Is EK the new TT for water cooling?

[Tappindatass]

I just read about there new custom aluminum loops. I'm sure if you use proper coolant, you will be just fine, but you have got wonder how copper additions will accidentally be shipped with a aluminum part. The kits are cheaper than a traditional setup, but potentially more expensive than an AIO.

 

[Surfie]

As long as the entire loop is aluminum, there shouldn't be a problem. It's the whole mixing of metals where the problems start.

That said, i am completely against the idea of using aluminum in a w.c. loop, as it is inferior (in performance) when compared to copper, and the risks associated to mixing metals makes it downright scary to me.

 

[Warchild]

As long as the entire loop is aluminum, there shouldn't be a problem. It's the whole mixing of metals where the problems start.

That said, i am completely against the idea of using aluminum in a w.c. loop, as it is inferior (in performance) when compared to copper, and the risks associated to mixing metals makes it downright scary to me.

I think the whole concept of Aluminium here is to bring watercooling solutions to the mainstream user who always found this market to be out of their budget.

As long as you dont mix metals it will be fine. Otherwise say hello to your friendly galvanic corrosion. EK had a disaster in the past with their nickel plated blocks that flaked. These days they are pretty good at protecting loops. I'm sure they learned their mistake and protect themselves as much as possible from recalls, and damage complaints.

EK has explicitly announced as clear as possible that their Aluminium are not compatible with the rest of their watercooling lineup.

 

[Korreborg]

Copper is better at moving heat through itself, and to transfer the heat to and from the liquid.
Aluminium is better to release heat from metal to air.

= in a full copper loop, the heat is quickly move from the CPU to the water, and from the water to the radiator, and all the way to the fins.
In an aluminium loop, the delta from CPU to water will be higher, and more of the heat will just circulate the loop, as the aluminium radiator will not absorb the heat as well as a copper rad.
The caveat being that the price of copper is x3 of aluminium.

 

[AlienALX]

Alu is cheaper. Copper is stupid expensive now. That's probably why.

 

[NeverBackDown]

As long as the entire loop is aluminum, there shouldn't be a problem. It's the whole mixing of metals where the problems start.

That said, i am completely against the idea of using aluminum in a w.c. loop, as it is inferior (in performance) when compared to copper, and the risks associated to mixing metals makes it downright scary to me.

It's not a big deal different in performance. People are overreacting. It's also much cheaper and that alone makes it worth it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iqg6z-4DhxM

 

[mb67]

It's not a big deal different in performance. People are overreacting. It's also much cheaper and that alone makes it worth it.
snip

Agreed. This kit comes with everything you need to get started in the water cooling genre, which means that it's safe to run, and it costs much less to do it.

 

[NeverBackDown]

Agreed. This kit comes with everything you need to get started in the water cooling genre, which means that it's safe to run, and it costs much less to do it.

Only issue I see is that the GTX 1070 and up are supported and that is it, afaik.

 

[S_I_N]

its budget watercooling at its best watch the vid jayz reviewed it and it was surprising.
Bet if they'd make a 360mm version or make the alu rads available seperate then you could cheaply water cool a system Alu is no prob as long as metals dont get mixed.

 

[NeverBackDown]

its budget watercooling at its best watch the vid jayz reviewed it and it was surprising.
Bet if they'd make a 360mm version or make the alu rads available seperate then you could cheaply water cool a system Alu is no prob as long as metals dont get mixed.

EK said in the comments section of that video they are going to release a 360 version soon.

 

[Korreborg]

Look at TTLs 1080ti hybrid test. That's a 250 tdp card.
Alu/120mm per component is fine. For most people.
But did Jay talk about noise/overclock?

I saw a test on YouTube, slim vs thick rad = no difference. But he tested with an i5.
Point being as long as the heat put into the loop is low enough that a 240 can manage it. Then 10rads would make almost no difference.

 

[S_I_N]

EK said in the comments section of that video they are going to release a 360 version soon.

that would be sweet and make it very cost effective.

 

[NeverBackDown]

that would be sweet and make it very cost effective.

Agreed. The 240 version in the Jayz video did very well, but the extra surface area would really help with acoustics. He didn't comment on it in the video, but with a 8 core CPU and a 1080 on a single 240, I'd wager they weren't the best.

 

[Tappindatass]

Who buys a 400+ card, but cannot afford a copper block? I don't think there's a market for this besides a few noobs who are just starting (why not just got AIO).

I don't think there is an issue with aluminum and the use a proper coolant. The performance thermally should be better tha air.

However, that is not EK's problem. It's manufacturing. We have nickel flaking issue, the mobo block with two chambers (one with in port and one with out port) that where not connected, the x2 multi option reservoir that shipped the wrong o ring, and the list goes on.

Do you really trust EK not to send a copper CPU block with an aluminum jet plate by accident? Maybe they' won't have this issue - but with there record lol.

 

[Avet]

Who buys a 400+ card, but cannot afford a copper block? I don't think there's a market for this besides a few noobs who are just starting (why not just got AIO).

Proper copper water loop costs 700+ for CPU and GPU. That is still a lot of money. You can find 1080Ti for that money. EK just wants to bring custom loops to more audience.

 

[Tappindatass]

The majority of WC enthusiasts aren't going to go out and buy an customized aluminum loop for there 2k+ PC. That would imply the target audience has a more realistic budget. They would be directly competing with those who use AIOs. It would much less hassle to put the remaining funds into a better GPU with a decent cooler than to purchase one of these kits.

The thin vs thick radiator debate is more complicated than most think. For (800, 1200) RPM fans your better off with 30mm radiator with medium FPI. For [1200, 1800) RPM a 60mm low FPI is slightly better. Most people don't push the limits of their radiator so they typically will not see much of a difference. A 240 30mm radiator is more than enough for a single GPU and most CPUs with a mild OC. The only potential issue with this is AMDs new enthusiast platform. Those CPUs use a bit more juice.

 

[NeverBackDown]

The majority of WC enthusiasts aren't going to go out and buy an customized aluminum loop for there 2k+ PC. That would imply the target audience has a more realistic budget. They would be directly competing with those who use AIOs. It would much less hassle to put the remaining funds into a better GPU with a decent cooler than to purchase one of these kits.

Your argument here is invalid based off your first sentence. This is not aimed at WC enthusiast. Even though it performs extremely similar, kits in general and especially this one, are aimed at newbies, not enthusiast who prefer the custom loop. Your argument is akin to saying AIOs shouldn't exist because no WC enthusiast is going to get one on a $2k PC yet we all know it's not aimed at WC enthusiast.

 

[Kaapstad]

Your argument here is invalid based off your first sentence. This is not aimed at WC enthusiast. Even though it performs extremely similar, kits in general and especially this one, are aimed at newbies, not enthusiast who prefer the custom loop. Your argument is akin to saying AIOs shouldn't exist because no WC enthusiast is going to get one on a $2k PC yet we all know it's not aimed at WC enthusiast.

I have often used AIO solutions in my PCs as they are quick and easy to use.

I don't have a problem with custom waterloops as I have 4 PCs that use them.

 

[Warchild]

Who buys a 400+ card, but cannot afford a copper block? I don't think there's a market for this besides a few noobs who are just starting (why not just got AIO).

I can think of a number of people who buy flagship cards but are skeptical about custom loop solution. Doesn't always have to be about cost, but at least now you can make a first step, without breaking your bank.


Take Dicehunter on these forums. He has been wanting to jump into the custom loop market for a long time but hasnt done so. Alu components simply brings the joy of custom loops to a larger audience. And there are more newbies "just starting" watercooling than you think. Just take a look at people posting their specs on these forums with "first time watercooling" in the subject.

 

[mb67]

I can think of a number of people who buy flagship cards but are skeptical about custom loop solution. Doesn't always have to be about cost, but at least now you can make a first step, without breaking your bank.


Take Dicehunter on these forums. He has been wanting to jump into the custom loop market for a long time but hasnt done so. Alu components simply brings the joy of custom loops to a larger audience. And there are more newbies "just starting" watercooling than you think. Just take a look at people posting their specs on these forums with "first time watercooling" in the subject.

Yes, I too want to get into custom water cooling. In fact, my 'Raven' build was supposed to be a custom loop but after seeing how little space I have in this Jonsbo UMX4 case, I opted to use the NZXT Kraken AIO for the CPU. I kind of wish that there were an AMD X370 mATX board that had support for SLI: That would have allowed me enough room to get a custom loop in this case.