(Teaser - Test results to follow soon.) Test results up!

[HESmelaugh]

Unfortunately, I don't have a macro lens, so this is a low-quality teaser:



Care to guess what it is?

I can tell you that it's new and that it kicks ass performance-wise, so I'm sure you'll like it.

I'll reveal what it is and publish test results in this thread shortly.

[HESmelaugh]

Alright, as it turns out, almost everyone guessed correctly that the picture showed part of a pump-top, Jiangxue got the correct answer: Pic shows prototype of EK-DDC X-Top V2.

I've done a roundup featuring this top along with several others and compared their performance. As usual, I published this roundup in German. I will publish the test-data along with some comments and pictures here in this thread. Right now, I have to rush off though, so you guys will have to be patient and wait till I find the time to write everything up tomorrow.

Until then, enjoy some more pics:



Side by side with the original EK X-Top:







Please be aware that this is an unreleased preproduction prototype. Design and performance may change before release.



Candidates in this roundup:
I tested and compared the following DDC tops: Original Laing top, Alphacool DDC Plexi Top, EK-DDC X-Top, Koolance Pump Nozzle Base, OCLabs XPTop, Watercool DDC Case, XSPC Laing DDC Acrylic Top plus, of course, the EK-DDC X-Top V2 prototype.

Here are some pics of each of the tops:

Alphacool:


EK:


Koolance (two of four possible fittings-configurations):



OCLabs:


Watercool:


XSPC:



Testing method:

I used a dedicated test-loop for comparing the tops. The loop contains:

- Flowmeter Digmesa FHKUC 70
- T-Balancer bigNG plus Sensorhub for measuring and logging data
- 13/10 Masterkleer and 16/12 Tygon tubing
- Ballvalve, to simulate different amounts of resistance in the loop
- EK Multioption res
- Swiftech MCP355 (Laing DDC 1T+)

Unfortunately, I don't have lots of the hightech lab equipment some of you might have become accustomed to seeing in such tests. I simply compare the flowrates achieved with each top with several different levels of resistance in the loop created by closing the ball valve in fixed increments.

Here's what I get from this test:

The graph shows the flowrates (in l/h) going from almost no restriction (left) to lots of restriction (right) in the loop.

Here are the main conclusions I draw from this comparison:
- All of the aftermarket tops increase performance over the original top (but only with "top in, front out" configuration. More on this later)
- The EK X-Top V2 outperforms the competition in highflow-settings. It's changes mean a significant improvement over the original X-Top, which performs almost exactly the same as the Watercool DDC Case.
- The more restriction in the loop, the less difference any of the tops make. In a highly restrictive loop (simulated at position number five on the ball valve), we get roughly 150 l/h regardless of the top used.
- The Koolance top delivers the best results in a restrictive loop.


Alphacool, Watercool and Koolance

The tops made by Alphacool, Watercool and Koolance offer different possibilities for placing the fittings.
With the Alphacool and Watercool tops, the possible configurations are: Top in, front out


or front in, front out:


Because the two front threads are located so closely together, they are incompatible with wide fittings like compression fittings.

I measured the performance of the two different configurations:

As we can see, both of the tops outperform the original Laing top as long as the top in, front out configuration ist used. With the other configuration, performance suffers.

Same test for the Koolance top:

Here, we see a similar picture: So long as the top inlet is used, we have improved performance over the original Laing top. The front inlet leads to significantly lower performance.


Further details:
I found quality control issues with two of the tops.
The XSPC Top had some minor issues with a rough surface on the inside of the top and some trapped bubbles in the acrylic:


The Koolance top had some glue residue in the threads. Some of this I had to scratch out in order to be able to completely tighten down the fittings. Considering that this is the most expensive top in the roundup, I found this quite annoying.



Conclusion:
I want to keep this to a minimum, since I would rather just present the facts and leave the concluding up to you.
In my opinion, the EK X-Top V2 is the winner in this roundup. Why? Because it had zero issues, performs very well and is flawlessly manufactured. The XSPC top is a runner up and it's only issue is the qc issue mentioned above.
While the Koolance top outperforms the competition in restrictive loops, I would not recommend it because of the qc issues and the fact that it only performs well in one out of four possible fittings-configurations.
Further, for everyone not hunting the last fraction of higher flowrates, feel free to pick a top going on looks and pricing - the performance differences are quite minimal.


More?
If you want more info, there are two options:
1. Check out the original (German) article here. It contains a ton of pics you can browse.
2. Ask! Want to see more pics of a specific top? Have further questions? Just ask away, and I will publish what I can in this thread.

Hope you enjoyed reading this. Feedback appreciated. :-)

Cheers,
Shane

[MomijiTMO]

Gee I think you gave way too many hints . . . or not LOL.

Err I don't have a clue but it's something to do with watercooling right? Do I win? [please detect presence of not serious]

[geoffsthaboss]

ek DDC v2 after-market top?
ha

[.Logic]

I'm thinking some sort of acrylic pump top...

XSPC's Rev. 2?



EDIT: Dammit, I was going to go for EK instead of XSPC

P.S: Geoff, nice edit

[MomijiTMO]

Yeah I was thinking that too because the top left looks like the volute.

[HESmelaugh]

I didn't give many hints on purpouse. This is XS after all. It's happened often enough that I thought I'd just made a new discovery only to find out it was old news on XS... :-)

[.Logic]

Yeah I was thinking that too because the top left looks like the volute.

My thoughts exactly.

[silverphoenix]

XSPC top V2?

[Rapt0r]

It should be a pump top as seen from the pic.

[SoulsCollective]

A device with which to extract more information from unhelpful posts?

[philbrown23]

i know what it is, just think about it guys

[Jiangxue]

http://dexgo.com/index.php?site=arti...ardware&id=328

EK-DDC X-Top V2 Prototype :P

[HESmelaugh]

http://dexgo.com/index.php?site=arti...ardware&id=328

EK-DDC X-Top V2 Prototype :P

Correct!

I actually wanted to start this teaser-thread before the article would get published but I messed up the timing...

Anyway, behold the EK-DDC X-Top V2 (Prototype):

[Jiangxue]

Correct!

I actually wanted to start this teaser-thread before the article would get published but I messed up the timing...

Anyway, behold the EK-DDC X-Top V2 (Prototype):

Sorry for spoiling your surprise... haha.. I had read your last cpu-waterblock shootout with great interest and therefore when i saw this teaser I decided to go to the same site to look around.

This top looks good indeed. But now the question is when will it be out and if there will be a delrin/acetal version....?

[sirheck]

You guys make me want to get one of these for my pump.
Guess if i do get one i will have to solder it to the mcp355.

[septim]

very nice craftsmanship...

[HESmelaugh]

Sorry for spoiling your surprise... haha.. I had read your last cpu-waterblock shootout with great interest and therefore when i saw this teaser I decided to go to the same site to look around.

This top looks good indeed. But now the question is when will it be out and if there will be a delrin/acetal version....?

No problem. I knew there was a possibility that someone would remember what site I write for. :-)

Release date and materials I don't have any information on. Eddy from EK told me I could go ahead and publish information on this top 1st of November so I guess official announcements can't be far off.

[Utnorris]

Hopefully you compared it to the XSPC top and XSPC res top. The real question is does EK make a res that will plug right into it sort of like the XSPC res top? Also, pricing will need to be known before passing a final verdict. If it costs like $90, then it will not be a good value regardless of performance, if on the other hand it is competitive in pricing to other tops that it would be a consideration to someone buying a new top or a first time buyer. I doubt there will be any reason for current owners of Petra and XSPC top to rush out and buy one unless they just need to have the latest thing.

[NaeKuh]

Ek made a revision? looks nice..



oh i have super teasers, but cant post them yet.

but there rocking my friends worlds with jaw droping comments.


*runing away with an evil grin*

[Kayin]

nice.

Needs moar polish, btw.

[NaMcO]

Looks nice, great work!

[Martinm210]

Awesome! I always admired EK's attention to detail when it comes to machining finish. Now the new V2 has a spiral shaped volute and a reduced inlet port.

Look out!!...Thanks for taking the time to test, I look forward to reading through it!

[Navanod]

where's the EK D5 Xtop V2? *throws hissy fit*

[nikhsub1]

Yeah it does look like a performer! I won't EVER switch my tops though, I've got the OLD orange impeller DDC2's with the alpha cool tops, pumps have given me ZERO problems so I'm sticking with them.