EK-MLC Phoenix

[The Benjamins]

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EK-MLC Phoenix is a Modular Liquid Cooling line of products and the next generation of improved All-In-One water cooling solutions. It is a new lineup of pre-filled products for liquid cooling, the 2nd generation of improved EK All-In-One products. Created for the market segment of customers who are unwilling to assemble a full custom loop or don’t have enough time for maintenance of their PCs, but still insist on a high-end cooling solution. The most important feature of EK-MLC is the modular design and the ability to add multiple pre-filled water blocks in any order!

https://www.ekwb.com/news/ek-mlc-phoenix/

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The new EK-MLC or Modular Liquid Cooling lineup is bringing the anticipated pump radiator combo as a separate unit. Users will be able to select what kind of water block they want to connect to the radiator combo without draining, filling or spilling a single drop of liquid! All parts of the EK-MLC Phoneix family of products are pre-filled, making them easy to install and are maintenance free. The offer consists of three core modular units: radiator pump combo, unmatched selection of Full Cover GPU water blocks, and CPU water blocks. Buyers will be able to optimize their loop, either with only GPU cooling, only CPU cooling, or both at the same time; GPU and CPU in a single loop. This means the EK is going to offer superior GPU All-In-One liquid cooling solution, something that majority of high-end users are in need of.

 

EK just announced their all new AIO, it is a fully modular design broken up into 3 parts, The RAD and pump, CPU, and GPU. This is a full copper setup with QDC on each part for expandability. They support all new Intel sockets and AMD sockets (TR4 is standalone), and they support all of the current GPUs they already have blocks for. (15+ block designs). The MLC uses the same pump type as the FG line, the SPC Pump, and the Radiator core only needs 1 power cord to power the fans and pump. All of the tubing is attached with barb fittings not use if user reusable) and the tubing is covered in a very nice paracord like material. These are all prefilled and have a 2 year warranty.  My only issue with this AIO is the cost, if you configure a 240mm RAD + AM4 CPU + 1080Ti it is $415, and its $260 if you are just cooling the CPU, these costs is very close to using a EK kit or parting out your own setup (on the cheap end), and the whole FG line is a cheaper solution. Maybe they will make a FG line AIO with ALU to have a more cost effective AIO.

 

Check out their configurator https://www.ekwb.com/shop/aio/ek-mlc

 

 

https://www.ekwb.com/news/ek-mlc-phoenix/

https://www.ekwb.com/shop/aio/ek-mlc

[The Benjamins]

2 minutes ago, VegetableStu said:

everyone's thoughts on quick dis/connects? o_o I get the unsettling vibe that those might leak one day ._.

I never heard of issues on most PC cooling QDC, and these are medical grade QDCs.

Source is a EK rep I talked to on their discord. The reason MLC was delayed by 6 months was due to getting these QDCs

[jasonvp]

5 minutes ago, VegetableStu said:

everyone's thoughts on quick dis/connects? o_o I get the unsettling vibe that those might leak one day ._.

I've used a lot of Koolance's QDs, and they're garbage, through and through.  They jam open, and you have no idea of that until you disconnect it.  Annnnnd water everywhere.

 

Swiftech's QDs, which are far more expensive, are WAY better.  Vastly better, in fact.  I've not had a single issue with any of them other than a manufacturing goof on one of them.  I spotted it before putting it in my loop, contact Swiftech, and the overnighted me 3 replacements.  Not 1.  3.  Just in case.  And they didn't ask for the bad one back.

 

As for the QDs EK is using: I don't know.  Knowing EK's usual push for quality, I'm sure they're even better than Swiftech's.  But without testing them over the course of several months, I couldn't say.

[jasonvp]

I think this modular product is excellent for those that need a "My First Water Cooling" kit.  I like what EK's done to make it easy to snap stuff together and go.  For the beginner at water cooling, this should be an easy, if expensive choice.

 

Personally, as a slightly more advanced water cooling user, I'm not as keen on the "everything is controlled from the same PWM" bit.  Yes, it does make things very easy for folks, but I'd rather have independent control over the fans and pump.  I don't think they should be sharing a PWM signal.

[The Benjamins]

6 minutes ago, jasonvp said:

I think this modular product is excellent for those that need a "My First Water Cooling" kit.  I like what EK's done to make it easy to snap stuff together and go.  For the beginner at water cooling, this should be an easy, if expensive choice.

 

Personally, as a slightly more advanced water cooling user, I'm not as keen on the "everything is controlled from the same PWM" bit.  Yes, it does make things very easy for folks, but I'd rather have independent control over the fans and pump.  I don't think they should be sharing a PWM signal.

I am not sure if the pump is PWM controlled too, but the fans and pump and plugged into the visible splitter so you could power each fan individually.

 

[jasonvp]

15 minutes ago, The Benjamins said:

I am not sure if the pump is PWM controlled too, but the fans and pump and plugged into the visible splitter so you could power each fan individually.

The pump is PWM'd as per the warning on the site. 

 

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If PWM cable is not connected to the motherboard, pump and fans will work at maximum speed. 

 

That implies the pump is PWM'd.  You're right in that either the fans could be disconnected from the splitter and controlled independently.

[Dissitesuxba11s]

It would be nice if they had G1/4 fittings that can connect to these so that users can upgrade to a more custom waterloop if needed.

[jasonvp]

1 minute ago, Dissitesuxba11s said:

It would be nice if they had G1/4 fittings that can connect to these so that users can upgrade to a more custom waterloop if needed.

That's decidedly not the point of this kit.  It's a single pump and a single radiator (of whatever size).  Putting more than a CPU and a single GPU on that loop, even with the 360-sized rad would be a hell of a stretch for it.  They want to make it super-simple for beginners to buy an easy-to-assemble fit, snap it together, and go.

[The Benjamins]

11 minutes ago, jasonvp said:

That's decidedly not the point of this kit.  It's a single pump and a single radiator (of whatever size).  Putting more than a CPU and a single GPU on that loop, even with the 360-sized rad would be a hell of a stretch for it.  They want to make it super-simple for beginners to buy an easy-to-assemble fit, snap it together, and go.

well you could use 2 RADs in a series, and the 1 pump should be ok with 1 rad and 3 parts.

[Dissitesuxba11s]

16 minutes ago, jasonvp said:

That's decidedly not the point of this kit.  It's a single pump and a single radiator (of whatever size).  Putting more than a CPU and a single GPU on that loop, even with the 360-sized rad would be a hell of a stretch for it.  They want to make it super-simple for beginners to buy an easy-to-assemble fit, snap it together, and go.

That makes sense. I guess I misinterpreted their intent for this. I brought this up because some people get EK's Fluid Gaming kit and find out that they cannot upgrade past what they have unless they buy another kit. Limitation of aluminum parts.

[Masada02]

1 hour ago, VegetableStu said:

everyone's thoughts on quick dis/connects? o_o I get the unsettling vibe that those might leak one day ._.

They are excellent connections. Like really really good. Designed specifically for medical use with no drips allowed when disconnecting. Flow is basically uninterrupted too. 

 

I have the original EK Predator 360 with these connections, and bought some more so I could customize stuff. They work awesome, but are not easy to get a hold of. Quite expensive too.

 

 

This MLC looks close to the old Predator pump/rad combo wise. It's worth it. Definitely a nice setup. 

[Matu20]

I love the idea that custom liquid cooling might be an actuality for even casuals.

[jasonvp]

2 minutes ago, The Benjamins said:

well you could use 2 RADs in a series, and the 1 pump should be ok with 1 rad and 3 parts.

You could do a lot of things, sure.  But that's not the intent of this kit. :-)

[The Benjamins]

7 minutes ago, jasonvp said:

You could do a lot of things, sure.  But that's not the intent of this kit. :-)

well it modular for a reason, I don't see why 2 rads, 1 CPU, 4 GPU is not a designed possibility 

[Misanthrope]

This is a neat idea I like the concept of separate parts working together.

 

My only concern is maintenance: You eventually would have to refill these somehow as I don't think you can completely prevent evaporation specially with what looks to be a small reservoir.

[jasonvp]

1 hour ago, The Benjamins said:

well it modular for a reason, I don't see why 2 rads, 1 CPU, 4 GPU is not a designed possibility 

Its modularity is limited.  The modularity is there in case you want to add a GPU to the loop.  That's it.  I'd recommend stop looking too far past what you see on EK's site.  It's pretty clear what they're up to, here.

 

Someone doing 2 rads, 1 CPU, and 4 GPUs is already considering a custom loop (or 2, if they're smart).  Those folks aren't the target market for this product.

[Misanthrope]

2 minutes ago, The Benjamins said:

well it modular for a reason, I don't see why 2 rads, 1 CPU, 4 GPU is not a designed possibility 

I think they could also recommend and sell a similarly equipped Pump/Reservoir combo that you could just add to the loop, not sure what the implications of having 2 pumps are but well you can probably disconnect the one on the radiator from the power and you're good to go.

[jasonvp]

1 minute ago, Misanthrope said:

I think they could also recommend and sell a similarly equipped Pump/Reservoir combo that you could just add to the loop, not sure what the implications of having 2 pumps are but well you can probably disconnect the one on the radiator from the power and you're good to go.

Running 2 pumps in series isn't a problem.  If you wanted more from this kit, you could buy 2 of the rad/fan/pump combos and attach them in series fairly easily.  You just have to make sure you have the goesinta and goesoutta cables connected properly.

[Misanthrope]

1 minute ago, jasonvp said:

Running 2 pumps in series isn't a problem.  If you wanted more from this kit, you could buy 2 of the rad/fan/pump combos and attach them in series fairly easily.  You just have to make sure you have the goesinta and goesoutta cables connected properly.

Well there you go: you get dual 280s or 360s of these and add 2 gpus and a cpu to the loop.

 

It seems like if you can afford such a rig you can probably afford custom but some people will like the idea of growing into the rig little bit little maybe. I hope some of the reviewers try something like this just to show the full potential of the system.

[The Benjamins]

49 minutes ago, jasonvp said:

Its modularity is limited.  The modularity is there in case you want to add a GPU to the loop.  That's it.  I'd recommend stop looking too far past what you see on EK's site.  It's pretty clear what they're up to, here.

 

Someone doing 2 rads, 1 CPU, and 4 GPUs is already considering a custom loop (or 2, if they're smart).  Those folks are the target market for this product.

I got confirmation of some stuff.

 

 

 

https://www.ekwb.com/shop/EK-IM/EK-IM-3831109863800.pdf

[jasonvp]

2 minutes ago, The Benjamins said:

I got confirmation of some stuff.

This really isn't any more confirmation of what we'd already expect.  Basically, EK is saying: "If you want to cool XX, you need at least YY."  And that's it.  Physically, you'll be able to connect any of the blocks and rads together any way you want.  But, as I mentioned, trying to cool 2 GPUs and a CPU won't be a smart idea with either of those setups.  It's too much heat load.

[Dash Lambda]

Looks like a pretty good successor to the Predator. I definitely like the braided tubing, but I do wish they stuck a bit more with the 'pre-made custom loop' sort of thing -It's of course still way better than the 'expandability' pretty much everything else has, though.

 

Spoiler

BIG

UNNECESSARY

TACKY

ANGLED-UP

GODDAMN

COVER

 

(Not a fan of that bit.)

 

[Ginger_]

Wtf are those prices?? 

 

Sorry, I'll stick with swiftech's h240 x2 which looks twice as good and cost half the price

[Doobeedoo]

It's pretty cool though. Nice to see this and for various cards too. 

[Drak3]

2 hours ago, jasonvp said:

(or 2, if they're smart)

It doesn't matter how many loops there are, so ling as coolant stays below the component temps, the loop works. One well designed loop trumps two poorly designed loops.