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EK Vector FE Special Edition Water Block and Torque Fittings win iF Design Awards

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With last year's success of the EK-Quantum Magnitude CPU water block, the EK-Quantum Line has received two new iF DESIGN AWARDS this year. In the Gaming Hardware product category, one was granted to the EK-Quantum Vector FE Special Edition GPU water block. It is the most complex GPU water block enclosure as a cooling solution that EK has developed to date. It was engineered for the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 series Founders Edition graphics cards and comes with a backplate that makes sure the entire graphics card is enclosed and not visible at all.

Forming a halo product for the Vector family of GPU blocks, the FE Special Edition came with a distinctive set of challenges. Built as an aftermarket product for Founders Edition RTX 3080 and RTX 3090 graphics cards, the block had to negotiate the irregular PCB shapes and unorthodox assembly. However, as a result of these challenges, several design opportunities were leveraged to create a totally unique and unprecedented GPU water block. A solid aluminium exoskeleton forms a cradle in which the cooling and lighting are embedded, revealing only the most beautiful elements to the user.



A two-piece CNC machined aluminium exoskeleton encloses the entire water block and graphics card, tightly fitting around the grooved backplate and acrylic terminal. Exemplary quality of finish throughout combined with discretely integrated D-RGB edge lighting of the acrylic parts solidify its luxury halo status. A perfectly polished window reveals the high-performance cooling engine and nothing more, all screws and gaskets are concealed beneath the exoskeleton.

It operates significantly below the rated temperature of all electronic components to reduce fatigue from thermal cycles and increase the longevity of the graphics card, all while delivering higher performance and ensuring that it stays technologically relevant for as long as possible. The water block is fixed together mechanically with only screws and replaceable seals that allow it to be maintained throughout its useful lifespan and then separated and recycled.

Torque Fittings Win iF Design Awards
Torque fittings are still turning heads, which helped the EK-Quantum Line win its second iF DESIGN AWARD this year. With last year's success of the EK-Quantum Magnitude CPU water block, this is the third design award in the bag for EKWB. Torque fittings are simply born to be different and stand out from the mundane. It wasn't an easy task, but EK decided to make the Quantum leap with a new, daring design, and it paid off.

Consistent design principles and details were implemented to unify a vast range of physical and aesthetic variations. These principles allow users to conveniently assemble a coherent system that meets their needs and flows together in every sense. Multiple lengths, diameters, and angles are combined with rotatable elements to simplify and organize the construction of a complete loop. A robust and industrial aesthetic set the Torque family apart by highlighting the precise manufacturing processes used to create them. Uniquely, a color ring can be added to give a personal accent to several of the fittings.

Torque products are primarily comprised of machine-turned solid brass parts designed to remove minimal material to achieve the required form. Surface texture is created by linear broaching rather than knurling to give a cleaner appearance with equal proportions on each fitting size. As the user must configure and connect every piece, predominantly by hand, these form one of the most tactile processes in constructing a liquid cooling loop. This process invites the user to disassemble and examine every individual piece before rebuilding it as their own expressive creation.

Planning and assembling the products is a fulfilling experience that provides a rewarding sense of achievement and involvement. As all Torque fittings use the accepted industry standard thread and interface with several tubing sizes popular in each region, they are not proprietary and can be used repeatedly in several computers. By virtue of the efficient design, minimal material is removed, and there are no energy-intensive processes required to achieve the final form. By adding or exchanging color rings, the base fitting can continue to provide additional value to the user, reducing obsolescence.

Each year, the world's oldest independent design organization, the Hannover-based iF International Forum Design, organizes the iF DESIGN AWARD, the world-renowned design prize. This year, more than 10,000 entries were submitted from 52 countries in hopes of receiving the seal of quality.

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Is it like those you pay to get?
You pay to enter, and you pay more if you win.

Also I'm pretty sure they once claim that 50% of entries get the award. Considering that they usually have "get two entry for one payment" promo, sooo.....
 
Hi,
I don't get gitty about fittings but that block sure is interesting for a 3090 where 12 back side memory chips need cooling too :cool:
 
You pay to enter, and you pay more if you win.

Also I'm pretty sure they once claim that 50% of entries get the award. Considering that they usually have "get two entry for one payment" promo, sooo.....
i was about to comment that. the IF award is just a PAID one, you pay to Enter and Pay to Win, gamers nexus even showed how easy it is to enter, pay and win the award...

Here's an example: 0:38 (timestamped)
 
Hi,
Guess not many people has really looked at the water block
It's water cooling both sides of the gpu
Most just throw a piece of aluminum on the back and call it done.
 
Hi,
Guess not many people has really looked at the water block
It's water cooling both sides of the gpu
Most just throw a piece of aluminum on the back and call it done.
It is a beautiful thing, I would buy one if I had the GPU, which is also outs my league fiscally.
 
I guess that the losers never brag about their loss?
Reports are many on the tech-channels here about the great success of AIO’s and especially water block applications. With this I wonder what the true “market share” really is for these kinds of specialty items. Without fail I visit all of our local computer shows and talk to many people there in person, but I do not see nor meet people there which have or seek to buy water blocks. Madhu one of the Bangladesh dealers told me: “We do not see any buying demand for AIO’s or water blocks as over 95% of the market is still all about ‘air-cooling’ and this is what we recommend under any circumstances. Our customers are all PC enthusiast and tech savvy and that is the reason why they come here, they also know a good product when they see it or by physically talking to each other in the aisles. Our customers would never pay the prevailing and ridicules prices demanded for any type of type of water cooling products to just gain a few colder degrees. We also see less and less overclocking being done and talked about! Of course our customers always pay cash here to get our extra 10% dealer discount and not pay any sales tax here in Oregon.” Well that is the news from the “Man on the street” and from the overwhelming majority!

Hi,
Guess not many people has really looked at the water block
It's water cooling both sides of the gpu
Most just throw a piece of aluminum on the back and call it done.
YES...you are talking about reality! And realty bites in most circumstances for the precious few out here.
 
Reports are many on the tech-channels here about the great success of AIO’s and especially water block applications. With this I wonder what the true “market share” really is for these kinds of specialty items. Without fail I visit all of our local computer shows and talk to many people there in person, but I do not see nor meet people there which have or seek to buy water blocks. Madhu one of the Bangladesh dealers told me: “We do not see any buying demand for AIO’s or water blocks as over 95% of the market is still all about ‘air-cooling’ and this is what we recommend under any circumstances. Our customers are all PC enthusiast and tech savvy and that is the reason why they come here, they also know a good product when they see it or by physically talking to each other in the aisles. Our customers would never pay the prevailing and ridicules prices demanded for any type of type of water cooling products to just gain a few colder degrees. We also see less and less overclocking being done and talked about! Of course our customers always pay cash here to get our extra 10% dealer discount and not pay any sales tax here in Oregon.” Well that is the news from the “Man on the street” and from the overwhelming majority!
The overwhelming majority, are not the target of a 2/3k GPU.
Does that man on the street usually buy a 3k GPU.
I know the answer.

Watercooling was always a niche, but to believe it's only about a couple degree's is infinitely short sighted.

Ps your perspective and that shop guy's are your own.

They're not the law.

Says a guy who's water blocked every GPU this last 8 years with EK blocks including multiple GPU in the same PC, without regret.
 
Hi,
Guess not many people has really looked at the water block
It's water cooling both sides of the gpu
Most just throw a piece of aluminum on the back and call it done.
And then?

Is that supposed to make me want to spend 400 bux or whatever on this???
 
Nice block, and great for a 3090. I guess there'll be "just polishing my 3090 block" now :laugh:
 
I would buy a waterblock only if reusability for next is an option. it is like buing a CPU cooler with no future socket compatibility at all. What good is it to get the 3090, then only a few months later 4070 is out at half power, same performance.
 
The overwhelming majority, are not the target of a 2/3k GPU.
Does that man on the street usually buy a 3k GPU.
I know the answer.

Watercooling was always a niche, but to believe it's only about a couple degree's is infinitely short sighted.

Ps your perspective and that shop guy's are your own.

They're not the law.

Says a guy who's water blocked every GPU this last 8 years with EK blocks including multiple GPU in the same PC, without regret.
i think to be fair, i believe the misunderstanding is folks think CLC/AIOs = custom loop which i'm sure we both know is false:
( i7-8700k/clc vs i9-9900k/custom)
temp_oc_aida64.png
thermals.png


maybe now they'll know.
 
I would buy a waterblock only if reusability for next is an option. it is like buing a CPU cooler with no future socket compatibility at all. What good is it to get the 3090, then only a few months later 4070 is out at half power, same performance.
Why buy a 3090 if you're not flush enough to just pass it your son or nephew.

Most buy a GPU for more than six months , mostly because most can't afford to swap it every year.
Some fit a waterblock for reasonable reasons too, like the GPU is going to be flat out within a few feet of the user and they want more silence.

I'd like reusable waterblocks but I would also like a motherboard I don't Have to swap ever however it's not realistic.
 
And then?

Is that supposed to make me want to spend 400 bux or whatever on this???
Hi,
Well if you spent 2k.us for a 3090 and the memory on the back of the card was hot and pretty much useless to oc
Then another 400.us for a water block that would cure the issue it's just a drop in the bucket so yeah.
 
Hi,
Well if you spent 2k.us for a 3090 and the memory on the back of the card was hot and pretty much useless to oc
Then another 400.us for a water block that would cure the issue it's just a drop in the bucket so yeah.

If i had the coin for a 3090, i'd sure as shit be buying this block for it.
 
Hi,
Well if you spent 2k.us for a 3090 and the memory on the back of the card was hot and pretty much useless to oc
Then another 400.us for a water block that would cure the issue it's just a drop in the bucket so yeah.
I have a 3090 and went with a bylski block and mem junction temps are fine. I ain't spending 400 on this block nor does anyone NEED to. Want is a different story.
 
I have a 3090 and went with a bylski block and mem junction temps are fine. I ain't spending 400 on this block nor does anyone NEED to. Want is a different story.
You also don't "need" to liquid cool your GPU, but some want to, and can afford nicer looking blocks than "I'm gonna Barrow your design a Bykski" looking products.
 
You also don't "need" to liquid cool your GPU, but some want to, and can afford nicer looking blocks than "I'm gonna Barrow your design a Bykski" looking products.
No shit I don't need to wc, nor does anyone need a 3090. However that is a different thing then implying that I gotta want a 400 buck block for the bling and shit. :rolleyes:
 
1632529991724.png

Water and some fires don't mix.:oops:

1632530368752.png
 
Last edited:
You pay to enter, and you pay more if you win.

Also I'm pretty sure they once claim that 50% of entries get the award. Considering that they usually have "get two entry for one payment" promo, sooo.....
This is like paying for sex and bragging you've received the award for best sex.

I mean - nothing inherently wrong with the former (everyone has their own reasons), but the latter is just sad.
 
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