14 DAY TRIAL // Liquid cooling systems are usually found only in computers featuring the best hardware on the market, but there are some models made specifically for less ostentatious CPUs and graphics cards. AMD's Radeon R9 285 graphics card is one such video board.
The Radeon R9 285 video card may not be the best adapter on the market, being overcome by the R9 290, R9 290X and R9 295X2.
However, it is the only model powered by the Tonga graphics processing unit, the newest GPU from Advanced Micro Devices.
And since it's still a high-end board, there may very well be people who would appreciate the chance to overclock it beyond normal levels. Something that air-based cooling doesn't easily accommodate.
Granted, it's true that the Radeon R9 285 can look a bit lackluster compared to the top-tier boards from AMD and NVIDIA. It even has “only” 2 GB of GDDR5 versus their 4 GB and 8 GB.
Nevertheless, Ljubljana-based premium computer liquid cooling gear manufacturer EK Water Blocks has released the EK-FC R9-285.
The EK-FC R9-285 high-performance Full-Cover water block
Since it's a full-cover model, that means it comes into direct contact with not only the GPU, but also the VRAM chips and the VRM (voltage regulation module).
The block uses a central inlet split-flow cooling engine, which maximizes performance and works even with reversed water flow, something that can negatively affect effectiveness.
The great hydraulic performance also means that cooling systems with weaker pumps can use the block to its fullest ability just fine.
In layman’s terms, you should be able to overclock the Tonga-based video card easily, all the while enjoying the possibility to install CrossFire multi-card setups even on motherboards with a single pair of PCI Express slots close together.
The reference card has a cooler with a dual-slot design, which can really cut the wind from people's sails.
Other elements include screw-in brass standoffs (pre-installed) and two material options for the top: quality POM Acetal or acrylic. The base is made of nickel-plated electrolytic copper in both cases.
Availability and pricing
The EK-FC R9-285 water block has a price of €99.95 / $99.95 and ships with an aesthetic retention backplate, which unfortunately demands an extra €26.95 / $26.95.
Now it's up to you to decide whether or not a Radeon R9 285 graphics card with only 2 GB of VRAM is worth water cooling now that 8 GB R9 290X boards are coming out.
