EK Waterblocks - A wakeup call! (Slight Rant)

[zlojack]

I've been a big fan of EK waterblocks since I got into liquid cooling.

Eddy is active in the LC community and takes a lot of feedback from his customers. While we are a very niche market, we are also the early adopters and those who end up setting the trends that many other enthusiasts follow.

EK waterblocks were usually a slam dunk recommendation for any application. Full cover blocks, the EK Supreme and the motherboard blocks. I used EK FC blocks on my Crossfired 3870 X2s and EK blocks on my Maximus Formula and was more than pleased.

But lately, it seems to me that things have been slipping just a bit. I'm not sure if EK just got too big, too fast and are having trouble keeping up with the demand for their popular blocks or if it's something else, but I've noticed some chinks in the EK armour lately.

The issue with standoffs on the last round of FC blocks and the ensuing problems with the video cards. The GTX 280s which were fried due to some issues with those blocks. The D5 pump top that was rushed out in order to be "first" only to be outperformed by a better researched and designed top a few weeks later which has led to a "revision" being released. And now the lack of any mounting hardware for the 1366 motherboards for the EK Supreme. The competition has already put their adaptors out there and they are readily available. But EK still hasn't released a backplate and the holddown bracket hasn't appeared in North America. In general, I was less than impressed by the response amongst watercooling manufacturers with regards to adaptors for their products and the new boards.

It seems to me that a smart businessperson would be all over trying to get samples from the manufacturers or, at the very least, some sort of specs and getting an effective product to market soon after release.

Those of us who like to live on the edge of technology and the early adopters are going to be the first to get the new tech and if the trailblazers builds feature your products, you're going to get the business from those who follow their lead.

This is not a slam at EK so much as a "what's up?" EK has always been great and their support and designs have been innovative, but it seems like things are slipping a bit.

I have great respect for Eddy and he's helped me many times, so don't take this as a negative thing, but more as a concerned customer here.

[Sniper]

I was thinking the same thing also & including D-Tek in there as well. Swiftech managed to "get er done" why can't more of the bigger names?

[bigslappy]

EK really missing the boat as the new shipments of products have changes in them that are not sitting well with vendors ,,as now u get no fittings with blocks & res's
the mgf'ing process has changed up due to EK trying reduce material costs . IE thinner plastic parts amoung other things
, you will see big differences in the EK res's
& he raised prices to Vendors at a time when the economy is in the shitter

if he don't see the writing on the wall soon ,Bitspower is gonna eat his lunch Real soon

[Sniper]

mmmm Lunch!

[RedRaider]

No one and I mean no one, makes a sexier Full Cover Block than Eddy's Nickel-Plated FC Blocks...:fact:

The EK Sumpreme still Reigns Sumpreme...:fact:

I do agree though, he seems to be stumbling lately. Those who stumble and fall, usually lose the race...:hmm:

[bigslappy]

Yeah those products are still great but if changes the materials out to cheaper stuff it's gonna show .. If u didn't order them res's then u r gonna be outta luck as i can't mod the new tops

[RedRaider]

BigSlappy, you'll have mail on Thursday. I sent (2) tops via USPS Priority Mail today.

:worship:

[Sniper]

No one and I mean no one, makes a sexier Full Cover Block than Eddy's Nickel-Plated FC Blocks...:fact:

The EK Sumpreme still Reigns Sumpreme...:fact:

I do agree though, he seems to be stumbling lately. Those who stumble and fall, usually lose the race...:hmm:

But at least his products have been seen & we know he's working on them he's almost got me to try out his new Mosfet blocks but he found someone closer. D-Tek hasn't shown anything just said it will be out soon that's it! they are dropping the ball even worse than EK if you ask me. I went wit the Fusion V2 cause I assumed the mount would be out for it before my Stinger V8 block was finished but it looks like I'm wrong. I'll prolly have that before the V2 mount ffs. lol

[NAekuh]

u guys all know my opinion on EK. :P

i think i killed 4th quarter GPU block sales for them.

EK used to be my favorate company.

Eddie used to listen to us, and talk to us without his big horse.

Now he doesnt, and he never listens to me anymore... says things are impossible when there not, and he's very expensive now.


I hope Bei's NB/SB block will bring him back down, and remind him, theres smarter people on the forums.

I've accepted this when someone can show me im wrong...

and believe me, i honestly love being proved wrong... means i messed up somewhere, and i found something fun to do....

[Sniper]

Yeah I can agree with you on that one dude lmao.

[skinnee]

I personally think part of EK's slip-up has to do with him OEMing his FC blocks to video card manu's.

I'm not going to say I told you so (shit, I just did), but R3, you remember a conversation we had about this several months back?

[RedRaider]

Oh too well my friend...:D

[lloyd_mcse]

i got an email 3 weeks ago with a link to the i7 mounting plate - straight from EK? I think coz i have bought straight from them?

http://ekwaterblocks.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=320

However, I do agree that some things seem to have been rushed, like the lack of standoffs. And they probablry did n't have a proper strategy once they had an oem contract :shrug:

EDIT: I do wish Eddy would sort his Paypal portal out - i pay for something but he never knows what i've paid for, so he says make sure u click return to merchant - of course i do

[Xilikon]

Yeah, the day they got the contract to furnish full cover blocks for the videocards for a manufacturer, this is where things went downhill. If Eddy doesn't wake up, he will be eaten alive by BitsPower and custom manufacturing which become more affordable.

Like NAekuh, I do wish we are wrong about EK and they rebound but hope is growing thinner and thinner each week.

[bigslappy]

the vendors i talked to in the last few days are really upset with EK the QC ,no fittings , design changes in items with no notice , makes them order large qnty ,raised prices & then under cuts them by selling direct , it all started when he changed locations .Hope NAekuh can get those blocks out .. we need better parts not worse .

[skinnee]

I didn't get any thermal pads with my EK FC block (1 of the 3 unannounced GTX280 revs) I ordered a couple weeks ago.

[bigslappy]

Yeah the Res's have been redesigned to reduce material costs
the new ones the tops are only 4mm thick & don't know about the tube if he went thinner . that's why I had Gary at sidewinder check the ones he had in stock to make sure they were the older ones & then I ordered 2 of the 6 old style ek400's he had in stock. wanted to make sure i had them now for my dually mobo MM case now i need 2 more iwaki's L O L

[lloyd_mcse]

the vendors i talked to in the last few days are really upset with EK the QC ,no fittings , design changes in items with no notice , makes them order large qnty ,raised prices & then under cuts them by selling direct , it all started when he changed locations .Hope NAekuh can get those blocks out .. we need better parts not worse .

It seems thankfully, i haven't had anything from EK for a while - i will be keeping my eye out :up:
Any issues i have i will let you know :)
Though i have to say Eddy has always been very helpful :up:

[zlojack]

Lots of ominous sounding trends in these posts.



The EK Sumpreme still Reigns Sumpreme...:fact:


It might reign supreme, but if I can't mount the damn thing, it will be reigning in someone else's rig.

i got an email 3 weeks ago with a link to the i7 mounting plate - straight from EK? I think coz i have bought straight from them?

http://ekwaterblocks.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=320

However, I do agree that some things seem to have been rushed, like the lack of standoffs. And they probablry did n't have a proper strategy once they had an oem contract :shrug:

EDIT: I do wish Eddy would sort his Paypal portal out - i pay for something but he never knows what i've paid for, so he says make sure u click return to merchant - of course i do


That mounting plate is great. But shipping to North America is a PITA and then I still have to worry about a backplate, which doesn't exist so far.


As I said in my original post, I'm pulling for Eddy. I like his story and I like the service he's given me so far. But I think he needs to pull his socks up or he's going to be surpassed. This is a small market and there are quite a few vendors and fierce competition.

[RedRaider]

Use the ThermalRight backplate that GARY @ SidewinderComputers sells...:up:

Look in Air Cooling section...:up:

[Ricey]

I've stayed far away from EK and I have never had confidence in that outfit. I don't own a single EK product, and I like to keep it that way. Dittos XSPC.

[skinnee]

I've stayed far away from EK and I have never had confidence in that outfit. I don't own a single EK product, and I like to keep it that way. Dittos XSPC.

Yeah, but you're Mr. Devils Advocate.

[Ricey]

Yes I am a contrarian, but it has nothing to do with being a contrarian. The bright and shiny Cadillac is first to break down. I'll go through three transmisisons before 50K miles. When companies head down that road, I avoid them like the plague. Those with stable footing and a tried and proven track record survive the long haul.

[bigslappy]

Use the ThermalRight backplate that GARY @ SidewinderComputers sells...:up:

Look in Air Cooling section...:up:

those are the best backplates made i use the 775 on all builds they put NO STRESS on PCB at all !

[Kayin]

Sad to see.

If you need i7 mounting, I bet Teyber can hook you guys up. I'm getting one of his first CPU blocks (I had input in it) and I'll be retuning it for my setup. Kid's very talented, and he's making his own CNC.

Teyber, BTW, is registered here. I made sure to invite him.

[bigslappy]

Those with stable footing and a tried and proven track record survive the long haul.

eddie has grown too big too fast QC is suffering , his costs are rising instead of lowering with the added Volume of sales, inconsistent deliveries, raised minimum buying by dealers .. and has killed many a new company
I hope he pull up from the tailspin as the blocks i got are nice but the new blocks on market seem better & cheaper

[RedRaider]

Show me his block, please...

[bigslappy]

Show me his block, please...

RRR i wasn't talking about the supreme ... Yes it's his shining star !

[Kayin]

Teyber's?

Lemme grab you a link...

http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=161147

I've seen the full CAD files for it, it's simple but effective. In my hands it'll get complicated but hopefully still elegant.

I have 0 problem testing blocks on my setup. I'm thinking this thing is gonna hit at least 4 on water, based on recent OC testing on a stock half height heatsink...

[NAekuh]

Bei has the EK mount on Solid Works, and could spit them out since he does all his CnC via computer.

:P

U guys wonder why my blocks are so dayam nicely cut?

Fastest route is reed = teyber or Bei Fei.

If you ask bei fei, let him know i sent ya. I dont think he wants to sell too many mounts because it is EK's property.

[Xilikon]

How it's EK property if you can change the shape a bit. The holes is a Intel specification so nobody cannot claim a certain design ;)

[NAekuh]

How it's EK property if you can change the shape a bit. The holes is a Intel specification so nobody cannot claim a certain design ;)

cuz u cant really change the design.


:P

and its ment to fit the supreme, and nothing else...

[Xilikon]

cuz u cant really change the design.


:P

and its ment to fit the supreme, and nothing else...

Ah, that's true... However, I still stand and just say that it's a aftermarket mounting plate :D

[Kayin]

If I'm not mistaken, PPCs sells mounting plates for the Storm in acrylic, no different than that, really.

[bigslappy]

yeah they sell aftermarket parts for cars , seems like u could make one up & sell it & i don't see what EK could do about it

I was thinking I could do that myself but not in Volume

it's just stamped metal , i'd have to cut & grind . but anyone with a plasma cutter & a stamping machine could whip these puppies off QUICK

WHICH brings up the WHY of not doing it already BY EK !!!

[NAekuh]

well the thing is..

back in the GTX days, we tried to do this cuz gabe refused to make a derlin top.

Some guy actually did make a derlin top, i believe it was andriod.

And oh boy, gabe was pissed, and even threatened legal actions....

i wish i could find that post, im sure iany remembers this...

[Kayin]

This isn't gabe we're dealing with here.

Remember ballz@r made his 1-slot tops, and Eddy just said I think you don't need to countersink?

[Sniper]

This isn't gabe we're dealing with here.

Remember ballz@r made his 1-slot tops, and Eddy just said I think you don't need to countersink?

What was the difference from BallzOrs one slot top & the original anyways? I didn't look that close.

[Kayin]

The original acrylic tops made it more than one slot.

Problem could be solved by using better materials, but nobody seems to give a ruddy damn...

And I DON'T mean Delrin.

[Sniper]

Ah so no holes in the acrylic for it to pass through to the other card then. I get ya. He changed that now though it seems.

[Xilikon]

ballz@r wanted to use blue acrylic but since the only sheets he found is just 3-4mm thick, he asked the crowd if it's a good idea and EK indeed posted there telling it might not be very robust. He didn't even shouted wolf on it, just giving advices instead to beef it up.

I don't think he would mind seeing making a few plates before they release the official stuff. Remember that it's hard to litigate someone out of Slovenia.

[Kayin]

3-4mm thick of the right stuff would be fine. However, most don't use it.

Polyvinyl is really only good at 1/2 or so, but polycarb would be fine at those thicknesses. Just have to adjust some machining. Wish people would catch on.

Hell, play with borosilicate glass. That would do it.

And I'm seriously not joking.

[Sniper]

I'm planning on getting some 5mm ones laser cut. That should be thick enough I think.

[NAekuh]

I'm planning on getting some 5mm ones laser cut. That should be thick enough I think.

ask bei then...

as i said he has the soildworks for it.

He made me 2. And should still have the file.

And his CnC controller is computerized.

He has a waterjet, laser, u name it... he has it if its cnc.

[Sniper]

ask bei then...

as i said he has the soildworks for it.

He made me 2. And should still have the file.

And his CnC controller is computerized.

He has a waterjet, laser, u name it... he has it if its cnc.

Awesome thx will do!

[alejo]

well the thing is..

back in the GTX days, we tried to do this cuz gabe refused to make a derlin top.

Some guy actually did make a derlin top, i believe it was andriod.

And oh boy, gabe was pissed, and even threatened legal actions....

i wish i could find that post, im sure iany remembers this...


I'm the one that started that thread about AntiFec's GTX top on XS.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=151276

There was a plexi and copper top, to show their skills. They were never offered for sale.

[NAekuh]

I'm the one that started that thread about AntiFec's GTX top on XS.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=151276

There was a plexi and copper top, to show their skills. They were never offered for sale.

AHHH im so sorry!

yes i really wanted one so badly, until gabe expressed his nono..

You guys seriously think that I am going to allow anyone to rip-off my design?

And another one... LOL...

Why spend 10 or $20k in attorney's fees? All I have to do is make copper tops for the German market and give them away so that he won't sell ONE PIECE!

I hope this fellow reads this: don't :banana: with me. Make your own blocks, enjoy life and stay healthy.

in short, i learned not to mess with gabe on his property. But i will nag the infamous WHY to him all the time. :rofl:

[Kayin]

Gabe's a person who needs to be careful around his customers.

[Eddie3dfx]

well the thing is..

back in the GTX days, we tried to do this cuz gabe refused to make a derlin top.

Some guy actually did make a derlin top, i believe it was andriod.

And oh boy, gabe was pissed, and even threatened legal actions....

i wish i could find that post, im sure iany remembers this...

I know the android (german) guys made a top for the gtx, then later on when I clicked on the link it was deleted with a comment (copyright problems etc etc)
I don't blame him for having a tight operation though.

[alejo]

Nooooooo! I'm not them. I said I started the *thread* on XS.

I always browse the german watercooling forums and I happened on the GTX tops made by AntiFec and around that time, the Alu tops were a big controversy so I posted about the ones they had made. :)

[Xilikon]

The funny thing with the whole GTX top story is that in the end, everyone is right and gabe is wrong. If he is smart from the start, he wouldn't design something with aluminium (shudders) and use delrin or copper instead. Hearing him threatening to flood the market with free copper tops just show that the "overpriced" argument is a bit overrated.

[lloyd_mcse]

That's crazy - the block had alu in it - of course you'd want a decent one.
Has D-tek had any concerns with that guy making acrylic tops for the Fuzion V2?

[Sniper]

That's crazy - the block had alu in it - of course you'd want a decent one.
Has D-tek had any concerns with that guy making acrylic tops for the Fuzion V2?

Nope non at all from what I understand. I'm waiting for his new run right after the new year to pick one up for myself. He told me be ready cause they won't last long lol.

[RedRaider]

If the manufacturer isn't going to produce the proper options that consumers want, then the consumer should be able to produce an alternative. My :2cents:

It's not like the "homebrew" builder is getting rich off his creation...:shrug: