EK Announces New Set of Gold Plated Products

[Uskompuf]

Gold is the quintessential symbol of status, power, immortality, and wealth, often reserved for royalty, so why not add some to your PC? After the immense success and popularity of gold-plated EK-Torque fittings, EK, the premium custom loop liquid cooling manufacturer, has decided to expand its golden portfolio even further.

In the past few weeks, several gold-plated products made it to the EK Webshop, and with the most recent launch of the golden EK-Quantum Convection M.2 NVMe heatsink, EK has rounded up the expansion of its golden portfolio. We must not forget to mention that genuine gold was used for the plating of all these products, so it's not a sham. Plus, everyone knows these are good times to invest in gold.





EK-Quantum Velocity²

Two brass-top, gold-plated EK-Quantum Velocity² CPU water blocks are available - one for socket LGA1700 and one for AM4. EK-Quantum Velocity² series water blocks embed the next-generation cooling engine named OptiFlow. They use a precise combination of mounting pressure and coldplate geometry tailored for the IHS and die layout, specific to the socket. Low hydraulic flow restriction enables these products to be used with weaker water pumps or at lower pump speeds for added silent operation while still achieving top performance. The lathe-turned coldplate is made with precision to cover the IHS effectively and put pressure on the die area.

EK-Quantum Velocity² water blocks are EK-Matrix7 compatible products and use EK-Exact Mount - the patent-pending mounting system designed and engineered by EK in search of an easy-to-use, aesthetically pleasing mounting mechanism. It is made of only three pieces - the backplate, mounting screws, and the water block itself. It's screwed in from the back, allowing for seamless and clean front aesthetics without any screws disrupting the harmony of shape. The system uses pre-tensioned springs concealed in the water block's top so you can get the exact mounting pressure needed and complete the installation with just a few turns of the thumb nuts.

EK-Quantum Convection Pump Covers

The EK-Quantum Convection D5 and DDC premium pump covers also got their genuine gold-plated editions. The D5 pump cover is made of nickel-plated CNC-machined aluminium, followed by a second plating layer of actual gold. Designed to improve the aesthetics of D5 pumps, it features a rectangular design with a user-friendly hole for cable routing that hides it as much as possible, allowing for a cleaner look. The DDC version acts as an aluminium heatsink for DDC pumps. This add-on vastly improves the cooling performance of the motor and electronics and thus prolongs the lifespan of the water pump.

EK-Quantum Convection M.2 NVMe

The EK-Quantum Convection M.2 NVMe is a passive aluminium heatsink for M.2 NVMe solid state drives. Although it's not a water-cooling component, it is a much-needed solution for many PC owners in terms of cooling and overall aesthetics. It's no secret that M.2 NVMe SSDs can quickly overheat and be subdued to thermal throttling, resulting in significant performance loss. However, this latest heatsink will either completely prevent thermal throttling in cases with sufficient airflow or significantly prolong the time before thermal throttling of the SSD occurs.

The heatsink is CNC-machined out of high-grade aluminium and has a high-quality nickel finish that has subsequently been plated with real gold. The backplate is also made of aluminium with a black anodized finish. Its unique Quantum-like design makes this heatsink the perfect addition to your build. The simple, understated look makes it sleek and non-intrusive, while the compact design makes it highly compatible and does not interfere with other components.

Availability and Pricing

The entire gold-plated portfolio of premium EK custom loop water cooling products is made in Slovenia, Europe, and is available through EK Webshop and Partner Reseller Network.

• EK-Quantum Velocity² D-RGB - 1700 Nickel + Gold | 209.90€
• EK-Quantum Velocity² D-RGB - AM4 Nickel + Gold | 209.90€
• EK-Quantum Convection D5 - Gold | 59.90€
• EK-Quantum Convection DDC - Gold | 57.90€
• EK-Quantum Convection M.2 NVMe - Gold | 35.90€

View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source

 

[Haile Selassie]

Gold plating done with real gold? Wow, who would have thought? I thought it was magic dust.

 

[ZoneDymo]

my grill also has diamonds so if I want it to match, gotta have some diamonds EK

 

[Vayra86]

I'm actually waiting for the first chicks to walk around with a stick of RAM around their necks now

And true OGs with a cold plate instead. Where is my GTA parody, Rockstar, take note.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

$.35 of gold sheaf equates to 25+% price increase.

EK-Quantum Convection DDC - Gold | 57.90€

in black its only $42 (38€ ?)

 

[Chrispy_]

If you ever needed proof that EK water loops are just overpriced jewellery in the form-over-function category, here it is.

Don't get me wrong, EK watercooling is generally decent stuff; It's the price and focus on cosmetics that scares me slightly - For any given budget you can build a much better loop with most other brands.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

If you ever needed proof that EK water loops are just overpriced jewellery in the form-over-function category, here it is.

Don't get me wrong, EK watercooling is generally decent stuff; It's the price and focus on cosmetics that scares me slightly - For any given budget you can build a much better loop with most other brands.

gold plating on anything is so overrated its ridiculous.

 

[Vayra86]

gold plating on anything is so overrated its ridiculous.

Just you wait, marketing at EK is still working on the 'research' that proves gold plated surfaces improve liquid flow and probably also magically clean the water as it goes. They're on a field trip in the audiophile industry now for inspiration.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

Just you wait, marketing at EK is still working on the 'research' that proves gold plated surfaces improve liquid flow and probably also magically clean the water as it goes. They're on a field trip in the audiophile industry now for inspiration.

*gasp* that would be infringing on RGB territory and its claims of better performance!

dont get me wrong I like EK, but some things are just taboo.

 

[Courier 6]

heh, took long enough for somebody to do it

 

[dgianstefani]

Just you wait, marketing at EK is still working on the 'research' that proves gold plated surfaces improve liquid flow and probably also magically clean the water as it goes. They're on a field trip in the audiophile industry now for inspiration.

Well, gold is one of the most unreactive metals, so probably is good for preventing ionization etc. It's part of the reason why it's used in electrical connectors, no oxidization or anything, plus it's an excellent conductor.

 

[Vayra86]

Well, gold is one of the most unreactive metals, so probably is good for preventing ionization etc.

Haha don't give em ideas pls Its almost like we WANT to be misled sometimes

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
You'd think they already were price wise

News flash ek brass looks like gold no need for your cheap ass plating

 

[Courier 6]

and now maybe some magic pebles may do the trick

 

[Chrispy_]

and now maybe some magic pebles may do the trick

we're definitely getting into "spiritual energy crystals" territory in terms of snake oil if EK start touting gold plating as having water-cleaning properties!

 

[bonehead123]

Now all we need is some gp'd vrm sinks, pcie slot covers and I/O shields, and we will have the ultimate bling bling machine..

Ah hell... foget that, just cover the entire mobo, fans, rads & case in gold too..

 

[mouacyk]

And so it begins

 

[cbns]

why they put gold on the outside? isnt it better to coat conducting plate for conductive properties of gold ?

 

[SOAREVERSOR]

Just you wait, marketing at EK is still working on the 'research' that proves gold plated surfaces improve liquid flow and probably also magically clean the water as it goes. They're on a field trip in the audiophile industry now for inspiration.

EK turned to shit after the 8800gtx blocks. Back when they had DangerDen to compete with they had good GPU blocks but shit everything else. Ever since then they've gone to hell.

 

[robot zombie]

I think I would honestly prefer pvd for parts like these. The only reason for real gold is marketing afaic. There's no way the difference matters, not even aesthetically. The pvd is more durable than thin gold plating and in a PC case is gonna look like... 99% the same.

But then, I also think that real gold jewelry is overrated. Nobody I know would care if it was real. I'd have to tell them it's real for them to know... so why get the softer, more easily scratched metal when you dont need to for the same look? Its silly to me.

 

[Deleted member 24505]

So is the gold on the coldplate, or just pointless bling effect?

 

[SOAREVERSOR]

So is the gold on the coldplate, or just pointless bling effect?

The latter.

 

[ir_cow]

I'm a sucker for this. I would buy it all. In person the gold looks like shiny brass FYI. I have the fittings. Still though, if you like the looks its decent.

 

[cadaveca]

And so it begins

Koolance did it like 20 years ago.

CPU-300-V13 Water Block (AMD/Intel Processor) [13mm, 1/2in] (koolance.com)

 

[Austin86]

Koolance did it like 20 years ago.

CPU-300-V13 Water Block (AMD/Intel Processor) [13mm, 1/2in] (koolance.com)

Not just koolance, Gigabyte and zalman both had gold platted blocks too. Back then aluminum rads and fittings were far more common, the gold plating was to stop galvanic corrosion.Heck this is not even the first time EK made gold plated blocks.