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Freedom251 › Blog › AMD

Thermal Grizzly Mycro Pro Stainless Steel CPU Water Blocks: What the Lower Price Does—and Doesn’t—Prove

By Freedom251 Team · · 4 min read

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Thermal Grizzly’s Mycro Pro Stainless Steel is a copper-coldplate CPU water block for a custom liquid-cooling loop, sold in separate AMD and Intel versions. Its bare, unplated copper is intended to reduce manufacturing cost and may offer a slight heat-transfer advantage over nickel-plated copper, according to Thermal Grizzly. That design rationale is not proof that the block matches or beats a particular competitor: no independent comparative test with a named rival is established here.

What “same performance, lower price” means here

The title’s performance-parity claim needs qualification. Thermal Grizzly says omitting nickel plating can provide a slight performance advantage compared with a nickel-plated cooler plate, while also reducing production cost. That is the manufacturer’s explanation of the design, not a controlled test showing equivalent performance to a competing block. The available information does not establish a named competitor, test system, coolant temperature, CPU power, pump or flow conditions, mounting method, or repeatability.

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Price is also regional and time-sensitive. Thermal Grizzly’s English US AMD product page displayed $116.88 including VAT and excluding shipping; its German AMD page displayed €99.90 including VAT and excluding shipping. These are storefront snapshots, not a like-for-like comparison with another product or a promise of today’s price. Compare the correct socket-specific SKU in the same region, including tax and shipping, before treating it as cheaper.

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Which version fits your CPU?

Version Supported sockets Heatspreader and use
AMD AM4 and AM5 Compatible with the AM5 High Performance Heatspreader. Not intended for direct-die use.
Intel LGA1700, LGA1851, and LGA1954 Compatible with Intel High Performance Heatspreader V1 for LGA1700. The flow inlet is optimized for LGA1851 with the standard heatspreader and can also be used with LGA1700 CPUs. Not intended for direct-die use.

These are CPU blocks for a custom loop, not complete coolers: you need a compatible pump, radiator, reservoir, tubing, fittings, and coolant. Both blocks use standard G1/4-inch inlet and outlet threads. Check the current product compatibility list, socket mounting, fittings, and case and component clearances before buying.

#1 Best Overall
Thermal Grizzly Mycro Pro RGB - CPU AMD AM5 Waterblock Also fits AM4 - G1/4 High Performance Liquid Cooling Block, Precision-Machined Nickel-Plated Copper Cold Plate, 0.2 mm Microfins and Filter
  • HIGH-PERFORMANCE CPU WATER BLOCK FOR CUSTOM LOOPS - Mycro Pro RGB is designed for AMD AM5, compatible with AM4, and built for high-end custom liquid cooling systems requiring efficient heat dissipation
  • 68 MICROFINS WITH 0.2 MM STRUCTURE FOR MAXIMUM HEAT TRANSFER - Precision-machined nickel-plated copper cold plate increases surface area and ensures efficient thermal performance under load
  • INTEGRATED FINE MESH FILTER FOR CLEAN FLOW - The inlet filter helps trap particles and supports consistent coolant flow through the microfin structure
  • G1/4 THREADS FOR EASY LOOP INTEGRATION & ARGB LIGHTING - Standardized ports ensure compatibility with custom loops, while the RGB window adds a clean illuminated look to your build
  • PREMIUM MATERIALS FOR RELIABLE PERFORMANCE - Acrylic, aluminum, nickel-plated copper and EPDM O-rings provide durability and stability for demanding cooling setups

How the Stainless Steel block is built

Thermal Grizzly describes three main parts: a copper base plate, a stainless-steel cooler plate and housing made from S304, and an anodized aluminum mounting frame. The steel body has two G1/4-inch ports, each 6 mm deep; the seals are EPDM. The coldplate’s channel/slit and fin widths are specified as 0.2 mm. The manufacturer lists 68 microfins for AMD and 70 for Intel. Those are design specifications, not independent performance measurements.

The copper coldplate is unplated. Thermal Grizzly says that skipping nickel plating lowers production cost and can make heat transfer more direct. Bare copper can discolor through oxidation, especially if handled with bare skin; hold the block by its anodized aluminum frame. This finish choice is a practical trade-off, not a demonstrated guarantee of lower CPU temperatures.

Rank #2
Thermal Grizzly Mycro Pro RGB - CPU Waterblock for Intel LGA1851/1700 - G1/4 High Performance Liquid Cooling Block, Precision-Machined Nickel-Plated Copper Cold Plate, 0.2mm Microfins and Filter
  • HIGH-PERFORMANCE CPU WATER BLOCK FOR CUSTOM LOOPS - Mycro Pro RGB is designed for Intel LGA 1851, compatible with LGA 1700, and built for high-end custom liquid cooling systems requiring efficient heat dissipation
  • 70 MICROFINS WITH 0.2 MM STRUCTURE FOR MAXIMUM HEAT TRANSFER - Precision-machined nickel-plated copper cold plate increases surface area and ensures efficient thermal performance under load
  • INTEGRATED FINE MESH FILTER FOR CLEAN FLOW - The inlet filter helps trap particles and supports consistent coolant flow through the microfin structure
  • G1/4 THREADS FOR EASY LOOP INTEGRATION & ARGB LIGHTING - Standardized ports ensure compatibility with custom loops, while the RGB window adds a clean illuminated look to your build
  • PREMIUM MATERIALS FOR RELIABLE PERFORMANCE - Acrylic, aluminum, nickel-plated copper and EPDM O-rings provide durability and stability for demanding cooling setups

Price and package details

On the official English US AMD page, the displayed price was $116.88 including VAT and excluding shipping; the German AMD page displayed €99.90 including VAT and excluding shipping. The launch announcement also showed $116.88 for both versions in its English storefront content. These figures reflect different regional storefront contexts and may change. No same-market competitor price comparison is established.

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The AMD product page identifies the SKU as TG-MY-P-ST-001 and EAN 4260711994425. Its listed package contents are the block, a pressure-test certificate for 600 mbar, 2 mm and 2.5 mm Allen keys, and mounting hardware: thumb nuts, #6-32 standoffs, steel springs, and polyamide M4 washers. Confirm the package and current price on the product page for the specific version you intend to buy.

Rank #3
Thermal Grizzly Intel Mycro Direct-Die Pro RGB V1 Water Cooler – Nickel-Plated Copper Base, Optimized for Intel LGA1700 Platform, Enhanced Cooling Fins, Low Flow Resistance, RGB Lighting
  • Optimized for Intel LGA1700 Platform: Specifically designed to provide efficient cooling for Intel 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen CPUs.
  • Direct-Die Cooling: Mounts directly onto the delidded CPU chip, ensuring superior heat transfer and lower operating temperatures.
  • Nickel-Plated Copper Base Plate: Features a nickel-plated copper cold plate that prevents gallium-based liquid metal diffusion, enhancing durability.
  • Enhanced Micro Cooling Fins: Incorporates more micro cooling fins with optimized slot width, increasing surface area for better heat dissipation.
  • Low Flow Resistance Design: Engineered with a jet system and optimized cooling channels to reduce flow resistance, improving cooling efficiency.

Loop compatibility, setup, and safety

  • Avoid aluminum in the wetted loop: Thermal Grizzly says not to use the block with aluminum-based water-cooling components where coolant contacts aluminum.
  • Choose suitable coolant: Use coolant containing biocides and corrosion inhibitors, and avoid particles that could restrict flow or clog the loop.
  • Pressure-test before filling: The AMD product notes specify an air-pressure leak test at no more than 0.5 bar for at least one hour before filling. Check regularly for leaks during the first 24 hours.
  • Stay within the operating limit: Thermal Grizzly states that loop operating pressure must not exceed 0.6 bar.
  • Handle the copper carefully: Hold the block by its anodized frame to reduce skin-contact discoloration of the bare copper base.

Follow the instructions supplied for the exact model and verify that every component in the loop is compatible before operation.

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How it differs from the Mycro Pro RGB

The Mycro Pro RGB is a separate design, not an RGB option that should be assumed to share the Stainless Steel block’s construction or performance. Compare the exact product’s materials, socket support, fit, and features rather than transferring specifications between the two lines. Thermal Grizzly’s RGB announcement does not establish performance results for the Stainless Steel version.

Best Value
Thermal Grizzly Intel 1851 Mycro Direct-Die Pro RGB V1 Water Cooler with Nickel-Plated Copper Base and Micro Cooling Fins - Made in Germany
  • Optimized for Intel LGA1851 platform - ensuring seamless compatibility and superior cooling performance for your delidded CPU.
  • Features a nickel-plated copper base plate - with micro cooling fins, providing efficient heat dissipation and low flow resistance.
  • Direct-die mounting design - places the cooler directly on the CPU chip, minimizing thermal resistance for optimal cooling.
  • Integrated RGB lighting - controllable via 3-pin ARGB header (+5V/DATA/GND), allowing for customizable illumination to match your system's aesthetics.
  • High-quality acrylic and anodized aluminum construction - ensures durability and long-term reliability.
Rank #4
Alphacool Core 1 Aurora CPU Water Block and Thermal Grizzly AM5 Contact Sealing Frame Bundle, Black
  • This bundle includes the Core 1 Aurora CPU Water Block and Thermal Grizzly AM5 contact frame
  • CPU water block for Intel and AMD sockets
  • Features digital RGB lighting
  • Dimensions: 72 x 72 x 26.50mm
  • The contact frame replaces the mainboards stock ILM to improve the cooling performance of CPU coolers through optimized contact pressure

Who should consider it?

  • A possible fit: You are building a custom loop, need the AMD or Intel socket support listed above, want a copper coldplate without nickel plating, and have verified the rest of your loop is compatible.
  • Not a fit: You need an all-in-one cooler, want to cool a bare CPU die, or have aluminum components exposed to the coolant.
  • For a performance comparison: Treat the claimed slight advantage over nickel-plated copper as Thermal Grizzly’s design rationale. Wait for a controlled comparison that names the competing block and reports test conditions before concluding that performance is the same or better.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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AMDCPU water coolingcustom liquid coolingIntelMycro Pro Stainless SteelThermal Grizzly

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