Aquacomputer Cuplex Kryos NEXT RGBpx Black AM5/AM4/3000/5000/7000/8000/9000, Acrylic / Nickel (21826)

The Aquacomputer Cuplex Kryos NEXT RGBpx Black AM5/AM4/3000/5000/7000/8000/9000, Acrylic / Nickel (21826) is a CPU water block for AMD socket AM5 and AM4. It mounts slightly off-center to suit Ryzen 9000, 8000, 7000, 5000 and 3000 processors. Its top is clear acrylic (acrylic glass) with a black anodized aluminum cover and RGBpx lighting, on a nickel-plated copper base.

Properties

Sockets

AMD AM5, AM4 (offset mount)

Top

Acrylic glass, black anodized aluminum cover

Base

Nickel-plated copper

Ports

2x G1/4, 25.5 mm apart

Size

111 x 75 x 22 mm (not including screws)

Lighting

11 addressable RGBpx LEDs

Cooler base and flow

Aquacomputer says the cuplex kryos NEXT represents a new milestone in the development of CPU water coolers, and that the areas of cooling performance, assembly and functionality have been perfected here. An integrated flat nozzle in the housing injects the coolant into the middle of the extremely fine microstructure, from where it runs to both sides. With a structural width lower than 200 µm, Aquacomputer says the design thus sets new standards for cooling performance.

Mounting system

The bracket is made of solid stainless steel sheet, 2.5 mm thick, with nickel-plated spring cups pressed in. Attaching the cooler to the mainboard with knurled screws and springs keeps the holding system visually very tidy, due to its low height. A defined stop gives optimal contact pressure and force distribution. The knurled screws turn by hand, or with a hexagon socket wrench.

With this retention system the heat sink is not positioned in the center of the CPU but rather offset slightly off it, to suit the internal structure of these Ryzen CPU series. Aquacomputer says that in this way optimal heat dissipation can be guaranteed.

No additional backplate is required: as on socket 2011, 2066 and TR4, this is already part of the AM5 or AM4 mainboard processor socket.

Thermal paste

Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut comes with the cooler, an excellent paste by Aquacomputer's account: 0.5 grams packed in a syringe, easily applied with the enclosed plastic spatula and sufficient for approximately five applications. Aquacomputer says its high thermal conductivity and low viscosity let it spread out thin and evenly between CPU and block.

RGBpx illumination

Under the black aluminum cover, 11 individually addressable RGBpx LEDs are integrated into the block. Their connector sits on the side, left above the "N" of "NEXT". The 50 cm cable in the box takes it to an RGBpx output of an Aqua Computer device, and further RGBpx components can be daisy-chained from the adjacent connector.

Compatibility

Aquacomputer lists these devices with an RGBpx output:

• D5 NEXT (41118)
• farbwerk 360 (53279)
• farbwerk nano (53280, 53281)
• OCTO (53286)
• QUADRO (53256)

An adapter for common motherboard headers for addressable LEDs is sold separately: the RGBpx adapter (53285).

What the loop needs

The block has two G1/4 ports, so it takes two fittings. The coolant flows in at the fitting close to the center and returns through the lateral one; reversed flow significantly decreases cooling performance. Pump and radiator must give sufficient cooling performance, and for corrosion inhibition Aquacomputer requires Double Protect Ultra as coolant.

Notes

• Check the block and fittings for leakages before other PC components go on mains power.

In the box

• 1x mounted cooler
• 1x mounting kit (screws, springs, etc.)
• 1x Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut thermal paste, approx. 0.5 grams in syringe
• 1x plastic spatula
• 1x RGBpx connection cable 50 cm
• 1x assembly instructions

The manual covers mounting, the flow direction and the RGBpx connection.