Alphacool Eisblock Aurora XP³ Light - Plexi (12955)

The Alphacool Eisblock Aurora XP³ Light - Plexi is a compact CPU water block for AMD AM5, AM4, AM3+, AM3 and AM2 and for Intel LGA 1700, 1851, 1200, 115x, 2011, 2011-3 and 2066. A clear plexi housing with 9 digital RGB LEDs sits over a nickel-plated copper base, and the brackets for both makers are in the box.

Properties

Intel sockets

LGA 1156, 1155, 1150, 1151, 1200, 1700, 2011, 2011-3, 2066, 1851

AMD sockets

AM5, AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2

Cold plate

Nickel-plated copper, 56 x 56 mm

Top

Acrylic (plexi), clear

Ports

2 x G1/4

Lighting

9 digital RGB LEDs, 3-Pin 5V

Fit

The Intel bracket serves two groups of sockets on Alphacool's compatibility list. With the four Intel 115X screws, the Intel Backplate and its adhesive pad it mounts on the smaller ones, which the manual gives as 1156, 1155, 1151, 1150, 1200, 1700 and 1851. With the four Intel 2011 bolts it mounts on 2011, 2011-3 and 2066, where the bolts screw straight into the socket. Some 2011 and 2011-3 mainboards have no continuous mounting holes there, and on those the manual has you turn the bolts in no more than 4 mm. For Intel 2011-3 Narrow ILM the manual says a separate bracket is needed, the NexXxoS XP³ Mounting Bracket for Intel Socket 2011-3 Narrow ILM, which is not in the box.

The AMD bracket and the four AMD bolts are for AM5, AM4, AM3+, AM3 and AM2, and the manual also names AM2+. On AMD you also need the original backplate of your motherboard. If the board has none, the manual has you remove the retention module and screw the bolts into its original threaded bushes.

Alphacool's heading for the mounting is quick assembly. The mounting bracket is simply put over the CPU cooler, all mounting screws can be pre-assembled onto it, and then you screw it down by hand, without tools. A well-illustrated manual with large render graphics is included.

Between the XP³ and the XPX Aurora

The block was introduced as the one that combines the best between the NexXxoS XP³ and XPX Aurora coolers. Its height is between the two, but it has a plexi case with stylish ARGB LED lighting. Some time has passed since the last XP³, so the leap in cooling efficiency is described as much more impressive. The improved architecture is said to ensure that the water can cool the CPU more effectively. Its dimensions are 73 x 63 x 21 mm (L x W x H), and the net weight is 136 g.

High cooling capacity

Alphacool says the cooling plate has been optimized to give the best performance for the price point. The bottom, which Alphacool's text calls the radiator base, is made of nickel-plated copper with a surface area of 56 x 56 mm. It carries a cross-slot structure of pins only 0.4 x 1 mm thick, through which the water flows. The pin area is about 27.6 x 37.6 mm, so most mainstream CPUs are covered completely. A new multiple slotted nozzle plate was developed especially for this cooler, to match the water flow to the inflow of the base plate.

Lighting

The 9 digital RGB LEDs are inside the block in a U-shaped configuration, which Alphacool says ensures penetrating and extensive lighting. With the right addressable Digital RGB controller each LED can be controlled individually. The almost limitless color combinations and effects can be set via a controller or directly via a compatible mainboard.

What the loop needs

The block has two G1/4 connections. Both take the compression fittings for your tube size, which are not in the box. The power connection of the Digital RGB lighting is the usual 3-pin 5V connector. Its outgoing cable has an integrated Y-adapter, so several Aurora products can be connected together without special cables. The manual lists a Digital RGB adapter cable with this block for the motherboards that need one. A digital RGB controller is not included, and the manual names the Eiscontrol Addressable RGB Controller for running the LEDs without the mainboard. To run, the block needs a pump and a radiator in the same loop, and the coolant has to stay under the maximum working temperature of 60 °C.

Technical data

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 radiators, pumps, coolers and hoses, and that this can void the manufacturer's warranty.

In the box

• 1x Eisblock Aurora XP³ Light - Plexi
• 1 x Thermal paste
• 4 x Compression springs
• 4 x 0.5mm washers
• 8 x 0.5mm washers
• 4 x Nuts
• 1 x AMD bracket
• 4 x AMD bolts
• 1 x Intel bracket
• 4 x Intel 115X screws
• 4 x Intel 2011 bolts
• 1 x Intel Backplate
• 1 x Adhesive pad

Alphacool's manual and data sheet with the technical details are both PDFs.