Alphacool Eisblock Aurora Acryl GPX-N RTX 3090/3080 Turbo with Backplate (11975)

The Alphacool Eisblock Aurora Acryl GPX-N RTX 3090/3080 Turbo with Backplate is a GPU water block for the ASUS Turbo versions of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 and RTX 3090 graphics cards. It cools the card with a nickel-plated copper block under an acrylic top, and the black aluminum backplate is in the box.

Properties

Fits

ASUS Turbo GeForce RTX 3080, RTX 3080 V2 and RTX 3090

Cold plate

Nickel-plated copper, 5.5 mm thick

Top

Acrylic

Ports

4 x G1/4

Backplate

Aluminum, black, included

Lighting

Digital RGB LEDs, 5V, 3-Pin JST

Compatibility

Alphacool lists these cards for this block:

• ASUS Turbo GeForce RTX 3080 10GB (TURBO-RTX3080-10G)
• ASUS Turbo GeForce RTX 3080 V2 10GB (TURBO-RTX3080-10G-V2)
• ASUS Turbo GeForce RTX 3090 (90YV0FK0-M0NB00)

The block was built for one PCB layout, so check your exact card and its part number against this compatibility list before ordering. Compare the card with the pictures in Alphacool's Graphics Card Configurator, or look it up in its Nvidia List of Compatibility PDF. Alphacool's own page links both among its downloads.

More performance

Alphacool says the block combines style with performance and extensive digital RGB lighting. Its aim during the development of this graphic card GPU block was more of the second: "we wanted to further increase the performance". The first step was to move the cooler closer to the individual components by reducing the thermal pads to a thickness of 1 mm. Next, Alphacool reduced the thickness of the nickel-plated copper block: instead of 7 mm, it is now only 5.5 mm thick. Inside the cooler, the water flow has been optimized as well. Alphacool says all important components, such as the voltage transformers and the memory, are now significantly better and more effectively cooled by the water. In its words, all this ensures a significant increase in cooling performance.

New design

The cooler has been designed so that lighting is more important than on the previous models. The addressable digital RGB LEDs are embedded directly into the cooling block and run along the sides of its entire length. The effect is an illumination that encloses the whole block. Alphacool's way of putting it is that no corner or edge remains unlit by the aRGB LEDs. The new shape is more angular, with all edges beveled. This promotes better light diffusion in the water cooler due to the reflections on these bevels. In addition, they create various contours, which Alphacool says give the Eisblock its very own unique identity.

Copper or aluminum?

Of course, Alphacool only uses copper for its water coolers, and on this Eisblock the copper is nickel-plated. Compared to its predecessor models, Alphacool has improved the nickel plating even further, which it says has considerably increased the acid resistance. For the buyer this means that the nickel should resist flaking. Why does Alphacool rely on copper instead of aluminum? Simply because, by its account, copper has almost twice the thermal conductivity of aluminum and is therefore clearly the better material for water cooling.

Is there anything else new?

The block also relies on Alphacool's new patented stop fittings, which sit flush with the surface of the terminal. The Alphacool logo now sits in the corner on the top. On the front of the terminal you can see the corresponding names of the compatible graphic card types. Logo and names are fully illuminated by the digital LEDs, and IN and OUT are now marked by small triangles. Alphacool finds that they are easily recognizable and fit perfectly into the entire aesthetics of the graphic card water cooler.

Alphacool on this generation

Alphacool describes the block as a complete redevelopment of the previous Alphacool graphics card water coolers. It says no technical compromises were made, but that the entire technical know-how flowed into the development and implementation. With experience of over 17 years, Alphacool claims the ability to create GPU blocks that represent high quality and fantastic performance. It says that this perfectly describes the Aurora Acryl GPX Eisblock.

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 two you do not use stay closed. The lighting runs on 5V and connects through a 3-Pin JST plug.

Technical data cooler

Technical data backplate

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. This can result in voiding the manufacturer's warranty as well.

In the box

• 1x Eisblock Aurora Acryl GPX-N RTX 3090/3080 Turbo cooler
• 1x Backplate