• Welcome to TechPowerUp Forums, Guest! Please check out our forum guidelines for info related to our community.

CORSAIR Opens Port to ex-EKWB Top Management

VSG

Editor, Reviews & News
Staff member
Joined
Jul 1, 2014
Messages
3,642 (0.96/day)
It was a month ago that TechPowerUp broke the news about EK Water Blocks parting ways with then CEO, CTO and Head of Marketing, among others. Speculations arose from readers concerning what could have happened behind the scenes to result in such a dramatic change to what was otherwise a successful time period for the company. Since then, EKWB did just what they promised and delivered new products in time including additions to their Fluid Gaming lineup as well as introducing a new modular AIO MLC series. It appears that in the short term at least, they have continued on unaffected.

Today we can let everyone know what happened to those who left the company, and this news has deeper potential implications to the PC DIY market. Both Mark Tanko, ex-CEO, and Niko Tivadar, ex-CTO, confirmed to us that they have officially joined CORSAIR. Mark is now "Vice President & BU General Manager at CORSAIR", whereas Niko is "Director Of Engineering at CORSAIR". We contacted them for a statement, and it can be seen following the break.



I can confirm that Niko and I joined CORSAIR team and look forward to the upcoming challenges. I cannot comment on our future activities at this moment but will gladly disclose them to TechPowerUp! readers next year. Happy Holidays, stay cool everyone! -Mark Tanko

CORSAIR showed off some custom DIY water cooling components at Computex this year, with those being born out of a cooperation deal with Aqua Computer. With the acquisition of the new talent, and the job title hinting towards a new business unit being created inside CORSAIR, we speculate this is the beginning to CORSAIR getting into the PC DIY water cooling market as well. It makes all the more sense considering their competitors have already done so, including Phanteks with their Glacier series, and Thermaltake with their Pacific lineup. Assuming this is the case, it will be interesting to see how the larger retail channels and liquid assets of CORSAIR help offset the loss of manufacturing connections and assets that the two had access to while at EKWB. Similarly, brand recognition will be a challenge no matter what, since CORSAIR have been otherwise associated with CLC AIOs when liquid cooling is being discussed.

We have contacted CORSAIR, EKWB and Aqua Computer to provide further context to this, and will update the post accordingly if we hear back. In the meantime, please feel free to share your thoughts and comments.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site
 
Joined
Jun 18, 2010
Messages
2,334 (0.44/day)
Processor Intel i7 970 // Intel i7 2600K
Motherboard Asus Rampage III Formula // Asus P8P67 Deluxe
Cooling Zalman CNPS9900MaxB // Zalman CNPS11X
Memory GSkill 2133 12GB // Corsair V 2400 32GB
Video Card(s) ASUS GTX1080 // MSI GTX1070
Storage Samsung 870EVO // Samsung 840P
Display(s) HP w2207h
Case CoolerMaster Stacker 830se // Lian Li PC-9F
Audio Device(s) onboard
Power Supply Seasonic X 850w Gold // EVGA 850w G2
Mouse Logitech G502SE HERO, G9
Keyboard Dell
Software W10 Pro 22H2
I don't know who has the manufacturing arm at Corsair for these AIO's but could they contract with EKWB in the future?
 
Joined
Nov 13, 2007
Messages
10,737 (1.73/day)
Location
Austin Texas
System Name stress-less
Processor 9800X3D @ 5.42GHZ
Motherboard MSI PRO B650M-A Wifi
Cooling Thermalright Phantom Spirit EVO
Memory 64GB DDR5 6400 CL30 / 2133 fclk
Video Card(s) RTX 4090 FE
Storage 2TB WD SN850, 4TB WD SN850X
Display(s) Alienware 32" 4k 240hz OLED
Case Jonsbo Z20
Audio Device(s) Yes
Power Supply Corsair SF750
Mouse DeathadderV2 X Hyperspeed
Keyboard 65% HE Keyboard
Software Windows 11
Benchmark Scores They're pretty good, nothing crazy.
Not sure what happened at EK... but I would definitely keep those guys on a short leash if I was Corsair's management...
 

VSG

Editor, Reviews & News
Staff member
Joined
Jul 1, 2014
Messages
3,642 (0.96/day)
I don't know who has the manufacturing arm at Corsair for these AIO's but could they contract with EKWB in the future?

I don't think that will be happening anytime soon.
 
Joined
Sep 7, 2017
Messages
3,244 (1.23/day)
System Name Grunt
Processor Ryzen 5800x
Motherboard Gigabyte x570 Gaming X
Cooling Noctua NH-U12A
Memory Corsair LPX 3600 4x8GB
Video Card(s) Gigabyte 6800 XT (reference)
Storage Samsung 980 Pro 2TB
Display(s) Samsung CFG70, Samsung NU8000 TV
Case Corsair C70
Power Supply Corsair HX750
Software Win 10 Pro
Not to be insensitive, but maybe it's an E. European thing? /shrug. Maybe they play hardball in business over there.
 
Joined
Nov 21, 2010
Messages
2,351 (0.46/day)
Location
Right where I want to be
System Name Miami
Processor Ryzen 3800X
Motherboard Asus Crosshair VII Formula
Cooling Ek Velocity/ 2x 280mm Radiators/ Alphacool fullcover
Memory F4-3600C16Q-32GTZNC
Video Card(s) XFX 6900 XT Speedster 0
Storage 1TB WD M.2 SSD/ 2TB WD SN750/ 4TB WD Black HDD
Display(s) DELL AW3420DW / HP ZR24w
Case Lian Li O11 Dynamic XL
Audio Device(s) EVGA Nu Audio
Power Supply Seasonic Prime Gold 1000W+750W
Mouse Corsair Scimitar/Glorious Model O-
Keyboard Corsair K95 Platinum
Software Windows 10 Pro
"...EKWB did just what they promised and delivered new products in time..."

I'm sorry that's bullshit the MLC finally was released after delays of upwards of a year, and all other products weren't previously announced or announced shortly, within a couple weeks, of a the launch. They never delivered in that is an illusion.
 

VSG

Editor, Reviews & News
Staff member
Joined
Jul 1, 2014
Messages
3,642 (0.96/day)
"delivered new products in time" I'm sorry that's bullshit the MLC finally was released after delays of upwards of a year, and all other products weren't previously announced or announced shortly, within a couple weeks, of a the launch. They never delivered in that is an illusion.

The timeline was in reference to their statement provided in the original news post. If they never announced anything till then, how can it be delayed?
 
Joined
Mar 7, 2011
Messages
4,537 (0.91/day)
I don't know who has the manufacturing arm at Corsair for these AIO's but could they contract with EKWB in the future?
Corsair's current OEM and Patent troll won't be too happy to lose their biggest client to EK.
 
Joined
Nov 21, 2010
Messages
2,351 (0.46/day)
Location
Right where I want to be
System Name Miami
Processor Ryzen 3800X
Motherboard Asus Crosshair VII Formula
Cooling Ek Velocity/ 2x 280mm Radiators/ Alphacool fullcover
Memory F4-3600C16Q-32GTZNC
Video Card(s) XFX 6900 XT Speedster 0
Storage 1TB WD M.2 SSD/ 2TB WD SN750/ 4TB WD Black HDD
Display(s) DELL AW3420DW / HP ZR24w
Case Lian Li O11 Dynamic XL
Audio Device(s) EVGA Nu Audio
Power Supply Seasonic Prime Gold 1000W+750W
Mouse Corsair Scimitar/Glorious Model O-
Keyboard Corsair K95 Platinum
Software Windows 10 Pro
The timeline was in reference to their statement provided in the original news post. If they never announced anything till then, how can it be delayed?

If you delay something internally repeated and then announce when you are finally just about done then claim that you are timely isn't that just patting yourself on the back?
 

VSG

Editor, Reviews & News
Staff member
Joined
Jul 1, 2014
Messages
3,642 (0.96/day)
If you delay something internally repeated and then announce when you are finally just about done then claim that you are timely isn't that just patting yourself on the back?

The MLC series was alluded to multiple times this year with reps saying it "could be coming in..", "might be coming in.." etc but until a product is actually announced and a release date given, I don't bother holding any expectations for a timely release or delay. Doing otherwise means going through what you and others did, and what I've been through far too many times lol.
 
Joined
Sep 7, 2017
Messages
3,244 (1.23/day)
System Name Grunt
Processor Ryzen 5800x
Motherboard Gigabyte x570 Gaming X
Cooling Noctua NH-U12A
Memory Corsair LPX 3600 4x8GB
Video Card(s) Gigabyte 6800 XT (reference)
Storage Samsung 980 Pro 2TB
Display(s) Samsung CFG70, Samsung NU8000 TV
Case Corsair C70
Power Supply Corsair HX750
Software Win 10 Pro
Corsair's current OEM and Patent troll won't be too happy to lose their biggest client to EK.

Who is that? I thought Corsair's stuff was made by "CoolIT", but wasn't sure.
 
Joined
Aug 2, 2011
Messages
1,458 (0.30/day)
Processor Ryzen 9 7950X3D
Motherboard MSI X670E MPG Carbon Wifi
Cooling Custom loop, 2x360mm radiator,Lian Li UNI, EK XRes140,EK Velocity2
Memory 2x16GB G.Skill DDR5-6400 @ 6400MHz C32
Video Card(s) EVGA RTX 3080 Ti FTW3 Ultra OC Scanner core +750 mem
Storage MP600 Pro 2TB,960 EVO 1TB,XPG SX8200 Pro 1TB,Micron 1100 2TB,1.5TB Caviar Green
Display(s) Alienware AW3423DWF, Acer XB270HU
Case LianLi O11 Dynamic White
Audio Device(s) Logitech G-Pro X Wireless
Power Supply EVGA P3 1200W
Mouse Logitech G502X Lightspeed
Keyboard Logitech G512 Carbon w/ GX Brown
VR HMD HP Reverb G2 (V2)
Software Win 11

Ruru

S.T.A.R.S.
Joined
Dec 16, 2012
Messages
12,692 (2.91/day)
Location
Jyväskylä, Finland
System Name 4K-gaming
Processor AMD Ryzen 7 5800X @ PBO +200 -20CO
Motherboard Asus ROG Crosshair VII Hero
Cooling Arctic Freezer 50, EKWB Vector TUF
Memory 32GB Kingston HyperX Fury DDR4-3466
Video Card(s) Asus GeForce RTX 3080 TUF OC 10GB
Storage 3.3TB of SSDs + 3TB USB3.0 HDDs
Display(s) 27" 4K120 IPS + 32" 4K60 IPS + 24" 1080p60
Case Corsair 4000D Airflow White
Audio Device(s) Asus TUF H3 Wireless / Corsair HS35
Power Supply EVGA Supernova G2 750W
Mouse Logitech MX518 + Asus ROG Strix Edge Nordic
Keyboard Roccat Vulcan 121 AIMO
VR HMD Oculus Rift CV1
Software Windows 11 Pro
Benchmark Scores It runs Crysis
Yup, Asetek.
 
Joined
Mar 7, 2011
Messages
4,537 (0.91/day)
Who is that? I thought Corsair's stuff was made by "CoolIT", but wasn't sure.
CoolIT was manufacturer of following AIO for Corsair rest all is AseTek. Majority of these CoolIT AIOs have been now discontinued and replaced by AseTek units.
H60
H80
H80i
H100
H100i
H100i GT
 
Joined
Sep 7, 2017
Messages
3,244 (1.23/day)
System Name Grunt
Processor Ryzen 5800x
Motherboard Gigabyte x570 Gaming X
Cooling Noctua NH-U12A
Memory Corsair LPX 3600 4x8GB
Video Card(s) Gigabyte 6800 XT (reference)
Storage Samsung 980 Pro 2TB
Display(s) Samsung CFG70, Samsung NU8000 TV
Case Corsair C70
Power Supply Corsair HX750
Software Win 10 Pro
CoolIT was manufacturer of following AIO for Corsair rest all is AseTek. Majority of these CoolIT AIOs have been now discontinued and replaced by AseTek units.
H60
H80
H80i
H100
H100i
H100i GT

Thanks. I knew CoolIT must've had a hand in some of them...

In any case, I've never owned anything from EKWB, but I keep hearing good things.
 
Joined
Nov 21, 2010
Messages
2,351 (0.46/day)
Location
Right where I want to be
System Name Miami
Processor Ryzen 3800X
Motherboard Asus Crosshair VII Formula
Cooling Ek Velocity/ 2x 280mm Radiators/ Alphacool fullcover
Memory F4-3600C16Q-32GTZNC
Video Card(s) XFX 6900 XT Speedster 0
Storage 1TB WD M.2 SSD/ 2TB WD SN750/ 4TB WD Black HDD
Display(s) DELL AW3420DW / HP ZR24w
Case Lian Li O11 Dynamic XL
Audio Device(s) EVGA Nu Audio
Power Supply Seasonic Prime Gold 1000W+750W
Mouse Corsair Scimitar/Glorious Model O-
Keyboard Corsair K95 Platinum
Software Windows 10 Pro
The MLC series was alluded to multiple times this year with reps saying it "could be coming in..", "might be coming in.." etc but until a product is actually announced and a release date given, I don't bother holding any expectations for a timely release or delay. Doing otherwise means going through what you and others did, and what I've been through far too many times lol.

They had a webpage dedicated it to saying coming in Q3 2016 before the delays
 
Joined
Jan 15, 2012
Messages
944 (0.20/day)
Location
Slovenia
System Name PC.
Processor i7 2600K 5.0Gh,i7 3770K 5.00Gh. EK, Liqed Coooleng
Motherboard P67A-UD7-B3 Gigabyte T.,ASUS,P8Z77-V PREMIUM,MAXIMUS V EXTRIME..
Cooling Liqed Cooleng ,EK Suprime LTX Nickel,EK for Motherboard,Aqua computer (WGA), Thermaltake .... 0i,
Memory G.SKILL F3-17600CL7-2GBPISG. 16GBSkill Sniper F3-17000CL94GBSR on 2400Hz 10-12-11-29 1
Video Card(s) GTX590 ,SLI ,POV TGT best 691Hz ,LiqedCoold,GTX480.....GTX1080MSI SeaHawkEK SLI
Storage OCZ-REVODRIVE 3-240GB,2xCrucialMX100.512.R-0,1x LMT-32L3m,3x 1TB-WD,1x;1x2TbSEAGATE1x2Tb Seagate
Display(s) DELL-U2412Mb,Samsung Synkmaster245B,HP ENVY 34c
Case Thermaltake, NZXT SWITCH 810SE
Audio Device(s) CREATIVE BLASTER X-Fi Titanium HD , AUNE T1MK2 TUBE USB
Power Supply ENERMAX Platimax 1500W,Thermaltake 1500W
Mouse VIPER V560,FUNC MS-3, Prestigio, R.A.T.E.7 and 5,LogitechG502,RAZER,Inperator.,dead...a.s.o.
Keyboard Trust ....LogotechG410
Software Windows7 64....
Benchmark Scores 3DMark Fire Strike 21.385 (37.234,11.828,7.176)
OMG. The EK has home in Slovenia (Central Europe) and many do not know this ! I have to tell you that this was necessary because Taxes in this small EU country are crazy and they reach 28% (not TAIPO).and that's not all because this basic tax then comes more taxes ! They successfully destroying all small economy in slovenia .
A strategic link is needed for EKWB and we will see what will bring us in the field of liquid cooling.
Marko želim vam veliko uspeha.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Dec 15, 2017
Messages
1 (0.00/day)
"...it will be interesting to see how the larger retail channels..."

Good luck to Corsair with that.

There is a reason you won't find watercooling DIY parts at larger retail channels. Several have tried just to find out they need dedicated people at sales and support plus they need to stock 1000+ different SKUs for a market that is very small and has slim margins.

I never believed in those quick disconnect kits as it doesn't make much sense to try to bridge the AIO and DIY markets.
 
Joined
Oct 2, 2004
Messages
13,791 (1.88/day)
What I don't understand is how Corsair didn't buy the EKWB (either buyout or merger). Predator AiO's would be interesting for broader consumer market and knowhow and manufacturing would allow them to provide special systems with built in water cooling. Like for example water cooling ready case with built in radiators and AiO water block that can be replaceable with quick disconnect thingies. So you can either use AiO systemn on it or a full fledge custom water cooling. There is so much potential, if only someone would see it and use it.
 

Ruru

S.T.A.R.S.
Joined
Dec 16, 2012
Messages
12,692 (2.91/day)
Location
Jyväskylä, Finland
System Name 4K-gaming
Processor AMD Ryzen 7 5800X @ PBO +200 -20CO
Motherboard Asus ROG Crosshair VII Hero
Cooling Arctic Freezer 50, EKWB Vector TUF
Memory 32GB Kingston HyperX Fury DDR4-3466
Video Card(s) Asus GeForce RTX 3080 TUF OC 10GB
Storage 3.3TB of SSDs + 3TB USB3.0 HDDs
Display(s) 27" 4K120 IPS + 32" 4K60 IPS + 24" 1080p60
Case Corsair 4000D Airflow White
Audio Device(s) Asus TUF H3 Wireless / Corsair HS35
Power Supply EVGA Supernova G2 750W
Mouse Logitech MX518 + Asus ROG Strix Edge Nordic
Keyboard Roccat Vulcan 121 AIMO
VR HMD Oculus Rift CV1
Software Windows 11 Pro
Benchmark Scores It runs Crysis
OMG. The EK has home in Slovenia (Central Europe) and many do not know this ! I have to tell you that this was necessary because Taxes in this small EU country are crazy and they reach 28% (not TAIPO).and that's not all because this basic tax then comes more taxes ! They successfully destroying all small economy in slovenia .
A strategic link is needed for EKWB and we will see what will bring us in the field of liquid cooling.
Marko želim vam veliko uspeha.
And I thought that we have high taxes here in Finland. :eek:
 
Joined
Jul 2, 2008
Messages
8,088 (1.35/day)
Location
Hillsboro, OR
System Name Main/DC
Processor i7-3770K/i7-2600K
Motherboard MSI Z77A-GD55/GA-P67A-UD4-B3
Cooling Phanteks PH-TC14CS/H80
Memory Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) LP /4GB Kingston DDR3 1600
Video Card(s) Asus GTX 660 Ti/MSI HD7770
Storage Crucial MX100 256GB/120GB Samsung 830 & Seagate 2TB(died)
Display(s) Asus 24' LED/Samsung SyncMaster B1940
Case P100/Antec P280 It's huge!
Audio Device(s) on board
Power Supply SeaSonic SS-660XP2/Seasonic SS-760XP2
Software Win 7 Home Premiun 64 Bit
What I don't understand is how Corsair didn't buy the EKWB (either buyout or merger).
This is purely conjecture. This is what I think might have happened: Corsair approached the management of EKWB about a merger. EKWB's management approached the EKWB owners with a recommendation for the merger and promptly got themselves fired.
 
Joined
Oct 2, 2004
Messages
13,791 (1.88/day)
Why would you fire people over potential massive expansion opportunity idea? Seems unlikely. Founder could still say "nope" and that would be it. Unless they got into an argument about it. That however is possible.
 
Top