[Review] Round 2: EK Supreme HF

Time for the latest (and one of the last) installments for Round 2 of my CPU Block testing....I've been quiet for a few months but testing is back and going full steam ahead and Round 3 is already in advanced planning stages (and the second TIM review is upcoming--still).

Until then, there's new block on the block that needs reviewing, the EK Supreme HF. It's a big update to the Supreme, even if your eyes say otherwise. Lower restriction and better thermal performance are the two main features of the block and, frankly, it doesn't disappoint.

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images...HF/Upskirt.jpg

This review has a lot more talking from me (I think) and also my first review with a full suite of pictures! I don't fully go into WHY this block is the best performing block on the market, but maybe I'll post in here why it takes such a big lead ;)

Anyway, if you forgot the testing process, go to the full review, this is the abbreviated version with results (what I know you all care about ;))!

So, let's cut the foreplay and give you some results:
http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images...ompareTemp.png

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images...ompareFlow.png

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images.../FlowVTemp.png

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images.../PumpVTemp.png

Conclusion
New king on the block for performance--zero doubt about that. Less restrictive than the HK 3.0 LT/Cu (and therefore a lot less restrictive than the Apogee XT) and better thermally than the Apogee XT (and therefore a lot better than the HK 3.0 LT/Cu). It's not a flawless block though--mounting system is primitive, the best injection plate isn't the stock one (and it's unequivocally the best, so it should be stock), and the looks are dated (when did the Supreme come out, 2007? it's basically identical to it).

But damn is the performance good :D

Anyway, full review is here!

Just want to say THANKS for all your hard work with all the testing you've done. It's been a great resource for all of us.

:)

Yes thanks for the share.

is time to sell my HK and get me one of this

Thanks once again Vapor for the excellent tests you provide!:up: Glad to see that such a free flowing block holds the performance crown.

Nice test :)

Very nice! Beats XT then! Quite impressive! :clap:

Yet another great review by Vapor. Really looking forward to part two of your TIM review!

Very nice, thanks for testing it, this one must have been a pain with all the injector plates...

The warranty void sticker you mention in the review is probably for the pressure test they do, EK can't guarantee that it's leak free if you disassemble it and get something wrong when assembling it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nickel020

The warranty void sticker you mention in the review is probably for the pressure test they do, EK can't guarantee that it's leak free if you disassemble it and get something wrong when assembling it.

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Ding ding ding, we have a winner. :up::yepp:

WOW,i didn't think that it will beat the XT but it seems that it does,so what's about the review for the koolance CPU-360?when is the estimated time for it to be posted as i am really looking forward to seeing if it would beat the EK Supreme HF

The Warranty void sticker is there to confirm the block was tested for leaking.
If customer openy up any of EK blocks and breaks the seal, it only means that he cannot rma the block for leaking.
The rest of the warranty (material and manufacturing) is still there!

Thank you for the review!

So the best plate to use is the most restrictive #1? Is it the same #1 as in this picture?
http://www.ekwaterblocks.com/shop/me...ront-600_1.jpg
So the one with 2 lines.

Very happy now that I sold my heatkiller and got the Supreme HF ^^

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Eddy_EK

The Warranty void sticker is there to confirm the block was tested for leaking.
If customer openy up any of EK blocks and breaks the seal, it only means that he cannot rma the block for leaking.
The rest of the warranty (material and manufacturing) is still there!

Thank you for the review!

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Maybe you should use the best plate directly so the user doesn't have to open the block and miss the leaking warranty if he wants the best performance possible?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by woffen

Maybe you should use the best plate directly so the user doesn't have to open the block and miss the leaking warranty if he wants the best performance possible?

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I'll sacrifice 1°C on my CPU for higher flow through the rest of my loop.. i'm fine with the stock plate :p:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gmat

I'll sacrifice 1°C on my CPU for higher flow through the rest of my loop.. i'm fine with the stock plate :p:

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Well if you look at the flowrates in the charts the differences are not that big with the different plates. Granted, neither are the temperature differences but I would call them more important. And if you really wanted the best flow you'd still have to open the block and change to plate 4 to get the best flow and loose the leaking warranty:p:

This is not maybe such a important thing for many but still something that came to mind.

+1 in appreciation of taking the time to do the testing, and it is a lot of time...especially being thorough and testing all the different plates, saves me some time:D. I bought the Acetal/delrin version when it came out, wanted a black top for my upcoming build and they had me sold with.. fits my Gigabyte board without my having to take a dremel to it, which I had to do on my previous 2 blocks. I will definitely be using plate 1, trade .1gpm for 1C anyday.

Dare I say, "EK SUPREME HF FTW!" :rofl:

I can assure you: the 360 doesn´t enter " the top five" ..... :p:

And still no cpu-360 :(. I was waiting for results of it way more then of HF.

That is a lot less restriction than what I expected to see, especially for Plate 1. I have to agree on the mount system, time for a revision there.

And, :woot: on all the photos! ;)

edit: Feel free to blame me on the lack of a CPU-360 review presently... I've been under the weather and didn't get the replacement cold plate out to Vapor in a timely manner.

Thanks so much for the review!
:up:
My EK supreme HF gets here today :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nickel020

Very nice, thanks for testing it, this one must have been a pain with all the injector plates...

The warranty void sticker you mention in the review is probably for the pressure test they do, EK can't guarantee that it's leak free if you disassemble it and get something wrong when assembling it.

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The sticker is only on one side though, so it doesn't need to be removed/broken to get to the internals.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Eddy_EK

The Warranty void sticker is there to confirm the block was tested for leaking.
If customer openy up any of EK blocks and breaks the seal, it only means that he cannot rma the block for leaking.
The rest of the warranty (material and manufacturing) is still there!

Thank you for the review!

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Sounds like a good policy to me...maybe add a second sticker though? :shrug:

Great block btw :toast:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Elpy

So the best plate to use is the most restrictive #1? Is it the same #1 as in this picture?
http://www.ekwaterblocks.com/shop/me...ront-600_1.jpg
So the one with 2 lines.

Very happy now that I sold my heatkiller and got the Supreme HF ^^

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Yup, I used the same naming scheme as what's on their website and in the instructions :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JASSAF

I can assure you: the 360 doesn´t enter " the top five" ..... :p:

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I don't think you're in the position to be making assurances.

Very cool I was just making a list on a thread I made and I was probably going to buy this one. Makes my decision a little bit easier.

I guess we'll be changing assembling jet plate to #1.