Best waterblock for i7 2600k

[Pat123]

Question is in the title really, looking for the best CPU block (at a reasonable price, say <£60) for a Core i7 2600k 1155, it's going to be clocked in at around 4.5-4.8Ghz depending on how daring im feeling.

In my old rig i have an EK supreme, it's a good 3 years old now, so i was thinking of sticking with the EK brand because it has served me well. Currently i've had a look on a few websites but the EK-Supreme, which i have an old variant of in my old rig, on scan looks different to the EK supreme on specialtech. Confusing.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks in advance!

 

[ciksas]

It has been revised and is now ek supreme HF. Basically that means you get different plates for different water flows.

 

[Pat123]

They are both called the EK supreme HF haha. Any idea which is the newer version? There is also a version with nickel, which is best?

 

[ciksas]

The square ones are the newer version. The other blocks aren’t supreme HF, only supreme( older version) I don’t know how they can sell them under the HF mark. I don’t like plexi so I’d recommend Acetal+Nickel.

 

[PCTwin]

Im planning on buying the Swiftech Apogee XT Extreme at £64.89 if I can afford it. http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop...r-Intel-1366-1155-1156--Copper-pid-10477.html

If not it'll be the Swiftech Apogee XTL at £46.99. http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop...r-Intel-1366-1155-1156--Delrin-pid-12939.html

I currently have a Swiftech block and it's got me some great clocks on a variety of chips.

 

[Pat123]

Yeh the acetel + nickel looks pretty sick aswell, my rig is going to have a distinctly black theme with the black UD4 gigabyte motherboard and black pcb 570 black liquid black inards of the corsair 800D. I had thought about the apogee but i really love the black Cheers for the help though.

 

[Blackwhite]

Go for EK HF Supreme (square one) , I have one and I'm quite happy.Looks great and performing very well.

 

[Paulie]

best performing block according to tests done by skinneelabs

1. aqua computer Cuplex kryos XT

2. Ek supreme HF

3. Swiftech XT

4 Koolance 360

the koolance 370 is now out and the preview results do show it could be as good the ek block, even better when you pair the 370 top with the 360 rev 1.1 base.

he hasnt tested the heatkiller 3.0 which imho is still the sexiest block available, nickel plated top ofc.

 

[ahboyhan]

personally i've used the Koolance CPU-360. it's a good block.

 

[FlightSimDude]

Not meaning to intentionally take over this topic, but hopefully get more results on the subject. So I hope no one minds my adding to it.

I'm getting this itch for water cooling myself. New build, Asus P67Pro-2600K & cooled by the cwch70 (push-pull). Currently OC'd @4.9 and performing very well for the intended use. So, wanting a better cooled/stable clock speed has me started in a better cooling unit. I'm sitting partially on the fence here, but I bought an Exos 2.5.

Must have components; (What's the best route for me to go) CPU block, 1/2" tubing, fittings, coolant. I don't know. I still haven't decided on which CPU block I should get. From reading all the reviews I know there are some good choices available. But what's best for my use?

My limitations: I'm not necessarily willing to spend a whole bunch of cash on high dollar goods, to have results comparable to the DH14

At this point in the journey I'll consider any and all advice.

If my fixation of better performance sounds like it won't work, I'll sell the Exos.

 

[Aurus_OC]

If you purely want value for the money. There is nothing better than the D14 at the moment, imho, especially since Sandy Bridge doesn't get that hot anyways. Watercooling is more about the looks and it will just give the system that extra little bit that might make a difference to you and to what the system will look like. Temperaturewise you are going to see improvement from watercooling but watercooling will not cut your temps in half, just because it costs double that of a D14 or more. You will get extra cooling ability though. Real watercooling will cost you big bucks and will work out quite expensive, but that's just the way it is. I myself am going to watercool my rig aswell, but as I am a newbie to watercooling I will choose a kit from XSPC (the Rasa 750 RX240). They are very well priced, in terms of watercooling, so you may want to consider something like that. The waterblock and the radiator are supposed to be extremely good and honestly you don't need to get the best CPU waterblock on the market, because the reality of it is that there will be little difference between them.

Just though I would throw in my 2 cents on that topic

 

[FlightSimDude]

Others thoughts are always good, Aurus.

Since my last response I've done a good bit of reading pertaining to blocks, fittings, radiators, reservoirs and the lure to this water cooling madness.

My choices

CPU: KL-CPU-370 with (2) Bitspower 1/2" straight compression.

Exos in/out: (2) Bitspower 1/2" Rotary 90's

*Future plan: (2) 1/2" quick disconnects

I haven't chosen the tubing yet. I've checked prices, brands etc. I'm not sold on buying through someone that sells specifically for water cooling just for convenience, which also brings higher prices. I found the same (if not better) quality tubing can be purchased direct (clear only) for a fraction of the cost $.35/ft (minimum order 25ft) for $13.00 shipped! I ordered the 7/16 ID x 5/8 OD. And I have plenty left over for adding in another radiator, reservoir, pump..etc. Not to mention I can add a color to the cooling fluid if I choose.

Here's where I got my tubing http://www.usplastic.com/

And what I purchased http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?sku=59016

**I knew this prior to purchasing my Exos**

NOTE: The Exos 2.5 (and other Exos units) radiators are aluminum. Not good over long term use. I've already researched my options there and I've plans to change the radiator once I've checked out all my options and easiest (least bit of modding) that's needed.

 

[Cigarjohn]

I'd check out Koolance's new water blocks. They seem to work really good.

Peace.