After presenting the Optimus Signature V3 waterblock for AM5 processors, today sees the arrival of the Optimus Signature V3 model, compatible with socket LGA-1700. Optimus is an American brand that has been offering top-of-the-range components for your liquid cooling loop for several years. These products are now distributed in Europe via the German Caseking shop. This saves you customs duties and ensures faster availability.
The bundle :
The bundle includes the waterblock, installation instructions, screws and bolts, a custom micro-screwdriver, a tube of KingPiN KPX thermal paste and a back plate to ensure rigidity.
This new sample is an Optimus Signature V3 model in silver with a nickel (mirror effect) finish on the base. This waterblock is also available in matt black, and you have the opportunity to opt for a full copper base. It currently retails for 274 euros, the same price as the AM5 version, and comes with a 10-year warranty. It is primarily intended for LGA-1700 platforms, but we will also be testing it on new motherboards with a LGA-1851 socket.
This new block has a more imposing design than the previous version, thanks in particular to the choice of a one-piece brass structure. The Cerakote ceramic finish makes it extremely hard-wearing. The Optimus Signature V3 has a new internal structure machined in 2 pieces. The idea is to achieve a higher flow rate with less restriction than the previous generation.
It also features a new cold plate with a 25% larger surface area. This is available in two finishes: raw copper or nickel Pro-XE if you intend to use liquid metal. The internal fins are 0.1016 mm wide, with microchannels measuring 0.2032 mm!
Installation on the ROG Z790 APEX Encore :
So we’re going to install this Optimus Signature V3 waterblock on our ROG Maximus Z790 APEX Encore motherboard, which will be equipped with an Intel i9-14900KS processor. The first step was to insert the 4 brackets through the motherboard into the backplate, but that didn’t really work for us. The problem is that it’s touching the back of the socket and is therefore out of balance. A photo would certainly be more telling.
As it doesn’t lie flat, when you tighten it, you risk not having a balance between the 4 ends. This is what we got, even if we tightened diagonally a little at a time. So we opted to use the nuts from our Optimus Foundation model. It’s a very easy system to set up.
Now that our 4 brackets are in place, it’s time to apply the thermal paste and place our block. Then all you have to do is fit the 4 nuts and gradually tighten them diagonally with the custom micro screwdriver.
Now it’s in place and ready to be tested, we’re completing our new CPU test protocol and we’ll very shortly be giving you our impressions and the performance we found with this Optimus Signature V3 waterblock for Intel LGA-1700 motherboards.
