Alphacool Eisblock Aurora Acryl GPX-N RTX 4090 with Backplate (Reference) (13429)

The Alphacool Eisblock Aurora Acryl GPX-N RTX 4090 with Backplate (Reference) 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 cooler 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 Eisblock Aurora Acryl GPX-N RTX 4090 Founders Edition with Backplate (Art. 13456).

Properties

Fits

GeForce RTX 4090, Reference Design board

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 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)

Alphacool adds two notes to this list. On the PNY GeForce RTX 4090 the rear part of the PCB is not completely covered by the block, which it says has no negative effect on the cooling performance. Inno3D uses two different PCB layouts: check the serial number of your card, and if it looks like 32-879-xxxx8xxxx, the card is not compatible with Alphacool's water blocks.

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 other blocks for the same board are the Core Geforce RTX 4090 Reference Design with Backplate and the ES Geforce RTX 4090 Reference Design with Backplate.

Technical highlights

Alphacool presents this block as the next generation: the Eisblock Aurora water cooler for Geforce RTX 4XXX graphics cards. In order to dissipate the enormous waste heat of this graphics card generation in the best possible way, it says, numerous optimizations were carried out compared to the previous model. The fin structure of this generation of Eisblock (ice block) coolers was developed together with Nvidia board partners. It has been adapted so that the fins are 0.4 mm thick, and the distance between the cooling fins is 0.4 mm as well. Alphacool says that fin thickness enables a very good water flow while at the same time increasing the possible cooling surface. The modified jet plate, a nozzle plate with an improved inflow engine, has a revised inlay. That inlay spreads the water pressure better over the fins, thus optimizing the heat absorption, and ensures an optimal distribution of the water on them. The adjusted water inflow also gives the water a better angle of inflow onto the fins.

Chrome-plated copper

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

Design and lighting

The Aurora design of this Eisblock generation is visually calmer and simpler than the one before: only one O-ring runs around the entire cooler. The design around the cooling fins and the jetplate makes for a cleaner look. Twelve digitally addressable RGB LEDs supply the illumination. Alphacool says their lighting is even better distributed throughout the cooler as a result of the chrome plating. The terminal is in line with the classic Aurora design.

Thermal paste and thermal pads

The included thermal compound is Alphacool's Subzero, an electrically non-conductive thermal grease with a thermal conductivity of 16 W/mK. Alphacool ranks it as one of the highest performing thermal pastes on the market. It is particularly well suited for high contact pressures, but due to its viscosity of 850000 TF, Alphacool says, it can still be processed perfectly. Alphacool Soft Pads with 1 mm thickness are used on the voltage converter and on the graphics memory, and the thermal conductivity of those pads 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.

What the loop needs

The block has four G1/4 threads as its connections. 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, along with a plug tool. The lighting has a 3-Pin JST power connection at a voltage of 5V, and an ARGB adapter is included. Thermal pads, thermal grease, a putty tool, screws, washers and the PCI bracket also come with the block.

Technical data cooler

Technical data backplate

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 water cooling products such as a radiator, a pump, a cooler or the hoses. That can also void the manufacturer's warranty.
• Remove the original cooler on an antistatic mat and clean the card of thermal paste and pad residues before fitting the block.
• The manual says to remove only the plastic transport spacers.

In the box

• 1x Eisblock Aurora Acryl GPX-N RTX 4090 Reference
• 1x Backplate
• 4x 84x8x1mm Pad
• 1x 15x15x1mm Pad
• 2x 105x8x1mm Pad
• 2x 50x15x1mm Pad
• 1x 40x15x1mm Pad
• 1x 45x45x3mm GPU-Pad
• 1x 15x15x3mm Pad
• 1x 8x40x3mm Pad
• 2x 8x51x3mm Pad
• 2x 8x100x3mm Pad
• 1x Thermal grease
• 1x Putty tool
• 5x M2x5 Screw
• 5x EVA Washer
• 1x M2x5 Screw
• 1x PCI Bracket
• 5x M2x11 Screw
• 1x ARGB Adaptor
• 2x G1/4“ Plugs
• 1x Plug tool

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