Closer Look:
 

Enough Said...

Opened Box

The XWB-01 Water Block is nice introductory water block. It's built with some quality metals and doesn't weigh in heavy at all. The chrome housing feels solid and looks top notch. There aren't any metallic blemishes at all. It has a noticeably oval shape that over a copper base. The screws holding the block together are also attached through the base which gives the top of the block a clean appearance.

Polished Black Chrome

The base seems to be the focal point of Thermalright's design with their "super micro channels". The copper base is a bit smaller than most the CPU blocks to cross the test bench. It looks as though Thermalright figured out the safest, minimum size to use for a block that'll effectively cool.

Bottom Angle

Side

Despite the block's size, it appears that the block is just large enough to cover the CPU's aluminum IHS. This won't be an issue at all as long as the internal micro channels easily cover the CPU underneath. Otherwise, it could have issues trying to cool the processor thoroughly.

Very Smooth

As far as the block's copper finish is concerned, it's doesn't have a mirror image. However, it's very, very smooth and nicely machined. You can't feel any ridges or see any blemishes which equates in to a maximum contact surface area. In my opinion, this is the optimal lapping quality. Anything more polished is just extra credit.

Optimal Polish

One thing that could be improved about the block are the barbs. They aren't the quite the same shade of metal as the block itself. They're just a little too silver and stand out a bit. Water cooling blocks always look best if the barbs match since most of us use clear tubing. The ring clamps, however, are nicely polished which is a much nice quality touch. So, in one way, the barbs at least match the ring clamps.

Slightly Different Color

Included in the mounting hardware is a large tube of thermal grease. The tube is larger than any others that have come with other cooling blocks and regular air CPU coolers to date which means you'll have lots left over for future use. At first, the tube looks like it's something good since the tube is gray in color. But, alas, it's only a tube of the cheaper white thermal grease. Years of experience have shown us not to expect much help from the cheap stuff.

Mounting Hardware

Directions

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