Fluid XP is well known for their non conductive coolant. With the success of this product it is no surprise they are taking the next step in expanding the Fluid XP line. Now don’t get me wrong fluid XP has been expanding their colors for the Fluid XP. Recently added and not included in this review are Blood Red and Phantom Black coolant. Their product line is expanding to include the hardware to accompany their coolant.

Expanding into the hardware market with a product like Fluid XP demands performance. If you have a product that performs, you need performing hardware to back it up. Everyone knows that it takes more than a good coolant to cool a system. Fluid XP also knows this and decided to offer a newer CPU block design for its coolant. Fluid XP has this introduction for this new block.

Detailed Description
The all-new Fluid XP+ Vortex XP™ CPU block will shatter enthusiast’s expectations about water block design, appearance, and high quality manufacturing. Unique to the Vortex XP™ is the 4 to 1 flow chamber design that provides outstanding flow rates while the unique baseplate design delivers thermal control better than any restriction or impingement based blocks currently on the market. The Vortex XP™ design is optimized for the current high wattage multiple core processors now on the market today. No other block on the market will compare with the flow vs. performance of our latest and greatest.

The Vortex XP™ block's G-1/4" hose barb threading offers compatibility with a wide variety of cooling kits currently on the market as well as direct European compatibility.

Features
- Full Copper baseplate featuring over 385 rounded pins and 1.4 sq." pin spread optimized for large die Dual and Quad core processors.
- Airfoils are used to optimally direct water flow throughout the block.
- Base Material: Pure Aluminum & Pure Copper
- Cop-Pro-Tec treated precision lapped copper baseplate.
- Black Delrin Top with brass threaded inserts embedded for durability and lightweight construction.
- Black Delrin Mid Chamber is pressure balanced and internally optimized for rapid fluid transfer.
- Nickel Plated 1/2" or 3/8" Hi-Flow Hose barbs included.
- S/S 304 Socket Mounting Plate available in Intel® or AMD versions that is compatible with most modern motherboards featuring mounting holes around the socket area.
- 100% leak tested prior to distribution.
- Backed by a limited lifetime warranty on parts and labor.

Package

Nothing new here, another well packed shipment and nothing out of the ordinary. You ever wonder if any employees from FedEx, UPS, or USPS read reviews on their performance, let alone care.

When I opened up the shipping box I was greeted with a letter addressed to the reviewer. The letter thanks the reviewer for taking the time to review their product. Also included in the letter was an overview of the Vortex XP, which is also found on Fluid XP’s web site and listed above.

Under the letter was a little white box that contained the Vortex XP block. There wasn’t even a label on the box, but if you have seen a bottle of Fluid XP, you wouldn’t have expected to see anything fancy on the box. From what I have seen on the net with Fluid XP, is that their focus is on the products themselves and not a fancy label to glorify the products.

Inside are the user manual, the mounting hardware, and the Vortex XP block. Not only was the boxed packed well, the block and mounting hardware were very secure in the safety of bubble wrap.

The mounting hardware consists of 2 mounting plates that cover every current socket format in use today and, of course, mounting hardware. Please note that sockets 754/939/940 can use the socket back plate.

This little gem measures in at only 55.24 mm squared and only 27.5 mm high. The block only weighs 150g with out a mounting plate. The AMD plate adds 42g and the Intel plate adds 48g.

The Vortex XP has a Delrin top and mid chamber with a copper baseplate. I know some people are n00bs and Fluid XP should know this as well. The protective film needs a disclaimer “Remove before installation.” Just a little something to bring attention to the removal of the film, yes (hangs head in shame) I even did it once just for the same reason. The finish surface under the film is almost perfection. While it’s not the mirror finish most like to see, its damn close and is more than adequate.