14 DAY TRIAL // Water blocks are the only “modification” that anyone can apply to the Radeon R9 290X AMD graphics card right now, so, naturally, they are getting heavily advertised. Aqua Computer is the latest to launch one.
That makes it sound as though there are a whole bunch of these things out on sale, but that's not the case. Other than EK, few, if any, others actually went to the trouble of releasing a water cooling block for the superpowered video card.
No doubt, some are still waiting for the custom PCB boards of November. EK and Aqua might make other blocks too for that matter, but we digress.
Aqua Computer has introduced the kryographics Hawaii, which is made of 1kg / 2.20 pounds high-purity electrolytic copper raw material.
A 0.5mm grid micro structure covers the GPU, but the water block also reaches the VRAM chips and the VRM (voltage regulator module).
The base is high gloss polished, for optimum heat conduction and compatibility with thermal grease instead of thermal pads on the RAM chips.
Meanwhile, the cover, also made of a single, solid piece, is constructed out of Plexiglas, completely free of drilled threads. Instead, a stainless steel frame holds it in place and evenly distributes the pressure.
As for installation, there are preassembled distance pieces, allowing the screws to be tightened as far as they can, optimizing contact pressure. Regular G1/4" fittings can be used too though, and so can a regular connection terminal instead of the optional kryoconnect adapter (Crossfire setups of up to four cards).
There's even a map of Hawaii on the flow path, the Island that the GPU is named after, an a milled text on the side of the block, plus some laser engraving of the stainless steel cover, adding style.
Aqua Computer wants €99.90 / $99.99 for the kryographics Hawaii, or €114.98 / $114.98 for the backplate version.
