For enthusiasts and professionals alike, water cooling represents the peak of PC thermal management, a touch below exotic cooling. Still, its an artform and with the liquid cooling industy slowly being more congested yet still welcoming new players, one of the stalwart contributors to this niche and growing field is Marc Gaser: the founder, designer, and sole force behind Liquid Extasy.
Update: added some newer product photos from the store
Based in Magdeburg, Germany, Marc has turned his childhood passion into a business that delivers precision-engineered custom waterblocks and distribution plates with a special personal touch as Marc is one of the few,ย IF NOT, the only maker of legacy waterblocks for legacy systems as well unorthodox form factors.
In this interview, we sit down with Marc to explore his journey, his design philosophy, and what makes Liquid Extasy stand out in the competitive world of PC cooling solutions.
Q: Could you introduce yourself and tell us about Liquid Extasy?
Marc Gaser:
“Liquid Extasy is a one-man show, and Iโm based in Magdeburg, Germany. I work with three CNC machines and focus on custom-made waterblocks, as well as distro plates and backplates. I also produce custom wooden and aluminum parts if needed.”
Q: What inspired you to start making custom PC waterblocks?
Marc Gaser:
“As a kid, I always wanted water cooling, but it was quite expensive back then. When I was 16, I started an apprenticeship and learned how to handle copper. I built my first waterblock for Socket 462 using a small machine. I shared pictures of it online, and people started asking me to make waterblocks for themโso I did.”
Q: How do you approach the design process for a new waterblock, and what factors do you prioritize?
Marc Gaser:
“The first step is to digitize the GPU or motherboard using a digital measuring stick. This takes about one to two hours and ensures that I have accurate measurements. Then, I design the cooler in CAD, which takes three to six hours. Copper is expensiveโโฌ25 per kiloโso I focus on minimizing material usage while optimizing flow performance.”
Q: What materials do you prefer for your waterblocks, and why?
Marc Gaser:
“For the cold plate, copper is the only optionโitโs affordable and has great thermal characteristics. For durability, I prefer acetal for the top; itโs practically indestructible. However, for those who want crystal-clear parts, I offer acrylic, though it comes with some durability risks.”
Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you face in designing and manufacturing waterblocks?
Marc Gaser:
“Accuracy is the biggest challenge. You donโt know if your construction fits until youโve tested the waterblock in real life. My tolerance is ยฑ50 microns. Coding the CNC machine is another challengeโone mistake in the parameters, and you could waste an hour of coding, โฌ100 of copper, and four hours of machining time.”
Q: Have you developed any innovative features or technologies for your waterblocks?
Marc Gaser:
“Innovation is a big word, but Iโm proud of a few contributions. I developed the Alphacool Smart Motion, though that partnership didnโt work out. Later, I created my own waterblock, the VUCI, which is versatile, affordable, and even works with some GPUs. I was also the first to include PCB images in product descriptions, helping customers verify compatibility.”
Check out the VUCI Waterblock at Liquid Extasy
Q: How do you test the performance of your waterblocks?
Marc Gaser:
“I use FurMark, 3DMark, Afterburner, and Prime95, along with HWiNFO for monitoring. My test setup includes an Aquastream Ultra pump and a 360mm Monsta radiator. This setup works well for most GPUs, even high-TDP cards like the RTX 3090 Ti.”
Q: How do you see the demand for custom cooling solutions evolving?
Marc Gaser:
“As long as you can deliver quickly, custom-made blocks are the future. Over the last five to six years, weโve seen more companies entering the market with blocks for custom PCBs. A finely structured cold plate gives you a competitive edge.”
Q: What advice would you give to someone looking to get into custom PC building or water cooling?
Marc Gaser:
“Find a business partner. Itโs too much work to handle aloneโyou need someone to manage production and someone else for office tasks. Trying to do everything yourself, as I do, is tough and affects delivery times.”
Q: Whatโs next for Liquid Extasy?
Marc Gaser:
“The next project is the CPU Waterblock No. Unoโit outperforms the Alphacool Core 1 in my tests. Iโm also working on integrating aRGB lighting into GPU waterblocks, with new designs coming in April.”
Quarter-of-a-Decade Strong
Marc Gaserโs journey with Liquid Extasy is a testament to passion, perseverance, and innovation. From humble beginnings crafting his first waterblock to leading a respected custom cooling brand, Marc has carved a unique niche in the PC industry. Liquid Extasyโs blend of precision engineering and customer-centric design makes it a standout name in custom cooling, with exciting developments on the horizon.
For more insights and updates from Marc and Liquid Extasy check out the website at http://www.liquidextasy.de/. For German-speaking folks, you can visit Marcโs forum thread for a direct-line with his updates.