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AlphaCool XP-Light CPU and NB-SLI Water Blocks Review

Date Published:
06-27-2006

Written By:
Temujin

Edited By:
Diceman

Provided By:
Performance PCs

Where to Buy:
Performance PCs

Discuss Article:
VH Forum link

Pages: 1 2

(Right) XP Light CPU Cooler
(Left) NB-SLI Northbridge Cooler

Introduction:

When liquid cooling first hit the computer market, it was still sort of a rough draft of what was to come in future revisions. At that time, thermal dissipation was very low and didn't require large amounts of cooling like we have seen in the late 90s. The socket 462 and Slot 1 were the first to really be able use liquid cooling. The cooling blocks then were archaic by today's standards. As with all products, evolution and advancements have carried the liquid cooling market from a blemished copper cooling block to a polished mirror. Many companies were able to develop their systems from intellect and ingenuity right from the start.

In this project, Thanks to Performance-PCs, the Alphacool NexXxos NB-SLI and NexXos XP-LIGHT CPU Water Blocks are on the test bench.

Popcorn Shipping	XP left - NB right
XP-Light Package	NB-SLI Package

NB-SLI Northbridge Cooler:

Technical data:

"New Northbridge copper cooler for NForce 4-Chipsets, for ex. DFI LanParty, Abit Fatal1ty and AN8-Series, MSI K8N nF4 Series (Neo4 Diamond), based on Alphacool NexXxoS Cooler-Series, with vertical channels in the PCF(c) method of construction for efficient heat transfer. The cross channels are glass beaded, in order to increase the surface spread of heat build-up. This also enables a stable performance at extreme summer temperatures, high Overclocking-Potential and Low Noise."

Dimensions (without connections): Length: 60mm, Width 52mm, Height: 24mm
Dimensions copper cooling element: Length: 40mm, Width 56mm, Height: 14mm
Weight: Approx. 90 g
Material: Copper base and Plexi top

The NexXxos NB-SLI 1 is for your motherboard's Northbridge or chipset. This revision has off-centered barbs to allow your video card to use the top PCI-E slot. While it is nothing like the newer chromed and polished blocks, it still has a decent, clean acrylic appearance. The copper heatsink is cut and buffed very nicely and shows no signs of poor craftsmanship. The acrylic is scratch free and of a solid quality.

As you can see, the block is assembled accurately. The O-ring inside the block looks to be as clean a material as you would expect in any cooling block. The seals are tight and do not have any kind of visible cracks or variations of its contact.

Top View	Clear Acrylic
Low Profile	Mirror Finish!

The kit comes with what you may need to mount to your motherboard chipset. There are two different pairs of screws, the screws to match, two rubber washer/grommets, and tension springs.

Now, as I mentioned the cooling block is offset so the top PCI-E slot is usable, thus keeping your second PCI-E slot free, assuming you will be running two video cards. Many motherboards have the chipset under or very close to the PCI-E slot, such as the DFI Lanparty nF4 Ultra-D or Abit AN8-SLI. You will have to arrange the block as you see fit.

The NB-SLI did not come with barbs. I am a bit surprised by this, since many other cooling blocks come with all necessary parts. Without the proper barbs a bit of modifying was necessary. I scoped out the nearest hardware store for four brass connectors and Teflon tape. Since, we are testing the cooling blocks and not the complete kit, pretty much any mod will work. I don't mind having to come up with solutions. However, for the users who are not so patient, this could be a large inconvenience. My advice to Alphacool is to include the barbs.

Package Contents	Small Flow Channels
Brass Barbs	Hand Tight

Mounting the NB-SLI was fairly easy. As with all liquid cooling kits, or larger after market chipset heatsinks, you will still need to take out your motherboard to remove the stock heatsink. While you might find yourself wishing there was some other kind of solution that is easier to mount, any cooler blocks require sturdy mounting or it's a waste of time.

Ready To Mount

Left Back Ring

Front Right Ring

The NB-SLI attaches to the motherboard via two screws placed at opposite corners of the water block. I had a hard time getting the water block balanced so that it wouldn't touch the top of the chipset wafer. I made sure the screws were amply tightened and tested for movement before turning on the system. The water block's mounting rings have a little flexing movement. After a bit of benchmarking, the chipset heated up and the white silicone became very slippery and slid down ever so slightly.

Precautionary Measure

Mounting The Block

Installed on Abit AN8-SLI

Installed on DFI Ultra-D

Bumpers To Stabalize Block

The NB-SLI is about the same size as the XP Light. I find this a bit abnormal as the chipset is actually much smaller than the base of the NB-SLI. This large cooler covers the entire chipset wafer and then a bit. This isn't a big deal for people that have the ability to attach all four corners of a heatsink like this. But, this cooler is so large, it's hard to find a balanced spot for it, due to the hoses that put a little push and pull. If the block tilts or moves too much, it will definitely short your board.

With the NexXxos NB-SLI installed and attached to the hose, its now time to work on the NexXos XP/XP Light CPU Cooler.

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