Water-blocks Danger Den and AquaStone for processors and video cards
Date: 04.10.2005
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Danger Den Maze4 GPU Acetal Top
The name of the model suggest almost all of its key features, namely, the inner structure specific of the previous line of processor water-blocks, and the upper part made of plastic, durable, strong and amenable for complex processing. The line also has other "upper parts", e.g. chromium-plated, so the buyer can choose not only by taste but color as well. On the cover, there is an engraving of the company logo made as double D.
The water-block, like the one aimed at processors, arrived in a separate package containing all the basic information about the product. There is also a notice of compatibility (to all modern video cards by ATI and NVIDIA), as well as a note saying that the fastener is sold separately. It happened that there was no fastener in the parcel, so those who want to get an idea of its look can find on the company's official web site. Again, we had to invent our own ways. It should be noted that it is juts the fasteners which provide compatibility of the water-block to a particular video cards, and the cost is sometimes as high as 10$.
The base of the water-block was glued with a protective film, and the unglued surface turned slightly dim. On the base, there is a small ledge above the VPU core. It is smooth and well processed to the mirror gleam. On the water-block there are also seals providing the manufacturer's guarantee against leakages, which may be canceled if you dismantle the product.
The surface is styled for "labyrinth" which the name suggests. The copper surface looks a bit untidy because of some local dim points, unlike TDX, but that should not affect the efficiency. Sealing is done with a rubber ring without any sealants.
 The cover appears to be two tanks with a very thin partition right on top of the water-block center. Quite an interesting solution which is aimed at reducing the hydraulic resistance of the water-block (thus, the whole structure) at the expense of efficiency a bit. Albeit it gives saving of the precious flow in the line, this approach will let concentrate efforts where it is of most need - on the processor. Video cards have a temperature mode of somehow different range than that of processors, their overall performance depends also on the memory bandwidth, so water-blocks on video cards do not need record-breaking efficiency to the prejudice of hydraulic resistance. On the photo, you can see a number of holes, and only four of them are used to tighten the base and the cover. Fasteners on NVIDIA video cards can be attached on both the four holes around the chip and the two furthermost holes over the diagonal. We decided to try the latter way.
 The fastener is tightened in quite an unusual way as compared to the domestically manufactured products, all the manipulations have to be done from the reverse side of the board. On the photo you can see standard fastening holes for NVIDIA cards look through the four holes around the chip. The "native" fastener implies using a cruciate stiffener with a soft porous washer to protect the onboard components.
The water-block is easiest to install if turned upside down under the board, which allows minimizing the risk of core chipping. Its side is even greater than in TDX, but when assembled it takes up just one more PCI connector.
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