Whenever a new GPU comes out, the various vendors often like to build way over-the-top variants of these cards, which for some reason often still come with air coolers. EVGA’s Classified and Classified Kingpin edition cards are good examples, but fortunately, EKWB always shows up with a water block for them. This time around, the block is for the EVGA GTX 980 Classified Kingpin edition card, which is arguably its most over-engineered card.
The water block from EKWB is called the EK-FC 980 GTX Classy KPE, and it covers the GPU, memory and VRM circuitry. It is also a full-cover block, meaning that it covers the entire top of the card for a nice clean appearance, although some parts don’t need cooling. It features a high-flow design, giving it low hydraulic restriction that makes it suitable for use in longer, more complex loops, or in loops with weaker pumps.
The EVGA GTX 980 Classified Kingpin comes with a 14-phase VRM circuit for the GPU with another three phases for the memory. The Digital VRM can deliver up to 600 A of current, although you’d never reach that under either air or water cooling. Heck, under liquid nitrogen you’d also be hard-pressed to overload the power delivery circuit – the GPU will be unstable long before power fluctuations cause issues.
EKWB’s latest water block will be available in two flavors, one with a black Acetal top, and another with a clear acrylic top. The actual copper part of both blocks is nickel-plated to protect against corrosion. The blocks will go for $149.75 and $147.61, respectively. Additionally, you can also buy backplates for the cards, one black and one with a nickel plating, which will cost $37.40 and $44.90 when they launch.
