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EK Waterblocks Unveils VTX-Powered Kinetic Reservoir+Pump Combo Units

btarunr

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EK, the premium liquid cooling gear manufacturer from Slovenia, EU, is releasing new Quantum Line VTX pump-based combo units. These new VTX pumps feature a DDC-compatible mount, very high head pressure, and good flow rates in a small footprint that is ideal for smaller cases. 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-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 hot-spots.

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 diffused 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 VTX pump offers great hydraulic characteristics with flow rates of up to 1100L/h with a maximum head pressure of 5.3m. The VTX is not equipped with a heatsink since its efficient pump motor doesn't require additional external cooling.

The EK-Quantum Kinetic TBE VTX 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 +5V 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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You'd have to be out of your mind to pay that much for these.

If you want a high end circular tube res, go with AquaComputer. It'll wind up cheaper and much better quality, or you could even get their 'smart' D5 Next with integrated display and controller for this kind of money.

Or you could just go with a Barrow or Bkyski and they'd be vastly cheaper and probably similar or better quality than EK.
 
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You'd have to be out of your mind to pay that much for these.

If you want a high end circular tube res, go with AquaComputer. It'll wind up cheaper and much better quality, or you could even get their 'smart' D5 Next with integrated display and controller for this kind of money.

Or you could just go with a Barrow or Bkyski and they'd be vastly cheaper and probably similar or better quality than EK.

I just cant stand how much the smack their logo on everything, its so cheap, reminds me of razer or something.
Just this immense insecurity of brand awareness or something, idk, I dont want EK stuff for that reason myself.
 
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I just cant stand how much the smack their logo on everything, its so cheap, reminds me of razer or something.
Just this immense insecurity of brand awareness or something, idk, I dont want EK stuff for that reason myself.

IMO, given the tangent of their business and recent launches, a Razer / Corsair style business is exactly what they're aiming at.

A smattering of good products (still over-priced), and innumerable SKUs that are total crap and not even remotely competitive on price or quality. But BRAND EVERYWHERE.
 
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I love and use EK myself......But NO WAY would i pay those prices they're asking !
 
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I just cant stand how much the smack their logo on everything, its so cheap, reminds me of razer or something.
Just this immense insecurity of brand awareness or something, idk, I dont want EK stuff for that reason myself.
You know the PR isn't doing the brand any favor when half of the press release consists of instruction manual warnings and the other half being high-flying buzzwords about high-tech. It is beyond bizarre how one is able to praise something as basic and rudimentary as metal milling and turning as a feature. Such high-tech! Wow!
 
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