News EKWB VTX pumps

EK just released VTX pumps with slightly better specs than the DDC pumps but same footprint.

VTX-Powered Kinetic Combo Units Introduced by EK - ekwb.com

EK®, the premium liquid cooling gear manufacturer from Slovenia, EU, is releasing new Quantum Line VTX pump-based combo units. These new VTX pumps feature a DDC-compatible mount, very high head pressure, and good flow rates in a small footprint that is ideal for smaller cases. EK-Quantum...

www.ekwb.com

EK Waterblocks Unveils VTX-Powered Kinetic Reservoir+Pump Combo Units | TechPowerUp}

A lot of projects here are designing around DDC pumps so I thought about sharing this. What are your thoughts?

 

[Vacceo]

I honestly hope EK decides to provide an option of the VTX with the flat reservoirs.

 

[gregbiv]

Damn, now I want this pump as well. Is there any chance to get the pump only without the reservoir? I don't think I am going to use it and the price bites.

 

[fabio]

Did you find out what the problem was?

After received the new pump finally I've discovered which was the issue.
Inside the impeller there is a small metal cylinder, I think used to check from top the speed/etc. of the pump.

In the first unit I got, it was loose, so was bouncing bottom/top creating that weird sound. Now I have it placed on another hole, pressing it strongly, and seems the issue has gone!

My second unit has no problem at all. It's so crazy how much is silent compared to a DDC!

 

[gregbiv]

@fabio, will Iceman https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000803638061.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.755f3c00Yi5d9B&mp=1 reservoir with EK VTX pump fit inside the FormD T1? Thanks.

 

[fabio]

@fabio, will Iceman https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000803638061.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.755f3c00Yi5d9B&mp=1 reservoir with EK VTX pump fit inside the FormD T1? Thanks.

With a DDC in dimension it could, but the Inlet and Outlet are on the back, so I will say 99.7% NO. Maybe having it is it possible to see if there is 1 position where it can works, maybe.

 

[gregbiv]

aren't those black thingies on the top and on the bottom actually plugs? so you can actually mount it in two ways

 

[fabio]

aren't those black thingies on the top and on the bottom actually plugs? so you can actually mount it in two ways

Nope, they are fill/drain port. The inlet/outlet are only on the back. It was made to target the back holes in the M1

 

[gregbiv]

thanks, @fabio, looks like I am going to go with ridiculously expensive EK VTX pump and alphacool 1U reservoir

 

[fabio]

thanks, @fabio, looks like I am going to go with ridiculously expensive EK VTX pump and alphacool 1U reservoir

Be aware about the 1U, check the thread on the T1. I had an issue recently.

 

[gregbiv]

is there any other alternative reservoir to use as a combo with ddc motor which will fit the T1?

 

[fabio]

is there any other alternative reservoir to use as a combo with ddc motor which will fit the T1?

This is a thread for the VTX. Ask in the T1 one

 

[Protools]

is there any other alternative reservoir to use as a combo with ddc motor which will fit the T1?

I'd suggest doing reservoir-less, using a CPU pump block combo.
with DDC there's only the Swiftech apogee drive II, but there's 2 prototypes being developed.

Prototype - Free Flow CPU Pump Block

2020-09-15 : revision 9 Update 2020-03-03 : Performance tested and it sucks ?, OPTIMIZATION NEXT! From left to right: 1. DDC, ≈ 6.5 L/M or 390 L/H 2. DDC + IceManCooler Top, ≈ 9 L/M or 540 L/H 3. P5 (same as EK SPC), ≈ 4.5 L/M or 270 L/H 4. P5 + IceManCooler Top, ≈ 5 L/M or 300 L/H...

smallformfactor.net

and

Production - Aquanaut Basic/Extreme - Ultra Low Profile CPU Block & Pump Mount Combo

Aquanaut is an ultra low profile CPU block & pump mount combo optimized for space saving, clean and minimalist custom loop builds. It is now offered in 2 versions: Aquanaut Basic - available now OG / basic / budget model Stock configuration or standard builds Features : nickel plated copper...

smallformfactor.net

Cheers.

 

[thelaughingman]

will these ever get sold separately ? I don't want to buy the whole combo just for the pump and then stash everything else in the closet LOL

 

[Mackan]

I honestly hope EK decides to provide an option of the VTX with the flat reservoirs.

Curious about this as well. Anyone asked EK? VTX shares the same mount as DDC, so should be straightforward unless I miss something.

 

[Legion]

Curious about this as well. Anyone asked EK? VTX shares the same mount as DDC, so should be straightforward unless I miss something.

I've emailed them several times during the course of the year. The answer is always the same "We have no current plans to sell the pump on it's own"
Pretty crazy really, but it is what it is..........

 

[MultiDoc]

I’ve taken the plunge and ordered it with a view to use just the VTX pump combined with a Burrows cpu block/pump/res combo and replace the burrows pump with the vtx (hope it fits and works).
It’s really silly for EK not to sell the pump alone, but I guess it is what it is...
Plan is to use that to power a dual 240mm rad loop in the Ncase.
I’ll try to update here once I have all parts in hand but it will be a while.

 

[torexko]

So how much of a difference does the VTX really make? @fabio
Is it worth spending almost 180€ just to get the pump? Over let's say an ordinary EK-DDC 3.2 PWM? Or a Swiftech MCP35X?

I want the most silent pump I can get!
But I still need good pressure and flow, since I want to do a full loop with 2 very restrictive radiators.

 

[paulesko]

but are these vtx pumps compatible with ddc housings? I thought they werent.

 

[biopunk]

So how much of a difference does the VTX really make? @fabio
Is it worth spending almost 180€ just to get the pump? Over let's say an ordinary EK-DDC 3.2 PWM? Or a Swiftech MCP35X?

I want the most silent pump I can get!
But I still need good pressure and flow, since I want to do a full loop with 2 very restrictive radiators.

VTX is not worth the price if you don't need the whole pump/res combo imo.

 

[thelaughingman]

but are these vtx pumps compatible with ddc housings? I thought they werent.

a quick google search yields...
"EK®, the premium liquid cooling gear manufacturer from Slovenia, EU, is releasing new Quantum Line VTX pump-based combo units. These new VTX pumps feature a DDC-compatible mount,..."

The very 2nd sentence of the EK's press release - https://www.ekwb.com/news/vortex-powered-tubular-combos-introduced-by-ek/