EK Expands on Quantum Kinetic TBE Series Products With DDC-Powered Variants

[btarunr]

EK, the premium liquid cooling gear manufacturer from Slovenia, EU, is adding more options to its Quantum Line Kinetic TBE products with DDC pump-based combo units. These new DDC-powered combos offer very high head pressure and good flow rates in a small footprint. This makes them very convenient for smaller cases that house powerful hardware with multiple water blocks. EK-Quantum products come with sophisticated addressable D-RGB 5 V LEDs that can be controlled through your motherboard's RGB control software or EK-Loop Connect controller unit. Besides the upgraded loop routing capabilities of the new small form factor combo units, EK is putting a lot of emphasis on the D-RGB implementation with no visible LED hotspots.

The most popular small form factor cylindrical pump-res combo on the market is redesigned, upgraded, and better in every way. The top is now featuring three G1/4" ports. One of the ports can be used with the included nickel-plated brass internal tube, which helps prevent the splashing of the coolant inside the reservoir if the top is to be used as an inlet. This reduces the chances of air being sucked in by the pump and foaming of the coolant as well. Any of these ports can also be used for filling the system or adding additional upcoming accessories (thermal probes, LEDs, etc.) The internal tube can not be used in conjunction with the anti-Vortex insert on 120 models due to height restrictions.




Another three industry-standard G1/4" ports are available in the bottom combo housing. Aside from the main front-placed In and Out ports, it features a backside port usable as either an optional inlet or a drain port. Mounting is done through four pillars on the bottom of the pump-reservoir combo unit. The addressable LEDs are placed in a ring directed toward the coolant. Any unwanted hotspot of the D-RGB LED of the combo unit is covered by a CNC-machined aluminium piece.

The tube itself remains unchanged, with a diameter of 60 mm. This means that it remains compatible with the previous generation of EK cylindrical reservoir tubes. The anti-cyclone insert is pre-attached, modernized, and more discrete.

For its small footprint, the DDC 3.2 pump offers great hydraulic characteristics with flow rates of up to 1000L/h with a maximum head pressure of 5.2 m. The DDC motor is cooled by the integrated heatsink on the bottom of the enclosure.

The EK-Quantum Kinetic TBE DDC tubular pump and reservoir combo units are available in four versions - two height variants marked with 120 and 160 (representing the total height of the unit in millimeters) and two material choices for each of the size variants.

The EK-Quantum Kinetic TBE comes in black POM acetal and cast acrylic (plexi) variants, both having addressable D-RGB implementation inside the housing.
Inside these combo units, a digital (addressable) 3-pin 5 V D-RGB LED strip is installed and it connects to the motherboard's 3-pin LED header or can be connected to any other supported 5 V 3-pin addressable D-RGB LED controller. This product is compatible with all major motherboard manufacturers' D-RGB control software. The arrow marking on the 3-pin LED connector is to be aligned with the +5 V marking on the D-RGB header.

Availability and Pricing
EK-Quantum Kinetic TBE pump-reservoir combos are made in Slovenia, Europe, and are available for purchase through the EK Webshop and Partner Reseller Network. In the table below, you can see the manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP), VAT included.



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[atomicus]

Is there a reason to opt for DDC over a D5? I've always used D5 pumps, having been warned away many years ago due to DDC being more noisy. I'm aware they push more and have a slightly smaller footprint, but is that it? Seems like DDC is best for mega loops where that pressure is required, or small builds where every millimetre counts. D5 for everything else.

 

[Totally]

Is there a reason to opt for DDC over a D5? I've always used D5 pumps, having been warned away many years ago due to DDC being more noisy. I'm aware they push more and have a slightly smaller footprint, but is that it?

I can't hear them [2 DDCs] over my case fans [(4) 140mm and (1) 120 mm] that running at 50%

 

[Cranky5150]

DDC pumps have more head pressure compared to D5's. Yeah they are a bit nosier that D5's but they have better flow rates IMO..They tend to flow better when restriction is introduced.

 

[thesmokingman]

Is there a reason to opt for DDC over a D5? I've always used D5 pumps, having been warned away many years ago due to DDC being more noisy. I'm aware they push more and have a slightly smaller footprint, but is that it? Seems like DDC is best for mega loops where that pressure is required, or small builds where every millimetre counts. D5 for everything else.

I always go DDC and avoid D5. DDC have 50% more head pressure, do not dump heat into loop, are a1/3 the size, and a bit cheaper.

 

[Haile Selassie]

How many models now? Btw these are some insane prices, what do they think they are selling? Liquid gold?
Once you are in this price range there are much better brands to choose from.

 

[thesmokingman]

How many models now? Btw these are some insane prices, what do they think they are selling? Liquid gold?
Once you are in this price range there are much better brands to choose from.

Don't buy the pump from EK. It's just a rebadged Laing anyways, they all are.

 

[MxPhenom 216]

DDC pumps have more head pressure compared to D5's. Yeah they are a bit nosier that D5's but they have better flow rates IMO..They tend to flow better when restriction is introduced.

That entirely depends on the top used on the pump. Most D5s now are attached to a reservior/pump top combo and head pressure difference between DDC and D5s become very small. D5s have higher flow rates as well. head pressure and flow rate are different metrics.

DDC max PWM setting vs D5 Vario setting 5 (max)

The MCP35x is a beast of a pump. D5 are still able to maintain a decent flow rate where as DDC type pumps tend to drop off like a cliff.

Is there a reason to opt for DDC over a D5? I've always used D5 pumps, having been warned away many years ago due to DDC being more noisy. I'm aware they push more and have a slightly smaller footprint, but is that it? Seems like DDC is best for mega loops where that pressure is required, or small builds where every millimetre counts. D5 for everything else.

I just got a D5 for my new loop over the DDCs ive used for years. Its certainly quieter and cooler running. I think it'll last longer than the DDC pumps ive had.

 

[thesmokingman]

That entirely depends on the top used on the pump. Most D5s now are attached to a reservior/pump top combo and head pressure difference between DDC and D5s become very small. D5s have higher flow rates as well. head pressure and flow rate are different metrics.

DDC max PWM setting vs D5 Vario setting 5 (max)

The MCP35x is a beast of a pump. D5 are still able to maintain a decent flow rate where as DDC type pumps tend to drop off like a cliff.

I just got a D5 for my new loop over the DDCs ive used for years. Its certainly quieter and cooler running. I think it'll last longer than the DDC pumps ive had.

Dude, really? High flow rates are useless. Anything over 1.5gpm is wasted energy. Those charts you posted are ridiculous!

 

[Totally]

The MCP35x is a beast of a pump. D5 are still able to maintain a decent flow rate where as DDC type pumps tend to drop off like a cliff.

That's not what the graph says/how it's read.

 

[MxPhenom 216]

Dude, really? High flow rates are useless. Anything over 1.5gpm is wasted energy. Those charts you posted are ridiculous!

Ridiculous? How? The 2nd one is data straight from Swiftech.

My point still stands even if the charts are dumb or my interpretation of them. D5 head pressure is kind of a non issue considering majority of them include a better top than the originals way back in the day, or you attach them to a reservoir that performs like a aftermarket top. Pump performance for D5 or DDC are heavily dependent on the top. D5s are quieter too.

This is straight from TPU review of PWM D5.

 

[Totally]

Ridiculous? How? The 2nd one is data straight from Swiftech.

My point still stands even if the charts are dumb or my interpretation of them. D5 head pressure is kind of a non issue considering majority of them include a better top than the originals way back in the day, or you attach them to a reservoir that performs like a aftermarket top. Pump performance for D5 or DDC are heavily dependent on the top. D5s are quieter too.

This is straight from TPU review of PWM D5.

View attachment 155510

Head pressure is determined by the loop which then in turn determines a pumps maximum flow rate so a DDC doesn't drop off a cliff with increasing pressure it does quite the opposite.

 

[MxPhenom 216]

Head pressure is determined by the loop which then in turn determines a pumps maximum flow rate so a DDC doesn't drop off a cliff with increasing pressure it does quite the opposite. That's really all what the graphs should say but head pressure is listed in psi so it's kind of nonsensical.

Thats literally how P-Q curves are for any pump....

 

[looniam]

i gotta toss in my 2 cents:

i don't look at "wasted energy" but "headroom." sure those DCC pumps are overkill for simple loops but get adventurous with running a monoblock w/couple of gpu blocks (because rendering and such) in parallel(!) and three 360+mm rads (with a dozen+ 90 degree fittings) and you'l need every bit of that pump and then some.

still for a simple loop: run it on 3 instead of 5 and enjoy the silence . . .

just like its wise to buy a good quality, strong PSU: blocks, tubing, rads and even reservoirs come and go but a pump is the heart beat of a water loop. get a good one to last you 10+ years.

but whatever works i guess . . .

 

[Totally]

Thats literally how P-Q curves are for any pump....

Damn I was sure I edited that out.

 

[thesmokingman]

Ridiculous? How? The 2nd one is data straight from Swiftech.

My point still stands even if the charts are dumb or my interpretation of them. D5 head pressure is kind of a non issue considering majority of them include a better top than the originals way back in the day, or you attach them to a reservoir that performs like a aftermarket top. Pump performance for D5 or DDC are heavily dependent on the top. D5s are quieter too.

This is straight from TPU review of PWM D5.

View attachment 155510

It's still lower and more expensive than a 35x at over 6psi and change. And when you start modding a 655 the costs go up.

 

[MxPhenom 216]

It's still lower and more expensive than a 35x at over 6psi and change. And when you start modding a 655 the costs go up.

Cost wise, 35x isnt that much cheaper. Retails for $100. Standalone D5s from EK, or what have you is less than that. Add a reservoir top to it, sure it can be more expensive by a hair.

Swiftech D5 PWM stand alone pump is about $60-70 depending on the place. EK one is about $90, but uses a better PWM module than Swiftechs. Reservoir top can be had for $30-50.

Reliability is probably still in favor of D5. Ive had a couple DDC pumps fail on me. We will see how long this D5 lasts.