Alphacool Eisblock XPX Aurora PRO - Plexi Black Digital RGB (12950)

The Alphacool Eisblock XPX Aurora PRO - Plexi Black 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) with a black frame
• Ports: 2 x G1/4
• Lighting: Up to 14 addressable digital RGB LEDs, 3-Pin 5V

Fit

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 also mounts LGA 1851. The AMD brackets and bolts cover TR4, sWRX8, SP3, AM4 and AM5.

Three Intel sockets are marked optional in Alphacool's compatibility list: their bracket is not in the box. For LGA 4189 it is the XPX Pro LGA 4189 Intel Mounting Bracket. For LGA 4677 it is the LGA 4677 Mounting Bracket (article no.: 13764), which Alphacool also lists for LGA 4710.

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. The manual adds that they are tightened by hand only, and that on LGA 1700 and 1851 a backplate is first fixed to the back of the mainboard with adhesive strips.

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 manual's 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.

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