EK vrs DD gtx full cover blocks?

[JeffnWV]

anyone seen comparisons on these 2 gpu blocks? performance?

[natewildes]

the DangerDen block has been known to have quality issues; there was even a recent recal of some of the tops. The EK blocks are known for their high-quality and performance, I don't have any real data, but based on all the happy postings of owners here and other forums, I'd definitely say EK is the better choice :)

[meionm]

I think you will get better performance out of ek block.

[Springbok]

I buy Danger Dens because their full cover blocks have been great since the 6800 and everyone else just copied their design. :p

[meionm]

I buy Danger Dens because their full cover blocks have been great since the 6800 and everyone else just copied their design. :p
Maybe but 8800 series from dd is crap compered to other blocks.

[jcw122]

Danger who?

Why Danger Den? Why not Danger Cave, or Danger Mansion, or Danger Empire?

[WonderingSoul]

Danger who?

Why Danger Den? Why not Danger Cave, or Danger Mansion, or Danger Empire?

Danger Pagoda!

[OCnewbee]

I'm using the EK FC8800 and love it. Had a DD on my 7950gx2 and that cooled it very nicely. But my 8800gtx idels @ 39c with anambient of 21. Never hits higher then 47c while gaming for hours. And it is only 116.00 shipped from EK direct.

[JeffnWV]

Danger who?

Why Danger Den? Why not Danger Cave, or Danger Mansion, or Danger Empire?

They just never picked up on it.. Danger! Wil Robinson!

[Springbok]

Maybe but 8800 series from dd is crap compered to other blocks.Evidence?? I've got a DD88GTX block here that I don't have a card for yet, if you can convince me the EK is really better I would consider getting one instead.

[OCnewbee]

Not really evidence but a install of the EK block. You can see the quality. when installing it and during performance. click here (http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=501934).

[meionm]

Evidence?? I've got a DD88GTX block here that I don't have a card for yet, if you can convince me the EK is really better I would consider getting one instead.
If you already got one then it is really too late and you over paid for it aswell. DD casts their block so they should cheaper than machine made. I had mcw60 and ek full cover block. Ek block performed within 1-3c worse than mcw60. Temps remained and never were close to 50c under load with 680/1000 oc on 8800gtx. Plus my loop was created for silence.

Here picture of dd 8800 and ek block

http://www.auction-junkie.com/pcstuff/dd8800/IMGP1964.JPG


Now look at EK block
http://ekwaterblocks.com/shop/images/8800GTS.jpg

[Springbok]

Funny how you assume that I overpaid for it, I got it for $109 which isn't bad at all. I'm holding my DD block and that pic you posted isn't flattering at all, it doesn't look that brassy color. aside from that I don't think a few squiggles in the copper will really increase performance by more than 2-3 degrees. Why is the side piece on the EK block aluminum, anyways?

[OCnewbee]

Aluminum retains less heat. Thats why they perfer to use it on Intercooler pipes for turbo charged aplications. My mosfets on the 8800gtx with ek's block are under 43c underload and the small mosfets are under 40c. The small mosfets are cooled under the aluminum piece with theramal pads.

[the_cultie]

Just looking at those picture's and the EK block just screams quality and performance. If it was me I'd go for the EK block.

[SolidxSnake]

Funny how you assume that I overpaid for it, I got it for $109 which isn't bad at all. I'm holding my DD block and that pic you posted isn't flattering at all, it doesn't look that brassy color. aside from that I don't think a few squiggles in the copper will really increase performance by more than 2-3 degrees. Why is the side piece on the EK block aluminum, anyways?

If you look at the DD block, you'll notice the height of the fins is extremely short, as opposed to the EK, which is essentially as tall as the block (minus the thickness of the acrylic/delrin).

[J-Sap]

I got one of the EK blocks for my 8800GTS and the quality is absolutely amazing compared to any Swiftech or Danger Den block I have ever owned. I know I will always look at EK blocks first from now on.

The 2 nice things about the EK full coverage block over the DD is 1. the water flows through the copper in the EK with the plastic top sitting above it while in the DD the water flows mostly through the plastic and the copper block is very flat 2. DD recently had a recall on some of the 8800 blocks while EK has not (and screams quality).

[jackrungh]

DD is so... 2003. Blech :p

In my opinion spending more than double for a full cover block that gives maybe 3 degrees improvement is just nuts. Thats more than double the price of the mcw60 WITH ramsinks. The only aspect of the EK (the obvious choice for that price bracket btw) that is really tempting is the variable barb configuration, which would really be handy preventing awkward tubing pathways.

[mgoode]

I just ordered an GTX ,where can I order an EK block?

[meionm]

I just ordered an GTX ,where can I order an EK block?


Petra's tech shop
http://www.petrastechshop.com/ekgtxfucowaf.html
Jab tech
http://jab-tech.com/EK-Waterblocks-EK-FC8800-GTX-Poly-Top-pr-3711.html
also directly from Ek but that will take longer if someone is in USA

Same price at both places both good places to shop.

[meionm]

DD is so... 2003. Blech :p

In my opinion spending more than double for a full cover block that gives maybe 3 degrees improvement is just nuts.

Fullcover block will give or should I say should give worse temps than just gpu block. Also full cover block is more restictive. Usually are good for one generations of cards. In my experience ek block gave between 1-3c higher temps than just Swiftech MCW60.

[mgoode]

Thanks meionm, Interesting thought about the full cover block being more restrictive. I have an old silverprop fusion block just sitting here maybe I will give that a try first :) ( yes, I know that so 2001, but it's a great VGA block).

[meionm]

Thanks meionm, Interesting thought about the full cover block being more restrictive. I have an old silverprop fusion block just sitting here maybe I will that a try first :) ( yes, I know that so 2001, but it's a great VGA block).
That block might be incompatible with 8800 series. It is similar to dd maze block in terms of mounting. The only non full cover block that works with 8800 series of cards is swiftech mcw60 with g80 plate.

[jackrungh]

Thats a good point meionm, however I would still encourage the people at swiftech to adopt a system similar to that barb config. It not only makes tubing pathways in a single gpu system incredibly simpler, but also is now nearly imperative for a crossfire or sli setup. I believe to those with the desire to watercool two gpus the tried and true MCW60 is often not considered an option, simply because with two ek's or dd's, all one need do is connect them via a 2 inch patch tube, much cleaner and more seamless, and if done right, less restrictive. The restriction, as I see it, comes from those shallow shallow pathways for the water once it has entered the block proper. I believe this move would elevate the MCW65 (maybe?) to the position of the only rational choice for gpu waterblocks, bar-none.

[meionm]

Thats a good point meionm, however I would still encourage the people at swiftech to adopt a system similar to that barb config. It not only makes tubing pathways in a single gpu system incredibly simpler, but also is now nearly imperative for a crossfire or sli setup. I believe to those with the desire to watercool two gpus the tried and true MCW60 is often not considered an option, simply because with two ek's or dd's, all one need do is connect them via a 2 inch patch tube, much cleaner and more seamless, and if done right, less restrictive. The restriction, as I see it, comes from those shallow shallow pathways for the water once it has entered the block proper. I believe this move would elevate the MCW65 (maybe?) to the position of the only rational choice for gpu waterblocks, bar-none.
You can obtain that by using two 90 degree elbows.

[maxfly]

personally i prefer the ek but in all honesty they are both very good blocks.a friend has a dd and his temps are pretty much the same as mine with his gtx.loops are pretty much the same as well.
i was in fact disappointed in my ek block.when i recieved it there were bits of copper all thru the gpu channels.no biggie just took a toothbrush to it and cleaned it all out.i still love the simplicity of mounting it and the temps are killer compared to the stock hsf.anyhow either would be a very good choice if you dont fancy trying to get the swiftech ramsinks to hold lol.

[pak]

Evidence?? I've got a DD88GTX block here that I don't have a card for yet, if you can convince me the EK is really better I would consider getting one instead.


You bought a block before you bought the GPU?

--pak