EK®, the leading computer cooling solutions provider, is launching a special edition direct die water block explicitly engineered for the AMD® AM5 socket and delidded Ryzen™ 7000 CPUs, including the X3D variants. The product deploys a custom-engineered cooling engine optimized only for AM5 direct die cooling. The cold plate contact surface is designed with protruding sections that perfectly match the CPU’s chiplets and its I/O die. 

The die guard that comes with the CPU requires removing the CPU loading mechanism. It ensures the PCB doesn’t bend and makes an electrical connection with the socket pins.

The latest water block features EK-Matrix7 compatibility, meaning the product’s height and port distance are managed in 7mm increments. The EK-Quantum Vector² RX 7900 XTX Radeon Edition inspires the new CPU water block design, featuring a black-anodized aluminum frame around the seethrough acrylic top.

EK-Quantum Velocity² Direct Die D-RGB – AMD Ryzen Edition

This new direct die AM5 water block is built upon an award-winning, market-recognized Velocity² platform that received an iF Design, European Hardware, and CES Innovation awards. The top is seethrough glass-like acrylic, with rich D-RGB illumination shining through the window. The body of this water block is framed in sandblasted aluminum anodized in black.

A vertical terminal of black acetal perfectly blends with the water block appearance, giving it a sharp look.

The mounting mechanism differs from the one on the Velocity² Direct Die 1700 water block, as it relies on standoffs at all corners instead of the cold plate making contact with the die guard. The cold plate’s protruding sections were designed to cover the CPU chips.

The fin structure has been adjusted to direct most of the flow over the chiplets and some over the central I/O die.

This flow optimization was done with a specialized jet plate and its offset slip that forces the coolant to flow over the hottest parts of the microfins, just above the chiplets. The whole fin array was offset to avoid CPU parts producing little to no heat.

EK-Quantum Velocity² Direct Die D-RGB – AMD Ryzen Signature Edition

Everything previously mentioned for the AMD Ryzen Edition also applies to the Ryzen Signature Edition CPU water block, with the only difference being the Thermal Grizzly tools and accessories included in the Signature Edition.

Thermal Grizzly Ryzen 7000 Delid-Die-Mate

The Delid-Die-Mate is a delidding or IHS removal tool. It lets users remove the Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS) from their Ryzen 7000 CPUs and directly cool the CPU die. It is a safe, easy, quick, and ultimately practical way of removing the IHS.

Thermal Grizzly TG Shield

The TG Shield compound protects the SMDs (Surface-Mounted Devices) around the chips from possible liquid metal spillage. So, even if liquid metal happens to be excessively applied and spilled over these components, it will not cause a short circuit and damage the CPU. The TG Shield should be applied generously to ensure you won’t instantly remove it when using alcohol to clean the chiplets or the liquid metal.

EK-Matrix7 Compatibility

The EK-Quantum Velocity² Direct Die – AM5 is an EK-Matrix7 certified product. The EK-Matrix7 system adds convenience and precision to PC liquid cooling, thanks to the product height and port distance being managed in 7mm increments. This improves product alignment and reduces the time spent planning the loop and bending tubes. Through meticulous planning and careful design of EK products, building a liquid-cooled PC becomes easy and fun.

CPU and Socket Compatibility

New EK-Quantum Velocity² Direct Die – AMD Ryzen Edition CPU water blocks are socket-specific, compatible only with the AMD AM5 socket, and delidded Ryzen 7000 Series desktop CPUs, including the X3D variants.

D-RGB Compatibility

EK-Quantum Velocity² D-RGB Direct Die – AMD Ryzen Edition CPU water blocks are compatible with popular addressable RGB sync technologies from all major motherboard manufacturers. The arrow marking on the 3-pin D-RGB LED connector aligns with the +5V marking on the addressable RGB header.

Availability and Pricing

The EK-Quantum Velocity² Direct Die – AMD Ryzen Edition water blocks are made in Slovenia, Europe, and are available for pre-order through the EK Webshop and Partner Reseller Network. They are expected to start shipping in early May 2024.The table below shows the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), VAT included.