EK-FC8800 GTS Full Cover Waterblock

Introduction

Published: 7th May 2007 | Source: SpecialTech | Price: | Author: Matthew Fogg

Introduction

EK Water Blocks really need no introduction. In fact, their reputation for stringent quality control and production of gorgeous looking, and equally well-performing waterblocks precedes them.

In 1999, Edvard König had a dream to produce functional watercooling blocks whilst retaining a goal that every series of waterblocks there-after were to be better than the previous - in cooling performance and quality. Now, in 2007 EK's vision for quality watercooling components is now stronger than ever. But enough from me, I'll let 'Eddie' tell it how it is:

From the beginning Company’s most important role is to keep close contact with customers and listen to their needs and comments. To supply water cooling enthusiasts with products they want. Company’s main aim is to continuously develop extreme high performance and esthetic water blocks.

Company is planning to set distribution channels into EU countries. Although company is getting a lot of enquiries, policy of company is to get resellers and distributors which can offer quality service to customers, which is company’s primary value.

I must say, it's quite a valuable set of ethics to have in this day and age of mass production. Ethics, which will no doubt hold EK Water Blocks in good stead for many years to come.

Anyway, without further delay let's have a look at our review specimen the EK-FC8800 GTS waterblock. The 'FC' in the naming scheme denotes that this is part of EK's 'Full Cover' range, and this can be seen from the image below.

Packaging and contents

I must say that the packaging chosen by EK Water Blocks is minimalist and un-assuming to say the least. A small rectangular cardboard box with an equally simplistic sticker is all that consumes the box's real-estate. The sticker states that this is in fact the EK-FC8800 GTS waterblock; that it is SLI ready and comes with an aluminium tail-piece for the mosfet's.

Inside the box the minimalist theme continues. The block itself is loosely encased in bubble wrap; the one page istallation manual has been photocopied, and the necessary installation hardware simply placed in a zip-lock bag.

Not that installing a GPU waterblock is inherently difficult, but the installation manual could have been a little better written. With watercooling now becoming a decidedly mainstream method of cooling and not just the past-time of a select few enthusiasts; a better written manual would ensure an easier passage for the new user. This couldn't be more compelling when installing after-market cooling on such an expensive piece of kit.

Specifications

The following specifications for the EK-FC8800 GTS block have been taken directly from EK's website :

EK-FC8800 GTS
[GF 8800]

High performance VGA water block for GeForce 8800 GTS series graphic cards. Base is made of electrolytic copper. Top is made of quality acrylic glass. The sealing is preformed by quality rubber washer. Aluminium part is made for cooling the mosfets of 8800 GTS series. Block is mounted with enclosed M2 and M2,5 screws.
Fittings are included in price!

Prepared for SLI means, that fittings can be used on both side of the block (up and down)!

Technical data:
- dimensions of copper base: 143 × 118 × 9mm
- dimensions of acrylic top: 120 × 118 × 8mm
- threads: 4 × G1/4
- fittings: optional
- weight: 690 g

EK Water Blocks provide both 1/2" and 3/8" ID fittings for the FC8800 GTS; simply specify your prefered size when ordering on the website.

Let's head over the page and have a little closer inspection of the block itself.

Most Recent Comments

12-04-2007, 08:39:36

PV5150

Woohoo, Intel's single-core Celeron's give AMD's Athlon 64 a run for their money.

Link

12-04-2007, 08:52:04

FragTek

For the price, it simply will not be beat. Intel is really gunning to keep the lead for a while.

I am anxious to see some head to head Barcelona vs. Core 2 Quad benchies.

12-04-2007, 09:16:09

equk

Nice