Danger Den MC-TDX Multi-core CPU Block Review

Introduction                   

Welcome to my review of the Danger Den MC-TDX CPU waterblock.  The "MC" in MC-TDX stands for "Multiple Core Processor", so you will continue to see both the standard TDX as this MC-TDX.  The larger pin matrix for the MC-TDX is specifically targeted at multiple core processors, where a larger cooling area is needed. Danger Den has noted that the standard TDX is designed for single or dual core processors, and the MC-TDX is designed for dual or quad core processors.  They both utilize the same type of casting construction and tops, but they have different pin matrix designs, coverage areas, and nozzle components.  Let see more of this new block and see how it does. 

Package Contents                    

Danger Den PackageLet's enjoy our typical "opening up a new present" moment and see what you get as part of the packaging.  First off my box of Danger Den goodies arrived via FedEx in a well packaged box, and the delivery person even range my doorbell to hand deliver the package, that was a nice pleasant surprise!  I received several products that were all boxed nicely in a standard box with packaging peanuts and it was professionally packaged box in a box style double protection.


Specifications & Features

  • 240 Heat Dissipating Columns for enhanced transfer of heat to the water and optimum coverage of the CPU
  • 100% copper 110 material
  • Acrylic and brass top options
  • Threaded fitting ports are G 1/4 BSPP for use with any similar spec fittings.
  • Complete Block with O-Ring
  • Pressure Tested to 50psi
  • High flow 1/4", 3/8", or 1/2" Chrome Plated Fittings
  • Machine lapped and flat mirror polished
  • Stainless steel hold down
  • Anti-Tarnish coating applied to prevent tarnis from finger prints or environmental changes.  This specialized formula also has no affect on cooling potential.
  • All Copper - No aluminum or coated aluminum that can have galvanic corrosion, all materials are copper, brass, stainless steel, or lucite.
  • Preassembled block and barbs  - No waste in plastic barbs you won't use and perfect barb installation.
  • LGA 775 Only Custom top - Provides a more custom look, rather than a univeral hold down with many leftover holes.

Photo Gallery

Here are several pictures I've taken at different angles and distances to give you a good viewing of the block for yourself.  I'm mixing a few others within the entire review as well, but here is a large majority of the pictures for your viewing pleasure.  (Click thumbnails to enlarge):


Heat Transfer Surface Area

The MC-TDX uses a round pin style matrix common in other CPU blocks.  It's a very efficient and effective matrix as the round micro pins significantly increase the amount of heat transfer surface area, and the micro pins and round shape are efficient in reducing pressure drop or restriction.  With 240 micro pins you effectively multiply the surface area many times over a flat surface and the larger area covered with pins, means it has the ability to cool a larger area as needed by multiple core processors.

Construction, Materials, Quality, and Aesthetics

Overall construction of the block and attention to detail is superb.  

The base is very finely cast from C110 copper and having seen some casting problems in past on other blocks, I was pleasantly suprise that I could not find any.  These pins are very nearly reaching the limits of how small copper pins can be cast, and they are done so perfectly in my sample.  The base bottom is very adequate in finish, you can see by the photo above in the gallery how it is a nicely finished base nearly a mirror in reflection and a straightedge test proved flatness to be excellent.  It's fairly common knowledge that lapping a base much beyond 1000 grit no longer yields additional performance gains, so the specified 1200 grit is more than adequate.  

The top is fabricated of 3/8" (9.3mm) thickness acrylic sheet and is very precisely CNC machined and the edges are nicely finished.  Some folks may not prefer the use of Acrylic (Lucite) due to durability concerns. Fortunately for you all metal block-heads out there, Danger Den has produced the same top in a brass option for you to choose from and it's at a very reasonable price.  Go for a brass top if you want that added durability.

The barbs are nickel plated brass, (no flimsy cheap plastic barbs here!).  Using my digital calipers the inside diameter is a heavy 10.15mm, that's as bored out as it gets for G1/4 threading.  The barbs have all been installed and the block pressure tested at 85psi, so no worries about leaks, you shouldn't have to touch these barbs, they come preinstalled and pressure tested.  On some of my other blocks that came with plastic barbs, I had a hard time getting tubing back off of them and getting tubing onto them without the barbs turning on me, brass barbs don't have that problem.

The block screws as previously noted are a stainless round-head type screw that appears to be a nice 6-32 screw dimension and the head itself receive a standard 2mm allen head.  All of the remaining mounting hardware appears to be in good order, nice larger brass thumbscrews and the necessary studs, springs, nuts and washers and appear to be in the 4-40 threading form.

The block is very nice to look at with a high level attention to detal.  Perhaps it's due to the transparent top, or perhaps it's the design of the copper mini pin matrix base and all that surface area for heat conductivity.  I also appreciate the integrated hold down and top.  A personal preference of mine is to have a top that looks custom.  The block exceed my expectations in this area, but I encourage you to look more at the pictures and decide for yourself.

Hydraulics and Pressure Drop Testing

The most scientific way to determine a blocks hydraulic resistance is to test pressure drop.  

Equipment:
  • Dwyer Digital Manometer 475 Mark III - Accuracy .5% of Full Scale.  Range 0-200" W.C., Resolution .1" W.C.
  • King Instruments 7520 Series 0-5GPM, 250mm scale - Accuracy 2% of Full Scale.  Range 0-5GPM, Resolution .1GPM (can be interpolated to .02GPM)
  • Water Source - Household water pressure - 50PSI at >5GPM - Because flow rate readings are instantaneous, household tap water and water pressure are a good and powerful source for pressure drop testing.
The pressure drop testing results were the best I have seen to date of any pin matrix style CPU block.
We have a NEW LOW PRESSURE DROP KING OF PIN MATRIX CPU BLOCKS!

While flow rate above 1 GPM is generally adequate for most systems, it's still important to keep an eye on restriction particularly when you are designing a water cooling loop with multiple blocks and radiators in the same loop.  The reason being that every component within that loop will affect flow rate, and if any one or more than one is restrictive it could reduce the thermal effectiveness of your other blocks and the radiators.  In addition CPU blocks that are low in restriction leave an open window of opportunity to nozzles.  Adding of a nozzles allows the user flexibility in adjusting performance and restriction.  A CPU only loop may benefit from a nozzle, whereas a stock setup may be desireable to maintain performance of other system components.

The Danger Den MC-TDX has an ultra low pressure drop, it doesn't get any better than this for pin matrix style blocks.

Installation on an Evga 680i

The installation on the 680i was not a problem at all.  I actually preferred the larger 6-32 threading of the TDX kit over my previous 4-40 bolts from my D-Tek Fuzion kit.  Very basic and straightforward installation.

Thermal Testing

Testing In Progress....Coming Soon

Conclusion and Recommendation

To provide some sort of recommending criteria, I'm establishing the following with a 0-10 scale of excellence.
Criteria Rating Notes
Design 9 It's a good design, I'd give it a 10 if it was more unique.
Quality 10 I'm very impressed by the flawlessness of all parts included
Compatibility 10 This is specified as a "Universal" block, so it was not specifically designed for the 680i
Materials 10 Multiple top options make this a 10.
Pressure Drop 10+ The NEW KING of Pin Matrix Style CPU blocks!
Thermal Performance ? Testing in progress
Overall ? ?


So far so good, just need to do some thermal testing to wrap this up..

Where to buy

Danger Den's Website
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