EK launches their EK-XLC Predator 360 AIO Water Cooler

WYP

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EK Water Blocks has just launched their premium EK-XLC Predator 360 all-in-one (AIO) liquid cooling system with Quick Disconnects.

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Read more on EKWB's EK-XLC Predator 360mm AIO water cooler.
 
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That honking great grey thing in the hose looks, well, honking.

IMO this won't be any better than any existing 360mm AIO. It has the same rad space and same sort of volume for coolant.
 
That honking great grey thing in the hose looks, well, honking.

IMO this won't be any better than any existing 360mm AIO. It has the same rad space and same sort of volume for coolant.


I think this is a little bit too "try and please everyone" for my tastes.
 
Adding the QDC was a terrible decision in my opinion. Anyone diligent enough to actually assemble the 115X backplate and mount a GPU block should be capable of filling and bleeding such a simple loop. And your probably going to have to refill it anyway as the tubes are insanely long.

No doubt about it, if you appreciate such quality things it's leagues ahead of an Asetek AIO. For £10 less the EK L360 R2.0 is a no brainer though unless for some reason you really need the pump stuck on the end of the radiator.

JR
 
Adding the QDC was a terrible decision in my opinion. Anyone diligent enough to actually assemble the 115X backplate and mount a GPU block should be capable of filling and bleeding such a simple loop. And your probably going to have to refill it anyway as the tubes are insanely long.

No doubt about it, if you appreciate such quality things it's leagues ahead of an Asetek AIO. For £10 less the EK L360 R2.0 is a no brainer though unless for some reason you really need the pump stuck on the end of the radiator.

JR

I think Gary had it nailed tbh, buy the full blown EK kit and make something pretty.
 
I think Gary had it nailed tbh, buy the full blown EK kit and make something pretty.

That's the problem really isn't it?

All this really is is a 360 rad with a pump on the end of it and a nice block.

With a honking grey lump in the tubing... God that thing will look ghastly.

You'll also need a pretty darn big case to fit it in, all of which begs the question; why?

If you're buying a case like that you really should know what you're doing and thus why would you choose an AIO?

Funny product really.
 
That's the problem really isn't it?

All this really is is a 360 rad with a pump on the end of it and a nice block.

With a honking grey lump in the tubing... God that thing will look ghastly.

You'll also need a pretty darn big case to fit it in, all of which begs the question; why?

If you're buying a case like that you really should know what you're doing and thus why would you choose an AIO?

Funny product really.

That's only really half the problem.

Actually fitting one is a total PITA, it's even harder than ordinary watercooling components thanks to the weirdest backplate idea anyone has ever had. Essentially you convert your 115X board to 2011 style mountings and then attach the block. Actually aligning the screws into a 4mm hole, while pressing it down, while getting the tubes to go where you want and not smothering everything in thermal paste or gouging your board with a screw isn't easy.

It doesn't make any sense as the standard EK-Supremacy MX mounts are awesome, just like a big boy supremacy. What this moved achieved nobody can be sure. It definitely doesn't improve the user experience or the thermal interface. And from what I can tell it can't be any cheaper to make.

If an AIO isn't going to be any cheaper than a full kit then it's at least got to be easier and the predator just isn't. If you had a big case and a 2011 board then it might just be alright.

JR
 
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I guess it was designed primarily with 2011 in mind and then the messing around for 115x was just an afterthought JR. At least that's what it sounds like.

It's also very big and cumbersome. You'd need quite a case to get that thing in.
 
I guess it was designed primarily with 2011 in mind and then the messing around for 115x was just an afterthought JR. At least that's what it sounds like.

It's also very big and cumbersome. You'd need quite a case to get that thing in.

Something definitely went wrong on the move to 115X, it doesn't make any sense though as EK's standard Supremacy MX's are absolutely awesome for 2011 and 115X.

It's not too bad in that regard, I fitted one in an inverted Parvum S2.0 which is a properly small mATX case and it did go in without any mods. But in that the interior is at least completely flat, I can see how it's going to cause problems for people with pressed steel/Alu cases trying to find clearance for the pump/res.

I actually drew a custom roof for a VEER1.0 last week to fit a predator and went in quite neatly after moving the grill back slightly. Also put a fill port in the roof which the reservoir backed onto. That would make a really neat, quiet, practical ITX rig if you had the 240mm predator and added a GPU block to the loop. A very niche example of where it could work really well though tbf. Perhaps it's just as good as EK need it to be.

JR
 
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I'd prefer a Swiftech AIO anyday over Asetek for sure, and the EK AIO is just too expensive. It's pretty I'll give them that and shines of quality.
 
Of course there are problems, but they have been very quick with their support, getting spare parts out to people who had issues. And the price point is what I believe in the sweet spot, for an expandable AIO.

Well that Swiftech AIO is not cheap here but then again nothing is
 
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