Just install it on the power module and you're set

Oct 21, 2014 08:20 GMT  ·  By

You may or may not be familiar with the MSI X99 XPower motherboard. In a nutshell, it's one of the most overpowered mainboards in the world right now, complete with LGA 2011-3 socket for Intel Haswell-E(P) CPUs.

The motherboard naturally has heatsinks on all the parts that produce more heat than it’s safe, so you don't really have to worry about it going up in smoke.

However, mere air cooling might not be enough to keep things under control if you decide to overclock any CPU or video card installed on the platform.

And let's face it, there isn't much point in buying one of these monsters if you're not going to start messing with CPU/GPU voltages and frequencies.

The EK-MOSFET MSI X99 XPower water block

As the premium liquid cooling gear manufacturer from Ljubljana, EK has launched many coolers, for CPUs, graphics cards and motherboards. The equipment is always some sort of liquid cooling technology.

Unlike other companies, though, EK likes to stick to the standard water cooling system design, instead of closed-loop, all-in-one products.

So while the water block here will sell for €64.95 / $64.95, you won't be able to do anything with it if you don't also invest in a pump, reservoir and hoses.

Not that the price should be a problem, considering that only the rich and overclocking-loving people in the world are likely to buy the MSI motherboard itself in the first place.

The water block is available in two variants, one with a top made of POM acetal material and one with an acrylic glass panel instead. The block should be installed on top of the VRM / MOSFET power regulation module. There is a backplate as well, made of black anodized aluminum.

Availability

The EK-MOSFET MSI X99 XPower water block should already be up for sale via online retailers, but the price in the USA may turn out to be a bit higher than we said previously, since exchange rates aren't usually reflected in reality.

Don't be shocked by the plain rectangular look by the way. It's not like EK was going for aesthetics, and the power module isn't big enough to warrant anything too fancy anyway. Besides, since it's right next to the CPU socket, it can't afford to restrict the space needed by whatever CPU cooler or water block you put there. Either way, the bracket going around the adjoining PCB components looks nice enough on its own.

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EK-MOSFET MSI X99 XPower (3 Images)

EK-MOSFET MSI X99 XPower
EK-MOSFET MSI X99 XPower acrylicEK-MOSFET MSI X99 XPower, no cover
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