The King of Water Cooling and Questionable Marketing 

I've seen techies wear anti-static gloves before handling computer electronics. But first time seeing rubbing a cat for same protection😁

The Optimus is one good looking water block. Like probably my favorite aesthetics wise. That being said. Calling Roman out for his testing is just wild. One thing I've always noticed is the strict way he tests, immaculate attention to detail and access to some equipment most YT reviewers don't. Of all the people to call out, he would be one of the lasts ones. His whole business rests on what he is known for, precision. What weirdos...

For several years, Optimus has been saying that anyone who gets different comparison test results than they get are testing incorrectly. Its their typical response.

Purchased a 3090 ftw waterblock from them during launch. Received it with the nickel coating flaking off and they stated it was fine. A month later it started corroding and contaminated my loop. They said they would warranty it and said I would have to buy another block for the fastest turn around and then they would refund me. It has been over a year now and I still reach out regularly with absolutely zero response. I would steer clear of this company! They make bold claims of a 10 year warranty but when its time to honor it you are left with the bill!

I knew something was sketchy when I read their website and they claimed the flatness of their coldplates was less then 25 microns of 'surface roughness'. I'm a machinist, so I know that surface roughness is a finish spec, _not_ a flatness spec. Definitely a failure of the marketing department. I bought my CPU and GPU waterblocks from them, and they are beautifully designed and constructed. The machining is phenomenal. I've been very pleased with my purchase, even though the first one I bought leaked like no tomorrow, due to the acrylic top being very much NOT flat at the mating surface. They were talking to me about it until I sent them pictures of just how NOT flat it was (0.33mm). Since then, it's been radio silence.

Those poor engineers at Optimus don't deserved to be saddled with their horrible marketing department.

Thanks for testing against murky marketing. Shady behavior from Optimus to say the least. But now with all the other medias involved we will hopefully see the complete picture. (the world needs more cats)

Great video. I really appreciate your honesty and professionalism. Optimus are known for talking down their competition and acting shady, they've been called out before when doing so on Reddit.

My expectation is that when they tested the TG Mycro, they used KPX between the die and the coldplate, not liquid metal. Which is dumb, because anyone that is comfortable enough with delidding is 100% going to use liquid metal.

I love how they made the block the same size as the mounting so you don't need ugly brackets sticking out and the whole thing looks like it's part of the design of the motherboard, just bleding in and looking great. Sure, this limits the block to just one type of socket secure mechanism (AMD mounting in this case), but it just looks fantastic compared to any other cool block apart from maybe the dedicated EK full cover blocks which are often much more expensive. I also really like the quality of the product.

Here in Europe we are not used to companies comparing themselves, but from what I've seen in the US is pretty typical to go against the competition full boar.

I gota say, it’s rare nowadays for a competitor to acknowledge all the plus sides of their competition, even commending them on a lot of those aspects, especially with what was said by that competition, seems truly objective. GN getting in on this seems like a good idea as well as he’s also as objective as they come, which is why I follow both of you. Good on you bro, that’s how you do it 🤙🏻

Imagine the engineers working flat out to produce the best in the world and the marketing dept then makes a mess of it. 😠

Having GN doing the testing is going to be an interesting test. I am not a water cooling person but I do enjoy the knowledge that gets put forth when the testing is done.

Great to see that you're contacting other independent reviewers to check your own findings. I do think it's strange that they would have tested with a chiller, as most people even when they buy an expensive block wouldn't use a chiller. Even if it was only because of the noise. It may explain why they didn't use liquid metal though.

Good on you Roman! I've been following your channel for a while now and your products even longer. You make GREAT stuff (content and hardware included) and if I didn't already have an IceMan DD kit I would have purchased your Mycro block. What Optimus did is pretty unprofessional to be honest so it's great you calling them out on it; the fact they even feel the need to do it speaks wonders in my book! Even though they didn't treat you fairly you still gave them a glowing review of their hardware and workmanship. Props to you dude, you're a class act!

7700X is such a great 👍 gaming CPU, my son absolutely loves it in his PC

thank you for being so transparent!

They are correct in one respect though: Using a chiller to test, keeping the water temperature constant and thus eliminating the water->air variance from the radiator. There is a positive feedback loop in efficiency for any radiator where higher water temperature allows higher energy transfer from water to air through radiator. What we want to know for a waterblock is simply best transfer of heat from CPU to water. Room temp and water temp will influence this a bit. You try and compensate for this by subtracting water temperature but if water temperature has changed it has changed the premises for the rest of the thermal deltas in the test. Not by much probably, but the margins are so small here.

Thank you as always or your diligence!

Great video. Thank you for testing this, And taking the time to explain everything.

Really appreciate this level of testing and discussion about different testing processes between companies

I have your block, and when I saw this new block release I was very surprised at the claims. Ngl was considering getting this but after seeing your testing, you just saved me $300+. Still a bit miffed that it took so long for the Mycro to release but the product is amazing. I do think the snide commentary from Optimus is ridiculous considering your testing scenario is much more real world than their used pump speed and chiller. Its nice to see the performance from the extreme end but realistically who the hell has all that given the application.

Great video, excellent to see an investigation like this!

Thanks for tour honest approach !!

You are so cool! Great context,and personal integrity as well.

The cat needs water cooling too.

You're doing a very great job! Thanks :-)

Between you and Steve Optimus won't have a leg to stand on. Both you and Steve are unquestionable when it comes to ethics and testing. Thank you.

Super professional tests as always!

I'm not surprised at all 😂 I actually own a Mycro on top of a delided 7950x and the performance I'm getting out of that cooler is exactly as advertised (20C difference compared with a 360 AIO on top of a non delided cpu). I think at this point at these power levels we're really being limited by the heat transfer through the silicon the most. A bigger block is not going to help. Thinning the die would. This is the best explanation of the results for me.

Glad to see you playing it neutral Roman. You always seemed to play things fair. I'm curious to see results cause most of them beat my corsair xc7(I think it's a xc7). But I'm happy where I'm at. Thanks for all the work

Your products are so good that other people trash talk them, congrats :)

Thanks sir! Very good video!

Good test, very interesting! Thx Roman!

Looking forward to Steves results in addition to the excellent data you've provided today.

I think once you get to the performance demonstrated by both Thermal Grizzly's and Optimus's blocks, most high-end, direct-die waterblocks are going to perform within margin of error and the deciding factors for the customer are really going to come down to aesthetics, ease of installation, and price to performance. The Mycro is over $100 cheaper and has RGB for those who want it. I guess what I'm getting at is the Optimus block doesn't really have anything special to set it apart, other than is exorbitant price.

Prime95 isn't representative of anything I've ever had to use and I don't know a single person that has a chiller. I'm struggling to see it from their point of view.

I think that PVD coated brass with titanium alloy. The coating looks almost the same as mine, mine comes from Aquacomputer in well you know :P (it comes with a tube Thermal Grizzly hydro :P ) Mine was 180 but i got it for 80 since i am old (54) and been using their stuff since the first block :P You should try one out to mine got Vario i can adjust the bow of block with 4 screw's. got 2c by tuning it.

Your way of testing is more real world scenario. And using the same testing across all is actually the best way to do it.

That type of advertising ('we're better than our named competitors') is common in the USA but not in Europe. I was over there on placement for a year some time ago and the first time I saw an advert on TV that drew a direct comparison to their closest competitors I was like 'WTF???!!!' IIRC it was for Tylenol vs some other paracetamol/acetaminophen -based painkiller. In addition, it rapidly became apparent that if a test was not biased towards 'their' product, then the test must be wrong. It appears that you found that out with Optimus.

If you have massive surface area with water, the naturally you want to make the temperature differential between water and the heat sink as big as possible with a water chiller, this will maximize your surface area advantage.

14:17 to avoid using excessive amounts of lm, apply first on the die and put the block on . Then remove it and check where to apply on the block (should leave a pattern from touching the chips) and also if your contact was good enough

Comparatively the Alphacool Core 1 bloack is €99 to 119 depending on if you want RGB or not. That's a third of ordering one of these Optimus Signature V3.

Always keepin it real, never any fakery

Roman, absolute class act in acknowledging the positives of the Signature V3, while also objectively showing the false marketing in a respectful manner. I find the marketing of Optimus quite hostile, this only shows overall weakness. Also, for Optimus saying that your (or any other customer's) testing methodology is wrong, is kinda sad. I really hope that Optimus will revise their PR and marketing, as from a technical standpoint, it is a very high quality product. I really hope that if Optimus's marketing departement is actually a separate marketing departement, that they will revise their strategy. If the marketing department is the same group of engineering people, please hire a good marketing person/team. Acknowledge that you are very good in developing a high quality product (that deserves respect), but that marketing is a different profession that can make or break a company's reputation, regardless of the product quality.

Personally don't think you or optimus are wrong your testing methods are dramatically different. Theirs test is substantially different at significantly higher power input. It was wrong on your part to compare thermal paste against liquid metal while testing their claim. Also when comparing a practical test verses a maximum test the delta will be less extreme. Using a lower power CPU has a similar effect. I do agree completely with you it is wrong to name your competition in marketing without independent testing.

I do enjoy the care you invest in your videos which IMO are unmatched by any others. Had a question though. I noticed that for example at 6:32 you show a pump flow of 170.1 l/h (or about 0.75 US g/m). Is this a static setting or is it managed with PWM? Assuming static, in my systems, I have found this to be too low, I tend to use more like 340 l/h (or about 1.5 US g/m) PWM managed for such workloads. The increased flow level makes a very big difference in my benchmark temps without having the fans/pumps blastingly loud. As a pertinent example, a i9-13900KF running Cinebench R23 gives 40.5K with 82C max pkg with 26C incoming (HEATKILLER IV PRO Copper block, MO-RA3 420 w/18 Arctic p14 PWM fans push/pull). It really seems to work better/quieter with higher water flow. If I were to use that super nifty Optimus block (LGA1700 version) I'd increase the flow.

Get Steve on the case Roman! Let's do justice. Third party results should settle this.

Perfect title for this video. A class leading product and real weird marketing

Sadly, many Americans don't realize how good we have it with importing items from overseas. Between shipping/handling and customs fees/taxes, Europeans do not have it as good as we do for ordering tech.

Also pulse rate for pumps to peak thermal adhesion to fluids

Will there ever be a different version of the Mycro block, with clear acrylic top that also includes rgb? I like to see water flow through the block, but also like to have the option to have some light.

Would love to see how the modultra combo preforms, but IDK if you can use it as just a waterblock.

All-in-all, I'm happy with the Core 1 that I purchased. It's a very reasonable price, it looks good, and it's not absurdly large.

You are a true gentleman ! CUDOS

Off topic a bit. I bought the Optimus 4090 GPU block to replace my EK ABP block because I thought it would be better. It was not better as far as GPU memory temp went. I returned it and went back to my EK. Also, Optimus states that an active back plate is not needed. For me, it is because I want as much heat as possible being pumped outside PC chassis. I don't like a finned heat sink GPU back plate radiating heat into my chassis. Also, My EK Velocity2 AM5 block with a 7950x3d never goes above 78c under 100% load.

I like how der8bauer posts a video of the king of water cooling same day Gamers Nexus posts their Best CPU Air coolers video. :)

Crazy to see and Steve will shoot straight and call them like he sees them.

I'm running a chiller with a 7950x3d in one pc and one pc with 7900x, both with Mycros direct die, two alpha cool pumps, a 160 l/hr chiller. high temps on cine bench about 60 degrees running both at same time. overclocked as far as i know how to. cant get them to go over 62 degrees!!! I think your blocks are killer!!!

Good video der

bravo, thank's

@der8auer try rotating the Core 1 block 90 Degree and retesting. Alpha Core 1 block was very heaverly Designed with Intel's Die location in mind not AMD chiplets.

Really like the look of the block, think it'd be kinda amazing in all black none RGB builds. I think the "Competition is bad" mindset has kinda got them, which is unfortunate since they seemingly have excellent product at their deposit. I hope they understand that you're not here to invalidate their accomplishments, but to enhance the product both you and others manufacture create. Competition is good, and I'll definitely keep their product in mind when shopping for new PC.

€390? That's my 2TB P5+, 32GB Ballistix, Arctic LFII 360 and alphacool eiswolf 360 GPU AIO money that, crazy. Somome could build a nice 1080p machine for that 😂 Thank you for spending all this money for science!!! Nice looking block all the same.

From, like... a thermodynamic point of view, how would temperature normalization work? I'm not sure that a simple subtraction of the diference in water temperature would be representative. If anything, it gives an advantage to the hotter-running component as the difference between it and the ambient temperature is higher. Other than that, great as always

Steve will sort this out 😉 Personally i was all set to buy a block from Optimus for my 4090, but after reading the shit show actually getting your hands on one i pulled the pin 🤷🏻‍♂️

Between cost, weight, a more vulnerable cooling surface due to even tinier structures and more wobbly mounting... I don't think I can justify getting an optymus over the mycro. I very much hope the mycro will be compatible with zen 5 X3D, since that's when I plan to upgrade next.

Small note. The Aquacomputer High Flow Next needs to have a few cm of straight tube run on both sides in order to get accurate flow readings.

I go with the numbers

Pump sand , pump gasses known to etch pockets , etc

I wonder if the Alphacool waterblock is optimized for AMD (i.e. shift to match the CCD) for comparing with an AMD specific block. That alone can have like 2C difference sometimes even with AIO.

I think there is also a problem with EK direct die cooling block, could you do a video on that?

Very interesting.

I deeply respect and value your honesty and integrity. Ever since I learned about you, you have never seemed like anything less than an honest enthusiast.

LOL my main complanit with aquacomputer is that is hard to get in the US. Also they seem to always be out of stock.

@der8auer-en How is your delided/IHS mono-block for AM5 coming along, I watched that video 4-5 months ago and thought it looked pretty much ready but I can't see where to buy it or how the development is coming on??? Thanks Roman.

It's a bold strategy, Cotton, let's see if it pays off for them

I like your testing method, personally I prefer real world scenarios which for me is gaming, if the cooler keeps the CPU temps down when the cooler fans are revving up (without being too loud), then im happy.

Apparently no one takes continuous water flow into account, the pumps are still not good enough to do this, water can only absorb so much heat when it flows, too fast is not good and certainly not too slow, therefore these numbers need to be better regulated for stability too cool, with coolant, which does not only consist of water like a car, etc.

That cat 🐈 is amazing 😂❤

Professionalism on its best , awesome testing man 😀 Can wait to see the verification of your numbers from Steve too

It's a pity we didn't see tests of Alphacool Core 1 + Direct die. Perhaps this would turn out to be the most optimal solution, considering the price - result

Intel, Nvidia, Amd, Apple, Samsung and more all advertise directly comparing to a competitors' products. It's definitely less of a thing in smaller brands, but very popular overall.

I’d be curious to see the techn included in this comparison as well.

will you do test after lapping optimus signature v3 ? lot of people are complaining about customer service with this company .. still good video, WC is not my cup of tee but this block with no RGB or LCD looks very appealing with that clean industrial look

the question is, do those blocks really differ across the power range from 90w - 125w to 250w to 300w?

Do these blocks work with the AM5 aftermarket hold-down frames? Or do they require the stock frame?

I recall seeing a test wherein the TechN block beat the Optimus. I am interested in whether you can replicate that result.

Where I live we are paying 92% of taxes in anything above U$50, and the minimum wage is about U$1.70 hourly. Anyway, nice video. Love you, bye!

@der8auer how does it compare to EK's velcocity 2?

dude that cat is huge!

Both methodologies are correct. Two things can be true at the same time.

what baffles me and basically what Roman is saying as well is the actual product is just great so why they do all the shady marketing is beyond me. They (Optimus that is) don't need it. The quality of the product speaks for itself. Marketing is killing their own company that way.

Guessing the chiller use would eliminate the water heating up a little between tests? On the other hand I think Roman just subtracts it out with difference of first run. Lets see what Steve comes up with.

It's the mounting issue. Although the die and cold plate are both super flat, the others like standoffs, mb, backplate are not the same. Check the balance level of the die, then the block see if they're almost perfectly balanced. If they do then the mounting shouldn't even need LM. This is why mycro die block performance well because the mounting is more superior compare the traditional. Smaller is better in this case.

Hi! Thanks for the vidéo ! Could you tell me, according to you, what's the failling rate of delidding a 7950x for someone who's never had delid a cpu ? I'm interested but don't want to risk too much to ruin my cpu 😅

I have the V3 block on a direct die 7950x3d and it's such a beast. I had them send it to me in raw brass and I had it nickel plated

I also rub my cat Smudgey wudgey for luck he knocks on my door when i play a game .

To be honest the direct dies are going to not matter as much since at a point your fighting the surface area of the die not the water contact with the block.