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Review: EK Fluid Gaming A240G CPU & GPU (ALU) Liquid Cooling review
EK today unleashed more affordable liquid cooling for the masses, their new Aluminum CPU & GPU Liquid Cooling kits. Today we test their new flagship EK Fluid Gaming A240G CPU & GPU kit. This is not AIO Liquid cooling, yet your own custom loop. We will test that EK Fluid Gaming A240G on a Core i7 4790K processor and will add a GeForce GTX 1080 as well.
Read our full review here.
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Agent-A01
Senior Member
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Senior Member
Posts: 11144
Joined: 2010-12-27
#5437883 Posted on: 05/31/2017 05:04 PM
Hopefully nobody uses copper sulfate biocide
By selling a complete kit, they can safely use aluminum everywhere without risk of mixing metals, to cut cost significantly.
Hopefully nobody uses copper sulfate biocide
deusex
Senior Member
Posts: 450
Joined: 2003-11-19
Senior Member
Posts: 450
Joined: 2003-11-19
#5437889 Posted on: 05/31/2017 05:19 PM
The temps don't really look that impressive, especially when GPU is added to the loop. I think they should have used slightly thicker radiator.
The temps don't really look that impressive, especially when GPU is added to the loop. I think they should have used slightly thicker radiator.
MM10X
Senior Member
Posts: 4237
Joined: 2008-08-21
Senior Member
Posts: 4237
Joined: 2008-08-21
#5437893 Posted on: 05/31/2017 05:29 PM
Small packaging and low noise level.
They have kits with different size radiators.
These results are very similar to what I've gotten with the P240 kit!
These kits make it very easy and straightforward having components developed by the same company.
The only complaint I could think of for EK is the CPU back plate, one of the threads wasn't quite right and I had to run through it with a tap. Luckily I had the correct tap in the garage.
And woah, $160usd range for a CPU loop that's getting in a really affordable range.
Back 8 years ago I spent nearly $350 for my CPU-only loop!
The temps don't really look that impressive, especially when GPU is added to the loop. I think they should have used slightly thicker radiator.
Small packaging and low noise level.
They have kits with different size radiators.
These results are very similar to what I've gotten with the P240 kit!
These kits make it very easy and straightforward having components developed by the same company.
The only complaint I could think of for EK is the CPU back plate, one of the threads wasn't quite right and I had to run through it with a tap. Luckily I had the correct tap in the garage.
And woah, $160usd range for a CPU loop that's getting in a really affordable range.
Back 8 years ago I spent nearly $350 for my CPU-only loop!
Agent-A01
Senior Member
Posts: 11144
Joined: 2010-12-27
Senior Member
Posts: 11144
Joined: 2010-12-27
#5437895 Posted on: 05/31/2017 05:40 PM
240 rad for 1 CPU + GPU is really only barely adequate.
Should really be a 360 at minimum.
One thing to note is 4790k without delid is a poor choice for high end cooling.
Without delid + liquid ultra, all high-end coolers have a hard time differentiating performance.
There will be an issue with properly conducting heat from core without delid.
A 6core 5820k 300 USD processosr would be a much better option for comparing temps.
Even that chip would have lower temps than this 4790k.
The temps don't really look that impressive, especially when GPU is added to the loop. I think they should have used slightly thicker radiator.
240 rad for 1 CPU + GPU is really only barely adequate.
Should really be a 360 at minimum.
One thing to note is 4790k without delid is a poor choice for high end cooling.
Without delid + liquid ultra, all high-end coolers have a hard time differentiating performance.
There will be an issue with properly conducting heat from core without delid.
A 6core 5820k 300 USD processosr would be a much better option for comparing temps.
Even that chip would have lower temps than this 4790k.
ladcrooks
Senior Member
Posts: 199
Joined: 2016-12-29
Senior Member
Posts: 199
Joined: 2016-12-29
#5437912 Posted on: 05/31/2017 06:26 PM
Water cooling, often think should i try it? But when air cooling is so close, i think different
Water cooling, often think should i try it? But when air cooling is so close, i think different
jura11
Senior Member
Posts: 1673
Joined: 2015-03-20
Senior Member
Posts: 1673
Joined: 2015-03-20
#5437917 Posted on: 05/31/2017 06:45 PM
Agree, if you are cooling only CPU then is not worth it, air cooler like is NH-D15 or NH-D15S are great coolers and performs pretty much great
Problems stands when you are running multiple GPU and CPU then water cooling is only option
Thanks, Jura
Water cooling, often think should i try it? But when air cooling is so close, i think different
Agree, if you are cooling only CPU then is not worth it, air cooler like is NH-D15 or NH-D15S are great coolers and performs pretty much great
Problems stands when you are running multiple GPU and CPU then water cooling is only option
Thanks, Jura
EdInk
Member
Posts: 95
Joined: 2016-03-30
Member
Posts: 95
Joined: 2016-03-30
#5437919 Posted on: 05/31/2017 06:48 PM
For mild OC, this is great and priced competitively. Any enthusiast will know having both CPU(without delidding)+GPU in the same loop will perform so.
The radiator looks cheap though, no EK stamp/badge
For mild OC, this is great and priced competitively. Any enthusiast will know having both CPU(without delidding)+GPU in the same loop will perform so.
The radiator looks cheap though, no EK stamp/badge
kodachrome
Junior Member
Posts: 8
Joined: 2015-08-29
Junior Member
Posts: 8
Joined: 2015-08-29
#5437943 Posted on: 05/31/2017 08:24 PM
Just wanted to say thumbs up, loved that review. Perfect blend of informative guide mixed with actual competitive review
As it happens I have a 4690k at 4.6Ghz and GTX 1080. Would love to see an update with a second GTX1080 added in the loop.
PS: Do people still add Waterwetter for a little water efficiency boost? Im out of watercooling for about 10years, but this in SLI is tempting.
Just wanted to say thumbs up, loved that review. Perfect blend of informative guide mixed with actual competitive review
As it happens I have a 4690k at 4.6Ghz and GTX 1080. Would love to see an update with a second GTX1080 added in the loop.
PS: Do people still add Waterwetter for a little water efficiency boost? Im out of watercooling for about 10years, but this in SLI is tempting.
illrigger
Member
Posts: 56
Joined: 2017-02-16
Member
Posts: 56
Joined: 2017-02-16
#5437970 Posted on: 05/31/2017 10:03 PM
I am hoping/betting that they will add standalone rads later, so that the overall loop temps can drop a bit more. Even adding a single 120 slim rad to this loop will give you a good boost to temps, and adding a 360 would make it kick butt. I was a little shocked that they didn't make this a 360 to begin with, but there are still not a ton of cheap cases that can comfortably take a 360 so I guess it makes sense.
This whole thing screams "practical" rather than "premium", but if you just want to cool your stuff and don't care what it looks like through the window (or better yet are building in a silenced case), it looks like a great deal. I may grab one myself.
EK said that they would have their new AIO loops available in the spring, I wonder if this is a replacement for them? Spring is basically over, so they would need to rush if they want to meet that deadline if not.
I am hoping/betting that they will add standalone rads later, so that the overall loop temps can drop a bit more. Even adding a single 120 slim rad to this loop will give you a good boost to temps, and adding a 360 would make it kick butt. I was a little shocked that they didn't make this a 360 to begin with, but there are still not a ton of cheap cases that can comfortably take a 360 so I guess it makes sense.
This whole thing screams "practical" rather than "premium", but if you just want to cool your stuff and don't care what it looks like through the window (or better yet are building in a silenced case), it looks like a great deal. I may grab one myself.
EK said that they would have their new AIO loops available in the spring, I wonder if this is a replacement for them? Spring is basically over, so they would need to rush if they want to meet that deadline if not.
Singleton99
Senior Member
Posts: 952
Joined: 2012-04-18
Senior Member
Posts: 952
Joined: 2012-04-18
#5437975 Posted on: 05/31/2017 10:12 PM
Great review and love all the pictures of the products , i was looking looking at this kit on Overclockers UK a few minutes ago . Excellent kit for someone like me who's looking into installing their first full custom loop and want to make sure that all the parts you're buying are compatible with each other .
Would you be able to add a die to the coolant if you wanted to? .
Great review and love all the pictures of the products , i was looking looking at this kit on Overclockers UK a few minutes ago . Excellent kit for someone like me who's looking into installing their first full custom loop and want to make sure that all the parts you're buying are compatible with each other .
Would you be able to add a die to the coolant if you wanted to? .
Koniakki
Senior Member
Posts: 2515
Joined: 2009-09-15
Senior Member
Posts: 2515
Joined: 2009-09-15
#5438098 Posted on: 06/01/2017 10:30 AM
Thank HH for another nice review!
But...
If someone over EK thinks this will appeal to gamers on a budget, well, imo no sane person will get this instead of jumping one card tier up for that $239/€249(e.g 1070->1080. 1080->1080Ti).
Now if someone already has their gpu and they absolutely can't sell it instead and do an upgrade, well, I see this kit possibly making a slight sense.
I would prefer a cheap 240/280mm custom copper kit tbh but maybe that's just me.
Thank HH for another nice review!
But...
If someone over EK thinks this will appeal to gamers on a budget, well, imo no sane person will get this instead of jumping one card tier up for that $239/€249(e.g 1070->1080. 1080->1080Ti).
Now if someone already has their gpu and they absolutely can't sell it instead and do an upgrade, well, I see this kit possibly making a slight sense.
I would prefer a cheap 240/280mm custom copper kit tbh but maybe that's just me.
-Tj-
Senior Member
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Senior Member
Posts: 15175
Joined: 2012-05-18
#5438134 Posted on: 06/01/2017 01:03 PM
Waiting on updated Predator variant, apparenty due sometime after August..
Waiting on updated Predator variant, apparenty due sometime after August..
illrigger
Member
Posts: 56
Joined: 2017-02-16
Member
Posts: 56
Joined: 2017-02-16
#5438249 Posted on: 06/01/2017 05:45 PM
Thank HH for another nice review!
But...
If someone over EK thinks this will appeal to gamers on a budget, well, imo no sane person will get this instead of jumping one card tier up for that $239/€249(e.g 1070->1080. 1080->1080Ti).
Now if someone already has their gpu and they absolutely can't sell it instead and do an upgrade, well, I see this kit possibly making a slight sense.
I would prefer a cheap 240/280mm custom copper kit tbh but maybe that's just me.
You are assuming that the person in question is buying a whole new system. This is aimed at people retrofitting what they have - in other words, the closed loop crowd who want to move up to an open loop. It's for someone who already has a 1070/1080 FE and is sick of the noisy fan.
Thank HH for another nice review!
But...
If someone over EK thinks this will appeal to gamers on a budget, well, imo no sane person will get this instead of jumping one card tier up for that $239/€249(e.g 1070->1080. 1080->1080Ti).
Now if someone already has their gpu and they absolutely can't sell it instead and do an upgrade, well, I see this kit possibly making a slight sense.
I would prefer a cheap 240/280mm custom copper kit tbh but maybe that's just me.
You are assuming that the person in question is buying a whole new system. This is aimed at people retrofitting what they have - in other words, the closed loop crowd who want to move up to an open loop. It's for someone who already has a 1070/1080 FE and is sick of the noisy fan.
sykozis
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Member
Posts: 20507
Joined: 2008-07-14
#5438722 Posted on: 06/03/2017 02:17 AM
I'm finding this hard to justify. Unless you have definite plans to expand the loop later, $160USD is a bit high for the EK A240 when the Corsair H110 can be found for $100USD and the Corsair H100i can be found for $105. Even the DeepCool Captain can be found for $90....and all 3 outperform the EK A240.... Better off to either go with one of those AIO's or do a proper custom loop...
With adequate research, you can build a capable custom loop for around $200 - $250 quite easily.
I'm finding this hard to justify. Unless you have definite plans to expand the loop later, $160USD is a bit high for the EK A240 when the Corsair H110 can be found for $100USD and the Corsair H100i can be found for $105. Even the DeepCool Captain can be found for $90....and all 3 outperform the EK A240.... Better off to either go with one of those AIO's or do a proper custom loop...
With adequate research, you can build a capable custom loop for around $200 - $250 quite easily.
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This is a really smart move from EKWB. By selling a complete kit, they can safely use aluminum everywhere without risk of mixing metals, to cut cost significantly. It also lowers the barrier to entry in watercooling for potential new customers significantly, generating more customers and immediate brand loyalty for EKWB.
I already sport a custom loop, but I'm really loving this kit. I wish they came with this just a year earlier when I could have used it