EKWB EK-XLC Predator 280

[crazyeyesreaper]

The Predator 280 from EKWB aims to eat the competition alive. Offering top-tier performance, low noise levels, and easy expansion thanks to its QDC fittings, it offers users near custom watercooling performance without the headaches of doing it all yourself.

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[KainXS]

The performance is impressive but I wish it was about 50 bucks cheaper, but I guess since the only thing that is going to outperform it really is a a custom loop they can charge whatever they want. I still would like to get one if they go on sale though.

Don't know much about those fans though, I wonder if they are better than the A14's.

 

[RejZoR]

EK means business with these. Sure, they are a bit more expensive than typical AiO's, but you have to understand, these have a significantly stronger pump and a top of the line water block that is sold as stand alone component by EK. Essentially this is a custom built loop in an AiO form factor, pre-built. It's tempting as hell.

 

[Ferrum Master]

They need ER type fans on these badly.

 

[newtekie1]

EK means business with these. Sure, they are a bit more expensive than typical AiO's, but you have to understand, these have a significantly stronger pump and a top of the line water block that is sold as stand alone component by EK. Essentially this is a custom built loop in an AiO form factor, pre-built. It's tempting as hell.

Exactly. The pump is a DDC pump, which is what you'd use in a custom loop. This should easily handled the addition of a GPU block, and the quick connect fitting makes it very easy to expand without opening the loop.

 

[AHMAD_ESLIM]

no comparison with Crosair h115i ?

 

[RejZoR]

Why is this being tested on a 6700K and not something like 5820K or even 8 core? You want to be as punishing as possible, not a HT quad core...

 

[DarVarOne]

Hello,
I am very sorry, but I don't think that ALPHACOOL is the manufacturer of the "EKWB EK-XLC Predator 280"...
See Specifications @ http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/EKWB/Predator_280_QDC/:
"MANUFACTURER: Alphacool"

 

[newtekie1]

Why is this being tested on a 6700K and not something like 5820K or even 8 core? You want to be as punishing as possible, not a HT quad core...

Actually, while the 2011 processors produce more heat, it is actually harder to keep 115x processors cooler. The 2011 processors still use solder.

Plus, the point is is to keep the processor consistent to keep the heat load consistent for all the coolers so you can compare the different coolers to each other. As long as there is a notable difference between the coolers being tested, the point of the review has been achieved.

 

[Ruru]

If it would be around 150eur, then "shut up and take my money!", but I'd rather build a custom loop with a similar price tag with that 200+ eur price. Performance looks awesome though! And thanks for a good review.

 

[TheHunter]

^
XLR 240mm is ~ 170€

I think I'll get this one soon.. lol was 240€ before
https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-xlc-predator-240

 

[Dippyskoodlez]

For any home gamers, these QDC connectors are available:


NS4D22006 Valved In-Line Hose Barb Coupling Insert 3/8 ID Barb
NS4D17006 Valved In-Line Hose Barb Coupling Body 3/8 ID Barb

 

[VSG]

The pump is not a DDC. This uses the EK SPC-60 pump. Possibly better than the custom 6W DDC but can't tell without a full test.

 

[bogami]

Excellent product and good pieces have brought good results. The only disturbing the pipe disconnection connector, which certainly poorer circulation. and one might be sold in parts so that every own drawn lap as desired . But when you mention the pump has to be said that the great since it has the right rotor and does not splash water into the pipe . In the snail (on pump housing), it could be much improved. Snail is incorrect and insufficient in almost the entire embrace. Here is the main problem of overheating of the pump as the rotor is driving water space is too small emerging resistance .i m not requires too much, it is not difficult to formulate plastics . Function of rotation and expansion chambers between the rotor blade gives us the pumping This is the main work law of action of this kind of pumps, snail collects water and the resultant is pressure, which is pushing on. If buying water cooling this system would be on shortlist .

 

[Folterknecht]

Actually, while the 2011 processors produce more heat, it is actually harder to keep 115x processors cooler. The 2011 processors still use solder.

Plus, the point is is to keep the processor consistent to keep the heat load consistent for all the coolers so you can compare the different coolers to each other. As long as there is a notable difference between the coolers being tested, the point of the review has been achieved.

Everything after Sandybridge on Intels Mainstream platform is pretty useless in my book when it comes to cooler testing without some heavy modification - no solder between DIE and IHS, instead you have greatly fluctuating results between chip samples because of that retarded paste, which also might show signs of aging. It compresses results even distorts them, when limiting factor in the whole cooling chain suddenly becomes the heat transfer between DIE and IHS and not the cooler anymore.

The next problem is that highend air coolers (D15 and similar) and good AIOs/watercoolers really show their true performance potential when you put them under really high thermal load. For 90W you don't need these monsters and the differences between coolers are relative small.
Even oced to the limit (on air/water) a 6700K struggels to go beyond 180W (chip alone), the 6500K sits yround 150W in that case.

Paul'sHardware had this cooler running with a 6core + extended loop incl. a 1080 (both with OC) and that thing keeped everything cool, and you want to tell us that a 90W chip is good for testing coolers like this?

 

[wolina]

and the winner is ...

as

usual

noctua ... a perfect balance between price and performance

i'm not a fanboy, i wish to have one but lets be honest since nh-d15 showed up there is nothing new on the market. even noctua have a problem to create something better. their research labs have a serious problem with that.

at the moment we have 3 major players on the market and there is nothing between them, designed for overlocked CPUs

1. custom water cooling $$$
2. noctua nh-d15 $$
3. silentiumpc fortis 3 $

if you buy anything else you are just a moron

 

[Ruru]

^
XLR 240mm is ~ 170€

I think I'll get this one soon.. lol was 240€ before
https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-xlc-predator-240

Well, not 170eur here in Finland.

 

[TheHunter]

Well, not 170eur here in Finland.

If you buy it directly in their online shop it should be the same 170€, just extra shipping costs.
Or would you end up paying as if you bought locally?

 

[Hnykill22]

This is one good cooling solution .. i have a Kraken X61 with 2x Noctua nf-a14 pwm 140mm fans. cooling a i7 5820K @ 4.4 Ghz. under 60c° under full load. at 60% rpm fans. but i am a sucker for CPU coolers somehow. would this do any better than the Kraken ? same fans.

 

[Ruru]

If you buy it directly in their online shop it should be the same 170€, just extra shipping costs.
Or would you end up paying as if you bought locally?

Well, I have to check that out.. Not in a hurry of buying a better cooler yet, since this Macho Direct is already almost an overkill for a G3258, so it's a better CPU first..

 

[crazyeyesreaper]

Simple fact @Folterknecht

115X is more popular than 2011, The more popular most widely used platform is what I use. Now if you want to provide me with a $1000 CPU x99 V3 board a kit of memory etc then i could probably do something otherwise your free to gripe and complain but coming from someone that according to their System Specs is using an 115x processor yeah. pot calling the kettle black.

It all boils down to the simple fact that 115x is the most popular / dominant platform.

While these solution would be better geared toward higher end CPUs the fact remains I see people on these very forums with CPUs that could be handled by standard $40 air cooler running custom loops. Its all a matter of perspective.

 

[Folterknecht]

Simple fact @Folterknecht

115X is more popular than 2011, ...

.
No One is arguing that point, but I'm certainly not the only one who isn't happy with Intel wasting die-space on iGPUs that get larger and larger but keep being "useless" instead of making the step to 6 cores on the mainstream platform. When I bought that 3570K I was happy with 4 cores, nowdays not so much anymore - play a modern game title for example and stream that at the same time ... less than ideal with only 4 cores.
OC with my CPU? Finding the limit of my chip wasn't even possible without deliding any replacing that Intel-gunk with LM. When Intel released Devils Canyon they even said in an interview with Toms Hardware (was conducted with engineers not PR clowns) , that Haswells OC headroom shrinks when reaching ~80°C.

But all that is pretty pointless - the fact stands that the current Intel mainstream platform is less than suited for testing (highend) coolers regardless of popularity and whatnot. Personally I'm interested in accurate reviews and what you 're doing is is good, but the equipment isn't suited. That's my "opinion" and nothing to get upset about. I don't know how TPU works internally, but for a site like this it should be possible to organize something for you - @Wizzard .
And if you want to stick with Intels mainstream platform in the future for the reasons you outlined, please think about deliding the CPU at least. You could make a review about a tool like the delite mate in the process.

 

[crazyeyesreaper]

.
No One is arguing that point, but I'm certainly not the only one who isn't happy with Intel wasting die-space on iGPUs that get larger and larger but keep being "useless" instead of making the step to 6 cores on the mainstream platform. When I bought that 3570K I was happy with 4 cores, nowdays not so much anymore - play a modern game title for example and stream that at the same time ... less than ideal with only 4 cores.
OC with my CPU? Finding the limit of my chip wasn't even possible without deliding any replacing that Intel-gunk with LM. When Intel released Devils Canyon they even said in an interview with Toms Hardware (was conducted with engineers not PR clowns) , that Haswells OC headroom shrinks when reaching ~80°C.

But all that is pretty pointless - the fact stands that the current Intel mainstream platform is less than suited for testing (highend) coolers regardless of popularity and whatnot. Personally I'm interested in accurate reviews and what you 're doing is is good, but the equipment isn't suited. That's my "opinion" and nothing to get upset about. I don't know how TPU works internally, but for a site like this it should be possible to organize something for you - @Wizzard .
And if you want to stick with Intels mainstream platform in the future for the reasons you outlined, please think about deliding the CPU at least. You could make a review about a tool like the delite mate in the process.

My 6700K at 4.6 is not limited I can in fact go much further many however as you know with the 3570k experience are not that lucky. Would i like a better CPU for testing? Sure but the simple fact remains I cant please everyone.

I would honestly like to have an AMD and Intel system for testing to add extra data. The problem with Delidding almost no one actually does it sure a few on the various forums do. But in reality it doesn;t convey the majority experience. Ive had a 3960x 4960x 2500k 3770k 4770k 6700k and the one thing Ive discovered is this. The CPU cooler chart remains surprisingly similar in terms of placement. a D15 tends to place similarly on the chart regardless of CPU used same goes for the AIOs etc. In reality while the higher heat loads do help spread the results out a bit further. The overall position of a cooler in the chart does not change all that much, Only when its completely thermally saturated will it fail. Opinions are fine but after testing so many coolers across 4 different CPUs the results remain surprisingly similar.

 

[Folterknecht]

@crazyeyesreaper
I believe you when you say, that the positions don't change that much. But when the spread between the results gets noticeable bigger, it becomes somewhat misleading for the less informed reader/buyer when he considers price to performance and he bases his buying decision on a 1-2K difference, when it reality the performance difference is much bigger.

Let's all hope that AMD is able to deliver something usefull in the coming months, for all of us who wish for more than 4 cores at a reasonable price point (platform wise).

 

[Hiryougan]

and the winner is ...

as

usual

noctua ... a perfect balance between price and performance

i'm not a fanboy, i wish to have one but lets be honest since nh-d15 showed up there is nothing new on the market. even noctua have a problem to create something better. their research labs have a serious problem with that.

at the moment we have 3 major players on the market and there is nothing between them, designed for overlocked CPUs

1. custom water cooling $$$
2. noctua nh-d15 $$
3. silentiumpc fortis 3 $

if you buy anything else you are just a moron

SilentiumPC Grandis 2 was released today, it has the same price as previous one but better fans(the Sigma ones used in Fortis 3). It has NH-D15 performance with half the cost. and it's as quiet or even quieter.