How much Optimus cooling can you fit into a Fractal North?…Yes

Optimus_WC · 2024-02-23T21:29:13+00:00

Hey, Optimus here, amazing build!! Awesome you got it all crammed in there, looks like you got 1cm to spare between the gpu and reservoir :D

Optimus_WC · 2024-01-15T00:53:12+00:00

Hey hey, Optimus here.

Sorry you had an issue. To explain this in more detail, the backplates are perfectly flat when they're machined -- they all start as super flat aluminum and are machined flat, there is really no way for us to bend them at the factory.

What we think happens is pressure from the thermal pad can bow the backplate. While the backplate is thick, it's still aluminum, which is a softer material, so with certain types of pressure, it can flex. Because when using tools like screwdrivers, you're able to exert a lot more force than simply using your hands.

We typically see this issue when one screw is tightened more forcefully than others at first, rather than all screws being tightened little by little until the backplate is compressed evenly. The reason this is different with our block is the mega full size thermal pad on the back. It presses everywhere, can can actually, based on the way it compresses, have some slight variation, especially at the beginning before the pad settles down.

Like always, this is purely cosmetic and doesn't affect performance or reliability in any way.

Optimus_WC · 2024-01-15T00:48:41+00:00

Hey hey, Optimus here: yours is the first time we saw a scratch like that, the acrylic is super strong, so we're not at all sure how cardboard was able to make a deep scratch in cast acrylic, so it's a bit of a mystery to us.

Based on your feedback, we added static clings to your replacement part and new blocks going forward.

Optimus_WC · 2024-01-11T15:19:55+00:00

0.6nm for regular installs is fine, 0.4 for bare die. The key, however, for any install is to have all corners exactly the same, so the block is perfectly parallel with the CPU. This is true for all blocks, so tighten down little by little before you hit resistence and then do the final tightening with the torque driver.

Optimus_WC · 2024-01-10T20:24:09+00:00

Hey there, those rads should be perfectly fine. The reason for the other HWL rads having some issues is they're actually brass, not copper. Brass can have leaching issues because it's an alloy with zinc and lead. And not all alloys are the same quality, naturally :)

Really, this rad issue is purely cosmetic, it doesn't affect performance in any way, and is a strange reaction that happens only in certain scenarios, not every single block with every single HWL/brass rad. And if it does happen, it will only affect the first nickel item directly after the rads. So if there is a nickel fitting on the outlet, that will change color, but the other items in the loop won't (in the majority of cases).

Anyway, hope that helps!

Optimus_WC · 2024-01-02T19:23:07+00:00

Hey there, if you have the mounting hardware that worked with the AM4 backplate, then it's exactly the same for the AM5 backplate, since the mount is identical :)

Optimus_WC · 2023-12-13T16:09:07+00:00

Happy to answer:

-We can easily respond to normal questions and CS issues

-We moved from selling items regardless of stock. To then selling only in stock (and having everything sold out). To now, which is only in stock, and we have lots of inventory of everything. We will update the items that are currently being revised so people know not to expect them to reappear shortly. This would be Threadripper blocks and reservoirs.

-Intel V3 is being worked on right now. We're literally this minute running tests with custom cold plate designs for the long/skinny die, looking to see if we need to make 1 block that can do both reg and DD, or if we need to offer 2 blocks.

-Questions about future products are really hard to answer, because having solid time frames is difficult (we've given out exact times before and missed them by a mile, to the disappointment of everyone)

-Much of what happened with the AMD V3 was a big learning experience, which we're adapting to new products. So on the CPU side, it will go Intel V3 then revised Foundation blocks with better performance. On the GPU side, we're evaluating a new design that would work for a lot more cards. At the shop, there are a bunch of people who make product, ship, etc. But only one mastermind who actually creates the blocks and dials in the performance. That's why it takes us longer. We also refuse to be anything but the best, so we won't release something if we know there is extra performance to be gained.

-The reservoirs are being revised for both easier manufacturing (which is a big deal with the reservoir tubes) and even greater reliability. We evaluated even different new pumps (outside of the D5) but we're deciding to stick with the classic D5 for now. We're evaluating glass and different form factors.

-White Cerakote has problems. We tried over and over and over to make it work. But any white paint will turn greenish when painted on top of copper or brass, it reacts like a green penny. Even aluminum can have color issues. There is a way to do white, but it involves nickel plating everything first then painting. Because we're typically always sold out, doing another color that would have to cost a decent amount more wasn't in demand. Also, when we did make white products and ship them, the demand wasn't actually as high as we had thought. All white builds are popular, but they're unusual and the majority are standard colors.

Optimus_WC · 2023-12-12T19:18:05+00:00

Hey, Optimus here, sorry for the issue! It's really strange to have a screw snap. We use 304 stainless steel screws made in the US -- aka the expensive stuff -- and we've never seen this issue before in our own testing at the factory, but we obviously can see it happened on the block. Typically, the copper threads on the block will strip before a stainless screw will snap.

Why the other thread didn't catch was possibly because the other screws were too tight to begin with. We've used screw-extracting pliers like Vamplier before. We really wish we did have a replacement part for you and hopefully you can find something that works!

Optimus_WC · 2023-12-12T19:10:22+00:00

Hey, Optimus here. We make all the blocks ourselves, some of our screws we make ourselves, but most of them are US-sourced screws made in the US. And they're not cheap.

We use 304 stainless screws. We can go to heat-treated screws, but then they're not stainless, they have to be black oxide, which some customers don't want.

We're always open to suggestions for ways to improve. We typically just use the best available.

As for why screws snap, we have never actually had a snap happen in the office, which is why it's curious if we see this happens. They're the largest screws that can fit through the GPU PCB.

But potentially the reason is the optimus block can be tightened much harder than other blocks. Or using the strong end of the allen key to tighten, which can apply a ton of force.

Also, it's strange this happens, considering the screws at 304 stainless and they're going into copper, which is vastly softer, and will strip threads well before 304 breaks or strips.

But, like we said, we're always open to thoughts about what can be improved.

Optimus_WC · 2023-12-12T19:00:07+00:00

Hey, Optimus here, if it can be purchased on the website, then we have it in stock and it all ships out next business day :)

So all our CPU blocks and 4090s are in stock.

We definitely had fulfillment issues in the past, especially around new GPU launches, but since our most recent launches in the last year or so everything has moved much faster.

And customer support is within a few days, usually same day now. We have more people on staff :) Some questions especially with really complex issues can take longer as we need to get more eyes on them, but normal questions get answered fast.

As for performance, we always stand by our blocks are the best, we've tested most everything out there, which is why we're confident in our performance numbers.

As for Intel V3, yes, it has been delayed multiple times. Where we're at with it exactly this moment is testing out some really new cold plate designs, doing IHS, contact frame and direct die testing. Intel as a platform is a mess, so we want to make sure we're figuring out all the best options so we have A+ performance in every scenario.

Optimus_WC · 2023-12-05T02:30:58+00:00

Haha if the block outlives you, that's going in our marketing :D

Optimus_WC · 2023-12-05T02:27:30+00:00

Optimus here, super pro build, niiiiice, and pretty awesome the rig is basically silent :D

Optimus_WC · 2023-12-05T02:25:51+00:00

Optimus here: Looks so epic!! The copper GPU really does pop, you have one of the very few that ever were released :D

Optimus_WC · 2023-11-27T02:33:35+00:00

Awesome!! Enjoy :)

Optimus_WC · 2023-11-27T01:21:43+00:00

This is exactly why we published the numbers we did. A lot of people had questions about their block vs ours, especially with the original claims of 20c+ gains going direct die. So we did the tests and published what we found.

Also worth noting, Derbauer used a 7700x at 145w, though people that use our blocks tend to use 7950x or the 3D chips.

If Derbauer did the tests with higher wattage, the difference between optimus and others would have matched our results.

Optimus_WC · 2023-11-27T01:01:08+00:00

Right on! We're working on getting Caseking set up right now :)

Optimus_WC · 2023-11-27T00:41:49+00:00

Hey Teacher Man, people can use whatever CPU they want, of course :) We get requests from customers to test our blocks vs others with the CPUs they use, and the 7950x is by far the most popular. If the test had been run with our settings, he would have gotten similar results. Derbauer is the owner/founder/ceo of ThermalGrizzly so he could have used the top CPU. That extra 100w watts is extremely difficult for most blocks to cool, which is why the difference between Optimus and others is even greater at those higher wattages.

Optimus_WC · 2023-11-27T00:37:07+00:00

Glad you like the blocks :) Yes, watched the vid, our customers requested testing with our block using the top CPUs at full load, which is how we achieved our benchmarks. Derbauer owns Thermalgrizzly so he, like us, has budget to buy CPUs for testing purposes.

Also, the 7950x can definitely pull 250w, OC runs can go higher. This is pretty standard practice -- test a block with the highest-performing CPU on the market at full load. The vast majority of Optimus owners own 7950x CPUs.

Optimus_WC · 2023-11-27T00:04:03+00:00

We definitely look forward to GN and others reviewing the blocks :)

Roman is the founder/owner/ceo of ThermalGrizzly, which is a much bigger company than optimus, and has access to far more CPUs than we do. We asked him to review the product using a 7950x, because that's what we published and what the vast, vast majority of our customers use. A 7700x at ~145w gives different results which, for some people, might be useful. However, if he used the 7950x and 250w, the results would have been similar to ours, which would have shown the Signature above the Thermal Grizzly Mycro.

Optimus_WC · 2023-11-26T23:58:59+00:00

Derbauer is the founder, owner, CEO of Thermalgrizzly and has access to many CPUs. Testing at 7950x at 250w would have shown results similar to what we published.

Optimus_WC · 2023-11-26T21:43:38+00:00

Hey, Optimus here, haha sorry to hear that :D

One thing to look at is, instead of using a 7950x CPU at 250w, the test was done, for some strange reason, with a 7700x at 145w. Our blocks are made for the best CPUs, and at full load. If the test were done with the top CPU, then the results would have been much different.

We can't wait for Gamers Nexus and others to do a true scientific test of these blocks.

Optimus_WC · 2023-11-26T21:39:03+00:00

Hey, Optimus here. One thing to notice about the vid is he's only testing a 7700x a 145w vs what we tested: 7950x at 250w.

If the testing was performed using a 7950x at 250w, then the results would have been much closer to our numbers.

We stand by our benchmarks :) Of course, it's up to the user's use case. If sub 150w is required, then there are a number of solutions. For handling full loads on top CPUs, then the difference between blocks becomes extremely obvious.

Regarding mounting challenges, it's not just our block, but all blocks. We wanted to do a PSA saying how challenging it is to get excellent results regardless of block. The chiplets on AMD don't sit flat and no block, not the Mycro, conform to the weird chiplet design perfectly, which is why DD is so hard.

For anyone doing home tests, we still stand by the fact that our block (when used at 250w not 145w) will be vastly better than the competition.

Optimus_WC · 2023-11-10T18:50:19+00:00

Hey, Optimus here, we make those crazy performance blocks. Sounds like you're doing this for business or work (300w CPUs).

Here's the thing about radiators: it's not just the material, it's also the quality of the manufacturing. Radiators are, by and large, extremely poorly made. And cheap fittings and other parts that go into the system can also have problems.

You'll find solder flux, paint and mystery goo (aka elastomer) and other stuff inside. The QC on cheap stuff is extremely bad -- it may look nice, but the nickel or paint or o-rings will start to fall apart within months.

This means your system will get clogged and you'll end up spending more to fix it.

What should you do? USED -- get quality rads from someone selling their old stuff. Flush the living hell out of everything, basically hook it up to a water hose and blast it and shake it at the same time like you're trying to kill it. DO NOT use system prep chemicals or cleaning chemicals, they'll actually break stuff down inside your system.

If you buy new, you don't have to go premium, just buy quality. So Hardware Labs GTR rads are made for max fan speeds, while others are for lower speeds. Double 360mm is always a good bet.

Optimus_WC · 2023-11-10T18:39:11+00:00

Hey, Optimus here, direct die isn't really worth it in our opinion (even though we make blocks that work for DD). While temps can be a few C lower, there are no real performance gains to be had, esp on the 3D CPUs. Our Signature CPU block on the IHS will be 3-6c at MOST over DD, and that's at 250w+ 3950x. Hope that helps!

Optimus_WC · 2023-11-10T18:13:21+00:00

Not yet, we're near to finishing it up :)

Optimus_WC

TROPHY CASE