EKWB Cools Asus' Maximus VI Impact Mini-ITX Motherboard

EKWB has introduced a new water block for cooling a motherboard, though this one is a little different from most of the full-cover blocks or kits that it sells. Usually, motherboard water blocks from manufacturers, including EKWB, cover the critical components of the motherboard but not the CPU – a separate block is normally required. With its new EK-FB ASUS M6I, EKWB covers not only the VRM and the Z87-Express chipset, but also the installed CPU on Asus' Maximus VI Impact Mini-ITX gaming motherboard.

The water block is built using the EK-Supremacy (EKWB's flagship CPU water block) engine, so CPU cooling should be just as effective. Also, the water block is built with the high-flow design, meaning that it can be used in systems with weaker pumps, or in longer, more complex loops, though we doubt you'll have the latter in a Mini-ITX system. (Feel free to prove us wrong.)

"We're excited to introduce our first AIO water block," said Niko Tivadar, EK-FB ASUS M6I main designer and Product Manager of EKWB. "EK-FB ASUS M6I provides sleek design with only two in- and out- water ports which greatly improves the functionality of the unit. Uncompromised CPU cooling is ensured by the use of our award-winning EK-Supremacy CPU water block cooling engine. ASUS® Maximus VI Impact motherboard, paired with our cooling solution, represents the foundation for building the flagship performance small-form factor D.I.Y. gaming machine."

The water block will come in six different versions, as detailed below. Included in the box is the water block itself, the mounting mechanism, an EK-LGA 115* TRUE backplate, thermal interface material, as well as a few thermal pads.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
SKUMSRP € MSRP $
EK-FB ASUS M6I99,95€$136.34
EK-FB ASUS M6I - Acetal99,95€$136.34
EK-FB ASUS M6I - Nickel108,95€$148.62
EK-FB ASUS M6I - Acetal+Nickel108,95€$148.62
EK-FB ASUS M6I - Nickel (Original CSQ)108,95€$148.62
EK-FB ASUS M6I - Acetal+Nickel (Original CSQ)108,95€$148.62

The units are already available in EKWB's online webshop.

Niels Broekhuijsen

Niels Broekhuijsen is a Contributing Writer for Tom's Hardware US. He reviews cases, water cooling and pc builds.

  • s3anister
    IMO these kind of tech accessories are the coolest (pun intended). Very exciting to see components and the cooling solutions to cool them advance together.
    Reply
  • 06yfz450ridr
    thats a sweet board and block, that block is cooling the vrms as well correct? looks like it is
    Reply
  • lp231
    At first I thought this water block might interfere with the sound card, but looks like it doesn't since it's lower than the stock heatsink.
    Reply
  • Stevemeister
    I like it BUT the whole idea of ITX is to keep things small so the moment you add water cooling with a custom water loop (which is what EK make) then you need a ton of space for reservoirs, radiators and pumps! I know - I have a large water cooling system and its not ITX friendly.
    Reply
  • PEJUman
    I like it BUT the whole idea of ITX is to keep things small so the moment you add water cooling with a custom water loop (which is what EK make) then you need a ton of space for reservoirs, radiators and pumps! I know - I have a large water cooling system and its not ITX friendly.

    umm... I have a prodigy ITX case, which is about 50% the size and weight of my old Tower. It currently runs watercooled i7 with dual pump, 120mm & 240mm radiators. Along with a 780TI & 2 HHD + 4 SSD. The only thing installed externally is the exhaust fan on the rear 120MM mount, which serves as a mount for the 120mm radiator/resevoir/fill combo.

    Still very serviceable, I check for leaks every 3 months, top-off every 6-12 months. All I had to do is remove the 4 screws holding the external exhaust fan, the 120 mm radiator pop off inside the case and I'll fill & bleed from that.
    Reply
  • Christopher Shaffer
    I would love to see a solution just like this offered for ATX boards. If they could somehow wrap the RAM, South and North bridges and CPU, I would definitely pay for that.
    Reply