[Review] CPU Block Roundup #2 Begins: EK Supreme and EK Supreme LT Tested
Preface
This is a quick version of my EK Supreme and EK Supreme Testing....it's part one of my Roundup #2 of waterblock testing. I have some cool things in store for testing (including ways to significantly improve the performance of some blocks) and will be testing a lot of blocks. Anyway, I'll cut the boring parts out of the test logs and post up the EK results in this thread :)
If you have any questions, check out the full review (link above)...if they're not answered, ask away here :)
Test Results
First up, finding the best orientation for each block:
http://vapor.skinneelabs.com/i7/Roun...rientation.png
Here we can see the Supreme pulling ahead of the Supreme LT, with both showing similar losses when oriented incorrectly. The best orientation for each is positioning the barbs parallel to the top of the board (or perpendicular to the socket latch). Specifically with the LT, having flow go from right to left (from the RAM slots to the I/O ports) nets a small but noticeable improvement. This is likely because Bloomfield processors have the die off-center, closer to the RAM slots.
Now that we know which orientations are best for each block, let's run the full flowrate spectrum and see how they respond to flowrate.
- Very High Pumping Power: All three MCP355 pumps and the D5 are on at full speed--this has a very similar PQ curve to a pair of RD-30s at 20V.
- High Pumping Power: Two MCP355s with EK V2 tops are on at full speed. The other two pumps are off.
- Medium High Pumping Power: A single MCP355 with XSPC V3 top is on at full speed. The other three pumps are off.
- Medium Pumping Power: The stock D5 is on at full speed and setting 5. The other three pumps are off.
- Low Pumping Power: A single MCP355 with XSPC V3 top is on at minimum speed (~7.7V, ~2450RPM). The other three pumps are off.
- Very Low Pumping Power: The stock D5 is on at minimum speed--setting 1. The other three pumps are off.
http://vapor.skinneelabs.com/i7/Roun...Results25W.png
http://vapor.skinneelabs.com/i7/Round2/EK/EKSupreme.png
http://vapor.skinneelabs.com/i7/Roun...KSupremeLT.png
Note: I do 5 mounts at "Medium High" then take the best config of a block and test the whole flow spectrum (after a TIM curing session) then realign that curve with average of the 3 median mounts to give you the "Adjusted" data.
Other Graphs
More graphs for your enjoyment...let's start with reusing the flow vs. temperature data, but including pump heatdump (i.e., CPU vs. air temps). I have two iterations of it: CPU temperatures vs. my air temperatures and a setup with my water-to-air delta included twice more. The latter is to mimic a setup with one third the radiator power of my setup (roughly a 120x3 radiator with 1600RPM fans).
http://vapor.skinneelabs.com/i7/Roun...Results22A.png
http://vapor.skinneelabs.com/i7/Roun...sults22A13.png
Note: these results are derived from adding the water-to-air delta three times to my water temps. I add them three times to emulate the radiator power of a loop with 1/3rd the radiator power mine has. I use 2xMCR320s with push-pull 2200RPM Yate Loons and the data emulates the conditions of a loop with a single 120x3 radiator with ~1600RPM fans.
Here we can see both blocks showing benefit (even if small) for all pumping powers tested on my testbed. Until you back down the radiator power that is...at that point both blocks really only benefit up until using dual DDCs. Past that and the heatdump from the pumps outweighs the improved block performance.
Conclusion
First things first, I'm really excited that I finally get some data where the flow vs. temperature curves are crossing! As for how the blocks compare, it's pretty data-centric. At extremely low pumping power, the LT is ahead, but at every other pumping power, the original Supreme is as good or better. The mounting systems are identical, so that's a wash. Aesthetics aren't for me to decide, so again a wash. Yes, the Supreme is more restrictive, but not by a staggering amount; the added restriction is definitely worth the improved temperatures. Pretty simply, the Supreme is the better block in my book.
I do want to point out the mounting system though--I'm not fond of it. I don't mind assembling the screw system for mounting it, but it's a noticeable drawback behind the likes of Koolance, Swiftech, and D-Tek. Furthermore, the thumbnuts EK uses are pretty bad. They work fine, but after 30+ mounts with them, the sides and pads of my index fingers were totally raw--either they need to be made taller to reduce pressure on the fingers, or just be made less sharp. No other thumbscrew or thumbnut has left me clamoring for another one, but these did.
When compared against each other, the two products fit into their respective price brackets well--the Supreme is the better block while the LT is the lower cost, lower performing offering. Where things get interesting will be seeing how the two blocks compare to their competition. More reviews are rolling out shortly, so stay tuned.
