Conclusion
Performance
As witnessed in the performance tests, XSPC did its homework in designing the Raystorm Pro. It garnered top performance numbers with both the Haswell-based and Haswell-E-based systems, which is no small feat. The block’s performance dominance really came to light on the Haswell-E tests because of the larger surface area of the Haswell-E processor. However, that in no way diminishes is stellar performance with the Haswell processor.
Pricing
As of July 19, the XSPC Raystorm Pro water block was available at Amazon.com for $72.95 with Prime shipping and at PerformancePCs.com for $66.95.
Conclusion
XSPC has a winner on their hands with the Raystorm Pro water block. They took the design of their original Raystorm block and enhanced it in every way possible. The biggest change was in the design of the block itself with the inclusion of an all-copper top. The copper top design was offered in the previous generation as an upgrade, but not with the default block. This copper top alleviates concerns of stripping the port holes if you switch out the barbs (or overtighted them), as well as almost doubling the heat absorption surface area between the CPU and liquid medium. XSPC also included an all-metal hold down bracket, which was also an add-on not offered by default in the previous revision of the block. This metal bracket will not warp or crack as easily as the acrylic bracket. XSPC also integrated a light path into the bracket, giving a more uniform lighting effect to the block. The inside design of the block was tweaked as well, giving it a performance edge over it predecessor. And the block hold down mechanism included was one of the best it used yet, rivaling my favored Koolance hold down bracket.
Strengths
- Performance under stock and overclocking conditions
- Build quality of the cooler
- All copper block design
- Metal hold down bracket with integrated light path
- Board mounting bracket and uprights independent from block hold down hardware
- Price
Weaknesses
- None
Great review!!!
I currently
Great review!!!
I currently have the regular raystorm as it was much cheaper than the pro when I build my rig last december. I’m suprised by how much better it is with a big over clock. Considering I have a modest OC of 4.6 on my 6700k, my current setup is plenty fine.