Our Setup
For our build in the Cooler Master MasterFrame 360 Stage LCD, we’re turning to the custom water-cooling brand Alphacooland their new lines of monoblocks, radiators, and fittings. This will also be an opportunity to introduce them to you. And there’s a lot to say.
An AMD Build
AMD takes center stage, as Alphacool all-in-one coolers are only available for motherboards from the “Red Team.” We’ve chosen the ASUS ROG STRIX X870-F Wi-Fi motherboard and paired it with the renowned Ryzen 7 9800X3D. This processor needs no introduction—it’s the gaming king of this generation.
We’re pairing it with the Radeon RX 6900 XT LC reference graphics card. This is a rare variant of the RX 6900 XT, featuring AMD’s reference design and originally equipped with a 120mm AIO produced by Cooler Master. Keeping this AIO, as a nod to Cooler Master, would have been interesting, but we’re installing a 1-slot Alphacool water block because we want to build a custom setup.
The RAM and SSD are provided by Biwin. Finally, the power supply is a Cooler Master Elite Gold 1000 model.
Alphacool Water Cooling: A Flurry of New Releases
Alphacool has been rolling out announcements at a breakneck pace since EKWB’s decline. And we’re not complaining, as innovation and boldness seem to be at the heart of the German brand’s current strategy.
Monoblock
As a reminder, a monoblock is a water-cooling radiator capable of cooling multiple components on its own. Highly popular and synonymous with high-end systems, they were regularly included as standard on motherboards from major brands. Think of the Waterforce series from AORUS, Glacial from ASUS, or Aqua from ASROCK. The Z890 and X670 generations saw their near-total disappearance, in favor of more traditional systems. But Alphacool doesn’t see it that way and offers a relatively wide range of models. It’s important to note that, in most cases, a monoblock is compatible with only a single motherboard model.
The X870 series monoblocks feature:
- CPU, VRM, and first M.2 slot cooling
- Retains the original I/Oshield and RGB lighting and/or display (for Crosshair)
- Optimized water flow over the hotspots of AM5 processors
Core XT45 Aurora Radiator
A purely aesthetic evolution of the brand’s XT45 radiators, they feature a new design highlighted by a magnetic RGB strip. This strip can be installed on either side of the cooler. The cooler’s appearance is a matter of personal taste. In our opinion, it integrates perfectly with the Stage LCD. However, its overall width prevents two from being installed side by side on the rails.
Apex Grip Fittings
A small revolution at Alphacool: this new line of fittings stands out clearly from previous generations:
- A completely different form factor —wider—with a notable design focus
- Grip for easy handling and installation
- Sealing mechanism similar to the Eiszapfen Proseries for rigid tubing
- Multiple modular adapters, including a double-rotating offset adapter
Reservoir For the reservoir-pump assembly, we’re using the 150 mm version of the Eisbecher Aurora D5 Acetal model. It will be mounted in the rear compartment.
Fans
Once again, we’re relying on Alphacool’s Apex Stealth Metal fans, here in the RGB version. These 120 mm fans, equipped with a metal frame, come at a premium price but are well worth it thanks to their high-end performance, unique design, and positioning. They are best reserved for show case builds and very high-end systems.
