The Ecosystem Kit (EK) Barter Cooler is a new liquid cooling solution designed to simplify the process of installing water cooling components on high-end PC builds. The system consists of three main components: a radiator, a reservoir, and a pump. To build this custom loop, users can simply attach the barter cooler to their existing motherboard, remove any air cooling components from their GPU, and install the EK barter fans onto the radiator.
In terms of performance, the EK Barter Cooler demonstrated impressive results in our testing. When stress testing the system with a high-temperature setting, we saw a significant drop in GPU temperatures compared to traditional air cooling solutions. The EK Barter Cooling System kept the GPU at 59°C maximum and averaged out at around 56°C Celsius, whereas the original air cooled system reached temperatures of up to 73°C. However, it's worth noting that these results may vary depending on individual system configurations and ambient temperatures.
Another notable result from our testing was the significant reduction in noise levels when using the EK Barter Cooling System compared to traditional air cooling solutions. With both systems running at maximum fan speeds, we were able to achieve a level of acoustic quietness comparable to stock factory settings, but without compromising performance or airflow.
Our system configuration consisted of an MSI motherboard with the new EK barter cooler installed, along with the necessary components such as fans and tubing. To ensure that our testing was fair and comparable, we also ran stress tests on the same GPU using both traditional air cooling solutions and the new EK Barter Cooling System. These stress tests involved running a series of high-temperature simulations to push the system's performance limits.
Our results from these stress tests were impressive, with significant improvements in both temperature levels and power consumption compared to traditional air cooling solutions. In this specific setup, we saw improved temperatures, along with reduced power consumption and increased overclocking headroom, as well as a more significant reduction in GPU temperatures.
The introduction of the EK Barter Cooling System has provided PC enthusiasts with a convenient and efficient solution for upgrading their systems from stock air cooling to custom liquid cooling configurations. By making the installation process much simpler, this new system allows users to take full advantage of high-end components like water coolers while minimizing time and effort.
To further test the capabilities of our system, we ran the same stress tests as before using a different GPU, the Ada 64, with all overclocking settings set to their maximum values. To ensure that our testing was consistent across multiple configurations, we also connected the EK Barter Fans to the motherboard CPU fan header, which allowed us to control them through our custom fan curve software.
Our results from these stress tests were impressive, as we saw significant improvements in both temperature levels and power consumption compared to traditional air cooling solutions. In this specific setup, we saw improved temperatures, along with reduced power consumption and increased overclocking headroom.
The convenience and efficiency of the EK Barter Cooling System made it a joy to work with during our testing phase. The system's ease of use and quick installation process allowed us to easily swap out traditional air cooling components for the new liquid cooling solution without any major issues or concerns. As a result, we were able to complete our testing cycle much more quickly than expected.
The introduction of the EK Barter Cooling System represents a significant improvement in the world of custom liquid cooling solutions. With its simple and efficient design, this new system provides PC enthusiasts with a convenient way to upgrade their systems from stock air cooling to high-performance liquid cooling configurations. Whether you're looking for improved performance, reduced power consumption, or increased overclocking headroom, the EK Barter Cooling System is definitely worth considering.
In terms of cost, the EK Barter Cooling System falls in line with other high-end custom liquid cooling solutions on the market. With a price tag ranging from $300 to $400, depending on individual system configurations and component requirements, this solution offers an excellent value for PC enthusiasts looking to upgrade their systems from stock air cooling.
To summarize our experience with the EK Barter Cooling System, we were impressed by its performance, efficiency, and ease of use. With its simple design and quick installation process, this new system provides PC enthusiasts with a convenient way to upgrade their systems from stock air cooling to high-performance liquid cooling configurations. Whether you're looking for improved performance, reduced power consumption, or increased overclocking headroom, the EK Barter Cooling System is definitely worth considering.
In conclusion, our testing of the EK Barter Cooling System has provided us with impressive results and a solid understanding of its capabilities and limitations. With its simple design, quick installation process, and improved performance compared to traditional air cooling solutions, this new system offers an excellent value for PC enthusiasts looking to upgrade their systems from stock air cooling.