Wednesday, February 14th 2018

EK Water Blocks Apologizes to Customers with Re-designed Threadripper CPU Block

EK Water Blocks (EKWB) did not have the greatest end to 2017, losing key members of their top management, some of whom found employment with CORSAIRas we later found out. The performance of their CPU water block for AMD Ryzen Threadripper CPUs was also a matter of great debate among enthusiasts, with the cold plate having machined microfins that occupied an area smaller than that occupied by the CPU dies themselves. A few tests from end users and the media alike pointed towards disappointing thermal dissipation relative to the competition and, even though EKWB insisted that the block was good enough, the bad press likely was enough to convince them otherwise.

In a public apology published as a press release on their website, EKWB today even conceded that they did not give their best for the product as it is and laid down some plans to make it right. It begins with a redesign of the cold plate, which affects current and future products alike, as well as doing right to the customers who purchased the previous design of the CPU block as well. Click on the story to know more.

First up, the redesigned cold plate. On the left is an illustration of an AMD Ryzen Threadripper CPU complete with that large IHS and PCB relative to anything else we see in the mainstream and HEDT market. In the middle is an image showing how the older EKWB coldplate for the platform fared, with what was essentially the cooling engine of the old EK-Supremacy EVO used in a larger space to fill up the gaps. This allowed them to bring out a product to market sooner than others, a smart business move without the power of hindsight, and one that led to others taking time and bringing out better compatible solutions which meant that in the long term, the EKWB solution was left wanting. On the right is the new cold plate design, one that improves vastly on the cooling engine to take good advantage of the available space. Indeed, we even see extensions in the longer axis which should allow for better heat transfer from the cold plate to the coolant, albeit yours truly is concerned at the higher coolant flow restriction resulting from this change.
What about those who purchased products based off the older design, you ask? Well, there are some options here. EKWB decided to hold off on releasing some monoblocks to incorporate the new cold plate, but those who purchased the EK-FB ASUS ROG ZE RGB Monoblock can apply for a free upgrade kit shown above. Proof of purchase is a must for this, but that is only fair and EKWB promises to ship the kit at their expense as well if you are comfortable to make the swap yourself. If not, there is a videogoing over the process or you can also contact them and they will assist you with it.

More relevantly, however, those who purchased the actual EKWB Threadripper CPU block itself will not be able to take advantage of such an upgrade kit since the mounting mechanism is different as well. The new CPU block design will install similar to a monoblock from the other side of the PCB, so this makes sense to us. Those who purchased the older block before the 24th of November, 2017 is entitled to a 25 €/$ coupon code to the EKWB store, and if you have the proof of purchase as well then you have the option to get a partial refund instead. This seems confusing in that there is no mention of what is done regarding the orders placed after that date, and presumably the latter refund option is actually for the recent orders since everyone likely has proof of purchase irrespective of when the purchase was made. We have contacted EK for clarification on this matter, and will update the post accordingly.

In EK's own words:
"Our engineering team is hard at work with developing a new CPU water block which will be specifically designed for HEDT AMD Ryzen Threadripper processors. We hope that the partial refund will compensate for the lack of performance of the EK-Supremacy EVO Threadripper Edition CPU water block and that you, our customers, will put your trust in our upcoming products."
It takes courage to admit fault, whatever be the reason that drove the admission, and work to make things right. EK Water Blocks enjoyed the market share and reputation before to where people would trust them enough to place pre-orders for water blocks even without knowing how they perform, but that did take a ding post the Threadripper CPU block design of old. What do you think about the apology and subsequent steps? Feel free to comment on the story and let them know if you felt the steps taken were adequate, more than expected, or whether they should have done more. I am sure they will appreciate your feedback one way or the other.

Update: February 15, 2018 - The new head of marketing for EKWB confirmed that the rebate/discount is for customers of the CPU block before the 24th of November, 2017 after all. He clarified by saying the block went on a permanent discount after this date to reflect the market, so the discount will help previous customers to get on par with the current price point for the product.
Source: EK Water Blocks
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14 Comments on EK Water Blocks Apologizes to Customers with Re-designed Threadripper CPU Block

#1
Hood
I always thought that EKWB was a very reputable company, possibly the best in their field. So they had a few hiccups and released some bad product, as they all do sometimes. They admitted their mistake and tried to make it up to people who trusted them, so in my book they're still better than 95% of the competition.
Posted on Reply
#3
eidairaman1
The Exiled Airman
Hmm Imho, take the height of a Wraith spire and make a block, don't mind if its taller, it be nice for heat to come off fins into the water from a greater square area...
Posted on Reply
#4
CheapMeat
Yeah I always wished the interior fins were taller and even the heatblock itself to have a metal heatsink fins on the outside too just for a bit extra at idle, like the Swiftech Apogee II. I feel like most are too focused on making the lowest profile. Anyway, glad EK is fixing this. When their TR block first came out, I ask the rep about it myself and they reassured me it was just fine. But saw other blocks doing it proper. So I knew it wasn't just me.



Posted on Reply
#5
eidairaman1
The Exiled Airman
CheapMeatYeah I always wished the fins were taller and even the heatblock itself to have a metal heatsink fins on the outside too just for a bit extra like the Swiftech Apogee II:
Well even internally so it multiplies the effectiveness of it.
Posted on Reply
#6
CheapMeat
eidairaman1Well even internally so it multiplies the effectiveness of it.
This isn't a waterblock but here's an example of how "tall" I'd want the micro fins in a block. I don't know if anyone's ever tried something similar.




I mean, if some companies are going to put out stuff like this....then why not just try a larger (taller) block (like you mention):

Posted on Reply
#7
Kohl Baas
CheapMeatYeah I always wished the interior fins were taller and even the heatblock itself to have a metal heatsink fins on the outside too just for a bit extra at idle, like the Swiftech Apogee II. I feel like most are too focused on making the lowest profile. Anyway, glad EK is fixing this. When their TR block first came out, I ask the rep about it myself and they reassured me it was just fine. But saw other blocks doing it proper. So I knew it wasn't just me.



You know those fins on the Apogee has nothing to do with cooling the CPU, right? That block is only tthat high because it has a pump mounted upside down on top of it and the heatsink you see is cooling the electronics of that pump.
Posted on Reply
#8
eidairaman1
The Exiled Airman
Kohl BaasYou know those fins on the Apogee has nothing to do with cooling the CPU, right? That block is only tthat high because it has a pump mounted upside down on top of it and the heatsink you see is cooling the electronics of that pump.
Those additional fins help with expulsion of heat too.

He does know about the pumps being internal but waterblocks should have taller mini fins internally.
Posted on Reply
#9
Dammeron
CheapMeatThis isn't a waterblock but here's an example of how "tall" I'd want the micro fins in a block. I don't know if anyone's ever tried something similar.

Check Thermaltake Pacific W3 and You'll know, why nobody else does it. This design only works, when the water flows from side to side, which lowers the water pressure in the center, above CPU die. While it is sufficient in terms of cooling, it's nowhere near the performance of high end blocks from EK, XSPC, etc...
Posted on Reply
#11
CheapMeat
Kohl BaasYou know those fins on the Apogee has nothing to do with cooling the CPU, right? That block is only tthat high because it has a pump mounted upside down on top of it and the heatsink you see is cooling the electronics of that pump.
I was using it as a design example as there are NO other examples of such a setup. So what did you want me to do? Draw a picture? It's one of the few (because of Aseteks patent) that has the pump with the block itself, so the fins are for cooling as mentioned (DeepCool gets around this with a novelty/workaround using a res as a separation).
DammeronCheck Thermaltake Pacific W3 and You'll know, why nobody else does it. This design only works, when the water flows from side to side, which lowers the water pressure in the center, above CPU die. While it is sufficient in terms of cooling, it's nowhere near the performance of high end blocks from EK, XSPC, etc...
Not sure if I see what you mean. Those are the same-ish height most fins are. The difference here is the surrounding section and the way the flow is (some blocks mill down into the copper rather have standing fins). I still think you could make the fins a bit bigger just to have more thermal capacity. I mean, if we're getting into "good enough realm, then I'm not sure what the point of EK apologizing is for and why anyone cared, since it's "good enough".

Posted on Reply
#12
iO
CheapMeatNot sure if I see what you mean. Those are the same-ish height most fins are. The difference here is the surrounding section and the way the flow is (some blocks mill down into the copper rather have standing fins). I still think you could make the fins a bit bigger just to have more thermal capacity. I mean, if we're getting into "good enough realm, then I'm not sure what the point of EK apologizing is for and why anyone cared, since it's "good enough".
Its a trade off they have to make with both milled and skived fins. Taller fins need to be thicker which have lower the surface area and thus performance than regular microfins.
Posted on Reply
#13
Arjai
Don't mean to be a dick but, air and water have different flow properties. So, the fins for one, will not work as well on the other.

Just the way it is. So, argument is meaningless. You wouldn't take the prop off your boat and try to fly a plane with it, or vice versa.

Now, iff'n he be talking about air fins on top of the cooling block. That is an argument worth debate.

Peace. :lovetpu:
Posted on Reply
#14
Vlada011
At the moment they are probably first watercooling company because follow market and launch waterblocks for most important hardware models and performance are always on top.
Koolance, Swiftech, Alphacool, XSPC, not. Bitspower is very similar to them but not my style... from other side Watercool products look amazing...
I could not bet who made higher quality, Watercool e.k. vs EKWB....But if you choose better hardware with more phase, custom design EKWB stay as only option.

Ten times we are vitness of companies who made mistakes and launch improved model without any excuse and apologizes to customers.
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