Closer Examination

The XSPC RayStorm NEO is similar in design to the other RayStorm series CPU blocks, with the difference being that it is tuned to a different aesthetic while retaining the same cooling engine as the RayStorm Pro. The mounting/hold down bracket here comes in either chrome or a dark chrome finish that is plated machined aluminum, and the glossy finish means that it is a fingerprint magnet. It is also easy to wipe off, thankfully, so feel free to handle it with your bare hands to then wipe it clean post installation. The dark chrome also hides them fairly well and looks nice enough to where I would not have it any other way personally.

The bracket is not held in place by anything, so you can easily take it off the actual CPU block component that is more of a rectangular cuboid in shape. A polished acrylic top with the XSPC logo and product name etched into it greets you here. There are two BSP G1/4" threaded ports, with the inlet port having an arrow pointing towards it. The two ports are separated away from each other to where all but the largest of fittings are compatible, and with the lack of interest in larger 1/2" x 3/4" soft-tubing compression fittings today, that is no longer a concern. You get a good view of the copper cold plate underneath from the top as well, which also means you'll get a good view of the coolant passing through it.


From the side, we can see the two holes for the provided RGB LEDs. These holes are on the block and bracket and thus help keep the two together as well when the LEDs are in. Turning the block over, we see a protective plastic wrap on the copper cold plate to keep it pristine and free of oxidation when used. Taking it off, a mirror finish on the cold plate can be seen.


As always, full disassembly was done post-testing. The block itself is held in place with four stainless steel hex screws (2 mm). The RayStorm Neo, as with just about any CPU block today, employs a jetplate design to split the flow in the middle, going across the microchannels in the cold plate and joining at the periphery to exit out the other port. The top has notches built into the central section to keep the jetplate in place, which in turn is 0.92 mm thick. There are O-rings in place to make sure the coolant flows only where it should and does not leak out. The cold plate is relatively thin, coming in at 55.7 x 56 x 3 mm with 54 microchannels occupying a surface area of 31.2 x 47.8 mm in size.

When re-assembling, just remember to put the O-rings back in place if they got dislodged and reverse these steps accordingly. As always, TechPowerUp is not liable for any issues that arise from your disassembly of the waterblock.