Water Cooling Kit Group-Test
Up Close: EKWB L240
If first impressions count the L240 Kit from EKWB certainly scores higher than any of the other kits here. Packaging and presentation are second to none. It’s not all style over substance either, the goods within are well protected and separated to keep them both safe and easy to locate.
Priced at £174.95 the L240 is also the most expensive kit on test here. For the lowdown on what our money gets us let’s have a look at the full Technical specification.
Technical Specification
| EKWB | L240 |
| Price | £174.95 |
| Intel Compatibility | Socket 2011 Socket 1366 Socket 1156 Socket 1155 Socket 775 |
| AMD Compatibility | Socket FM2 Socket FM1 Socket AM3+ Socket AM3 Socket AM2+ Socket AM2 |
| CPU Waterblock | EK Supreme LTX UNI CSQ 2013 |
| VGA Waterblock | n/a |
| Pump | EK DCP 2.2 |
| Pump Flow Rate | 400 L/ph |
| Reservoir | EK DCP X Res |
| Radiator | EK CoolStream Rad XT 240 |
| Radiator Dimensions (L x W x H) | 276 x 123 x 47 mm |
| Radiator Fans | 2 x EK Fan Silent 120mm Fans (3 pin) |
| Fittings | 6 x EK 3/8″ ID – 5/8 ” OD CSQ Nickel Compression Fittings |
| Tubing | 2 meters EK ZMT Matt Black 3/8″ ID – 5/8″ OD Tubing |
| Fluid | 100ml EK UV Blue Concentrate * |
| Special Features | Complete CPU Watercooling Kit Plenty of Cooling Capacity for Overclocking Easy to Expand the Loop to Include a GPU Block Compression Fittings Pump and reservoir Combination |
| Package Contents | 1 x EK Supreme LTX UNI CSQ Waterblock 1 x EK DCP2.2 with X-Res 1 x EK Coolstream 240 Radiator 2m Tubing 6 x Compression Fittings 2 x 120mm Fans 100ml of EK Concentrate |
Core Components
The core components of the L240 kit comprise of the 240mm EK Coolstream radiator, the EK DCP2.2 pump with X-Res and the EK supreme LTX UNI CSQ water block. Seen below right the water block has a clear top allowing the flow of coolant to be seen within, particularly nice when coupled with coloured coolants. The block comes pre assembled with large oval holes providing accommodation for Intel CPUs, with a separate mounting plate available should you wish to mount to AMD hardware.
The Pump res assembly also comes pre assembled but it’s worth noting that the blanking plugs capping two of the 3 inlets are not tightened down and will leak if not tightened with the supplied Allen key. The Radiator is well made with no evidence of bent or buckled fins, and has the EKWB logo embossed onto it’s sides. The separate end tanks have the standard G1/4″ fittings for inlet and outlet on only one side.
Assembly and Testing
The water block mounted easily onto our Socket 2011 CPU by means of threaded pins. The correct pressure being achieved by use of tensioned springs under capped screws which also served to keep the assembly looking clean and tidy. The reservoir comes with 2 mounting plates, the first of which enables it to be mounted to the holes for a 120mm floor fan, and the second, shown here enabling mounting to the rear of the case via the fan mount holes. The pump itself is not directly mounted to the plate but rather mated to the reservoir which is attached via rubber isolating feet. The effect of this is to improve de-coupling of the pump and as such reduce noise and vibration.
The close proximity of the components makes for a very compact loop and uncomplicated loop, something we’re great protagonists of here at OC3D. and although we’re not particular fans of compression fittings ourselves we were rather taken by the effect the chromed compressions had when combined with the unusual choice of matte black tubing. The whole build process is made much easier by one of the most comprehensive sets of instructions we’ve ever seen. Not content with a few fold out sheets EK have actually included a spiral bound A4 booklet to guide you every step of the way.
Installed into our trusty “Test-Trooper” case the EK kit is demure and understated. The tubing although thick walled is still quite flexible and resists kinking well. For those more used to bay reservoirs mounting the reservoir like this may seem a little odd however we feel it adds to the aesthetic and assuming you have a window in your case you should be able to keep an eye fluid levels with no problem. We have to say we were very pleased with the results.
