EK-FC580 GTX vs Koolance VID-NX580

[CryptiK]

I am trying to decide between these 2 blocks. I have an EK HF CPU block, EK-FC R3E mobo block and currently an EK-FC GTX295 block and have had no issues and like the performance, but have to wait about 3 weeks for the EK-FC580GTX (Nickel+Acetal) to come in stock here is Aus.

I can get a Koolance block now, and it does look nice, but I've never used Koolance gear and my instinct thought (from things I've read in the past) is that they have QC issues and to stay away. The build quality looks nice externally, the the internal shots look a bit average compared to the EK's.

Cooling performance also comes into it but there's no GTX580 block round up that I can find.

Opinions?

[dengyong]

I'd wait for the ek-fc580. I have one on the coolest running video card I've ever owned and I'm quite happy with it.

[theseeker]

Check out Skinnee's review of the 480's. You are pretty much splitting hairs.
The Koolance gear is very good. It basically comes down to appearance.

[CryptiK]

Yeah I read Skinnee's GTX480 block roundup, awesome work there (Props to you Skinnee for putting in all that effort )

I like the Koolance appearance a lot, and being black/nickel it still matches the rest of my gear, and Tim from Koolance said that it would have better contact on the VRM area that the first edition of the GTX480 block, and the microfins seem to do a good job cooling the GPU. Wondering though if the new microfin EK 580+ block would be better again though?

How's Koolance build quality though these days? I need to have absolute confidence in my gear and EK has a good reputation and has never let me down. Seen some reports of Koolance gear leaking/poor QC and also being difficult to deal with in terms of customer service, but I have no personal experience in either area.

[Martinm210]

Yeah, I heard some of the 580's block designs are improved over the 480s so there really isn't much to go by if you're wanting splitting hairs details.

I bought a 570 a few weeks back and still on air until my sandy bridge parts come in later this week. Then...I'll be anxious to get everything back on water again.. Either option should work well.

[cstkl1]

u probably can get it faster for the ek. afaik this guys have stock.
and are comparatively cheaper. If u had posted two weeks ago i was in Melbourne and sydney lol.

try www.pptek.com.my
http://www.pp-tek.com/Contact.html

their online website shop
http://www.apes.my/

they dont update all their products online especially the limited stocks
as they provide some of their stocks to LYP ( its a IT shopping mall)

i chosed the ek for my 2nd rig for gtx480 as because the blocks out lined up to the ek r3e very easily

[BrokenArrow]

Another deciding factor is if you also want to get an EK backplate to hide the circuit board.

[zeropluszero]

Get the Koolance, or order direct from EK.

[theseeker]

Yeah I read Skinnee's GTX480 block roundup, awesome work there (Props to you Skinnee for putting in all that effort )

I like the Koolance appearance a lot, and being black/nickel it still matches the rest of my gear, and Tim from Koolance said that it would have better contact on the VRM area that the first edition of the GTX480 block, and the microfins seem to do a good job cooling the GPU. Wondering though if the new microfin EK 580+ block would be better again though?

How's Koolance build quality though these days? I need to have absolute confidence in my gear and EK has a good reputation and has never let me down. Seen some reports of Koolance gear leaking/poor QC and also being difficult to deal with in terms of customer service, but I have no personal experience in either area.

Koolance gear is top notch and no need to worry. I have their MB block and the quality is great. However, I also have 2 EK nickel 580's and they great as well.

[XiraN]

I do not like EK blocks requiring those nylon standoffs, that's the only real thing I have against them. Performance will be pretty much within the realm of no one being able to tell the difference in real world use.

[NaeKuh]

Meh its real simple.

If you want to use a EK Bridge, you use an EK block.

If your not going to use an EK bridge, i recomend the koolance block.


In all reality minus looks, thats the only big difference.

[JoeBar]

Either block will do the job. Just go for the looks...

Since your other blocks are all EK, i would opt for EK...

[nvmc]

Just in case you think EK is all roses, this is what the base of my FC-6970 looks like. I sent an email to their support address, but apparently this is an acceptable finish.

[mstrmold]

After my last Koolance block on my GTX285 worked out well for me, I ordered a Koolance VID-NX580 for my GTX570 SC. Fit and finish are perfect (love the stand offs), and my two previous EK blocks(EK4800) were a balancing act on a pair of 4870s. I was told I had to loosen the screws because it was bowing my vid cards. Forget that noise, Koolance has won me over with their attention to detail.

[Conumdrum]

I have used DD and Koolance. Had a bad DD block for a 280 once, poor machining. He took care of it.

I use Koolance on my SLI 470's, very happy with the performance. I ordered extra o-rings sets for my annual rebuild, thier customer service was great since it wasn't a normal item they sell.

Happy with Koolance.

[theseeker]

Just in case you think EK is all roses, this is what the base of my FC-6970 looks like. I sent an email to their support address, but apparently this is an acceptable finish.

I wish I had taken a pic of the back of my 580 blocks. They are like a mirror.

[nvmc]

Just in case you think EK is all roses, this is what the base of my FC-6970 looks like. I sent an email to their support address, but apparently this is an acceptable finish.

I wish I had taken a pic of the back of my 580 blocks. They are like a mirror.

So I've been hearing from other people too. And my Supreme HF Nickel is of a far better finish. EK doesn't seem to care. I'll still use it, since I bought it from overseas, and it would be a pain to return it, but next time I'll be going for an AquaComputer or Watercool block.

[dengyong]

So I've been hearing from other people too. And my Supreme HF Nickel is of a far better finish. EK doesn't seem to care. I'll still use it, since I bought it from overseas, and it would be a pain to return it, but next time I'll be going for an AquaComputer or Watercool block.

Is it affecting performance ?.. it is the unseen side of the block.

[nvmc]

I haven't even installed it yet, so I don't know how it will affect things thermally, but it's very poor machining work, looks terrible, and definitely not what is pictured on their site. The dismissive email is just the icing on the cake. EK is pissing on my leg and telling me it's raining.

[BrokenArrow]

I wish I had taken a pic of the back of my 580 blocks. They are like a mirror.

My four EK 580s also have a great finish. Nothing like that shown by nvmc.

[Waterlogged]

Just in case you think EK is all roses, this is what the base of my FC-6970 looks like. I sent an email to their support address, but apparently this is an acceptable finish.

Whoops, looks like someone either had the overrides turned up on the feed rate or they used dead cutters (most likely feed rates).

Is it affecting performance ?.. it is the unseen side of the block.

The contact areas should be flat to limit thermal paste usage, with them that rough, it's going to take more paste than it should to fill in all the gaps left by the runaway cutters. I wouldn't expect the best temps under those circumstances as we all know that the less paste you use (to a point), the better the temps are. Seeing it's a GPU block though, it may not make much of a difference but still, to let something like that out of the shop is pretty poor QA/CS IMHO.

[lowfat]

I do not like EK blocks requiring those nylon standoffs, that's the only real thing I have against them. Performance will be pretty much within the realm of no one being able to tell the difference in real world use.

:werd:

Having to install the EK block on my SR-2 was far from being enjoyable.

[Eddy_EK]

The 6970 block with such machining is definitely not supposed to leave the factory.
We have some of these blocks already replaced and the owner of that block can contact me directly for a replacement.

And I can assure that is a standalone error. That should not happen. And if you buy 580 GTX block that will 100% not be happening.

But there are and will be some machining marks because we do not polish these surfaces.

[CryptiK]

Thanks for the input everyone, good to hear Koolance are a good choice too. The EK blocks I have purchased have always been immaculate but since I wanted to avoid ordering from OS and don't want to wait 3 weeks for the next delivery, I'm going with the Koolance this time around. If there's any issues I can just remove it and grab an EK if they're in stock at that time.

[Waterlogged]

What the heck is wrong with the nylon standoffs? You keep them in place with either super glue (this would be my method of choice if I had to deal with them) or thermal paste...done deal. I'll admit to never having used any blocks that have them (and likely never will as I can't justify the cost or restriction of such blocks) but, I fail to see how this can be such a big headache if you use one of the methods I mentioned earlier.