EK Classic RGB P240 review - Final Words & Conclusion

Final Words & Conclusion

The past few years or so the market channels have been saturated with all kinds of AIO liquid cooling kits. These kits are affordable (compared to DIY liquid cooling loops) and very functional whilst offering pretty decent performance. It, however, is very hard to beat a proper custom liquid cooling loop when you need a lot of capacity whilst tweaking the proc. Custom loops also are a bit of work, but it is exactly the work that you put into it that makes you appreciate your build even more. A liquid cooling loop will offer good temperatures, lower noise levels and combined with some nice LED lighting and proper component usage a very aesthetically pleasing build. Chances of leakage are slim, especially with the EK parts I dare to state that. With all that said, the EK P240 RGB Classic performance liquid cooling kit as tested is lovely but not massively impressive in performance compared to LCS, and that's because all in one kits have become exceptionally good over the years, thanks to their increasing popularity and ease of use. For just short of 300 EURO, you will receive the package as listed today. Included are a proper CPU water-block, the pump/reservoir, the tubing, the fittings and then depending on your choice a radiator alongside with the Vardar RGB fans. Remember that you need to have a compatible RGB controller or motherboard with 12V RGB connectors for this to work. Aside from that everything is included, all you need to do is pick up a bottle of distilled water (1 Liter is like 50 cents in the supermarket). The end result is time well spent, nice cooling performance and that DIY appreciation with the looks to go along with it. 

Overall

While I agree that water-cooling at a component level is costly, the P240 Classic RGB kit will cost you roughly 300 EURO which includes VAT. We do understand that it is exactly the cost that is the caveat with custom loops but do understand that this kit is as good as purchasing separate liquid cooling components, and then add on top of that fantastic quality and ease of use. Installation wise things are as easy as can be, just read the included manual or use our article as a guide. 

Performance

The results are good but as stated modern LCS kits can match a liquid cooling loop these days. However, when you start to tweak and overclock you'll soon find that an AIO LCS runs out of capacity quicker than a custom loop. Herein is an advantage to be found for this EK kit (then again in all fairness, a proper LCS kit is half the money).

Acoustics wise we advise you to set an RPM level that you find acceptable. In the motherboard BIOS simply assign the Vardar fans 400 RPM (example), and leave it at that. Or perhaps create an RPM profile that gradually increases RPM when the CPU really heats up. But even at low RPM, the cooling capacity is at a level that this kit could be configured totally silent. That's the thing with liquid cooling loops, you are in control.

Aesthetics & Design

The overall looks are very tasteful as far as I am concerned. The kit itself is a bit much component-wise. We do like the embedded RGB bling though it has to be said, it adds a whole lot of wires that need to be connected to either a compatible RGB connector on your motherboard or an RGB controller. So with the reservoir, two fans and cooling block you've just added four wires to deal with. Hey if you opt UV reactive coolant and a black-light etc etc. So aesthetics wise the end result will be based upon your choices. Clear coolant and that CPU cooling block alone bring that little extra to a PC though, the looks are much cleaner without a bulky heat-pipe cooler. 

Concluding

As always we had a lovely time installing and testing an EK kit, they offer quality and premium products. It is a nice and good looking starter kit for an audience that starts his first custom liquid cooling loop. The performance is good, but in reality, is a proper brand LCS unit is in the very same range. We wonder why there are no LCS AIO kits from EK, as that could be a big market for them being such a reputable brand. Cash then, is twice the money over an LCS kit worth it? Well, yes and no. Yes in the sense that your DIY experience adds value, also this kit does have more 'capacity cooling reserve' when overclocking as that cooling capacity is bigger thanks to the thicker radiator size as well as more coolant in the loop due to the reservoir. Things remain relative though and that is seeking in a more narrow margin as AIO LCS kits these days have evolved big time. Combine these facts with the nice cooling performance and you will certainly not be disappointed as EK delivers a really complete starters kit here, all you need is some time, patience and distilled water, well that and the willingness to spend three hundred bucks of course.

Handy related downloads:

• SiSoft Sandra
• AIDA
• CPU-Z