Water blocks are the parts of a custom liquid cooling loop that take heat from the processor, graphics card or other components and pass it to the coolant. Our range has over 240 models, mostly from Alphacool and EK Water Blocks, along with Barrow, Thermaltake and Bitspower.
They suit people who build their own loop rather than buying a sealed all-in-one cooler.
How to choose a water block
Component type. A CPU block mounts on the socket and cools the processor's heat spreader. A graphics card block can be full-cover, which draws heat from the GPU, memory chips and power circuitry, or it can cover the GPU chip only.
Compatibility. For a CPU block, the socket matters, for example Intel LGA1700 or AMD AM5, along with the mounting kit. A graphics card block is made for a specific model, because cards from different manufacturers built on the same chip can use different circuit boards. Compare the exact name of your card with the block's compatibility list before buying.
Materials. Most blocks have a copper base plate, often nickel-plated. If the loop contains aluminium parts, corrosion can develop between the different metals, so it is best not to mix copper and aluminium. A clear acrylic or similar top lets you see the coolant and lighting, but it has little effect on cooling.
Fittings and flow restriction. Most loops use G1/4 threads, so check that your fittings match the ports on the block. Blocks with very fine channels transfer heat better but restrict flow more, so the pump has to cope with the whole loop.
Water block brands we carry
- Alphacool: a German manufacturer known for model-specific graphics card blocks and a broad line of custom cooling parts.
- EK Water Blocks: a Slovenian company famous for its Quantum series and full-cover graphics card blocks.
- Barrow: a Chinese manufacturer offering custom cooling parts and blocks for many CPU sockets and graphics cards, often with ARGB lighting.
- Thermaltake: known for PC cases and components, and for its Pacific series of liquid cooling parts.
- Bitspower: a Taiwanese manufacturer best known for fittings and other custom loop parts.
- Aqua Computer: a German company known for Kryos blocks and aquaero controllers.
- Phanteks and Corsair: both run their own liquid cooling lines, Phanteks with its Glacier blocks and Corsair with the Hydro X system.
- Thermal Grizzly: best known for thermal pastes such as Kryonaut, as well as cooling accessories.
Also in our range: Lynk+, Tryx and ASUS.
Frequently asked questions about water blocks
Will a water block fit any graphics card?
No, a graphics card block is made for a specific card model. Two cards with the same chip from different manufacturers can have different board layouts. Check the exact model name against the block maker's compatibility list before buying.
What is the difference between a CPU and a GPU water block?
A CPU block is small and mounts on the processor socket, so it is chosen by socket type. A GPU block is larger, and a full-cover version also cools the memory chips and power circuitry. It has to be chosen by card model, not by socket.
Can I mix copper and aluminium in a liquid cooling loop?
It is best to avoid it. Different metals in the coolant can cause galvanic corrosion, which over time damages parts and contaminates the liquid. Most water blocks are copper-based, so the rest of the loop should use compatible materials.
Is a water block enough for liquid cooling?
No, a water block is only one part of the loop. You also need a pump, a radiator, a reservoir (which may be combined with the pump), tubing, fittings and coolant.
