Question GPU Water Block Quality

[UncleAelfrich]

I have been slowly but surely deciding on a new Water Cooling Build. My question today is about the relative quality of different brnads of GPU water blocks.

A couple of commenetators has said that so long as one purchases from a well known manufacturer (EK, alphacool, WaterCool, phanteks, etc.) the quality is all the same. Although a recent thread or two has said the EK water blocks have declined in quality since the two former owners left the company.

Are GPU water blocks roughly similar in quality? What about Barrow GPU waterblocks or Bykski? Is there a brand you choose every time? Is there a brand you avoid like the plague?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Gt403cyl]

I can only speak to EK blocks as that's all I've used and even then I haven't used any since the 980Ti/Titan X blocks.

The blocks I have are good, I am inclined to buy from EK again when I need to but if it's true that the quality has declined I guess I will see when that time comes.

 

[aigomorla]

bykski is no good... they gave me completely the wrong thermal pads.
I had to use the extra i got from my koolance blocks to offset them.
The only reason i would go Bykski is most likely because they are the only one that makes that block.
Example i have a Bykski waterblock for my Zotac 1080Ti Amp Extreme.

If Eddy is no longer part of eK, then i would not go the eK route anymore.
Eddy is what made eK, eK is actually his initials first name last.

Swiftech i feel will give you the best plating.
If you want to protect your shiny nickle plating, Swiftech has never failed me.

Koolance, also makes great blocks. They give you top notch hardware, and if you like the look, they are solid blocks. Do not confuse the remake of switch back in 2009 to the old one. They are not the same company you may read about in old articles.

Watercool is also another great company.
We have a rep here on the forums, however they are very limited in GPU block selection.
But if they have one, and it fits for you, i would suggest you give them a try.

Alphacool is also a good company. They make razor blocks, and they work, but have high restrictions, but again, if you need a really thin block, alphacool usually has the thinnest.

XSPC is also a good company if they have the block you need. They have been in the game a little bit less then eK and still makes quality stuff. However they are probably more known for there radiators.

Barrow is probably one of the only companies i would trust from China.
Barrow makes a lot of knock off's to bitspower with almost every last bit of quality inserted.
Its a lot cheaper then bitspower, but the quality is there.

I do not trust phantek, or any of the new guys until we have some numbers, however the testing community has pretty much died out in favor of the bling community, so i guess its up to you do the proper research.

I would not nor never trust Thermaltake.
They never learn from there mistakes in using ALU.
Just AVOID them, i dont care if they say its made from copper, there is always something ALU stuck inside, and there theory of uising a sacrificial anode is not a good methodology. Something still corrodes and that gets suck in your coolant.

 

[Gt403cyl]

bykski is no good... they gave me completely the wrong thermal pads.
I had to use the extra i got from my koolance blocks to offset them.
The only reason i would go Bykski is most likely because they are the only one that makes that block.
Example i have a Bykski waterblock for my Zotac 1080Ti Amp Extreme.

If Eddy is no longer part of eK, then i would not go the eK route anymore.
Eddy is what made eK, eK is actually his initials first name last.

Swiftech i feel will give you the best plating.
If you want to protect your shiny nickle plating, Swiftech has never failed me.

Koolance, also makes great blocks. They give you top notch hardware, and if you like the look, they are solid blocks. Do not confuse the remake of switch back in 2009 to the old one. They are not the same company you may read about in old articles.

Watercool is also another great company.
We have a rep here on the forums, however they are very limited in GPU block selection.
But if they have one, and it fits for you, i would suggest you give them a try.

Alphacool is also a good company. They make razor blocks, and they work, but have high restrictions, but again, if you need a really thin block, alphacool usually has the thinnest.

XSPC is also a good company if they have the block you need. They have been in the game a little bit less then eK and still makes quality stuff. However they are probably more known for there radiators.

Barrow is probably one of the only companies i would trust from China.
Barrow makes a lot of knock off's to bitspower with almost every last bit of quality inserted.
Its a lot cheaper then bitspower, but the quality is there.

I do not trust phantek, or any of the new guys until we have some numbers, however the testing community has pretty much died out in favor of the bling community, so i guess its up to you do the proper research.

I would not nor never trust Thermaltake.
They never learn from there mistakes in using ALU.
Just AVOID them, i dont care if they say its made from copper, there is always something ALU stuck inside, and there theory of uising a sacrificial anode is not a good methodology. Something still corrodes and that gets suck in your coolant.

100% agree Thermaltake is a no go.
Alphacool I love their rads (NexXxos)
Bitspower for fittings.
XSPC I have a pump res combo (D5-170) works fine.

The rest I haven’t used.

For GPU blocks will have to do more research before I buy again.