Intro The Enzotech Sapphire Rev.A is one of Enzotech's current offerings. I'm not sure which is designated as flagship considering the recently fluctuation in prices (both can be found at Newegg for less than $50), but the Sapphire Rev.A is an increasingly popular block due to its solid "all-copper" construction (in reality, there's a plastic cap over the copper, and a stainless steel flow guiding plate) and extremely low restriction. The block is very heavy, especially compared to some of its acetyl and acrylic-topped competitors. The base is fairly thick, but has a very well machined pin structure and a slight bow. The blue plastic cap is removable to expose a solid-copper block, but once removed, there's a lot of wiggle room with the mounting bracket, hindering installation. The Enzotech Luna Rev.A is the other Enzotech offering. It goes in the oppsosite direction for its design--it employs a very thin base with micropins and an injector. The overall structure is somewhat consistent though, using an all-copper design with an add-on assembly for the flashing LEDs and metallic plastic cap. Surprisingly, the Luna Rev.A does not employ a bow--a glaring omission for a modern block. The flashing LEDs are a glaring addition to the block. I'm not one for lights (or flashing ones), but even if I were, these lights are annoying--they flash way too quickly. Enzotech has, fortunately, posted a modification that would allow the end-user to disable the flashing (but still have the lighting on). In that vein, I would have attempted a modification to install a bow with an o-ring (or a return of the Silicone Mod!), but a manufacturing defect in one of the assembly screws of the block prevents me from opening up the block without permanently damaging it. This test will focus on the performance of the blocks in general and over a large flowrate spectrum. Results from the installments of Roundup #2 will be compiled, as they're posted, into an Overall Comparison page. |
|
Thermal Testing Methodology/Specification Methodology My waterblock testing methodology has evolved over the past few months and I think it's finally at a resting point where I can start piling up test results rather than tweak the methodology (and thus preventing cross-comparisons). I use Dallas One Wire DS18B20 temperature probes at various points through my watercooling loop and at the air intake to measure temperatures, I've isolated the radiators so that the flowrate through them never changes, I use six different pump settings for each block, and use good testing practice by performing 5 mounts. Where applicable, I will also test various modifications to the blocks. These include testing various orientations and removing/adding various midplates, nozzles, dividers, etc. In some cases I will also modify the mounting system and present results from increased mounting pressure. For my waterblock tests, I'll perform 5 mounts of each configuration for every waterblock. The best configuration will then go on to be tested through the full flowrate spectrum. Specification
|
Thermal Test Results Now finally some results! First up, the individual configurations testing. |
 Both blocks have a definite orientation preference--the Sapphire Rev.A likes having its outlet to the top left (away from the GPU slots and RAM slots) while the Luna Rev.A prefers having its outlet at the top right (away from the GPU slots, close to the RAM slots). |
Specific Pumping Power Now that we've figured out what the best configuration is for each block, let's chart its performance over the entire flowrate spectrum.
|
Other Graphs
Here is a pretty fun result...though neither block is great thermally, the Sapphire Rev.A is amazingly low restriction. I broke 4GPM with my pump setup, and over 2GPM with just my 'normal' setup. The Sapphire Rev.A is also the second most low-flow resilient block I've tested so far (behind only the Apogee XT). On the other hand, the Luna Rev.A is very restrictive and does not like low flow. At every pumping power setting I tested, it's the worst performer. Ouch. |
Conclusion Small tale of Jekyl and Hyde here, but I'll start simple. First, both deserve praise for their pricing and overall construction--the Sapphire Rev.A is ~$35 at Newegg and other etailers, while the Luna Rev.A is ~$45 at Newegg. The 1366 adapter is an additional $5, but that's not bad at all. The all copper construction of both is also a pleasant sight. Now let's split them up and consider them separately. First, the Luna Rev.A is just bad. At every pumping power, it was the worst block I've tested (no single block was the worst prior to the Luna Rev.A). And it's really restrictive. I really feel little need to talk about the other points of it, without some signs of acceptable performance, there's little reason to consider this block when so many others out there are better. The Sapphire Rev.A, all things considered, is a really good block. No, its performance isn't better than mid-pack, but considering how low restriction, how resilient to low flow it is, its all copper construction, and its $35 pricetag, this block is flat out good. The mounting system for LGA775 is really good, but the adapters for AM2/3 and LGA1366 are a little less stellar (but they are totally functional and superior to the piecemeal offerings of others). Simply put, the Sapphire Rev.A is a worthwhile block, especially to someone new to watercooling and not wanting to take an expensive plunge.
|
