Details
The Alphacool HDX Pro Water - M.2 NVMe 2280 SSD - MCX Version is a water cooler for one M.2 NVMe 2280 SSD, populated on one or both sides. The cooler itself has no G1/4 ports: its two 3 mm hose nozzles take the 5/3mm hose in the box. That hose runs to the included MCX 2x distributor, which joins the loop through two G1/4 inner threads.
Properties
- Compatibility
- M.2 NVMe 2280 SSD, populated on one or both sides
- Ports on the cooler
- 2x hose nozzles 3 mm, screwed in
- Ports on the distributor
- 2x G1/4 inner thread, 2x hose nozzles 3 mm
- Size (L x W x H)
- 70.7 x 23.4 x 10.9 mm
- Cooler
- Nickel-plated brass, 1.6 mm bottom
- Hose in the box
- 1 m, 5/3mm PVC, transparent
Why an active M.2 cooler?
SSDs in M.2 format are now standard PC equipment, because their high transfer rates and extremely low access times allow faster and more effective working or gaming on the PC. Due to their design, though, they are only capable of delivering their maximum performance for a short time. The controller chip heats up extremely quickly and starts to throttle the drive early on to avoid overheating. Alphacool cites independent tests which have shown that the transfer rates of uncooled M.2 SSDs can drop after just 30 seconds during write operations. During read processes the throttling usually occurs a few seconds later.
Alphacool offers this cooler so that the full performance of the SSD can be used permanently, over a significantly longer period of time. It says this is clearly noticeable during longer read and write processes. Alphacool calls it a useful addition to any water cooled system, one that ensures the SSD memory can unleash its full potential. The data sheet credits the nickel-plated brass cooler bottom with optimal thermal conductivity.
Mounting
The cooler is compatible with drives whose PCB is populated with memory chips on one side or on both. With chips on both sides, the 0.5 mm thermal pad is used on each. If memory chips are only installed on one side, then the 1.5 mm heat conduction pad goes on the side without chips. The manual says to remove the protective foils from the pads first. After the top and bottom of the SSD are equipped with thermal pads, it is slid into the retaining clip and mounted under the cooler.
What the loop needs
The cooler has an inlet and outlet on each side, suitable for 5/3mm hoses. With the help of the distributor and the hose, it can be integrated into the water circuit easily as well as space-saving. Plug the hoses onto the nozzles of the cooler and of the distributor and, as the manual says, make sure they are pushed completely over the connection. The distributor can be positioned anywhere in the cooling circuit, and you can select the direction of the water flow individually.
The distributor has two G1/4 inner threads, so it takes two fittings, with a thread no longer than 5.5 mm. Alphacool calls this variant a reasonable choice if there is little space in the PC case and optimal hose routes are difficult to achieve.
Technical data cooler
| L x W x H | 70.7 x 23.4 x 10.9 mm |
| Material cooler | nickel-plated brass |
| Material cooler top | brass |
| Material clip | synthetic material |
| Threads | 2x hose nozzles 3 mm screwed in |
| Thickness cooler bottom | 1.6 mm |
| Thermal conductivity thermal pads | 3 W/mK |
| Maximum working temperature | 60 °C |
| Pressure tested | 0.8 Bar |
| Weight | 61 g |
| Color | silver |
Technical data distributor
| L x W x H | 30 x 29 x 18 mm |
| Material | Acetal |
| Length hose | 1 m |
| Hose size | 5/3mm |
| Material hose | PVC |
| Connections | 2x G1/4 inner thread | 2x hose nozzles 3 mm screwed in |
| Max. Thread length G1/4 Connections | 5.5 mm |
| Maximum working temperature | 60 °C |
| Pressure tested | 0.8 Bar |
| Weight | 28 g |
| Color | black |
Notes
- Use only clear, transparent water cooling fluids. Alphacool warns that the particles and additives in pastel liquids can clog and permanently damage radiators, pumps, coolers and hoses, which can void the manufacturer's warranty.
In the box
- 1x HDX Pro Water M.2 NVMe 2280 SSD Cooler (MCX Version)
- 2x 20 x 68 x 0.5mm Thermal Pad
- 1x 20 x 68 x 1.5mm Thermal Pad
- 1x clip
- 1x Alphacool MCX 2x distributor, black
- 1x 1m 5/3mm PVC hose, transparent
Alphacool's manual and datasheet (EN) are both PDFs. Its 3D model of the cooler is an STP file, and the 3D viewer shows it from every side.
