Difference between full copper and nickel plated waterblocks?

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PCnooberson

PCnooberson

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Dec 2, 2013
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I was under the impression that full copper blocks were better for performance because since there is nothing between the processor and the block besides the copper, it would be easier for heat to transfer over. However, i almost always see people using nickel plated blocks, and they cost more than full copper blocks.

So are nickel plated blocks better or not than full copper blocks? Are there pros and cons?
 
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Alec Mowat

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Metal Thermal conductivity (Btu/(hr-ft-F)
Silver 247.87
Copper 231
Gold 183
Aluminium 136
Yellow brass 69.33
Cast iron 46.33
Stainless steel 8.1


Nickel 52

...Correspondingly materials of high thermal conductivity are widely used in heat sink applications and materials of low thermal conductivity are used as thermal insulation.
 
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Pinhedd

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Nickel does not easily corrode at temperatures < 400 degrees centigrade. This allows nickel plated blocks to be used with a variety of other metals in the loop including unanodized aluminium. Using aluminium in a cooling loop is inadvisable, but some people do so as compatible parts may be hard to come by. The lack of corrosion also means that nickel plated parts will stay shiny for quite some time.
 
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PCnooberson

PCnooberson

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if nickel has such a low thermal conductivity, wouldnt it lower performance as opposed to full copper? And if so, why do so many people use nickel plated blocks then?
 
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Pinhedd

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It's a very thin layer of nickel. It can easily be removed with sandpaper. The heat spreader which transfers heat from the microprocessor die to the heat sink is manufactured the same way, nickel plated copper. This prevents the copper die from corroding.
 
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skoronesa

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Short answer:
Nickel plated blocks are slightly more corosion resistant.

Long answer:
As stated nickel is corrosion resistant. Also as stated copper is the best option for a heat sink. Nickel plated copper blocks do only have a thin layer of nickel.

The major benefit of a nickel plated copper water block is that if the surface to be mounted against the cpu is nickel plated it will most certainly be mirror smooth and will allow the thermal grease to flow without entrapping air bubbles. A non plated block could also be polished on the mating surface but will tarnish upon exposure to air so it would have to be done immediately before mounting and any buffing compound would have to be removed.

For corrosion resistance of an uncoated copper water block you could simply use some clear coat on the externally exposed copper except for the mating surface. Assuming you don't have large quantities of dissimilar metals in your system internal corrosion wouldn't be an issue. Keep in mind that any two dissimilar metals in contact or in the presence of the same electrolyte(A liquid which supports the flow of electrons) will incur a galvanic reaction. Most water based solutions are an electrlyte to some extent especially when you factor in contaminants.

If I were to design a small scale cooling system I would use all copper and solder which is meant for it to limit corrosion. Silver is a natural anti-microbial and would inhibit mould growth. Many potable copper pipe solders are silver bearing. The use of an automobile heater core which would be almost all copper would be perfect as a radiator. Standard car coolant of 50/50 mix would be fine as a coolant.

 
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