Sub-Zero ALTAUNA ExodusFlow

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My initial tests on the Sub-Zero began with the same E6400 mounted on Asus P5W DH Deluxe. I was pleasantly surprised this CPU cooler performed on par with some popular high-performance 1/2-ID based USA kits and matching water blocks. Watercooling.de's description (German) of the Sub-Zero (English) can be summarized quoting two terms "wide microstructure" and "high flow" which we'll describe in detail shortly.



As seen above and below the block's surfaces which include a brass top and copper base are finely polished. It's size belies it's cooling ability and from an ergonomic standpoint it is the antithesis of today's towering heat-pipe coolers. These air-cooled monsters not only stress the socket, for all their weight and mass they can't touch the performance of quality water-cooling.



The Sub-Zero measures 13.5 mm x 50mm x 50mm (H x W x L) and weighs in at a feathery 250-grams. The block arrived with several mounting kits and two 10m/8mm (external/internal) connectors. The block has a small footprint and just covers the IHS it sits upon. As I stated earlier this design requires very little copper leaving a minimal amount of material between the heat-source and coolant. The finish on block is top notch and this includes all surfaces.



The finish on the base plate was absolutely perfect and about as flat as can be determined by placing a drop of water on the center of the base plate and then placing a sheet of glass on top. If the water spreads evenly to the edges and you can literally pick-up the heatsink with the glass it's flat.



As I stated in the introduction, Sub-Zero departs from the micro-pin design of the CF1 Rev.2 as both the original and Rev.2 versions of that block used a small channel under the inlet which re-routed water flow directly over the micro-pins. Such a channel tends to restrict flow and is usually an ad hoc alternative to moving the inlet directly over the center of the water block. Water re-routed to flow directly down onto the center of the base plate is known as impingement. There are many variations on this and Danger Den's RBX reviewed here was such a design. The RBX was based on 1/2" and benefited from a high delivery height /flow rate pump. The Sub-Zero (as with most 10mm designs) is very efficient and its cross-flow design is the least restrictive. As seen below Sub-Zero utilized deep channels with severe angles to generate turbulence and slow flow-rate just enough for thorough heat absorption. Turbulence ensures more water molecules absorb more heat. This is one reason why increased flow can improve performance in this type of design.



Another user-friendly attribute of the Sub-Zero are its many mounting options. Simply loosening four bolts disassembles the block for quick mounting-bracket replacement. Below we see hardware supporting desktop Socket versions 775, AM2, 754, 939, and 940. Also available are 478 and Socket-A.



Onto the test-systems ->