Install of the block was a mixed affair and at first my worst fears were proved right as the blocks mounting plate would not sit on top of the block at all due to capacitors around the CPU. Now in most case the review would be over here and I would be onto the manufacture saying this needs to be re- thought out… but the plus side of it was the socket 462 ring that comes supplied with the X20 Xtreme.

This ring adds height to the X20 Xtreme, which in turn lifts the mount up to clear the capacitors. This is a nice way to do things as it insures compatibility with probably about 95% of motherboards on the market. Installing the block is pretty straight forward and involves just placing the bolts in picture above through the board (with plastic washers and nut) once this is done it is just a case of applying the paste and placing the block on. Then connect up you tubes and your ready to refill.

As you can see with the extension the mount rises above the mosfets coolers and capacitors. Now all that is left to do is power on the system and get rid of any excess air being pushed round the system.

It doesn’t really show in the pictures above but once the case is sealed the chrome effect on the block really comes to life reflecting the light well. Anyway enough of the looks let us get on and see how it compares to the TDX previously used in this rig.

Before testing this block the TDX was placed in the same loop using artic silver paste, this was left for 2 weeks running before doing the same with the XSPC X20 Xtreme block.

Test Rigs Setup

CPU	Intel P4 3.0 GHZ 755@ 3.8 mhz + p4 2.66 @ 4.0
Main board	ABIT AW8 Max 3RD EYE  Supplied by ABIT
GFX Card	ASUS 6800 Ultra Supplied by ASUS
Sound map	Audigy 2 NX   Supplied by Creative
CPU Cooling	Complete custom kit Supplied by Watercooling UK
Main memory	Syncmax800 2gig kit (Under review)
Non removable disks	2x Seagate 160-GB Sata Supplied by Seagate 2x 160-GB Samsung
removable disks
DVD burner	Pioneer 16x speed D/L
Case	Akasa Eclipse   Supplied by Akasa
PSU	Silverstone ST562F 560w PSU

Testing involves using Everest ultimate edition to monitor and log temps over a long period of time, Pass mark Burn in test as well as Sisoft were used to get the CPU hot as well as a few runs of PC mark. Everest will monitor the min, avg and max results through out all the testing. These are the results received.

As you can see I the results were pretty impressive with the CPU overclocked @ 3.8 (FSB 262)the results were very good. The fact it was basically on par with the TDX shocked me to be honest. The block performed much better than I would of expected and I will be keeping it in my rig for some time to come. Handling a 34% overclock is a good sign in my eyes. The only thing I suppose I would complain about is I would of like to have seen some sort of nozzle system in the XSPC as this may have got it that few C lower.

Next Page - Conclusion