Alphacool Eisblock XPX Aurora PRO - Plexi Chrome Digital RGB (12951)

The Alphacool Eisblock XPX Aurora PRO - Plexi Chrome Digital RGB is a CPU water block for AMD AM4, AM5, SP3, SP6, sTR5, sWRX8 and TR4. On Intel it fits LGA 1700, 1851, 2011-3, 2066 and 3647. With it Alphacool offers a CPU water cooler specially designed for processors with particularly large processor cores. These currently include the AMD Threadripper models and the Intel processors for the LGA 2066 socket and for the LGA 3647 server socket in narrow ILM design. LGA 4189, 4677 and 4710 each need a bracket that is sold separately.

Properties

Intel sockets

LGA 1700, 1851, 2011-3, 2066, 3647, 4189 (bracket sold separately), 4677 (bracket sold separately), 4710 (bracket sold separately)

AMD sockets

AM4, AM5, SP3, SP6, sTR5, sWRX8, TR4

Cold plate

Nickel-plated copper, 147 cooling fins

Top

Acrylic (Plexi), Chrome version

Ports

2 x G1/4

Lighting

Up to 14 addressable digital RGB LEDs, 3-Pin 5V

Fit

Compatibility comes from the mounting parts: four mounting sets are in the box. On Intel they are brackets and bolts for LGA 2066 and 2011-3, Narrow brackets and screws for LGA 3647, and a set for LGA 1700, which LGA 1851 uses as well. The AMD set of brackets and bolts is for TR4, sWRX8, SP3, AM4 and AM5.

Three Intel sockets are marked optional, so their bracket is not in the box. For LGA 4677 it is the LGA 4677 Mounting Bracket (article no.: 13764), and for LGA 4189 the XPX Pro LGA 4189 Intel Mounting Bracket. LGA 4710 needs its own bracket as well.

Is the assembly difficult? Alphacool calls the installation child's play. Remove the protective film from the base of the cooler, apply some of the enclosed thermal paste to the CPU, then attach the cooler to the board. Depending on the base, the mounting screws are screwed on either before or after mounting. The knurled screws Alphacool uses allow a quick and easy assembly, and no tools are necessary. Tighten them by hand only. On LGA 1700 and 1851 a backplate is first fixed to the back of the mainboard with adhesive strips.

Extremely powerful

Alphacool optimized the cooler base for those large cores. Its area of 42 x 58.6 mm carries 147 cooling fins, which Alphacool says has significantly increased the cooling area. As a comparison, an Eisblock XPX Aurora has 81 cooling fins to completely cover the processor core of a normal CPU. Both coolers use the same fin type, with a thickness of only 0.2 mm. To Alphacool this clearly shows how far it has gone to offer the best possible performance. The entire base is of course made of nickel-plated copper and not aluminum. This is due to the increased thermal conductivity of copper, which Alphacool puts at almost twice as high as that of aluminum.

How is the CPU cooler illuminated?

As a cooler from the Aurora Design line it naturally has integrated digital aRGB lighting. As with all new Eisblock CPU water coolers, Alphacool relies on an integrated aRGB solution: an aluminum frame that sits flush with the cooler. The aluminum does not come into contact with the water. The LED frame contains up to 14 addressable digital RGB LEDs, more than enough in Alphacool's view to illuminate the entire cooler even and brightly. An appropriate controller sets the intensity of the illumination. Because each LED can be controlled separately with the right controller, all known effects can be created.

Finally Plexi!

Alphacool describes the block as the technical brother of the Eisblock XPX Pro 1U cooler, which was developed especially for the use in server housings. During that development the functionality had a much higher priority than the design, which was kept practical and discreet. This version has been optically adapted to the Aurora products and now offers the same design features as you are used to from the Aurora series. Alphacool's point is that this allows you to perfectly match your entire system to each other optically, so you don't have to make any compromises. Thanks to the plexiglass look, you can see the water flow beautifully. On the Plexi there is a frame embedded, with a very discreet Alphacool logo in one corner. This is the Chrome version; the same block is also sold as the XPX Aurora PRO in Plexi Black.

What the loop needs

The block has two G1/4 threads. They take the two compression fittings for your tube size, which are not in the box, and the loop also needs a pump and a radiator. The lighting can be connected and controlled via the 3-pin 5V connector on any compatible mainboard. The other route is the adapter cable in the box and a digital RGB controller such as the Aurora Eiscontrol, which is not included. The cable also has an integrated Y-adapter. This makes it easy to connect further Alphacool Aurora products in series without having to order separate Y-adapters. If you want to connect these products in series, only additional extension cables may be needed.

Technical details

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 XPX Aurora PRO CPU cooler
• 1x Thermal paste
• 1x digital RGB adapter cable
• 4x springs
• 4x M4 nuts
• 1x Set INTEL 2066 / 2011 brackets
• 4x INTEL 2066 / 2011 bolts
• 1x Set INTEL 3647 Narrow brackets
• 4x INTEL 3647 screws
• 1x Set INTEL 1700
• 1x Set AMD TR4 / TRX40 / sWRX8 / SP3 / AM4 / AM5 brackets
• 4x AMD TR4 / TRX40 / sWRX8 / SP3 / AM4 / AM5 bolts
• 1x backplate
• washers

Download Alphacool's manual and data sheet, both PDF files. Its 3D model of the block is an STP file, and the 3D viewer shows it from every side.