Mr. Fox

The Gaming Trio and Suprim used to be the same waterblock part number and it was the same part number as your Microcenter listing. Now Corsair's web site has the same part number as before, which matches Microcenter, but the description on the Corsair site no longer says "Suprim" in it. If the missing phase inductors on the Trio are in that same location where the block needs to be carved out, they probably need to redesign the block so it has the recessed area where the Suprim has inductors and the Trio does not. The solder pads on the PCB are there on the Trio, but the components themselves are not. The Alphacool Eisblock had a similar issue on the Suprim, but rather than a recessed area like the Corsair block, the cold plate was not large enough to cover the VRMs on the Suprim. The body of the cold plate stopped where the VRMs on the Trio ended and leave the additional components exposed with no cooling on the Suprim.

That's very weird. The EKWB, Alphacool and Bykski blocks supposedly also fit Suprim and Trio. That almost looks like they put the wrong block inside the box or something. Are there any part numbers etched in the body that would indicate that? Here is a link to the Corsair store page. It is definitely different than it was a week or two ago, before my Suprim died. It used to say "Suprim / Trio" and now only "Trio" but the part number is the same as before. https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/Custom-Cooling/Blocks/GPU-Blocks/Hydro-X-Series-XG7-RGB-40-SERIES-GPU-Water-Block/p/CX-9020021-WW What Microcenter shows is exactly what Corsair USED TO show, but now it only says "Trio" on their web site. It never said Liquid though.

I had a typo. The "G" is correct. I believe the Suprim/Suprim X (air or liquid) are the same PCB and I think the Trio is as well. The Trio has fewer power stages. I believe the only difference between the Suprim/Suprim X is the the firmware. So, it should be the correct block, but either packaged wrong (wrong block in the Suprim box) or just made wrong. What's weird is now the Corsair site no longer lists the Suprim. It used to list the Suprim and Trio as the exact same part number. SKU CX-9020021-WW. But, now that SKU no longer says Suprim. I know this because Corsair was sending me one to do a review and it was cancelled because the GPU died. Does it look like it is made for a entirely different GPU, or is something off by a little bit? It is hitting something like a power port for the AIO pump that the non-Liquid Surpim or Trio might not have on the PCB for the air cooled card?

The XC7 doesn't fit the Suprim?

The incompetence of the self-anointed leaders of the modern tech world that we live in is truly unlimited. Their incompetence is matched only by the inept losers that look to them for guidance. In some circumstances, it is like the blind leading the blind. In probably equal measure, it is like the blind misleading the blind. They don't know what they don't know, and their followers don't know how little they know... a technology circle jerk.

You can bench anything, and if it's something that nobody or hardly anyone else has benched, then you'll likely be at or near the top of the mountain with that hardware. It doesn't have to run well or be fast to win if the machines you're competing against are equally old and anemic. If you look around you might even find an unlocked bios floating around on the internet for that old thing that would allow you to adjust the core clocks or the base clock and squeeze a few more megahertz out of it than others have with theirs. Sometimes you'll even find yourself in the top 10 worldwide because there have been fewer than 10 submissions LOL. This is especially true in the case of mid-range and budget hardware that nobody ever purchased for number chasing because it wasn't capable in it's day of winning anything due to being outclassed. You can rack up a lot of hardware points benching stuff like that.

If you are using a much newer CPU and chipset with an older graphics card you will automatically displace a lot of old benchmark scores that were good in their day, but the newer processor and chipset will probably result in better scores even if they are not overclocked. The improved IPC on the newer tech can often be enough to overcome the old CPU. The other thing to keep in mind is that 5 years ago it was difficult to overclock the CPU to the clock speeds that are stock clocks now. Add that increased clock speed, and potentially increased core count, to the improved IPC and it's sometimes easy to beat really old benchmark scores with the old graphics cards paired with a modern CPU. In some cases you can actually get higher benchmark scores with an old GPU and a very powerful modern CPU. Aquamark is one such example. 3DMark 2001 is another. They rely on the CPU more than the GPU. You may need to disable some of the cores to achieve higher scores because the old software does know how to handle them. What's nice about that, as Brother @Papusanhas discovered, the chance that an old record holder still has those old GPUs is pretty slim. If you take the gold, chances are fairly good nobody's going to try to win back what you take from them. They might not be very happy about it, but all is fair and love and war.

That's awesome. LOL I haven't even tried it yet obviously. Like the guy on Gamer's Meld says, "time will tell" Probably not very much at all in benchmarks that do not measure processor speed and performance. Port Royal and Speedway do not assign a physics or combined score. In cases where that is measured, it will definitely matter.

Wow, I don't know how I could refuse a free test drive like that. I will send you a PM.

Hmm. Maybe. I'm not sure I actually want to know what the Red users are doing. That didn't work out well for me with the 5950X abortion. But, it's probably smarter than flushing money down the toilet on a 7900 XTX. At least I'd be able to keep using Windows 7, and the Red pill is the better option on Linux from what I hear. I'd be lying if I did not admit to having curiosity, even though my appetite for risk is very low. Still, the thought of rolling the dice on a Red product makes me feel ill. The last time Team Red had a product that I actually liked, and didn't regret buying, was close to 15 years ago (Radeon HD 5870) and it was made by ATi, not AMD. On the other hand, I also know the next stop on the Green Goblin's "Via Dolorosa" is 4090 Ti. That will be out before the ink on any money spent on 4090 has had time to dry. Lots to think about. Taking time to think is smart. Thanks for the suggestion, brother.

I've seriously considered that, and Brother @johnkssshas suggested it many times. He does it, too. But, I will be the first to admit that I am a real weirdo and don't really like doing retro tech. I don't know why, but it just doesn't make me happy. Even if I gained a lot of points on HWBOT like Brother @Papusanhas, I wouldn't be content with that. It's probably related to my all or nothing, onward and upward/go big or go home character flaw. Under any other circumstances it would be a good idea. If I spend a $200-$300 buying antique GPUs for HWBOT points and shortly thereafter waste money on a 4090, then I am just wasting even more money. Plus, I'm not nearly as excited about HWBOT as I used to be because of all the idiotic politics. I also thought about saving $800 and grabbing a 7900 XTX for a benching toy, but after I look at the results there is nothing to be gained over my 3090 KPE. I'd be buying a weaker part of unproven quality, that sucks at ray tracing and one that most people don't want. (Top 10 scores for 7900 XTX are lower than my 3090 KPE scores in Time Spy, Port Royal, 3DMark 11, etc.) That's why I think doing nothing for a bit and reflecting on things before letting my passion lead me down another rabbit hole is probably a good idea.

NewEgg was not able to replace the Strix turd so they issued a refund. Huge relief that I don't have to roll the dice on another ASUS QC lottery that costs between $300 and $400 more than something from a competitor that offers equal or greater quality. I am tempted by the Suprim X (non-Liquid) in stock at the Egg, but think I am going to just sit back and ponder whether or not I actually want it bad enough to spend $1799 on that. B&H also has the 4090 Amp in stock for $1699 that is similarly appealing. Maybe if I procrastinate I will decide I don't want any 4090 bad enough to throw that kind of money on one. That's a butt-load of money to blow on a benching toy that I have no good use for otherwise. Don't need it for gaming or anything else... the 3090 and 3060 Ti both handle gaming like a champ, leaving nothing to be desired on my part, so yeah... just a crazy expensive benching toy.

I thought maybe that was all the money left after the rest was wasted on a new turdbook.

I view that as a really lame argument and you're missing the point entirely. But, it is common and that's why all laptops are BGA excrement. Consumers have bought into that line of thinking and now everyone is saddled with trash being the only option if they want a laptop. You can do what you want to if it is not BGA as long as parts are available. You can't upgrade to a better part model within a single generation if you already bought the best for that generation, but you can replace or repair those parts as needed. You can upgrade to next generation, or you can upgrade to a better version within the same generation. You can sell your 3090 and get a 3090 Ti, or wait and get a 4090 Ti, etc. And it will still have value when you replace it later. You can use is as an upgrade on a second desktop or sell it for probably half or more than what you paid for it. You have options. With the turdbook, it will be worth less than half what you paid for it, maybe less than half, when you are ready to replace it. You cannot upgrade it or affordably repair it and you lose more money in the long run. The laptop OEMs know this and make more money in the long run. That's why they enjoy screwing everyone that buys their garbage. Right. All or most of my components get a double-life. Most of the parts span multiple upgrades and an upgrade of one machine either results in sale of the parts removed, or an automatic upgrade of my second system and sale of the parts removed from that one. Lots of flexibility and options. Not a dead-end, throw-away compromise that loses value faster than a used car and performs poorly (less than what is is capable of) due to poor engineering, gimped firmware, and the manufacturer focusing on form over function. I am fine with people choosing to take that path. It's their money and their choice. I'm just not fine with it being the only option available or the rationalization that it is OK that laptops are all BGA garbage because of [insert lame excuse]. I paid $500 for my turdbook. It's available when I need it, and I don't need to pretend it is a "desktop replacement" because it isn't. It's a $500 mobile solution for isolated needs. It will play games if there is some weird reason I would need to use it for that. If it could not and I can't do without playing games for a few days, then I need help with other personal problems, LOL.

Looks like EK is now offering a direct die AIO kit for the people that are scared of going the custom loop route.

Because you are not alone in having lowered personal standards of acceptability (it is very common) BGA feces has become the new normal and now the only options available for purchase are rubbish. It has nothing to do with whether or not these turdbooks perform well. It is about how they are made, and why they are made as they are, that make them unacceptable. The bar is set as low as it can go now. Think about if you had received a horrible CPU sample instead of your golden chip, or the trash Strix 4090 that I returned to NewEgg for a refund (payment currently pending). What are your chances of being able to return the laptop because the silicon sample for the CPU or GPU (or both) is lousy and it doesn't overclock worth a darn? Or, you decide you don't like how it is made in some other way and wish you had made a different choice? You cannot sell the CPU or GPU, or return them, or exchange them. They are permanently integrated into the mainboard. If either one of them die outside of warranty, you cannot replace them with a new or used part like you can if they are not BGA. There is no opportunity for mitigation of your bad luck or poor purchasing decision. With replaceable components the CPU or GPU can be the same, better, maybe newer, or older and less expensive, a new part or a used part... your choice. The BGA turdbooks are dead-end, one-shot wonders. You draw a short straw and you're screwed. Need a new GPU outside of the warranty? Are you going to pay $1200-$1800 (or more) to revive an obsolete product with a replacement mainboard, then hope/pray that the CPU and GPU attached to that mainboard are not crappy samples? Or, are you just going to go vomit up another $2500-$3500 for a whole new turdbook? I'm not OK with that. Neither option is good or acceptable. It is difficult for me to understand how anyone could be OK with that. That's just really messed up IMHO. I know it doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things, but I disagree with that statement. I do not believe they are cool and there is nothing that can be done to convince me that they are. If the person buying that believes it, then that's all that really matters. It's their money. Not my problem, other than there are no acceptable options. But, either way, thinking they are cool is not a legitimate basis for rationalizing the acceptance of an inferior engineering concept or greed-serving design model. If what people like me think about this mattered, then we wouldn't be left with exclusively disgusting castrated turdbooks as the only options to choose from.

I'm at the point now where I actually don't really care anymore. Even when good laptops were available they required compromises that I am no longer willing to make because I don't need to. I can use a cheap piece of crap for mobility when it is necessary. Otherwise, there is no good logic for making compromises. If I were still traveling and away from home 70-75% of the month I would feel differently and be extremely disappointed rather than not caring. But, it doesn't really affect me now, so that is why I don't care. It sucks real bad for those it does affect. People that it shouldn't affect because they do not travel extensively and need mobility should stop wasting their money on turdbook garbage. Stop feeding the pig!

It changes throughout the day. RIght now it is 31°C. Around 3:00 PM my office was 80°F and the water was 36°C. If you want to due a true comparison, you'll also need to set the core voltage to 1.365V static. I don't have a CPU that can run voltage as low as yours. VCCSA 1.300V, power limit is 4095W (PL1 and PL2) and amps (current limit) are maxed out, VDROOP disabled and Intel Guardband disabled. My memory is clocked to 8000 CL35-48-48-42 and 1.475V, which will also increase the CPU temperature. I almost bought one of these. Based on Steve's review, I think I still want one. It doesn't look as nice as the Intel A770 but it looks like Acer did a really nice job on it.

Around 32°C. My office is hot (78°F) and I'm not running the chiller because that would just make my office hotter. Congratulations, brother. Nice job!

I'm glad they fixed their issues with the LGA 1700 block. The first revision that they ripped me off on was an absolutely worthless piece of trash. The 10th Gen was amazing. I got mine from EKWB and installed it last night. I really like it. Super well-made and works nicely. Knocked about 6-8°C off my max load temps and about 3-5°C lower on my idle temps. It came with Conductonaut and I used it, but I see now why I stopped using it and went back to Liquid Pro. It is too watery and core temps are less uniform. If it doesn't even out I will probably remove the Conductonaut and replace it with Liquid Pro. But, yeah... good results for sure. Ambient temperature in my office is 75°F (25°C) right now.

Yes, it absolutely does support DX12. There are games that run it on Windows 7. Gears 5 is one example. I have tested it and it works better on Windows 7 than it does on Windows 10 or 11 (not surprise here). Same with resizable bar support. Everything is supported by Windows 7. The problem is that we are being lied to. Constantly. By complusive, habitual, compulsive liars who do not deserve the air that they breathe. Yes, you know me well. Black with white light, or black with no light is what I like. Use OpenRGB. Don't install the garbage from ASUS for the lighting. You do not have to run it except when you want to change the lighting. Whenever possible I avoid using the RGB headers on my motherboard and use a cheap external controller so that no software is needed. I have my EKWB GPU block on the 3060 Ti and the EKWB Velocity block connected to that and I just push the buttons on it to make it static white. I only need to use OpenRGB if I have a GPU that has RGB controlled through the PCIe slot. With aftermarket waterblocks, you generally use a separate cable for RGB and I like that better than being native to the GPU.

Nope, no rule against it. Windows 7 rules with CPU performance and it shows in things like wPrime and 3DMark 11 and Sky Diver physics performance. W8, 10 and 11 suck and get utterly destroyed by W7. The reason Time Spy won't run on W7 is they know it would totally wreck the scores submitted with W10 and W11.

I don't think he knows what he is talking about. Lack of experience with EVGA as a company and their excellent support, and lack of experience with how to get the right results with the EVGA firmware are pretty evident. If you learn how to use it, I think it is better. What I think he is right about though, is a noob that doesn't know what they are doing should not buy a EVGA Dark motherboard. It is not designed with gaming as a focus. It is not built for weekend warrior nonsense like TVB overclocking or applying an XMP profile and calling it good. It is built for overclocking and manual tuning. Period. They won't be happy because it works different than an ASUS mobo and they won't get any help figuring out what they need to do differently to get the results they are looking for. The real problem with ASUS is QC, reliability and truly horrible anti-customer warranty support. Their community is nice, but it doesn't do jack when the part fails and ASUS treats you like crap. It seems evident to me that they don't care about the people that buy their products. Their behavior leaves room for no other conclusion. While excusing themselves from GPU sales rather than kneel to NVIDIA may ultimately hurt EVGA in the long run, I respect them immensely for refusing to become a boot-licker. That might not keep them in business, but I wish more AIB GPU partners would take their approach and either tell NVIDIA to take a hike, or join force to form a mutiny, ignore NVIDIA and do things the right way. They won't though. They're too busy kissing booty with the Jolly Green Giant and the Redmond Reprobates to do the right thing. It really boils down to what you are willing to put up with. Seeing how you spent so much time and effort to get higher benchmark scores, I can pretty much guarantee you that installing Windows 11 is not going to help you accomplish that. By default, it will take you in the extact opposite direction. If you want to just install the OS and use it and don't care about the intent behind the design of it, and you're just going to play games and use it, and don't care about getting the best benchmark scores, then it is really nothing more than an extra-ugly reskinned version of Windows 10 with added telemetry, extra bloat and a default GUI that is less functional. The worst part of it is how insanely ugly and dumbed-down it is by default. I won't use it that way. It's absolutely disgusting. All that said, if you actually want to tweak the snot out of it, enjoy breaking things on purpose, and enjoy spending the time and effort needed you can make it perform pretty much the same as Windows 10. This is where I am on the spectrum. I want to break things in Windows 11, and I want to do things with it that the idiots that made it do not approve of. I know the Redmond Rugrats are never going to do what is best for anyone except for themselves. They do not care about doing the right thing. They do not care about user privacy, and they could not care any less what users want or don't want in the OS. So, I am also concurrently focusing on making Linux a replacement for Windows so that when it gets to the point that I am done with their nonsense I am prepared to live life without Micro$lop feces. They are not deserving of any form of acknowledgement, respect or consideration, so we should give them any.

Right. You can't truly fix everything that is wrong with it. You are merely treating symptoms and not curing the disease. All you can do is make it less disgusting visually and less inefficient to navigate. You can remove or disable some things, but it's still going to ultimately be the same botched up and bloated cancer OS under the hood. In additional to removing Defender AV, there are dozens of worthless services that can be removed, or disabled if the idea of actually physically deleting Services scares you. And, you can remove garbage like the free M$ Office, OneNote, OneDrive, Teams and Edge browser using Revo Uninstaller Pro. You can also disable Micro$lop Updates. A side benefit to removing Defender AV is that it often seems to break cumulative update packages. They will try to install and fail, so that is a good enough reason all by itself. If you want to update the OS you can always download the ISO from Micro$lop and do an in-place upgrade, but then you have to go back and redo a lot of what you spent time tweaking. But, you won't have to reinstall most software applications. An in-place upgrade usually requires reinstalling StartAllBack and redoing the tweaks.

Nice scores. Looks like a very good GPU, as it should be for the price. Probably best to use anti-sag bracket anyway as you have, just to keep stress of the weight off of the PCIe slot even though sagging is not an issue with the stiff GPU. While it won't fix the underlying issues with the OS in general, StartAllBack will fix the most troubling (disgusting) aesthetic aspects of the atrociously ugly GUI. You can use the script to remove/destroy Defender AV as well, and that help fix some things.