Alphacool Eisbaer Extreme vs EK-MLC Phoenix 280

Yaayuh! · 5 Aug 2019 at 14:31

Hi all,
Looking towards the high end of an upgradable AIO solution to cool a 3900X and I think i've narrowed it down to:

Alphacool Eisbaer Extreme
or
EK-MLC Phoenix 280

Similar pricing, so down to performance. Leaning towards the EK-MLC Phoenix.

Anybody have or know of these two to weigh in their opinion/findings?

TIA

roysters · 5 Aug 2019 at 16:56

Are you just doing the CPU or the GPU too?

Was just taking a look at the configurator. Interesting how you can only choose only 1 280 rad for both CPU / GPU.

Looks good though, i was in two mind of downgrading my custom loop purely because it is a hassle everytime you want to change anything.

Yaayuh! · 5 Aug 2019 at 17:01

roysters said:
Are you just doing the CPU or the GPU too?

Was just taking a look at the configurator. Interesting how you can only choose only 1 280 rad for both CPU / GPU.

Looks good though, i was in two mind of downgrading my custom loop purely because it is a hassle everytime you want to change anything.

Just CPU for now, but GPU later on.
You could add multiple rads in theory, but I believe there's a 360 coming soon.

roysters · 5 Aug 2019 at 17:05

There was a 360 but its now end of life... hmmm.

Why not go down the standard cpu AIO and then a separate AIO for the GPU, so essentially two AIOs

Yaayuh! · 5 Aug 2019 at 18:47

roysters said:
There was a 360 but its now end of life... hmmm.

Why not go down the standard cpu AIO and then a separate AIO for the GPU, so essentially two AIOs

That was the old AIO solution, before the MLC Phoenix.

Neatness and cost I suppose.

drex69 · 7 Aug 2019 at 07:58

I Have the MLC-Phoenix, I actually have 2 closed loops.

1 x 360 for the 1080 Ti
1 x 240 for the 9600K

I also had the Predator series before the Phoenix.

Great products, never had any problems with any of them.

I game at 2560 x1440, my GPU temp never goes above 50oc.

I'm not sure if this is of any use to you, but I thought I would post from
someone who actually has the products.

Yaayuh! · 7 Aug 2019 at 08:33

drex69 said:
I Have the MLC-Phoenix, I actually have 2 closed loops.

1 x 360 for the 1080 Ti
1 x 240 for the 9600K

I also had the Predator series before the Phoenix.

Great products, never had any problems with any of them.

I game at 2560 x1440, my GPU temp never goes above 50oc.

I'm not sure if this is of any use to you, but I thought I would post from
someone who actually has the products.

Thanks

How long have you had them and have you needed to top them up yet?

What sort of performance are you seeing on the CPU?

drex69 · 7 Aug 2019 at 10:39

Had them about 9 months, and haven't had to top them up yet.

CPU never goes above 45oc, at stock settings when gaming.

roysters · 7 Aug 2019 at 12:24

Do you have any pictures? I'd like to see how bulky it is compared to say, 2 normal AIOs connected to each component.

drex69 · 7 Aug 2019 at 16:09

Not that it bothers me, But it is more bulky, because of the quick disconnects.

Here's a picture.

roysters · 7 Aug 2019 at 16:25

Thanks! interesting to see. I guess its more function over looks, which at the end of the day is the most important thing.

bifday2k · 9 Aug 2019 at 20:47

I have the Phoenix 280 myself, cooling both my cpu and gpu (2600x & 1070ti), id echo everything drex said really, not had to refill yet, but easy enough to do if needed. One thing to note especially if planning to use in a small case, the tubing length is longer then normal CLC's.

Temps wise i range from: CPU: 60-70c gaming, Gpu 40c - 50c game dependent (settings used) fans and pump both set to 50%. I went into it knowing my cpu temps would be slightly higher due to the fact both are on the same loop, but i'm good with that.

For more powerful cpu/gpu combo's then mine you may want to to do what Drex has done and run 2 seperate ones. A 280 can cool both, just don't expect temps to be brilliant is all.