FOUNDATION

RYZEN CPU BLOCK

Extreme performance, ultra-durable acrylic, anti-corrosion nickel and killer looks.

USER REVIEWS:

RYZEN (16 core) REVIEWS:

"Holy cow, finished installing the block and got 7C drop from the Phanteks under load on the 3950X, really happy with it, AMAZING Block" Source

"I did drop about 5-6c with this block compared to both the EK Velocity and the heatkiller pro IV, so GREAT BLOCK HERE..." Source

"As a guess, from the temps I am seeing now, I will achieve the 5-6° that Optimus saysthey see in their tests." Source

"...it appears that when compared to my EisBlock, the Optimus is about 5c Cooler...I have to say this block is definitely a win! 10 Out of 10, Would Recommend!" (3950x and 3900x) Source

"...So, my take away from these temps is this new block probably lowers the temps by about 4 C..." Source

3900x REVIEWS:

"...without a DOUBT, the Optimus Block Outperforms Every AM4 Block I currently have... in Every Single Test I have run, the Optimus Outperforms the Eisblock by between 4 and 6c. The More Amps I push the chip, the bigger Difference I can measure..." Source

"The upgrade is 3-4degrees it appears...I did notice the flow rate for the block was much better than the heatkiller, it went up by 0.9-1 L/min." Source

"...it's stellar. The full coverage of the chiplets on the Ryzen 3900X definitely makes a difference vs corsair xc7 and ekwb velocity (which were the roughly the same performance)...I would say I see a ~3-5c (sometimes even higher) difference in all workloads as well as idle..." Source

MORE:

"The Optimus does out perform the Heatkiller on 3700x by about 4 degrees.

Optimus: 58-61

Heatkiller: 63-65

Noctua U12A: 66-70"

Source

MAXIMUM COOLING FOR THE LATEST RYZEN CPUS

If you're looking for the highest performance Ryzen CPU block, this is it. The Optimus Foundation is designed to provide maximum cooling for all Ryzen CPUs, especially the new Ryzen 3000 series. With up to 16 cores, the new Ryzen uses a new horizontal die layout with larger surface area and even higher thermal requirements. In order to provide max cooling, the Foundation block's fin area covers more than 100% of the dies with a flow-optimized design to wick away large amounts of heat.

PERFORMANCE FIRST MODULAR DESIGN

Made for performance-first, the Foundation block's design allows the liquid flow to match the 3000 series Ryzen CPU die layout perfectly (see above).

Moreover, the Foundation series is fully modular, meaning the top block and cold plate can be rotated in any direction while keeping the bracket logo upright. That way, you can adjust your inlet/outlet orientation to match your build. While we recommend orienting the flow to match the die layout, you'll still achieve excellent performance in a goofy layout.

A CPU block's performance is only as good as the contact with the CPU. This means mounting pressure and accuracy is paramount for best performance. To achieve this, the Foundation block uses a 1/4" (6.3mm) CNC aluminum mounting plate, rather than stamped steel. This allows high pressure and accuracy when securing the block. Plus, it looks fantastic.

ONLY METAL-TO-METAL SCREW THREADS

All Optimus products are assembled with metal screws into metal threads, never acrylic or acetal threads. Plastic screw threads can easily strip and cause cracks, rendering a block useless. Most acrylic/acetal-threaded blocks can only survive a few assemblies before stripping. By eliminating plastic threads entirely, Optimus blocks are able to be reassembled for years to come. Plus, securing the top block using steel screws into machined aluminum mounting plate means leak-proof pressure.

 

FEATURING

 

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Optimus uses only genuine Plexiglas® and Polycast™ brand cast acrylic. Unlike extruded, cast acrylics offers extreme crack resistance and incredible resistance to liquids, temperatures and chemicals. That's why cast acrylic is the only choice for everything from airplane windshields to the world's largest public aquariums.

 

ELIMINATING CRACKED ACRYLIC

Extruded acrylic with poor machining is the #1 culprit of of cracking in water cooling parts. Extruded acrylic is low cost and easy to make. That’s why extruded is used by nearly every water cooling company.

But extruded acrylic isn’t appropriate for liquid cooling parts. Extruded is prone to stress and spider web fractures from machining and expanding/contracting during temp fluctuations and exposure to liquids. Additionally, injection molded nylon blocks feature similar downsides, including a +/- 10% expansion variation and high fluid retention, all sources of stress. If you’ve ever wondered why ports, screw threads and reservoirs randomly fracture, this is why.

Cast acrylic is far harder with excellent machinability and resistance to cracking. Really, cast acrylic is the only real choice for everything from precision machined parts to giant aquariums. Optimus uses only cast acrylic for every single acrylic component.In fact, our cast acrylic is much stronger than acetal and nearly impossible to break. Feel free to allen wrench your fittings in place, our block won't blink.

DIAMOND VS FLAME POLISHED

Optimus uses only custom designed diamond CNC acrylic bits to achieve high optical quality rather than buffing or flame polishing.Flame polishing, combined with extruded acrylic, causes numerous problems. First, flaming (and vapor) polishing works by melting the outer layer of material to achieve a glass-like appearance. While the results look great, melting causes significant damage to the acrylic structure.With flaming, the acrylic becomes highly prone to stress cracking as well as spider webbing from fluids and temp fluctuations. And flaming has a tendency to turn acrylic yellow.

Moreover, by diamond polishing, we're able to achieve higher clarity in places flaming cannot, like the inside of ports and channels. While this is a far more time consuming and challenging process, we believe the results speak for themselves.

100% CNC MILLED PORTS

Additionally, we only CNC our G1/4” ports, never thread tap. Thread tapping is the industry standard because it’s easy and any budget drill press can do it. Thread tapping works by twisting a threaded drill bit into the material, causing burrs and extreme levels of stress. The resulting thread tapping micro fractures are nearly invisible, until the acrylic meets water, heat and pressure. Then micro turns into macro and cracks appear.

With CNCing (aka thread milling), specialized CNC bits are used to sculpt away the material and make the threads. CNC milling is vastly more accurate and causes far less pressure on the material, but takes much more time and requires high-speed CNC machines. For Optimus, CNC threads are a must.

TRUE BSPP-G1/4" SPEC THREADING

Moreover, with over 50 years making aerospace fittings and parts, we're hyper focused on thread accuracy. All our G 1/4" ports and threads meet BSPP-G specification. This might seem like a small detail, but the accuracy of G 1/4"style fittings and ports on the market varies greatly and can lead to numerous problems like leaks, cracks and cross-threading.

Ultimately, all these steps combined make our acrylic products nearly indestructible. That's why we can offer the industry's only 10 year warranty.

 

Pro·XE

NICKEL PLATING

 

Extreme corrosion resistance, excellent thermal properties and a lifespan measured in decades. Optimus Pro-XE Nickel is a true professional finish for ultra performance PCs.

BANISHING FLAKY ELECTROPLATED NICKEL

Flaking, disintegrating nickel is a widespread problem in liquid cooling. After all, nickel PC fittings and blocks prohibit use with plain water, or you void the warranty. Instead, you must use anti-corrosive fluids to protect nickel components. Why? Because the industry standard electroplated (aka electrolytic) nickel is a cosmetic nickel finish that isn't meant to be used in liquid applications. Often called chrome or shiny nickel, electroplated nickel is cost effective and looks good.

Unfortunately, water, anti-fungals and fancy fluids will rapidly strip electroplated nickel. The gunk that will appear in block fins isn't just broken down fluid, it's often disintegrated nickel, paint and cheap plastics. If this seems crazy, it is. After all, the cheapest home faucet can handle tap water, so why can’t expensive PC parts?

OPTIMUS PRO·XENICKEL

Optimus Pro-XEis our proprietaryelectroless nickel process for liquid cooling parts. Electroless nickel, unlike electroplated, is an aerospace industrial finish with extreme chemical resistance, hardness and superior fluid lubricity. Our Pro-XE nickel is specifically tailored for liquid cooling, providing maximum corrosion protection, even in places normal nickels can't reach, like inside our cold plate's 202 micron channels.

SAFE FOR H2O

Optimus Pro-XE nickel is able to withstand saltwater, corrosive chemicals and, yes, even plain water.With Optimus parts, you can use distilled water without fear of flaking. Distilled, aside from being cheap, is also the highest performance coolant readily available. Anti-corrosive additives lower the thermal conductivity of the liquid.That's why we can offer a 10 year warranty, even with regular H2O.

So why isn't everyone using electroless? Cost and appearance. Electroless is far more difficult to manufacture, especially when achieving perfect finishes needed for premium PC builds. And electrolytic can achieve that bright chrome look, even though it's highly susceptible to disintegration.