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?

 

[paulesko]

I don´t know why I thought it was different! Thank you

 

[fabio]

I don´t know why I thought it was different! Thank you

You have to buy though 10mm longer screws than the one provided with the general TOP for the DDC!!

 

[MultiDoc]

I just received the EK vtx pump/res combo and proceeded to remove the pump. I then replaced the original Burrow pump that comes preinstalled in the Burrow cpu block/pump/reservoir combo unit and also installed an EK ddc pump heatsink. it all fits nicely together and hope that all this will prove to be worth it. I need to source slightly longer button head M3 screws though.

 

[couchpotato]

I just received the EK vtx pump/res combo and proceeded to remove the pump. I then replaced the original Burrow pump that comes preinstalled in the Burrow cpu block/pump/reservoir combo unit and also installed an EK ddc pump heatsink. it all fits nicely together and hope that all this will prove to be worth it. I need to source slightly longer button head M3 screws though.

I think the VTX pump is thicker. So the EK DDC pump heatsink will not fit, or not? Do you mind to provide a photo?

BTW, DDC pump use M4 screws.

 

[Factor Jay]

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!

How are you finding the noise of the VTX compared to D5 (for equivalent flows)? Think there is grounds to start specifying the VTX over D5 for new builds?

 

[MultiDoc]

I think the VTX pump is thicker. So the EK DDC pump heatsink will not fit, or not? Do you mind to provide a photo?

BTW, DDC pump use M4 screws.

It does fit, but I did indeed have to use slightly longer screws. The problem I found though, is that due to this slight difference in thickness and because the tolerances are already extremely tight for space, the Barrow block combo doesn’t fit !
I have now changed plans and will instead be using an iceman reservoirat the back of the case and a simple EK cpu block, I’ll still use the vtx pump on the iceman reservoir though. Still waiting for parts at the moment to be able to finish the build, but so far all looks good

 

[BenRay]

Just ordered the VTX for the o11d mini for a triple rad build. I'm hoping it's as quiet at the same flow as the D5.

 

[wywywywy]

The problem I found though, is that due to this slight difference in thickness and because the tolerances are already extremely tight for space, the Barrow block combo doesn’t fit !

Sorry when you say "doesn't fit", do you mean the Barrow combo doesn't fit the VTX, or the combo doesn't fit your motherboard?

I have the Barrow combo but I want it to be quieter so I'm considering using the VTX pump in it like how you planned.

 

[MultiDoc]

Sorry when you say "doesn't fit", do you mean the Barrow combo doesn't fit the VTX, or the combo doesn't fit your motherboard?

I have the Barrow combo but I want it to be quieter so I'm considering using the VTX pump in it like how you planned.

Neither. yes the barrow combo does fit with the vtx, and yes this combo fits in my case and motherboard, but it’s too high/wide for me to use with my current side radiator.

 

[thelaughingman]

I have now changed plans and will instead be using an iceman reservoirat the back of the case and a simple EK cpu block, I’ll still use the vtx pump on the iceman reservoir though.

any progress on this? would love to get a more in-depth post from you assembling the entire thing + performance

 

[MultiDoc]

any progress on this? would love to get a more in-depth post from you assembling the entire thing + performance

The system has been up and running for a month now almost with no issues. The pump is as expected silent. However, I will taking it down again (probably tomorrow or next weekend) to do some changes in an attempt to lower temps and also for practicality (rerouting tubing).
Ill be replacing the EK vector cpu block with a TechN and also will replace the side EK radiator with a Black Ice Nemesis.

To be honest the system performs flawlessly but with higher temps than what I’d like. If y ou have any specific questions I can help with, fire away

 

[thelaughingman]

The system has been up and running for a month now almost with no issues. The pump is as expected silent. However, I will taking it down again (probably tomorrow or next weekend) to do some changes in an attempt to lower temps and also for practicality (rerouting tubing).
Ill be replacing the EK vector cpu block with a TechN and also will replace the side EK radiator with a Black Ice Nemesis.

To be honest the system performs flawlessly but with higher temps than what I’d like. If y ou have any specific questions I can help with, fire away

I re-read the Iceman thread again and saw your post back in January. All good mate! I'll also be using the TechN block but with Bitspower radiators (OEM version of Black Ice Nemesis with 2 less tubes). I just need the damn motherboard to come back from RMA

 

[yj668]

Does anyone happen to own both the EK-XTOP DDC and VTX pump and is able to share the combined dimensions of these? Thanks in advance!

 

[fabio]

Does anyone happen to own both the EK-XTOP DDC and VTX pump and is able to share the combined dimensions of these? Thanks in advance!

It's easy, you have just to add 1cm from the VTX (Compared to the DDC with the OEM plastic cover).

 

[ashtonjarrett]

It does fit, but I did indeed have to use slightly longer screws. The problem I found though, is that due to this slight difference in thickness and because the tolerances are already extremely tight for space, the Barrow block combo doesn’t fit !
I have now changed plans and will instead be using an iceman reservoirat the back of the case and a simple EK cpu block, I’ll still use the vtx pump on the iceman reservoir though. Still waiting for parts at the moment to be able to finish the build, but so far all looks good

@MultiDoc were you able to use the screws from the top in the VTX pump/res kit to fit the VTX on the iceman cooler? Did you go sans heat sink to make it fit?

 

[Tonynca]

I had a bad experience with one of these VTX pumps. Check my Reddit post here:
do you notice any black fine dust in your loop? It would only be noticeable if you were running with distill water. If you’re running color fluid it’ll just blend right in most likely. So far I know of one other person on Reddit with the same issue. Not sure if it’s just a defective unit.

 

[cennis]

I had the same issue as the above, got a replacement and still the same issue, black dust is in my distilled within a few hours, testing outside of my case. Seem like a design flaw or manufacturing issue in the recent units causing excess friction on the bearing shaft.

 

[Rockaholic]

I had the same issue as the above, got a replacement and still the same issue, black dust is in my distilled within a few hours, testing outside of my case. Seem like a design flaw or manufacturing issue in the recent units causing excess friction on the bearing shaft.

Interesting, I had a little bit of buyer's remorse when I brought DDC only to learn about the VTX pump later and thinking of buying VTX.

 

[promaty]

Just returned 3 VTX pumps which were incredibly loud (similar to first sample of fabio, 2 replacements were even worse than the first one).
Going back to DDC now, no issues.
EDIT: I'm using it in this Meshlicious build:

 

[promaty]

Contacted EK directly, this is an answer from support:

We recommend using DDC pumps at the moment, as there seems to be some issue with some VTX pumps. Of course, it's a little number of pumps in comparison with the quantity we sold.
We are waiting for the new VTX batch somewhere by the end of the year.