EK Watercooling kits?

[aznsniper911]

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/12368/ex-wat-164/Ek_H30_Supreme_HF_360_Advanced_Liquid_Cooling_Kit_ EK-KIT_H3O_-_Supreme_HF_360.html?tl=g30c83
Yes I know why a kit? Well I'm on a budget and I have to admit pretty scared to anything like this without an instruction booklet. How does this kit do in terms of price to performance?

[Church]

I might be wrong, but you can check out also XSPC Rasa 750 kits. IIRC they were a tad cheaper, if you are looking for price/performancy foremost.

[aznsniper911]

I might be wrong, but you can check out also XSPC Rasa 750 kits. IIRC they were a tad cheaper, if you are looking for price/performancy foremost.

I was thinking of spending $200-300 since this Corsair A70 isn't cutting it out and I'm tired of big bulky air cooler.

[penguins]

I feel you bro,

I went watercooling Kit the first 2 times I watercooled.

Problem was it was a huge mistake both times. I was never satisfied with what I had, I kept having to switch things out.
While I am like that slightly

I Have a 40 year old car with a brand new engine, I like to fix things up and change em around.

But when it comes to a watercooling kit, it's almost always a waste of money.

Back way when I got mine they all had aluminum parts, copper parts, nickel plalted this, gold plated that. and it was all bs.

Now you actually have some kits that aren't complete junk.

CPU only systems like the XSPC Rasa kit. for the money you can't beat a CPU only kit.

cept.. the pump kinda sucks(quiet tho & will do what it's designed to do, cool a cpu).. and the RS isn't made for really quiet fans.. albeit almost the same as a Swiftech MRC 'quiet power'

Will you be disapointed with the EK kit? most likely no. The Heralded Top performer within a fraction of a Degree C, great looking ... everything. Will you wish you had some other parts? possibly.

You need a
Cpu block
enough tubing
strong enough pump ( hard to get a bad one now a days, ddc, d5, whatever ek uses :P all good )
radiator enough to dissipate your heat with the fin count for the speed of fans you want to use. ( loud = high fins per inch, quiet = low fpi + more radiator )
Barbs & Clamps or Compression fittings
reservoirs are always nice
and fans.

and wether you get a kit or not, get a tubing cutter. Screw scissors.

[Tackleberry]

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/12368/ex-wat-164/Ek_H30_Supreme_HF_360_Advanced_Liquid_Cooling_Kit_ EK-KIT_H3O_-_Supreme_HF_360.html?tl=g30c83
Yes I know why a kit? Well I'm on a budget and I have to admit pretty scared to anything like this without an instruction booklet. How does this kit do in terms of price to performance?

Looking at other companies that offer complete kits, EK's is one of best IMO.
If you calculate overall costs of EK content it gets considerably cheaper when you buy the whole kit.
It has great CPU block, powerfull pump (so you can get system upgraded later),
fairly well performed radiator, nice plated fittings,...

[Nickel020]

It really is a good kit, and the price is good, too. The only thing you may want to change is the fans, but other than that, every component is very solid.

[aznsniper911]

Sounds like almost a done deal. How well would it compare to a high end air cooler?

[jumper2high]

Some of the EK kits consist of some really good components, some of which are the best parts you CAN get (like the Supreme HF). The pump is more than adequate (DCP 4.0)...actually, it's fairly good value for money.

Don't let the "kit" stigma scare you off. Not all kits are crap :)

[gabe]

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/12368/ex-wat-164/Ek_H30_Supreme_HF_360_Advanced_Liquid_Cooling_Kit_ EK-KIT_H3O_-_Supreme_HF_360.html?tl=g30c83
Yes I know why a kit? Well I'm on a budget and I have to admit pretty scared to anything like this without an instruction booklet. How does this kit do in terms of price to performance?

For only $10 more you get the H20-320 Edge kit. (on sale at www.crazypc.com)
Similar rad, and water-block perf wise, but 100% better pump. and 100% easier to install too, with professional install guide, and only 2 parts to actually install.

just my 2 cts.

[Waterlogged]

As far as kits go, it's not bad. I do have to question the fluid though...anyone remember a certain someone canceling their warranty if you used an "aggressive fluid"? :rolleyes:


For only $10 more you get the H20-320 Edge kit. (on sale at www.crazypc.com)
Similar rad, and water-block perf wise, but 100% better pump. and 100% easier to install too, with professional install guide, and only 2 parts to actually install.

just my 2 cts.

+1

I would have saved you the shameless plug Gabe but my I-net crapped out on me when I was in earlier in the day.

[aznsniper911]

For only $10 more you get the H20-320 Edge kit. (on sale at www.crazypc.com)
Similar rad, and water-block perf wise, but 100% better pump. and 100% easier to install too, with professional install guide, and only 2 parts to actually install.

just my 2 cts.

But my concern is actually performance. $10 is really nothing but which unit would give me better temperatures?

[Vapor]

Agree with Gabe and WL....the MCR Edge kits are unbeatable in terms of installation and would be my pick for a first-timer.

It has the best CPU block mounting system, no reservoir or pump to install anywhere, just two tubes to route. EK kit doesn't even compare in that sense (assembling the CPU mounting probably takes just as much time/effort as doing the whole Swiftech kit). Performance is probably even between the Swiftech Edge and the EK HF kits; Edge is definitely ahead of the EK LT kits. I believe the Swiftech pump is a topless MCP35X and therefore PWM controllable as well (via motherboard header), so if you want to quiet down the pump (not that it's loud), that's extremely easy and effective. With the EK systems, you have to undervolt the pump, which isn't nearly as easy or reliable or effective.

Alternatively, an XSPC RSxx0 750 kit would be a much lower cost option (and you could get Gentle Typhoon fans and still be way under cost of the EK/SW options) with roughly the same ease-of-installation and usability as the EK kits. Performance would probably be somewhere between the EK HF and LT kits.

Between the EK HF, Swiftech Edge, and XSPC RSxx0 750 kits, I don't think there's a way to go wrong, but I'd lean toward the Swiftech Edge for a first-timer. I'm not a fan of the EK LT or XSPC RX kits, however. EK LT isn't that much cheaper than the HF kit but there are some pretty noticeable downgrades. Conversely, going to an RX rad from an RS is probably not much of an improvement except at very low fan speeds, but the price is much higher.

[aznsniper911]

All this talk of liquid cooling, I almost forgot that I need a big case for a 120mmx3 rad....any suggestions?

[Church]

800D. For 3x120 no moding required.

[stangracin3]

800D. For 3x120 no moding required.

depends on what you like

HAF 932
800D
there are several others

[Nickel020]

The Swiftech kit includes a "rad box" that will allow you to install it externally on most cases. Take a look at Swiftech's website (http://www.swiftech.com/h2o-320-edge.aspx#tab4) to see how it works.

[Eddy_EK]

For only $10 more you get the H20-320 Edge kit. (on sale at www.crazypc.com)
Similar rad, and water-block perf wise, but 100% better pump. and 100% easier to install too, with professional install guide, and only 2 parts to actually install.

just my 2 cts.

I really thought that forums are places to discuss topics with arguments. I guess I was wrong. And I'm disappointed of those people who seem to be a "water cooling professionals".
Regarding Gabe's claims that their pump is 100% better then EKWB's, I would like to take this opportunity and ask him to elaborate his claims. You can see independent comparative test here
http://martinsliquidlab.i4memory.com/Danger-Den_CPX-Pro-Pump-Review.html
Just the end quote:
I'm really impressed with this pump for several reasons. The smaller sibling (CPX-1) has a strong reputation for being one of the quietest pumps around, and it's nice to see this larger and more powerful big brother pump follow suit. It's very similar in pumping power to that of the Laing DDC 3.2, but it does so with less power consumption/heat dump and it also already comes with G1/4 barbs. The DDCs and D5 are also excellent pumps, and now we have another one to choose from with similar excellent performance. This is an excellent all around pump for most water cooling systems. Danger Den tells me this pump will retail for around $54.95, so it's at an extremely competetive price point and would cost less than both the Laing D5 and the Laing DDC 3.2. Good news for us!! And that how other feedbacks look like.

Regarding instalation I would say that products are for different groups of PC users. One who likes technical project, design and sophistication will probably choose EKWB. And manual to that is, by our users comments, very decent.

And finally, regarding performance, I would say that both systems performance, from EKWB and Swiftech are on comparable levels.

Now, I would really like to see arguments to claims…

[gabe]

I really thought that forums are places to discuss topics with arguments. I guess I was wrong. And I'm disappointed of those people who seem to be a "water cooling professionals".

Eddy, I am sorry to read that you are "disappointed", and frankly I have neither the time nor the inclination to research all the posts throughout these forums, where you have plugged your own company or products, but I am pretty sure it is dozens of them, and I distinctly recall this to also include some posts that had Swiftech products as a topic by the way. So please tune down on the posturing. [Edit: Crazy PC is closing due to personal reasons - helping him to sell his inventory by pointing out the deals available is help to a long time friend, as well a good advice to a consummer on a tight budget]

As to quoting pumps reviews, I would also refer you to Martin's last review of the MCP35X here: http://martinsliquidlab.org/2011/02/25/swiftech-mcp-35x-reservoir/ or that of Skinnee there: http://skinneelabs.com/swiftech-mcp35x/ - [Edit, as well as: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=262536] - end Edit]

[bundymania]

Don´t forget mine -> linked in signature :)

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=262536

BTW: Package arrived, everything ok !

[gabe]

Don´t forget mine -> linked in signature :)

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=262536

BTW: Package arrived, everything ok !

sorry - I updated my post :D

[TJ TRICHEESE]

oh yea the mcp 35x is really cheap in comparison to ek's pump isn't it? :shakes:

[avddreamr]

In the end the kits have a similar level of performance.

The ek kit, has the added benefit of compression fittings, and yes it will probably be more difficult to install.

And although the mcp35x is a better performing pump, if you adjust both pumps to have similar levels of noise, I doubt the difference would prove significant on what are now both low flow blocks (due to swiftech redesign).

I wish that a kit like this was available when I first started water cooling close to a decade ago, and it's a significant step up from the corsair h50/60/70.

Think about how simple watercooling has become, there are plenty of cases that come from the factory with the ability to mount a triple radiator.
Throw in a pair of universal gpu blocks, uni-sink if necessary, and you have some impressive gear for not very much money.

It's a good time to get into this hobby thanks to companies like swiftech, ek, and xspc.

[lilmanmgf]

For 150 the rasa 360 kit is a great deal.

[penguins]

oh yea the mcp 35x is really cheap in comparison to ek's pump isn't it? :shakes:

Thanks for the un-baited trollery. The kits are $10 dollars different and comes with the better pump. Yes, it's just a sale, but that's all gabe was trying to point out. RIGHT NOW he can get the better price / performance. 3x120 and a mcp 35x? yes that is cheap in comparison.

[TJ TRICHEESE]

Then it is a good deal isn't it? The conversation was on pumps earlier, not the full kits hence I was talking about pumps.

[bundymania]

@aznsniper911: The DCP 4.0 is a powerful pump and good for most watercooling setups, even for SLI, BUT in my opinion it´s to loud @12V..louder than a Laing DDC with a good top. So when in the market for such a type of pump, i would recommend to run the pump @9V or better get the smaller version a.k.a. DCP 2.2 or the Phobya 260. Here is a good comparison between many pumps. The test is in german, but you can check out the result charts anyway:

http://www.xpert-oc-team.de/forum/index.php?area=vbcmsarea_content&contentid=71&page=8

[aznsniper911]

@aznsniper911: The DCP 4.0 is a powerful pump and good for most watercooling setups, even for SLI, BUT in my opinion it´s to loud @12V..louder than a Laing DDC with a good top. So when in the market for such a type of pump, i would recommend to run the pump @9V or better get the smaller version a.k.a. DCP 2.2 or the Phobya 260. Here is a good comparison between many pumps. The test is in german, but you can check out the result charts anyway:

http://www.xpert-oc-team.de/forum/index.php?area=vbcmsarea_content&contentid=71&page=8

Noise isn't exactly my concern. In my current rig, I have 4 delta fans that push 200+ CFM at 60 dba. Is the pump the most important part of watercooling? I mean on a budget wouldn't it be better to sacrifice a little bit here and there to have an overall balance? I was thinking of the Corsair 800D or HAF X for this setup but after looking at it how would I fill up the system in that position? I mean if I attach to the top then I can only use the side but wouldn't that be obstructed? Sorry if it sounds dumb...

[jumper2high]

Noise isn't exactly my concern. In my current rig, I have 4 delta fans that push 200+ CFM at 60 dba. Is the pump the most important part of watercooling? I mean on a budget wouldn't it be better to sacrifice a little bit here and there to have an overall balance? I was thinking of the Corsair 800D or HAF X for this setup but after looking at it how would I fill up the system in that position? I mean if I attach to the top then I can only use the side but wouldn't that be obstructed? Sorry if it sounds dumb...

You still have to have a reservoir, or at least a T-line with one end being used to fill up the system. A pump top just allows you to screw in any fitting you want (compression, angled adapter, quick disconnect) instead of being limited to the default barb intended for one size tubing only.

As for the pump being the most important component, well - the pump's reliability is basically the reliability of the entire system. Once it dies, everything stops. The water doesn't circulate, the fans can't cool that water, etc...

Some time ago, Eddy from EKWaterBlocks said that they had a very small number of returned DCP 4.0 pumps, but considering that it's a less popular pump compared to an MCP355 or MCP655, that might not mean anything yet.

[Conumdrum]

azn maybe needs a primer on watercooling?

http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6489396&postcount=3

[PatRaceTin]

good to see both gabe & eddy present their product

[aznsniper911]

I get the general gist of water-cooling. If you look at the h20-320 your going to see it has a built in pump and resvivor. I wanted to mount everything inside the case which means it has to be mounted ontop. I'm just wondering how would I fill the resvivor if ita mounted ontop without modding the case.It seems that the holes for the fillport/resvivor is obstructed if I mounted inside the case.

[Church]

Want to get by without any modding at all? Hmm, try using some T line for filling?

[Conumdrum]

I get the general gist of water-cooling. If you look at the h20-320 your going to see it has a built in pump and resvivor. I wanted to mount everything inside the case which means it has to be mounted ontop. I'm just wondering how would I fill the resvivor if ita mounted ontop without modding the case.It seems that the holes for the fillport/resvivor is obstructed if I mounted inside the case.

Yep, looks like some drilling is needed. It's also deeper than most rads because of the res on top. So adding fans could cause a problem depending on how high the mobo is in the case.

A T line won't help since it's all on the top anyway.

[Church]

Conumdrum: why it wouldn't help? T-line can be long, and during filling up it can be flexibly put higher then rad. Top it off while filling, close it, put somewhere in case to be able to close it.

[Conumdrum]

If the pump is at the top, then the fill line will fill but can't get the bubbles out of the rad unless the top res port is opened. In this situation it's not practical. Thats all.