Overview
After we pulled all the small boxes, all eleven of them, we found as mentioned everything to be in good shape. Each of these boxes represents an individual off the shelf retail item. None of the components included in this kit are cheapened versions of regular parts. Right away this is something that makes us feel good about the kit. In addition to the eleven boxes, you will find a funnel for filling the loop, a 24pin jumper plug, and a three way fan splitter.
Checking out the main components we start with the pump/reservoir combo, the Eisstation. The Eisstation is a 250 ml smoked Nylon reservoir top mounted to a high impact plastic base. The base has all the channeling and mounting for a direct mount pump right in the base. There are three versions compatible with D5, DDC, and DC-LT pumps, we opted for the DDC version for it’s reputation of low noise. The main inlet and outlet ports are in the front of the Eisstation and are G1/4 threaded. Additionally there is one more G1/4 port in the top as well as a larger ⅜ port. These have led holes in them in addition to two more found in the base. Directly below the front ports is a backlit Alphacool symbol which can be color changed using an optional mod kit. The Eisstation can be mounted with the included velcro panel, attached directly to a 2.5” SSD mount, or using the side posts for 3.5” bay mounting. The pump ships separately and must be installed prior to use.
The heart and soul of the kit is the Eisblock XPX cpu block. This high performing block is very popular and features a backlit Alphacool logo below the ports. Thanks to increased fin area and a large base the Eisblock is large enough to handle large core count CPUs from both Intel and AMD. One nice added touch is the inclusion of thermal material from Gelid Solutions. Gelid is known especially for their high performing fans but also for excellent thermal paste.
Dissipating heat is where Alphacool has built its name making the best performing radiators on the market. With a full copper core construction, the NexXxos ST30 Full Copper 360 radiator is sure to deliver. This 30mm radiator is average thickness and offers a nice 16 fins per inch. Specs are specs, but it’s the exceptional build quality of the radiator that you will appreciate the most.
The ST30 is paired nicely with three Pure Wings 2 fans. These are manufactured by bequiet! for Alphacool and have a very decent spec sheet. bequiet! specialises in high performance cooling, especially air cooling, and makes some of the best fans on the market.
Technical specifications:
Dimensions: 120x120x25mm
Nominal voltage: 12V
Voltage range: 5-12V
Speed: 1600rpm (+/- 10%)
Noise emission: 19,2 dB(A)
Airflow: 51,4 CFM, 87 m³/h
Connector: 3Pin Molex plug
Lifespan: 80.000hrs
While they certainly aren’t bequiet!’s fanciest fans as they offer nothing in the way of vibration isolation or sleeving, they should do the work required with ease.
Of course you will find a whole slew of connective parts and accessories needed for any watercooling loop. These are the little bits that sometimes fall through the cracks when one builds their first loop. Carrying water from pump to block to rad and back again is some Alphacool clear 13/10 ⅜” PVC tubing. Nothing special to see here really, it’s supremely/perhaps overly flexible and doesn’t have as high of a flow rate as ½” but it should do the job no doubt. You’ll also find a quick disconnect linkage. These are used to isolate portions of your loop for various reasons, one being to allow you to easily drain the loop. Typically they are quite expensive fittings, to get around this Alphacool has designed these to be made out of high impact plastic and they should make things much easier when it comes time for maintenance or upgrades.
Of course everything needs to be connected somehow and that’s where the set of 8 Alphacool Eiszapfen compression fittings comes in. These are a deep black with gold logos and have a nice knurled exterior. The paint quality is high, simply they have a great feel to them. The machine quality on them is really quite nice as well, they should be a joy to use.
