EK on the cheap

Since installation it works like charm. No leaks, no issues, everything is cool and quiet and OC well. I' g I took the plunge. When I'll flush it next year for cleaning, I'l get some angled fittings though and improve my tubing.
 
Thinking about getting this (240mm rad, cpu only), anyone else have first hand experience?

It's still a premium compared to an AIO, like the Corsair H110i v2 that's been on sale for ~$90ish. But I suppose to allure of expanding to the GPU is tempting.
 
Thinking about getting this (240mm rad, cpu only), anyone else have first hand experience?

It's still a premium compared to an AIO, like the Corsair H110i v2 that's been on sale for ~$90ish. But I suppose to allure of expanding to the GPU is tempting.
Expandability isn't the only selling point. Custom loops are far and away much better thermal performers than AIOs.
 
Expandability isn't the only selling point. Custom loops are far and away much better thermal performers than AIOs.

Not only that, but the Quality of the Parts is Usually Pretty Good. I Recommend it Highly over the aio.
 
Last edited:
I see the EK Fluid series has received a whole bunch of new connectors and stuff recently. So now with an ecosystem it seems a lot more viable compared to just 6 months ago.

Probably go for it when it’s on sale, not in a hurry now.
 
I see the EK Fluid series has received a whole bunch of new connectors and stuff recently. So now with an ecosystem it seems a lot more viable compared to just 6 months ago.

Probably go for it when it’s on sale, not in a hurry now.

Yeah it's nice the Hardware, have to say., better than I figured. And Performing Well.
 
Thinking about getting this (240mm rad, cpu only), anyone else have first hand experience?

It's still a premium compared to an AIO, like the Corsair H110i v2 that's been on sale for ~$90ish. But I suppose to allure of expanding to the GPU is tempting.
Just remember, that it will only work with reference GPUs. Also when extending, getting 2nd rad is basically a must - that single slim 240 won't let you OC cpu and gpu
 
Hi all, interesting thread, and I'd like to share my experience:
I'm new to WC, so for me price and getting a complete kit was important ... I put together a new Ryzen system some time ago, and was very interested in the EK fluid gaming series, but it didn't have Vega support.
Finally, beginning of December 2017, the A240R (Ryzen + Vega block) was available so I ordered it together with a new case (Thermaltake P3).

I'm very happy with it:
- it was a lot of fun to do
- it looks very nice, and fits nicely with my black-dark grey-red color scheme
- performance is very good IMO

For me, noise is an important factor, because my case is fairly close to my ears, it hangs at the wall, just above my monitor ... never more then a glance away :)

I'm impressed most by how silent the A240R kit is while keeping temperatures low:
During a gaming session (GPU bound) with Ryzen 1700 @3800 + Vega64 @1600, the temperatures are 55-60°C for the CPU, and 50-55°C for the GPU ... and this at 50-60% fan/pump speed.
(I'm surprised the CPU is actually hotter then the GPU)

As a side note, the biggest challenge I had was finding a good tool to control the fan speed related to temperatures (CPU/GPU).
In my last build (vertical airflow), I controlled all the fans through my motherboard fan headers with "Speedfan" depending on the CPU and GPU temperatures:
- 2x180mm case fans in the bottom of my Raven RV02-E > 1 linked to CPU T, 1 linked to GPU T
- CPU fan linked to CPU T, GPU fans linked to GPU T (aftermarket cooler was not PWM, so didn't work with GPU onboard fan header, so used motherboard fan header)
Sadly, it seems Speedfan (RIP) is no longer updated for new motherboards or monitoring chips.

The software of my Asus Crosshair Hero IV motherboard gives me no access to the GPU T, so I cannot link the fan/pump speed to the GPU T ...
After some digging around, I've found a good tool: "Argus Monitor", it's not free, but you have a 30-day trial.
With this, I've been able to create fan curves for the radiator fans and the pump, related to CPU&GPU temperatures :)
(So depending on what you prefer, you can go for lower T or less noise, or a balance)
 
Since I have a msi armor 1080ti 11g and a 7700k. I may get this kit. Thanks OP!

edit: Should I upgrade the fans on this kit to Corsair quiet edition or cougar quiet fans? I already have two 120mm cougar fans in my case that are super quiet.
 
I would wait and try them both since you have 'em and see which works better. then decide.
 
Last edited:
Since I have a msi armor 1080ti 11g and a 7700k. I may get this kit. Thanks OP!

edit: Should I upgrade the fans on this kit to Corsair quiet edition or cougar quiet fans? I already have two 120mm cougar fans in my case that are super quiet.
Be sure to check that the block in question will actually fit your card before you order. As I recall, the MSI Armor is the same as MSI's higher end custom PCB designs, and the EK aluminum block only fits the reference design (AKA Founders edition). I could be wrong about this, but you should check first. I have a couple of higher end MSI cards that are definitely different from a Founder's Edition.
 
Can the pump/res be sideways after the fill? Or does it have to be standing up all the time?
 
Just got an email back from EKWB support and this kit does not fit my card...
 
Hey guys. I just got this kit and I'm going to install it tonight to cool a 4790k at 4.5 and a 2017 Titan Xp. Its my first loop and I'm actually really looking forward to installing it. Wanted your opinion first however. I know there's probably not a wrong answer, but if it were you, would you direct your loop to cool the GPU first, then CPU, or CPU then GPU? From what I'm reading, it looks like the people who install this and cool the GPU first, it leaves the CPU running a little hot. I have the Titan overclocked to just a shade under 2100 mhz under load but in order to hold there, I have to run the fan at nearly 100% and that thing is pretty damn loud at that speed. I'm mainly looking forward to just cutting down on the noise while gaming. Anyway maybe it really doesn't matter but I wanted your 2 cents.

Looking back, I probably should have ordered another 120mm rad to place between the GPU and CPU. I'll probably add one at a later date depending on how this kit works out. Anyway, thanks in advance.
 
I would do the GPU.. the CPU ( while gaming ) work load will vary, and a couple degree's C wont matter to much.. Its your loop, you do it.. there is only 1 thing that has to happen for it to be effective.. Reservoir to Pump.. is a must.. the pump needs unrestricted supply...
 
ok man good for you man not the point of this kit man so give it rest man

Ok man just saying...more impressed with the Block really..strong top and some harder stuff. the fittings are just so so but the cool Allen idea etc. It should do you well, I just wished sent it out and they made stronger pumps with that same combo idea and easy to fill etc.
 
Last edited:
oh shut up, you are ill-informed and trying to make yourself sound cool and smart. knock it off, noob.
 
You little noob bastard...don't make me hook up the real pump lol, that china pump don't fuck around lol
 
The crazy Asian's are too intelligent man...telling ya god knows what the fuck they got over there lol
 
I saw you considering the merits of combining copper and aluminum a few threads over, so....

You cannnn...they been doing it for yearsss in the automotive world and the stuff was fine for years...before anything ever leaked or rotted out or anything like that...You're High lol
 
Last edited:
You cannnn...they been doing it for yearsss in the automotive world and the stuff was fine for years...before anything ever leaked or rotted out or anything like that...You're High lol
A car =/= a computer. The reason mixed metals work in cars is because of the cocktail of corrosion inhibitors found in automotive coolant, which is a poor choice to use as a PC coolant for a number of reasons.
 
A car =/= a computer. The reason mixed metals work in cars is because of the cocktail of corrosion inhibitors found in automotive coolant, which is a poor choice to use as a PC coolant for a number of reasons.

Well there's other stuff you can add too but some people don't tell everything they know lol, concocted homebrew solution I don't think anything will form in it, I don't think 5-10% is gonna hurt anything honestly...and hell some prevention.
 
Last edited:
I wanna save the Ek block though...man that thing leaks or that gasket get old...you'd have to like rtv silicone a gasket on that thing....or whatever other gasket maker/seal stuff.

idk some china/Lenx copper block...think they intended that with something for haswell but of course will work. Telling ya it's ok block man....it passes man lol
 
Last edited:
Back
Top