EK X-Top D5 CSQ (Rev 3)
This is the latest version of the EK single D5 top. It is very much a visual refresh of the old Rev 2 top to conform with the CSQ theme. Recently EK also launched the plain non-CSQ version. The box also conforms with the CSQ style and is bright pink which I believes signifies something pump related in the EK lineup:
The top is well packaged and seperates the top from everything else:
The accessories include a stop fitting, a mounting plate but nothing that might help reduce vibration being transferred to the case:
The clamp is made of matching acetal and will line up with the top:
The logo is orientated like the Alphacool, i.e. correctly if the pump was to be mounted to the bottom of a case, but not if the pump was mounted vertically to the side. In this case it would be back to front and hidden behind some tubing most likely.
To test pumps I use a flow meter and a differential manometer and vary restriction by adjusting a brass gate valve. I adjust the gate valve to give different flow points and measure the pressure “gain” across the pump using the differential manometer. To understand how to read these plots check out this guide.
Performance with a D5 Vario:
Performance with a D5 Strong:
The top therefore does a good bit better than stock regardless of the output used. If we compare to other tops we see that EK is at or very near the top:
D5 Strong:
Summary – Gold Award – At $38 this top provides excellent value for money. It’s one of the top performers and you can offset some of the cost by buying the cheaper topless “bare” edition pump instead of the full model. My only minor complaints are that there is nothing supplied to dampen any vibration/resonance when this is mounted to the case. Also unlike the more expensive Koolance top it doesn’t cover any labels on the pump itself.
Where to buy: PPCs
