EK-XLC Predator 280 AIO CPU & GPU Liquid Cooling review

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Final Words & Conclusion

Final Words & Conclusion

For the €219,95 that EK asks for this kit you do get a lot of value with an option to add a graphics card into the loop. These kits are magnificent, easy to use and install. I do have to say though, something changed and it is not for the better.

Compared to the older 240 and 360 Predator models this kit seems to perform a little worse overall. Now don't get me wrong here as the cooling perf is still at what we consider a performance level, it's just that the cooling capacity seems to be a notch lower than what I expected it to be. In several scenarios for example the older 240 kit we tested scored better (with just the CPU installed). Now the block, tubing, coolant and rad design is all the same, so that might be related to the new pump EK is using. On the other hand, and thanks to my editor Ian for noting this to me, the lesser cooling performance compared to the 240 might be because of the fin density of the radiator vs the fans. The 140mm fans push 84 CFM and the 120mm fans push 77 CFM, but the 140mm fans only have a static pressure of 18.6 Pa vs the 31 Pa of the 120mm fans. If the 280 rad has a similar high fin density to the 240 then this could account for the drop in cooling performance.

Regardless of that remark, you will have plenty of cooling capacity and still get to use the quick disconnect connector, with the ability to add extra components into the loop. Adding an extra component will have little additional effect on the overall cooling performance, as it has enough capacity. Overall the results are just fine really. You can combine that cooling excellence with extremely good (low) noise levels as you will have a hard time hearing this kit. And if you do, just set your BIOS FAN control to silent and lower FAN RPM a tiny bit. Another benefit is obviously the terrific looks. The embedded reservoir/pump and fan HUB makes sure that the wiring leads out from the radiator and not from, say, the CPU cooling block (which you see with many AIO kits). 


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Water-cooling at this performance level however is more costly, but EK made a more competitive price-drop as the Predator 280 will cost you roughly 220 EURO/USD incl VAT. If you want to add a graphics card, that bill runs up another ~150 bucks for a prefilled GPU waterblock and yeah, you are looking at a 360 EURO bill. We do understand that this is the caveat with this kit, 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 due to the fact that everything (LCS wise) is factory installed for you. The results are there though, our Core i7 4790K is a tricky beast of a processor to cool and tame. The test platform makes use of the Core i7 4790K and we tested it in a default setup (clocks) and then overclocked to 4600 MHz with 1.3 Volts. Now, the 1.3 Volts is not even needed for the overclock, 1.2 Volts would have been good enough as well. However we inject more voltage to see how the cooler behaves. We also know with certainty that many of you are overclocking at 1.30 Volts. And for this cooler, that is just not an issue at all. Then on top of that we added the GeForce GTX 1080, this product under hefty stress remains at roughly 50 Degrees C, even when overclocked. 
  

 Aesthetics & Design

The overall looks are very tasteful as far as I am concerned, at first sight it might look bulky due to the thick radiator. However once you house it inside a chassis, most of that is not visible. And whatever is visible is nice and black in design. You do not have screaming logos and LEDs and neither do you have wires leading out of the cooling block, as all of it is coming from the radiator, meaning you can route cables out of sight. The 280 has the quick decoupling connector, that is a bit in sight we agree. Other than that we feel it just looks terrific.

Pricing

The EK-Predator 280 at €219,95 in combo with a liquid cooling block for your graphics card of choice as mentioned is a bit pricey. But assemble and compile your own liquid cooling kit and you will notice that the bill will run just as high. The Predator offers ease of use, good quality and as safe as can be liquid cooling experience. 


Concluding

When we tested the EK-Predator 240 we told you that it was probably one of the best LCS kits we have ever tested, the 360 is as good and even better, the new 280 is by far good enough, but did perform a little lower than what i anticipated it to do. We cannot pinpoint precisely what that is, other than maybe the pump running a notch too slow, fin surface area or air pressure or even the product setup in such a manner it staying inaudible? It all remains very good but with a kit like this I just do not want to compromize on cooling performance. While you do need a spacious enough chassis for the radiator to fit we do have to state that if you plan to only use it for the processor, the 280 model might be your better alternative as the performance will be close to similar. Then again, if you want to go future proof and at a later stage perhaps add liquid cooling to a graphics card, this makes more sense. Once you need the extra cooling capacity with a CPU+GPU combo, that's where the Predator 360 will make more sense if you ask me. But even with the 280, you will remain impressed by the cooling performance and low noise levels. While I always find it hard to explain the price-premium on these kits, all I can say is that it will be worth that money with the nice quality EK offers here, this kit oozes and breathes just that. In closing, I had hoped for a few degrees C more overall cooling perf, but in the long run - even overclocked and with a GPU added into the loop - this kit will not disappoint. We grant it a 'recommended' award.

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