-Pad
- 1x 15x15x3mm Pad
- 1x 40x8x3mm Pad
- 2x 51x8x3mm Pad
- 2x 100x8x3mm Pad
- 7x M2x11mm Screw
- 1x PCI Bracket
- 1x ARGB Adaptor
- 2x G1/4 Plug
- 1x Plug tool
Alphacool's manual and datasheet (EN) are both PDFs. Its 3D model of the block is an STP file, and the 3D viewer shows it from every side.
