EK-FCX1900 mini review - is DangerDen in ... danger ?!

[DVL73]

I was considering the option to upgrade from my trusty 7800GTX to X1900XTX. At the end, especially as we have now sweet price for those X1900 cards, I decided to give X1900XTX a try, despite the Nvidia loyalty fact. I managed to hunt down very nice Edvard König (EK-FCX1900 ) X1900 full cover waterblock (CPU+MEM) for some nice wc overclocks and to complement the card. :wink: 7950GX2 is still the king of the hill, but sadly it was outside of my price range (not to mention super expensive waterblocks for this card). I felt that package from the above is really good value for money. It should give nice performance jump for the eye candy 1680x1050 WS resolution.

I would warmly suggest Edvard König (EK) GPU water blocks. Just installed one and build quality, look and surface finish are pretty much impressive. Proper DD alternative for half the price. DD is primarily expensive (here in EU) because of the direct import from US. EK is imported from and manufactured in Slovenia (EU). My X1900 block was £49 (including high quality barbs), compared to DD £90 price (and without barbs). All in all, HIGHLY recommended.

Here are the pics:



EK-FCX1900 (top/bottom) + naked X1900XTX + (of course) 20WGX2 - finest LCD monitor built to date. Even now, after almost half year of usage, I'm still loving it to pieces. Also, I have my desk back now - even for the experiments like this X1900XTX core was cleaned properly - look at the NEC logo reflection! Also, EK-FCX1900 does have aluminium Vreg cooler attached. This is the reason why I didn't touch the Vreg thermal strip on the card itself (white line on the pic). Memory was cleaned and then I rub the Artic Silver Ceramique - that's why it looks dirty.





EK-FCX1900 - top side & naked X1900XTX. Really, really surprisingly good build quality of the waterblock.





First pic is showing the chambers in the waterblock, just beneath the GPU core. It should trigger some nice water turbulence. It's always a good thing. Also, EK-FCX1900 is definitely not restrictive and it should give really low (overall) pressure drop. Other two pics are - BLING! Very nice mirror-like surface finish of the core/memory pads. Shiny & reflective. No complains here. Some minor milling marks are present, but nothing to worry about as finish is already above my expectations. Thumbs up for EK!


X1900XTX preparation and EK-FCX1900 installation:




As you may notice from the first pic, I always rub the heatsinks (core/mem pads) with the thermal paste (AS Ceramique in this case). It should fill nicely those microscopic holes and imperfections and additionally improve thermal transfer. Such fine layer is the reason why waterblock pads are now appearing discoloured. On the card itself, proper (not thick) layer of the AS Ceramique paste was applied to GPU core and memory.

Next two pictures are showing the final result - X1900XTX with attached EK-FCX1900 Perfect! and nice looking too. My usual practice is that I'm mounting the block two times. First time is the test to verify if waterblock (core/mem pads) are making the proper thermal contact with the core/mem on the card itself. It's simulation, as I don't like surprises than card overheat because of this. In this case, I had perfect marks on the waterblock from the core and 8 memory blocks (even text from the core and memory was slightly printed on the waterblock!). It's again showing us that waterblock build is uniform and precise. As simulation was OK, I reapplied the thermal paste and prepared the waterblock again (as in the first pic) and final attachment was next.

Few things to mention. My block version is prepared for crossfire. That means that fittings (barbs) can be used on both side of the block (up and down)! Apart from the crossfire compatibility, it does offer significant advantage, help and flexibility for the proper routing of your tubes. Block is heavy, that's around 580g of pure cooper baby!, but it doesn't bend the card ... when fitted properly and without the too much pressure. I was scared at first that this would happen, but no .. it's just fine. Just remember: don't use excessive force for those screws (like with any waterblock). You will know when it's time to stop.

I already mentioned that waterblock surface finish is very good, so you will not have much work apart from the cleaning and thermal paste application. My usual practice for the final preparation is: polish->artic silver tm remover->artic silver tm purifier->rub the thermal paste (as ceramique or pure as).

Here is my "cleaning kit":



It never let me down Even for demanding tasks, involving hugely stained, corroded, tarnished and oxidated cooper blocks.


For some live action of the waterblock, check out this thread:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=114624

[Patriote]

Well Done! I also did the switch from a trusty 7800GTX from Asus to an Saphire X1900XT and i must say that i was firstly disapointed about the drivers but i got used to it... and i was also amayzed by the perfromance gain from that 7800GTX to that X1900XT which is all i was asking for. But i only run my games at 1280 x 1024 for now.... and use 6x AA and 8XF depending of the Game ..of course... but most of the time it's thoses settings. I bet that if i had a 1600 x 1200 (or higher res) monitor i could use 4x AA insetad of 6x AA or maybe even less, right ?

Heres what i did whit my X1900XT :

[Eddy_EK]

Very well done!
Thumbs up!

[smids]

Very well done!
Thumbs up!

Eddy, would it be possible to see the Delrin version of this block - I'm considering very much buying one, but just wanted to see one in the flesh...

[eXa]

creidiki got a block in delrin...

[sephiroth8748]

The Delrin top is extra http://ekwaterblocks.com/shop/index.php?cPath=21_47

[Vandread]

Those EK Full cover blocks are pure watercooling :banana::banana::banana::banana:
Great price, awesome looks, excellent quality and finish

[houlty]

where did you buy it from may i ask... as i currently have a mcw55, but dont want the need for a flan blow on the ram and voltage regulator...

nice little review btw...

[smids]

You can buy directly from Eddy at www.ekwaterblocks.com or many other resellers of the blocks like www.over-clock.com. Depends on where you are in the world!

[JoeBar]

Allways an eye pleasure watching EK's full cover block...

[safan80]

I don't think dangerden is in danger since EK is in europe and DD is in the USA. although too bad EK isn't in the USA.

[JoeBar]

He has low shipping costs however...

[Mankz_91]

i love my EK block...

cost £35 less than a DD Tyee when it came out, and it looks nice IMHO...

[Garrett]

I can't install the block yet... (FC-79) but that's due to several reasons.... one of them is time

I just cleaned it with ketchup LOL... shiny like... ehrm, well, something that's very shiny

And for the price... you'd definitely NOT be buying DD blocks...

[DVL73]

I can't install the block yet... (FC-79) but that's due to several reasons.... one of them is time

Yeah, tell me about the time My EK waterblock was on my desk for two freaking weeks, just sitting there and starring at me. It was unbearable

[Garrett]

I have installed the block now... very nice indeed... I didn't bother checking contact by mounting the block twice, I've installed tons of waterblocks over the years now and so far all contact was good.

I screwed all the screws in about equally and I could see small amounts of ceramique coming 'out' of the corners of the bga mem chips and gpu, this must mean that the force of the block pressing on causes the small ceramique residue to 'exit' via the sides of the components cooled by the block

I no longer have artifacts while running the memory, can even run at 800 now, before at 750 I'd get artifacts, must purely have been a heat issue...

[warriorpoet]

You made me reopen my case to have a look! Very nice photos.

[DVL73]

I have installed the block now... very nice indeed... I didn't bother checking contact by mounting the block twice, I've installed tons of waterblocks over the years now and so far all contact was good.

I'm procedural and detailed (in life) and I guess that because of such karma I need double the time to install anything.

I screwed all the screws in about equally and I could see small amounts of ceramique coming 'out' of the corners of the bga mem chips and gpu, this must mean that the force of the block pressing on causes the small ceramique residue to 'exit' via the sides of the components cooled by the block

Usually, good indication that pressure is good and equal

I no longer have artifacts while running the memory, can even run at 800 now, before at 750 I'd get artifacts, must purely have been a heat issue...

That's the reason why I like full cover blocks, as memory overclocking is usually much more exciting

[Garrett]

I used to think that DDR3 didn't get so hot as DDR1 mem on videocards... omg I almost burned my finger when touching those mems while gaming... I quickly removed my finger again, I guess it was 65c or hotter

With this gorgeous EK block I know 100% sure that THOSE temps won't occur anymore

[DVL73]

Hi there

What's your average vreg temps during the full system load (3dmark06 or something else which is really utilising all those pretty pixel shaders) Here, it's in the range 63*C - 66*C (as reported by AtiTool) and my case is not very well ventilated (ambient temps are bit high). Hopefully, it's OK, Also, I guess that EK-FCX1900 is not designed to cool those 7 black voltage regulators, with the "Pulse" logo on top - just slightly left from the small ones? Reason why I'm asking this is because there is very little clearance between the EK alu vreg cooler and them, so I guess that block is not design to cool them and and the same time I hope that there is enough clearance so that they are at least ventilated slightly (by ambient air). With the stock ATI cooling, they are not passively cooled at all.

[Eddy_EK]

Hi there

What's your average vreg temps during the full system load (3dmark06 or something else which is really utilising all those pretty pixel shaders) Here, it's in the range 63*C - 66*C (as reported by AtiTool) and my case is not very well ventilated (ambient temps are bit high). Hopefully, it's OK, Also, I guess that EK-FCX1900 is not designed to cool those 7 black voltage regulators, with the "Pulse" logo on top - just slightly left from the small ones? Reason why I'm asking this is because there is very little clearance between the EK alu vreg cooler and them, so I guess that block is not design to cool them and and the same time I hope that there is enough clearance so that they are at least ventilated slightly (by ambient air). With the stock ATI cooling, they are not passively cooled at all.

Hi!
It would help if you apply some thermal paste where alu and copper part are together.

[situman]

Let's see which retailer or manufacturer is smart enough to license or carry these blocks in the US.

Any way to make these blocks more Future Proof as in not having to buy a whole new block for every new gen of vidcard that comes out?

[DVL73]

Hi!
It would help if you apply some thermal paste where alu and copper part are together.

Hi Eddy. You see ... I thought about that when I was testing (and mounting) the block and I was convinced that thermal paste was already applied on that joint between the alu vreg cooler and cooper part. Actually, alu vreg cooler was already attached (stock set-up) when I received the block and this is the another reason why I didn't' verify this

Anyhow, as now I have to dismantle everything in order to fix this, I think that I will not bother as vreg temps are not that high. However, other users should acknowledge this important hint, as it makes perfect sense. Heat from the vreg chips will be properly transferred via alu vreg cooler to the main cooper part if you use the proper layer of thermal paste in between

[Eddy_EK]

I thought about that when I was testing (and mounting) the block and I was convinced that thermal paste was already applied on that joint between the alu vreg cooler and cooper part.

You got the point!

[DVL73]

Just to clarify this for other users. If you observe the first picture under the "X1900XTX preparation and EK-FCX1900 installation" section (above) or second picture from the top, you may notice the two screws where the alu vreg cooler is attached to the cooper part. This is the joint. Just unscrew the alu vreg cooler, apply the thermal paste properly on that part and screw back again. Easy.