Introduction

EK Water Blocks, or simply EKWB as more commonly referred to, has been going through a re-haul of all their products within the last couple of years. Most companies specializing in the PC DIY watercooling sector tend to refresh CPU blocks once every 3-5 years, with one new line operating each time. EKWB is large enough to where they have multiple such CPU block lines operating simultaneously. This began with the debut of their Quantum design philosophy in the form of the EK-Velocity, and then we saw the EK-Supremacy Classic as a replacement for the older Supremacy MX, which also formed the background for the CPU block included in their Fluid Gaming aluminium lineup. In 2020, these two would have sufficed for just about everyone, but EK decided that was not enough. Today, we take a look at the anticipated EK-Quantum Magnitude, a true replacement to the EK-Supremacy EVO, and thanks again to the company for sending a review sample to TechPowerUp!


We first saw a teaser of the EK-Quantum Magnitude at Computex 2019, with a pull-out desk cabinet of various cold plates, tops, inserts, frames, and brackets with different CPU compatibility, materials, and finishes. For those who remember the EK-Supremacy EVO, it came with multiple inserts and jetplates with tools provided for disassembly, such that the user was allowed and even encouraged to swap parts inside to better fit different CPU sockets from Intel and AMD. When EK released the new EK-Velocity, they went the path of Intel and AMD-specific SKUs with a cooling engine that prioritizes a balance of performance and flow rate, so it did seem as if the company wanted to keep things simple. They have further gone down that route with the EK-Quantum Magnitude with CPU socket-specific SKUs even, such that you would now purchase a block for Intel LGA 115x only, for example. We have one of those very blocks here, in one of various available finishes, so there is quite a lot to unpack as we begin with a look at the specifications below.

Specifications

Packaging and Accessories

Packaging for the EK-Quantum Magnitude includes a bubble wrap around the box, and the packaging also helps carve out an identity beyond the older Supremacy Classic and Velocity. On the front is the company logo and product name, and a large illustration of an example block peeking through the side. My version is for Intel's LGA 115x CPU socket, so I do not know if the render differs for the AMD-specific blocks at this time. On the back are marketing features in multiple languages, a list of contents, some notes on the block for newcomers to the market, and contact information for the company. Missing on this sample is the QR code for the installation manual, but EK says this was an early product packaged to get in my hands in time for launch day. All around the box, we see more of the clean black base and orange accents, as well as several logos and taglines.


EKWB has adopted a two-piece packaging with an outer box that opens up at either side to reveal an inner cardboard box with the EK logo and side flaps to help keep the contents inside in place. Opening this box, we see a layered approach to the unboxing experience with cardboard used to separate the contents. There is a reminder about EK having other products for sale under their banner should you want to stick to one company for the entirety of your custom loop. There is a shaped piece of thick, dense foam underneath, which is in turn on top of the CPU block that is enclosed within more shaped, thick foam. The final layer, once again with more foam compartmentalized, houses the accessories consisting of a tube of Thermal Grizzly Hydronaut thermal paste and the installation hardware. No installation manual to be seen here, which is only available online and will be on the relevant product pages at launch as a PDF file.


As mentioned before, I have here the EK-Quantum Magnitude for LGA 115x only, and thus, the mounting hardware is simpler given it only has to cater to one installation method. We see the socket mounting backplate and rubber gasket, which come in a plastic ziplock pouch, as does the replacement steel jetplate marked as "0.7C," which means it is 0.7 mm thick and curved, with a notch opening in the center to allow for an increased coolant flow rate around the center of the relatively small die on this platform. For the LGA 20xx and AMD AM4 blocks, the jetplates are P(arallel) for a more even distribution on a larger surface area. Also included are low-profile metal mounting screws, springs, and standoffs, along with plastic washers and a hex key to aid in installation.