INTRODUCTION

   If i was to go out and visit any computer related store around where i live and i was to ask which types of CPU coolers they have available in their inventory right now chances are they will only have regular CPU air coolers and some AIO liquid CPU coolers. Unfortunately even now custom water cooling kits and parts are still considered niche hardware components in many places and that goes double for other types of cooling like waterchillers. Of course AIO liquid CPU coolers are reasonably priced, are easy to mount and offer very good cooling efficiency levels which in some cases can even compete with those produced by custom water cooling kits. Unfortunately however they don't support expandability and that has always been a serious drawback for enthusiasts, overclockers and even serious gamers. We did predict that eventually we'd see "hybrid" models designed after both AIO liquid CPU coolers and custom water cooling kits and shortly after Alphacool made their debut with the Eisberg line EK WaterBlocks just released their very own EK-XLC Predator line.

   EK Water Blocks is a premium computer liquid cooling gear manufacturer from Slovenia established in 1999. Our goal is to excel in a niche market of performance upgrades for computers. With continuous research and development, we have established a portfolio of products for water cooling. Quality and breathtaking design on the technological edge is our philosophy.

   The EK-XLC Predator line of pre-filled CPU xpandable liquid coolers consists of two models (at least currently), the 240mm dual-fan model which we have here with us today and is already available by EK Waterblocks and the 360mm tri-fan one which will become available soon. Both models follow the standard configuration as most AIO models so once again we see a radiator with 2/3 fans connected to a pump and a waterblock via two long tubes. The two main differences between the EK-XLC Predator line and regular AIO liquid CPU coolers is that the first has the pump attached onto the radiator (less distance between them compared to the waterblock/pump combo of regular AIO models something which could improve performance) and its two tubes are secured in place via typical 10/16mm fittings thus allowing the user to swap them for longer ones, expand the entire loop by adding a 2nd radiator and/or a GPU waterblock and even swap the waterblock for another (future proof CPU compatibility). We all like the features of the EK-XLC Predator line but what about performance?

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

EK Waterblocks ships the EK-XLC Predator 240 inside a solid cardboard box that has a product picture at the front along with their logo, the main product features and the Intel only compatibility statement.

On the right side you will find a small drawing showcasing how liquid cooling works and a small list of benefits right beneath it.

The main product features are showcased at the rear of the box with the help of 5 small pictures.

Moving at the bottom of the box we find a sticker with the bundle contents, a drawing of the product which is used to showcase its size and the specifications table.

The entire bundle is placed inside a thick plastic clamshell box.

Inside the plastic box you will find the EK-XLC Predator 240 pre-filled CPU xpandable liquid cooler, EK-TIM Ektotherm thermal paste tube, SATA power cable, PWM cable, 9 radiator mounting screws and the user guide.

THE EK-XLC PREDATOR 240

The EK-XLC Predator 240 is one of the largest 240mm AIO solutions we've seen to date measuring 295mm in length 68mm in height (with the fans installed) and 133mm in width.

Build quality is excellent across the kit and as far as the radiator goes EK Waterblocks used their 38mm thick (43mm with the aluminum housing) EK-CoolStream PE 240 model radiator (90% copper tubing with brass chambers).

If you decide to place 2 extra 120mm fans in push & pull you will be happy to know that the radiator housing leaves plenty of space between that and the fins.

The EK-CoolStream PE 240 radiator features an split fin FPI of 19.

Unlike the standalone models the EK-CoolStream PE 240 radiator used with the EK-XLC Predator 240 features two fill/drain ports.

Instead of pushing air to the radiator EK Waterblocks decided to place the two 120mm fans on the outside so they are pulling air through the radiator. I can't say if this was the right call but I’m certain they know what's best for their product.

The fans used are from their EK-Vardar F4-120ER double-ball bearing line which offers high static pressure with low noise levels. These fans can spin up to 2200RPM to produce up to 31 Pa of pressure with 77CFM of airflow and 33.5dBA of noise.

We don't have many details on the pump but we do know that EK Waterblocks used a Laing DDC PWM ceramic ball bearing pump which features a MTBF of up to 50.000 hours and has a flow rate of around 180 l/h.

The two fans and the pump are all attached on a hub placed on the far left side of the radiator and as you can see there's room for a 3rd fan which probably means that the same hub will also be used in the 360mm model (the power connector is also present here along with a red power on/off LED).

EK Waterblocks has used their high-quality 10/16mm nickel plated fittings with the EK-XLC Predator line.

The two 400mm long tubes used with the EK-XLC Predator 240 are 9.5/15.9mm ones from their EK-ZMT line.

At the end of the tubes we find the EK-Supremacy MX waterblock made by MABS polymer (sides), black anodized brushed aluminum (top) and copper (bottom).

The clear section around the waterblock is not just for show since it has mounts for up to two LEDs to light it up.

By default the backplate for Intel LGA-115x mainboards is mounted on the waterblock.

The base of the waterblock is pure copper polished enough to give it a mirror like finish.

TEST BED

TESTING METHODOLOGY

   We always take things quite seriously when it comes to work so just like with the previous LGA1366 database we will not be testing each CPU Cooler on its own and with different ambient temperature levels and thus we can actually have yet another valid CPU Cooler database. Testing a CPU Cooler automatically means that you need to know where it stands against the immediate competition and to accomplish that we have spent both money and time through the years, something that we plan to continue to do so in order to get the most accurate results for the end consumers who read these lines. Every CPU cooler in this database is tested with the bundled 140mm/120mm/92mm/80mm fans while working at both idle speed and 100% of their speeds for all the temperature tests. CPU Coolers that do not come bundled with a fan/s are measured using a Noctua fan (size dependent on the model) to test for the temperature tests but due to the lack of a stock fan dBA level tests are obviously skipped. Single (120/140mm) watercooling solutions are tested with the radiator mounted at the rear of our test rig while dual/triple/quad (240/260/280/360/420/480/560mm) solutions with the radiator mounted at the top. For the dBA tests every cooler in the database was measured both while on idle mode or with the fan controller in the minimum setting and while on extreme load or with the fan controller all the way to the highest possible setting (PWM fans do that on their own without our intervention). Every single test takes place in a temperature controlled room of 23 degrees Celsius Ambient Temp with the help of two AC units placed diagonally inside the room. The Arctic Silver 5 thermal paste is used with every CPU Cooler in our latest LGA2011 database (although initially this was not the plan we had to change things to get the most accurate results). Finally it's very important to point out that just because a CPU Cooler is better than another when tested with our test rig that does not necessarily mean that the same performance differences will apply 100% for other CPU models and in other situations (such as different ambient temps and system configurations).

     To successfully record the load temperatures we use the latest OCCT application for around 6-10 minutes to push the processor to its limits and after that is done and the temperatures are recorded we wait for about 10-20 minutes for the CPU to cool down and record the idle temperatures. This is done to allow time for the thermal conductive material to achieve the optimal performance level. Same procedure is then repeated with the Passmark BurnIn Test as a failsafe just in case the OCCT results are wrong. This procedure takes a lot more time than the usual peltier/thermometer tests but this way not only can we deliver real world results to our readers based on real CPUs but we can also triple check the results using a variety of programs. Last but not least the temperatures were recorded using both the latest versions of AIDA64 and RealTemp while the noise level tests are performed using a high precision ExTech HD600 Decibel Meter placed about 10-15cm above the CPU Cooler. Still although the same testing procedure applies to all units do take into consideration that unlike the official numbers which are measured in special noise isolated labs with just the fans here we also have both the rest of the cooler and the rest of the system (although all system fans are turned off when recording noise levels).

TEST RESULTS

CONCLUSION

   The EK-XLC Predator 240 by EK Waterblocks is actually not the first “hybrid” to reach our lab since prior to that we had the opportunity to check the Eisberg 240 by Alphacool. However unlike the Eisberg 240 not only does the EK-XLC Predator 240 produce far better cooling efficiency (it even rivals the 360mm Water 3.0 Ultimate by Thermaltake) but it’s also far sturdier with build quality equal if not better to what we see with custom water cooling kits. The two EK-Vardar F4-120ER double-ball bearing fans are somewhat noisy at full speed so I don’t expect anyone to use this model inside an HTPC but judging by our results they do a great job. Now I don’t know how many people will choose to replace the tubings or add a 2^nd radiator and/or a GPU/Memory waterblock into the loop but even the ability to swap the CPU waterblock later on for one compatible with future CPU models will save you quite a bit of money.

   Price many times is what makes or breaks a product and this is the Achilles heel of the EK-XLC Predator 240 pre-filled CPU Xpandable liquid cooler since it currently retails for USD199.95 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 233.42Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de). If you put down the components EK Waterblocks has used to create the EK-XLC Predator 240 the price actually makes sense even more so if you take into account the excellent cooling efficiency and expandability. In the end however we’re clearly talking about the best AIO model in the market currently and although we don’t expect it to become a best seller because of its price still it is what it is and that’s why it gets our Platinum Award.

PROS

- Second To None Build Quality
- Excellent Top Of The Line Cooling Efficiency
- Expandable / Future proof (Can Add Extra Radiators, GPU waterblocks, CPU waterblocks, Pumps)
- Powerful Laing DDC Pump (180 l/h?)
- SATA Power Connector

CONS

- No Control Software
- Slightly Loud At Full Speed
- Intel Only