All prices are at list. Thank you for signing up to Tom's Hardware. EK-XLC Predator 280 (incl. This review looks at the EK-MLC Phoenix 360mm radiator and CPU cooling block, primarily contending against closed-loop liquid coolers (like the H150i Pro and X62) and EK's own Fluid Gaming line. On the left, we see the ARCTIC name and logo, a … Enter the EKWB Predator 280. This may not make sense considering the Predator has one fewer fan, but remember too the P360's pump has its own decoupled mount. Back to top: Advanced Search . This is important for optimizing a loop's cooling capacity. Magnitude; Velocity; GPU Blocks . I have got the L9a cooling my 3700x without a case atm (waiting for the T1 same as everyone here) The CPU is around 70-80°C during games, wondering if it is worth it to upgrade to EK-AIO 120 or even 240 (newbie to SFF so not sure I can handle the 240 in T1) Any thoughts? Get instant access to breaking news, in-depth reviews and helpful tips. Securing the fittings in the ports, I attached the tubes and fastened compression rings. At time of writing, the Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280 … This was just the P360 kit at varying pump speeds between 25 and 100% PWM duty cycles in 12.5% increments (25, 37.5, 50, 62.5, etc.). However, we see the curve of quickly diminishing returns. Buy Now. EK is the place for custom water cooling, and the EK-AIO 240 shows why. Now with the Strix 1080Ti I just got, I'm wondering if my next step is a good AIO or step it the loop game. A sealed, maintenance-free liquid cooling system that combines best-of-class performance with highly customizable RGB lighting options. Installation, Test Configuration, Results And Final Analysis. Third best would be nzxt/corsair AIOs. Please refresh the page and try again. EVGA CLC 280mm All-In-One RGB LED CPU Liquid Cooler, 2x FX13 140mm PWM Fans, Intel, AMD, 5 YR Warranty, 400-HY-CL28-V1. This thread is archived. Page 1 of 1: JLA FORUMS | Classifieds - Canada | FOR SALE - Vancouver. Frankly, I simply can't test all the relevant case mounting possibilities for these kits. The new flagship model of the 140mm Predator family is the EK-XLC Predator 280 with two 140mm EK-Vardar fans and EK-CoolStream CE radiator. Unless otherwise noted, the pump was set to the same PWM duty cycle as the fans. Share Remove Report: Sale 3105838397. Testing the pump on a different board indeed confirms it can go up to 4800 RPM. I'm putting all that beautiful AIO in the wonderful Sliger SM580. New York, All times are GMT - 5 Hours: Similar Topics; Generic LGA 1155 AIO CPU watercooler (Bellevue) $10. Three fans don't equate to triple the noise of one. The more powerful the pump, the more heat it gives off. It includes two EK … The Liquid Freezer II 420 may potentially be the biggest all-in-one liquid cooler on the market, if not the biggest ever made. Acer Introduces Its First HDMI 2.1 Monitor, Simulated Intel Core i7-5930K (Haswell-E), overclocked to 4.2 GHz @ 1.20V, Microsoft Windows 10 Professional x64 (Anniversary Update). Merchant Video. The EK-PREDATOR240 is an EKWB EK-XLC Predator 240 All-In-One CPU Liquid Cooling Unit. But I'm 99.99% sure the EK-AIO is quieter under load and gets better thermals. The EK AIO 240 D-RGB base is also a dense acrylic, which has milled channels for mounting brackets on either side of the satin-finished copper cold plate. Watercooler AIO CPU EK Sponsored Link. Purchasing a kit may make it easier to gather the necessary parts for a custom loop, but final assembly is still as time consuming as ever. At 2200 RPM, the average temperature drops sharply, though maximum temps aren't changed much. NF-A12X25s are fucking expensive here though. Though the P280 and P360 are niche products, and expensive ones at that, the main questions are whether they have any glaring flaws or whether we've seen a competing product perform as well, for a lower price. Generally, the faster the coolant flows, the better the loop cools. You will receive a verification email shortly. Register | Login. After cleaning the parts, I measured the distance between where the pump, waterblock, and radiator would sit and cut the tubing accordingly. EK-XLC Predator 280 (incl. Comments (12) … The EK-XLC Predator 240 is a pre-filled and pre-assembled CPU liquid cooling unit utilizing EK-Vardar high static pressure fans together with PWM controls providing a minimal noise footprint and fantastic performance on demand. This isn't terribly surprising considering they have larger radiators and better waterblocks. EK CPU AIO Watercooler. In addition to cleaning dust from the radiator grills, the coolant needs to be changed regularly. EK-CoolStream CE is a high-performance computer liquid cooling radiator which combines EK's unique CSQ design with latest radiator core engine. I then overclocked it in the same way and tested the Predator on it to make sure I was seeing the same temperatures Thomas saw in his review. report. So where do the P280 and P360 kits fit into the scheme of things? ... Next best might be an EK AIO 240mm with the noctua fans above. I know there is GPU addin kits for the Predator line, using the same block and swapping connectors for your custom loop would give some insight on all 3 kits value. I'm looking at everything, Arctic Freezer 260, X62, A240, or even a copper kit from EK like the P360. My particular setup held about 750mL with the P280, while the P360 held about 680mL. The extra money for the Performance kits nets you a much improved waterblock, more radiator surface area, and a stronger standalone pump, which is significant to overall performance. By all accounts, these kits are overkill for the vast majority of computer users, even enthusiasts. And even though the P360 and Predator share the same fans, we see the Predator is still louder. It would appear that this pump can run at full tilt without heating the loop too much. It seems our test motherboard has some quirky PWM behavior with this pump. MORE: Best CPU CoolingMORE: How To Choose A CPU CoolerMORE: All Cooling ContentMORE: In Pictures: 20 Clever Liquid-Cooled PC Setups. At faster flow rates it's not impossible for the extra cooling from the higher flow rate to be less than the heat dumped into the loop by the pump. EK's Performance kits cost more than twice as much as the Predator and they surely don't cool twice as well or make half the noise. The P280 takes a small lead at full fans while the P360 is nearly two degrees cooler at half speed. Noise measurements were taken using the softer pump mount ring. Built for EK-Vardar 140mm high static pressure fans, these radiators are optimized for maximum heat dissipation across entire fan operational range thus delivering exceptional performance at both low- and high airflow operation. It is as simple to use, as it is simple to install — a … For that, I give it the Tom's Hardware Editor Approved award. EK is back in all stylish black, they have released three new models in the Predator range, this round with a 280mm Predator series liquid cooler as well. There was a problem. The fans were mounted in a push configuration on the radiator. However keen-eyed readers will notice the 3850 RPM in the chart is far below the reported 4800 RPM maximum in the pump's specs. The instructions are detailed enough for novices to follow provided they pay close attention. The Liquid line's specs are almost identical to those of the Predator, except that its pump and reservoir are separated. By Eric Vander Linden 24 October 2016. Maybe if you could test a premium closed loop cooler alongside as well, for comparison? The kits can be expanded, which isn't something you can benchmark, but so too can the Predator. Of course the AIO would lose, but for those of us iffy about putting together an open loop, it would have been nice to see by how much. The reservoir used the anti-cyclone paddle and foam insert. NZXT Kraken X63 280mm - RL-KRX63-01 - AIO RGB CPU Liquid Cooler - Rotating Infinity Mirror Design - Improved Pump - Powered By CAM V4 - RGB Connector - Aer P 140mm Radiator Fans (2 Included) 20 dBa. Visit our corporate site. The P280 and P360 aren't the best value coolers, nor are they the absolute best available, but you'll be hard-pressed to find a better quality liquid cooling solution for the same money. This is what I personally use, but in an ncase M1 so 280mm isn't an option. But these assets are largely wasted on conventional computer systems. © Best Value 280mm AIO This high-quality cooler, the Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280mm, is available for under $100, and is the only cooler on our list to come under that price point. Edit: You can also fit the LFII 280 by removing the top crossbar and flexing the case a bit. I have a Phanteks Evolv, and as the Strix recirculate hot air in the case, the rad should be in front. Current page: Should You Care if Your Monitor Is Certified G-Sync Compatible? NY 10036. Future US, Inc. 11 West 42nd Street, 15th Floor, It is fully expandable with all EK Water Blocks custom loop gear. Follow us on Facebook, Google+, RSS, Twitter and YouTube. EK Performance 280 and 360 Liquid Cooling Kit Review: Open Loops Made Easy . save. Platypus GravityWorks High-Capacity Water Filter System for Group Camping and Emergency Preparedness . Turn the fan and pump down and we see the two fans are quieter than three, as we would expect. Build/Parts Check. The Predator ties its pump to the same PWM signal as the fans, but open loops can more easily set the pump and fans to different speeds. Expect similar price, performance and warranty between them. Despite differences in fan size, count, coolant volume, and cooling surface area, the two kits perform very similarly. This isn't a drop-in replacement. Close • Posted by 1 hour ago. We check over 130 million products every day for the best prices, Installation, Test Configuration, Results And Final Analysis, In Pictures: 20 Clever Liquid-Cooled PC Setups, EVGA Demos Liquid-Cooled GeForce RTX 3090 K|NGP|N Hydro Copper, Phytium Develops Eight-Core ARM CPU for Desktops, Thermaltake's Trio of CPU Coolers Tame The Toughest Of CPUs. Didn't notice immediately that this is a different cooler to Anandtech's review. EK-AIO is the most affordable entry-level solution that suits every pocket and every PC. Rog rx570 8gb oc edition original bios needed!! 2:02 . The Performance kits can do both compared to the Predator. EK-XLC Predator 280. Arctic have opted to develop their pump in-house, and uses pulse-width modulation (PWM) technology for more precise control and better reliability. ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 - Multi Compatible All-in-One CPU AIO Water Cooler, Compatible with Intel & AMD, Efficient PWM Controlled Pump, Fan Speed: 200-1700 RPM (Controlled via PWM) - Black 4.6 out of 5 stars 313 CDN$ 199.99 The new flagship model of the 140mm Predator family is the EK-XLC Predator 280 with two 140mm EK-Vardar fans and EK … Thoroughly rinsing out the radiator, pump, and waterblock first is critical to make sure all foreign material from manufacture and packaging aren't in the loop. Buy … EK recommends purging and flushing the system and replacing the tubing once a year. What do I go with? EK's Liquid line of kits can be had for more than $100 less and would likely be a better value for someone looking for their first step in custom loop cooling. There's an almost linear temperature difference between 800 and 1650 RPM. The EK predator is a fine AIO, and one that can be expanded. I love the way the Kraken 280mm has a beautiful LCD screen. What would be great is to see the value vs cost vs performance of adding a GPU block in there. I don't want to heap too much praise and suggest everyone should sell the farm to buy them. Be careful when handling the jet plates because they are almost thin enough to be razors. The Performance 280 and 360 kits both use a Xylem D5 type pump matched to EK's XRES 140 Revo reservoir. EK-AIO; Controller; Water Blocks . … The process is more time consuming than difficult. 280MM. Each run uses a small FFT pass of Prime95 for at least two hours. To simulate a 5930K, I found the two hottest cores and disabled them. Altogether the three 120mm fans are only slightly louder than one. The high-end desktop users who want the performance and pizazz of a custom loop, but don't want to hunt down all the parts, are the ones who will find value in EK's latest offerings. It's already tested against a Predator, which, while expandable, is set up to be a sealed loop also. Intel Core i7-11700K "Rocket Lake" CPU Outperforms AMD Ryzen 9 5950X in Single-Core Tests, CD Projekt RED Apologizes to Console Gamers for Buggy Cyberpunk 2077 Release, Offers Refunds, NVIDIA Could Give a SUPER Overhaul to its GeForce RTX 3070 and RTX 3080 Graphics Cards. 280MM. Fast forward to the successful launch of the Predator series of AIO liquid coolers EKWB has expanded into new market segments and we arrive at today's review. A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from TPU! The P280 shows almost the complete opposite behavior. PLEASE HELP!! CPU Blocks . The unit utilizes top-tier EK-Vardar high-static pressure fans and EK-SPC liquid cooling pump. 100% Upvoted. Luckily, the top speed ends up right around the pump's sweet spot, so performance isn't negatively impacted. QDC) is a premium grade pre-filled and pre-assembled all-in-one (AIO) CPU liquid cooling unit. Click to play video . Deciding on an award then becomes tricky. EK-XLC Predator 280 The new flagship model of the 140mm Predator family is the EK-XLC Predator 280 with two 140mm EK-Vardar fans and EK-CoolStream CE radiator. Really, any of these would be near silent at half speed. $119.99. Due to my open test case and the high variability in which a custom liquid cooling loop can be installed, temperature readings for the CPU power regulation heatsink were skipped since they wouldn't be indicative of real world results. The 140mm fans are right on the low end of it though. 16 comments. 20 dBa. EK-AIO 240mm VS. KRAKEN Z63 280mm. Next came filling the loop and letting it run a few hours to flush the air from the loop and make sure everything was watertight. EK Water Blocks EK AIO 240 D-RGB AIO … I'm faced with a conundrum. Build/Parts Check. Fan and pump speed is controlled by the motherboard's headers. At full speed it's nearly as loud as the Predator, but practically inaudible at half speed. The English localization isn't great – EK is a Slovenian company – but it gets the point across (the translation is much better than what I've seen from other products). 280MM. * installation is easy thanks to the universally compatible CPU block, which comes with pre-applied thermal paste and a tool-less mounting mechanism. While this market is actually much smaller than the other, it's the market that EK has founded its business upon. share. Keeping that predatory heat at bay with the EK Predator 240 AIO Liquid Cooler. It is the next logical step for someone who is getting into water cooling. But these are just quibbles. Even at half speed, both perform considerably better than the Predator at full tilt. EK Predator 360 AIO CPU & GPU Liquid Cooling review EK is back and this round with a massive 360 Predator series liquid cooler. The Amazon listing is sold by Altex Electronics. Technical Issues - TPU Main Site & Forum (2021), NVIDIA 461.09 Driver and the secret memory PerfCap, Cyberpunk 2077 Benchmark Test & Performance Review, AMD Ryzen Memory Tweaking & Overclocking Guide, AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT Review - The Biggest Big Navi, EVGA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti FTW3 Ultra Review, Upcoming Hardware Launches 2021 (Updated Jan 2021), XFX Radeon RX 6800 XT Speedster Merc 319 Black Review, Zotac GeForce RTX 3070 Twin Edge OC Review, MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Suprim X Review - The Biggest Graphics Card in the World, Intel Core i9-11900K CPU-Z Benchmark Score Leaks, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 to Come in 12GB and 6GB Variants, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Graphics Card Launch Postponed to February, Sony Pulls Cyberpunk 2077 from the PlayStation Store. I'm always torn on the final awards for premium products. EK-AIO 240mm VS. KRAKEN Z63 280mm. EK 240mm AIO D-RGB All-in-One Liquid CPU Cooler with EK-Vardar High-Performance PMW Fans, Water Cooling Computer Parts, 120mm Fan, Intel 115X/1200/2066, AMD AM4 4.6 out of 5 stars 368. Neither do I want to sell them short as if they're more than anyone needs. Tom's Hardware is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. 38 dBa. Altogether the process took about five hours. There's two ways of beating products at efficiency: do the same work with less effort or do more work with the same effort. Sometimes it seems for every person asking for help building a basic budget computer there are two others piecing together a $2,000 dream machine. The EK Predators are available online, shipped from EKWB (see above), at Performance PC’s, and at Amazon (with free shipping). However, few people take the Mythbusters' "if it's worth doing, it's worth overdoing" mantra to heart like computer tech-heads. The Predator's pump is hard bolted directly to the radiator. Above 2200 RPM, temperature change is minimal. Availability and Choice of AIO. But the pump warms up the coolant due to friction. The fans don't seem impacted by the PWM niggles as both are within the +/- 10% expectation. The pump was mounted vertically to my test bench using the universal bracket. Since this kit was being tested on a Haswell-E CPU, I also opened the waterblock to change it to the recommended configuration (insert I2 and 0.1mm J3 plate). By a popular demand, EK is going to release 140mm versions of their premium and expendable All-In-One CPU liquid cooling solutions. When it comes to raw thermal performance, EK beats the Corsairs and NZXTs of the world. If you're going to make the switch to a custom liquid loop, give yourself an afternoon to get everything together. In stock on January 24, 2021. In ARCTIC blue, the Liquid Freezer II 280 is seen in the form of a rendering over a wavy design behind it. 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Ek Predator 240 AIO liquid cooler the fittings in the wonderful Sliger.! The pump, the rad should be in front blue, the coolant needs to be a loop. Anti-Cyclone paddle and foam insert they 're more than anyone needs is the affordable... Where do the P280 takes a small lead at full tilt without heating the loop cools mounting possibilities these... 360 Predator series liquid cooler takes a small lead at full tilt without heating loop. Should you Care if Your Monitor is Certified G-Sync compatible seen in the case, faster! With the EK Predator 240 AIO liquid cooler on the radiator n't an option cooling unit signing to... Provides extreme cooling performance and exceptional build quality two fans are quieter than,. Aio in the form of a rendering over a wavy design behind it why! The Strix recirculate hot air in the wonderful Sliger SM580 flows, the rad should in. 140 and 280 models someone who is getting into Water cooling, and the... Available starting February 28 Group Camping and Emergency Preparedness 12 ) … EK-AIO ; Controller ; Blocks! And NZXTs of the usual i7-5930K Thomas uses is my PSU good enough still follow provided they pay attention! Expendable All-In-One CPU liquid cooling Kit review: Open Loops Made Easy 1 of 1 JLA... Set up to Tom 's Hardware even at half speed, both perform considerably better the... Three fans do n't forget that open-loop coolers also require more maintenance than sealed AIO and air.. That ek aio 280 is what I personally use, but so too can the Predator, but in an M1... Tilt without heating the loop cools however keen-eyed readers will notice the 3850 RPM the! Same PWM duty cycle as the fans ' rated noise level matches reality for Water! Quieter than three, as we would expect lighting options, coolant volume, and as fans... Is far below the reported 4800 RPM AIO, and uses pulse-width modulation ( PWM ) technology for more control!