EKWB EK-XLC Predator 240

[Assimilator]

considering that the EKWB Vardar are Gentle Typhoon but EKWB branded (both are Nidec OEM iirc)

Nope. Vardar may or may not be manufactured by Nidec, but the design is different to the GT series. The end result is that the Vardar is quite a bit louder than the GT.

 

[Darksword]

Jayztwocents talked about this issue and contacted EKWB, he said they are changing the mounting screws to include two different types(one for 1150 and one for 2011) and they will send replacement mounts free of charge to anyone that bought the first revision and needs them.

That's good to hear. Although you'd think they would have thought of this ahead of time. How does something like that get overlooked in the design phase?

 

[newtekie1]

That's good to hear. Although you'd think they would have thought of this ahead of time. How does something like that get overlooked in the design phase?

Probably because they didn't buy Asrock and Gigabyte boards to test. Heck, they might not have samples for many boards at all and just went with what Intel says the design should be. Remember, the boards that this doesn't work on are using sockets that don't use the standard design.

A lot of the time things like waterblocks are designed off the reference drawings, not actual products.

 

[RejZoR]

I wonder if they have any plans to release EK-XLC Predator 120. A single fan version. I'd be interested in that, so I can stick in in the front of my case. I'm not willing to sacrifice top cover and lose the silence...

 

[ChaoticG8R]

I must have missed where this outperforms the less expensive Swiftech loop(s). This gets a 9.5 for performance not as good as, or just on par with something at least $50 cheaper? Also less warranty length, complicated Intel install and no AMD options. Really think the scores shouldn't be so inflated in respect to the competition.

 

[newtekie1]

I must have missed where this outperforms the less expensive Swiftech loop(s). This gets a 9.5 for performance not as good as, or just on par with something at least $50 cheaper? Also less warranty length, complicated Intel install and no AMD options. Really think the scores shouldn't be so inflated in respect to the competition.

This matches the Swiftech 2x140mm cooler, in a 2x120mm format. Also, the Swiftech 2x120mm cooler still has radiator mounting issues. So it is either deal with Radiator mounting issues that can't be fixed without a massive redesign of the product, or deal with minor mounting issues on non-standard motherboards. I'll take the EKWB problem over Swiftech's. But if you look at the review done here the Swiftech also gets a 9.5. The EKWB is a better product, but costs more, that is all there is to it.

 

[crazyeyesreaper]

Lets see,
Better design
All G1/4 fittings no adapters needed to change tubing / fitting
PWM controller built onto radiator for cleaner wiring and easier access.
Solid performance
Capable of proper push / pull configuration
Actually purchasable
no annoying LEDs


Its a premium product. Premium Halo products seldom ever have a good return on investment doesn't stop people from buying $1000 CPUs, $1000 GPUs, $500 PSUs and $300-500 cases. Its a good AIO. Sure you can go cheaper but the same can be said in pretty much every aspect of life.

$12 Faded Glory Jeans or $50 Carharts?
$8 Fast Food Burger $25 Angus Beef burger
$15,000 Ford Focus $50,000 Lexus / BMW etc
$12 Wallmart Sneakers $99 Nike track shoes.
Regular Gas or Supreme.

It is what it is. One thing people fan to notice is the thermal limit that happens with 4770 / 4790k You reach a certain threshold for cooling and its like hitting the wall. The H105 / H220-X / H240-X / Predator 240 All hit that same wall give or take. And since most users do not delid their CPU i won't do so just to make coolers look better. As such the Predator got a 9.5 it performs similarly and has a few draw backs at the same time it proves better in other ways.

And for the record,

H220-X got a 9.9 Score so why are you bitching in the first place?
H240-X got a 9.5 it was bigger and louder with the same flaws as the smaller unit.

 

[ChaoticG8R]

The EKWB is a better product, but costs more, that is all there is to it.

Yea, I guess I wasn't necessarily sold on the "better product" aspect. It seems relatively on par due to restrictions from both designs. I know the block from EK is generally considered superior, but then the pump is considered superior on the Swiftech, so there are definite trade offs in both directions. What I would say, is that if both were available for $150, I would happily take the EK unit because it does look cleaner for my uses. But at a 33% markup....not really sure I would equate the two.

All G1/4 fittings no adapters needed to change tubing / fitting

Maybe I missed where the Swiftech units I was referring to don't have G1/4 fittings? Won't deny at all that this EK units has some beautiful fittings though, not sure if worth $50...

H240-X got a 9.5 it was bigger and louder with the same flaws as the smaller unit.

Apparently you don't understand comparative reviews. That's fine. I'm sure EK will be happy to keep sending you free products while you are on your knees for them. Just disappointing, I only can come to TPU for the GPU and mobo/memory reviews these days...At least the forums are still my preferred venue of interaction. All I said was, if another product with the same feature set, with the same or even better performance, and costs less, gets the same review score, then I think your methodology of scoring needs to be reconsidered. Finally, where are you buying a $8 fast food burger?

From what I can tell, it seems that EK has the $50/$60 markup over the Swiftech units due to their internal testing showing some dominated performance over the competition.

But to each their own. My initial response was in your conclusion where you said "if cost is not a concern and you want the highest level of performance"...and hence why I asked for that highest level of performance backing. Since you don't seem to have it, and are trying to be combative in other ways, I'll just step out of the thread at this point. Nice AIO, I really hope with more of these Asetek legal battles, that more companies start making more competitive products like the legends are beginning to produce.

 

[newtekie1]

Yea, I guess I wasn't necessarily sold on the "better product" aspect.

I don't see how, the only negative for the EK-XLC is the mounting hardware for 2011, and that only affects non standard motherboards. Everything else is better than the Swiftech.

It seems relatively on par due to restrictions from both designs.

The Swiftech has way more issues.

I know the block from EK is generally considered superior, but then the pump is considered superior on the Swiftech, so there are definite trade offs in both directions.

Where do you get the pump is better on the Swiftech? They are using basically the same style DDC pump. Swiftech's just has that funky head/res combo thing on it.

And you aren't even acknowledging all the other issues with the Swiftech. Like the pump/res placement blocking a fan mounting point, and a quarter of the airflow of the rad. And the fact that the swiftech has to be mounted horizontally, while the EK can be mounted vertically in the front area of a case(yes, a lot of people do this).

Maybe I missed where the Swiftech units I was referring to don't have G1/4 fittings? Won't deny at all that this EK units has some beautiful fittings though, not sure if worth $50...

The inlet port on the Swiftech pump on both the H240-X and H220-X require an adapter to use standard G1/4 fittings. They sell the adapter here: http://www.swiftech.com/G1/4-ADAPTER.aspx

And the cost just to get that adapter to my door...$17!

 

[beardofnails]

Swiftech h240-x owner here. Had I been able to get my hands on one of these, I think I would have, just because it would have been a little easier to install. I also added another 280mm radiator and an EK gpu block to the h240-x and it wasn't difficult at all. My main issue with the swiftech is the elbow fittings on the pump/res are really fiddly. I quite like how it looks while it is all set up, though the res window is cloudy and kind of worthless as you can't really see the water moving unless you have air bubbles or swirly dye. So far my i5 and gtx 780 stay get up to 30-40c depending on loads, ambient temp stays between 20 and 22c. I don't have a sensor for water temps. Overall though , this EK unit would have been a better choice I think, just because of the cleaner appearance.

 

[Vlada011]

I will buy this cooler in December and waterblock for graphic card.
99% 360mm version. Only I'm still not sure waterblock for Fury X or 980Ti/TITAN X.
My first loop. I didn't saw cooler better and design closer to me without some ugly details.
Look very strong and nice performing but I think with 10/13mm fittings will look even better.

TPU made so big mistake that I can't describe...
They choose CPU with worse heat transfer ever made for testing coolers.
You can't find worse model for testing than i7-4770K, it's worse even than i7-4790K.
This cooler should be tested on i7-5820K or i7-5930K depend what more people have,
6 cores, good heat transfer, flux solder...
Not some Processors capable to OC on 4.4GHz with H100 and 4.5GHz with full custom loop with worse heat transfer. i7-950, i7-2600K or i7-5820K.
That's models for testing coolers where cooler can show real performance.
What can be done on some processors where water cool only 1/3 of CPU heat constantly.

 

[heky]

Was just choosing between the Swiftech H220X2 Prestige and the EKWB Predator 240. EK it is! Was thinking about installing it in the Phanteks Enthoo Evolv matx case. Does someone know the internal measurements of that case? Would like to be 100% sure the Predator will fit, since it is 295mm long.