EK Water-Cooling Kits

[-rascal-]

I've used one or two AIO's in the past (I just threw a NZXT X61 in for my i5-4690K not too long ago and pushed it up to 4.8 GHz), and but the expandable AIO's really tickles my fancy. That said, with two Swiftech H220's suffering from pre-mature failure within 24 ~ 48 hours, that has kind of pushed me away from expandable liquid cooling kits for a few years...until now.

 

Initially, I had planned to grab myself a 240 mm EK Predator, but they ran out of stock at NCIX.

They then become End-of-Life before re-stock, and projected to be replaced by the upcoming EK-MLC line-up in Q2 2017...as confirmed by our @EK Luc.

 

I really want to get a better cooler so I could push my i7-6800K a bit more.

The idea was to get a Hyper 212 EVO as short-term (e.g. one month), and get hold of a EK Predator...but as mentioned above, things changed.

In the heat of things, I began looking at the NZXT X61, and X62...hoping to possibly use that as substitute until the EK-MLC's come out....

 

The NZXT X62 is already going to cost me ~$200+ Canadian Pesos (yes, cuz craptacular USD exchange rate), so might as well spend a little more, and get a full custom liquid cooling kit. I'd have to buy a X61 / X62, then grab a EK-MLC cooler when THAT becomes available.

 

Why not just get a full water cooling kit at that point?

 

I am looking at the 240 / 280 / 360 kits from the Slim (S), Liquid (L), and Performance (P) series.

The clear tubing, higher-end CPU block, and more importantly, the better pump is making me lean towards the P-series kits.

Unfortunately, there seems to be a significant price jump going from the L-series up to the P-series, and I am wondering if the extra cost is worthwhile.

 

For an example:

The S240  goes for $243.99, and the S360 for $268.39

EK L240 is $292.79 USD and the EK P240  goes for $426.99.

THEN a step up, the 'Extreme Series' X240 is $439.19 -- but the thicker radiator may be a problem.

 

For now, I plan to JUST cool my i7-6800K...my two Sapphire NITRO R9-Fury's are still doing okay on air.

240 mm, 280 mm, and 360 mm radiators shouldn't be too much of a problem since I am using a Phanteks Enthoo Pro LUXE Tempered Glass case.

I feel like 240 or 360 is the way to go, as 120 mm fans are more widely available (IMO).

 

LTT community, what is your take on this ??

 

[W-L]

3 hours ago, -rascal- said:

-SNIP-

 

The P series kit is a good option and base  kit to start with, the reason for the extra cost is the D5 pump, step up to the supremacy Evo waterblock and the thicker rad. If your just going for CPU cooling a 240mm or 280mm kit is sufficient however you can add extra rads later if you plan to cool both your GPU's down the line. 

[-rascal-]

7 hours ago, W-L said:

The P series kit is a good option and base  kit to start with, the reason for the extra cost is the D5 pump, step up to the supremacy Evo waterblock and the thicker rad. If your just going for CPU cooling a 240mm or 280mm kit is sufficient however you can add extra rads later if you plan to cool both your GPU's down the line. 

 

P-series is worth the extra cost, eh?

 

Yeah, I looked into that briefly, the pump is significantly more costly compared to the DDC MX 3.1 included in the L-series.

From what I can see, the cost of the pump is the bulk of the extra cost -- the cost of block isn't as a huge difference compared to it.

You are right, I think 240mm or 280mm would be a way to go.

 

I had the 360mm in consideration...pretty much for if going for the S-series model -- to compensate the thinner radiator for more surface area.

 

Both the P-series and L-series use the same EK-CoolStream PE radiator (or what is says in the description).

You are right though, Supremacy EVO compared to the reduced cost Supremacy MX found on the L-series.

 

 

[W-L]

2 minutes ago, -rascal- said:

-SNIP-

For the pump mainly and the rad I would say so the D5 is well regarded for it's flow and silent operation when turned down to idle compared to the DCC.

[Marinatall_Ironside]

My recommendation would be to go for the L240 watercooling kit, as you should be able to fit a 240mm x 40mm thick radiator.

 

@Candren Lycosa got the EK-KIT S360 because that's all he could fit into the NZXT H440. I installed the kit and did a couple of mods to the case. If he were to go for the L360, it would be impossible to install it without significant modifications or extra mounting brackets to mount the radiator outside of the case, as he has HDD's in his system (three to be exact).

[-rascal-]

11 hours ago, JurunceNK said:

My recommendation would be to go for the L240 watercooling kit, as you should be able to fit a 240mm x 40mm thick radiator.

 

@Candren Lycosa got the EK-KIT S360 because that's all he could fit into the NZXT H440. I installed the kit and did a couple of mods to the case. If he were to go for the L360, it would be impossible to install it without significant modifications or extra mounting brackets to mount the radiator outside of the case, as he has HDD's in his system (three to be exact).

 

Hmmm...interesting; thanks for the information.

 

Oh shiiiet I said Enthoo Pro...when I actually have the MUCH larger Enthoo LUXE. RIP.  

(I initially wanted to get the Enthoo Pro)

I don't think there should be any fitment issues with the Phanteks Enthoo Luxe even if I mount a thicker radiator at the top.

 

There should be room to mount the radiator fans in between the top fan mounts and the dust filter.

[[[[[[[[[[[[ Dust Filter ]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]

 [ --- Fan --- ]  [ --- Fan --- ]

====== Top of case ======

XXXXXXX Radiator XXXXXXXX

 

Spoiler

 

On 3/28/2017 at 11:55 AM, W-L said:

For the pump mainly and the rad I would say so the D5 is well regarded for it's flow and silent operation when turned down to idle compared to the DCC.

 

I just checked EK's website again earlier today.

It looks like they reduced the price on (all) their kits!!

 

S240 $243.99 >> $199.99

S360 $268.39 >> $219.99

L280 $292.79 >> $239.99

X240 $439.19 >> $359.99

 

The price of the P240 went down by $77 USD.

I might just have to get one now then...

[-rascal-]

@W-L 

Hugh!! Order is in!

I did notice they introduced a few new kits...it still sits under the 'Performance Series', but are listed as G240, G280, G360.

 

Part specifications (e.g. G240):

• EK Supremecy MX
• EK CoolStream PE 240
• EK Vardar fans
• EK DBAY D5 PWM MX
• etc

So... the less expensive CPU block found on their L series, and a 5.25" bay reservoir instead.

$292.25 USD for the G240 versus $349.99 for the P240.

[W-L]

6 minutes ago, -rascal- said:

@W-L 

Hugh!! Order is in!

I did notice they introduced a few new kits...it still sits under the 'Performance Series', but are listed as G240, G280, G360.

 

Part specifications (e.g. G240):

• EK Supremecy MX
• EK CoolStream PE 240
• EK Vardar fans
• EK DBAY D5 PWM MX
• etc

So... the less expensive CPU block found on their L series, and a 5.25" bay reservoir instead.

$292.25 USD for the G240 versus $349.99 for the P240.

Hmm those are interesting, given the option though the tube res units would be better in terms of preventing the pump from readily passing vibrations and noise into the case. 

[bographics]

I have just installed EKWB 360 Extreme Kit on my sistem, and it keeps mu i7-6800K very cool!

 

Here is the topic for my setup