[killernoodle]

I see how the heat spreads out in a circular pattern kinda, but I dont understand how it spreads to the sides before the fin right above the core.

What is this a representation of? Is it just heat spreading on a bare waterblock or does the block have simulated coolant running through it?

EDIT: as for the comment about not being able to machine the block with current methods available, die casting seems to be a likely alternative. A rough casting of a block would then be machined on the bottom for flatness and around the core area for a good seal, but the actual cooling structures would benefit from the roughness of the casting: creating more surface area and turbulence than the machined block.

I have read a little on casting, and they say that copper has ideal casting properties, yet it takes a lot more than a wood fire to melt. MAPP gas can be used in the melting process, and a carbon basin will be needed to hold the copper to be melted. Another good thing about this is that you can stick a messed up waterblock in the basin for re-melting into a new waterblock. This would also save on material cost, as you could easily go to home depot and buy some copper pipe to stick in there and melt. A master mold could be made and you could easily sell the blocks in mass quantity due to the simplicity of repeating the process.

Molds can be made from simple clay, then a releasing agent is applied to the mold, then the copper is poured in and allowed to cool, then the mold is split apart and bingo! waterblock.

I assume this process would be less labor intensive, quicker, more repeatable, and most importantly, cheaper than actually machining all those little channels with a <1mm endmill.