EK Announces Several New Direct-Die CPU Cooling Solutions

[btarunr]

Over a year ago, EK Water Blocks introduced its first mainstream CPU water block, designed explicitly for delidded Intel CPUs. Since its debut, there has been a significant increase in users opting to delid their CPUs to enhance performance. Building on this trend, EK just recently released the market's first-ever All-In-One CPU cooler tailored for delidded Intel CPUs, a product that has received highly positive feedback and reception. EK, as the market leader in high-performance PC liquid cooling, is committed to constant innovation and bringing the best user experience on the market. They're reaffirming this commitment by announcing several upcoming products designed for direct die cooling. For those unfamiliar with delidding and direct die cooling, we recommend checking out EK's blog post on the topic.

First up is the highly anticipated EK Direct Die solution for Socket AM5 AMD Ryzen CPUs. Countless hours of engineering and testing were invested into these products to ensure consistent performance results and a user-friendly installation process. Unlike other solutions that require modifying an existing cold plate, this water block features a cold plate specifically designed for delidded AM5 Ryzen 7000 Series CPUs. The mounting mechanism differs from the Velocity² Direct Die water block, as it relies on standoffs at the four corners of the water block instead of the cold plate making contact with the die guard. The entire fin structure has been adjusted to direct 100% of the flow over the chiplets themselves, but more details on this topic will be available in the following days when these AMD-specific Direct Die CPU water blocks become available for order.



Next up will be a brand new Intel's LGA1700 water block built from the ground up, designed specifically for delidded CPUs. It bears improvements that benefit 14th-generation CPUs and shares almost no parts with the previous Intel Direct Die water block released a year ago. It includes a purpose-developed cold plate, cooling fin structure, and mounting mechanism. To ensure optimal contact with the CPU, it relies on standoffs positioned at the four corners of the water block, eliminating concerns about applying too much or too little pressure on the bare CPU die, just like the AM5 Direct Die water block does.

EK Water Blocks didn't invent delidding and direct die cooling, but it is committed to offering top-notch products and ensuring a smooth user experience for those who choose to explore these advanced cooling methods. EK achieves this by investing heavily in resources, including research and development (RND) and customer support, as well as by teaming up with industry experts such as Der8auer and KitGuru.

EK understands that the LGA1700 Velocity² Direct Die product didn't meet everyone's expectations, as was recorded in some of the feedback and sentiment of the PC enthusiast community.

For customers dissatisfied with their purchase of the Velocity² Direct Die, we offer the option of sending replacement cold plates and die guards free of charge. If these replacement parts don't resolve the issue, customers can request a full refund for the water block.

To show love and support for the first adopters of the EK-Quantum Velocity² Direct Die water block, every owner of said water block is eligible for a 15% discount on the upcoming Velocity² Direct Die Core Edition water block and the Velocity² Direct Die AMD Ryzen Edition. These editions have been redesigned to improve mounting consistency and thermal performance while maintaining CPU die safety.

Customers who purchased the water block from EK Shop can get the discount coupon code via email by contacting EK Customer Support directly, while those who bought it from another official retailer should contact that retailer for assistance. Note: Only those with proof of purchase are eligible for the discount. The coupon codes will be valid unitl 31.05.2024.

There are only a handful of unsolved support tickets, but EK encourages users and the community to attempt to resolve issues with the customer support team. If anyone sees other users on social media experiencing problems with the water block, EK recommends directing them to the official EK customer support channel available here.

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[A Computer Guy]

I wonder when / if they will ever just sell CPU's without the lid. I would be too nervous to try delidding a $700 cpu.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
EK is slipping
They didn't make the skeletor aio block mount from behind omg exposed screw heads hehe

 

[LabRat 891]

I wonder when / if they will ever just sell CPU's without the lid. I would be too nervous to try delidding a $700 cpu.

In the past, there have been 'special' models of Intel Xeon, factory un-lidded. Though, those were meant for 'finished product' Mac workstations.

AMD though, learned the hard way with (S462/A) Athlon / Athlon XP.

Today,
All it takes is a 'he-man' and a screwdriver, to *crush* a bare die.

I'd venture to say, they'd either have to be 'special binnings' with a much higher price tag
Or
Somehow seek exception to most Countries' Warranty law; no warranty.

 

[gurusmi]

I must be really drunken if i would want to buy such a block for that price. I pay 50% for a Watercool heatkiller block. I would have to delid the CPU with loosing any warranty.Additional costs are to be paid because of a delidding tool.

 

[overclockedamd]

I direct Die Water cooled my Opteron 170 I paid 700$ usd in 2004 with no support mechanisms just block and bare die baby screw down and pray. Seeking those last few points for the leader boards gets pricey.

 

[LabRat 891]

I direct Die Water cooled my Opteron 170 I paid 700$ usd in 2004 with no support mechanisms just block and bare die baby screw down and pray. Seeking those last few points for the leader boards gets pricey.

It was incredibly rare to see folks de-lid in that era.
[nanosuite voice] Maximum: Kudos [/nanosuit voice]

 

[Outback Bronze]

I wonder when / if they will ever just sell CPU's without the lid. I would be too nervous to try delidding a $700 cpu.

Hopefully they come with a new ILM too : )

They were talking some BS about this with intel's latest KS series: Delidded Core i9-14900KS CPU now available from select system integrators with full warranty - VideoCardz.com

 

[Steevo]

Whats the proce for AM5 with a 7800X3D plate? Curious minds and idle hands in a few weeks need to know.

 

[AsRock]

I direct Die Water cooled my Opteron 170 I paid 700$ usd in 2004 with no support mechanisms just block and bare die baby screw down and pray. Seeking those last few points for the leader boards gets pricey.

Duron and the Slot 1 were direct too, it's nothing new.

 

[Dyatlov A]

Duron and the Slot 1 were direct too, it's nothing new.

Coppermine too

 

[Flyordie]

I wonder when / if they will ever just sell CPU's without the lid. I would be too nervous to try delidding a $700 cpu

Both Intel and AMD should consider this option for enthusiasts. Consider making a batch or 2 for the enthusiast market that don't go through the IHS process.

Or maybe work with EKWB etc and offer a direct die cooling product that is tested to work well with it?

Win-Win-Win for all involved?

 

[nguyen]

Probably not a good idea to delid your 14th gen Intel and direct die cooling, only for the chip to cook itself with high power usage.

 

[Outback Bronze]

Probably not a good idea to delid your 14th gen Intel and direct die cooling, only for the chip to cook itself with high power usage.

I think it's a perfectly good idea. DD reduces thermals which reduces voltage which reduces the amount of wattage needed. It's actually surprising how good it is, it's just a pita doing it.

The hard part is delidding. You gota look out for the SMD caps taking the IHS off as there isn't much room for clearance.

Gota love these mad cats: Overclocking "Raptor Lake refresh" - 14900k,14700k, 14600k etc results, bins and discussion | Page 656 | Overclock.net

 

[Dammeron]

AMD though, learned the hard way with (S462/A) Athlon / Athlon XP.

Don't know what was worse - cracked core cause of too-high/uneven pressure, or a hole in the MB from using a screwdriver to clip in the cheap cooler to the socket.

 

[LabRat 891]

Don't know what was worse - cracked core cause of too-high/uneven pressure, or a hole in the MB from using a screwdriver to clip in the cheap cooler to the socket.

Don't forget, the utter horror that was a socket's HSF tab(s) breaking off.
I'm so glad everyone moved away from that clip-on-socket design...

 

[Denver]

Whats the proce for AM5 with a 7800X3D plate? Curious minds and idle hands in a few weeks need to know.

The X3D runs cold and overclocking is not recommended, so... huh?

 

[micropage7]

I wonder when / if they will ever just sell CPU's without the lid. I would be too nervous to try delidding a $700 cpu.

i prefer lap it than delidding, especially for high price CPU

 

[delshay]

All it takes is a 'he-man' and a screwdriver, to *crush* a bare die.

Mounting pressure must be controlled by springs to avoid such disaster. The mounting springs also serves to controls how flat the coldplate sits on the die.