Air cavity in my water loop.
Air cavity in my water loop.
I own an EK Evo Elite equipped with an EK-XRES 140 Revo d5 pump. The connection from the pump and reservoir is strong, but once it exits the Evo, the flow becomes very weak and continues down until it reaches the radiator. I haven’t taken apart the Evo myself since it came with the inserts (I1 and J2) already installed. I always use a silver kill coil and plenty of deadwater in my loop, and there’s no sign of microbial growth. I stick to distilled water only.
I’m considering using an older mod top/reservoir I have—a XSPC dual pump reservoir combo that’s poorly designed, which is why I retired it. Alternatively, I could buy another bitspower mod top recently found at a local computer store for around $25, but I can’t find a more affordable option. As long as the reservoir stays filled, it works fine. However, to start without running the pumps dry, you’ll need to keep it tilted or lie it sideways, because the water inlet is at the top of the reservoir. Even then, there’s a high risk of cavitation in the pump assembly, which severely damages the D5.
I’d advise against purchasing it. But I’m starting to think the issue might be related to pressure. The Evo Elite’s complex design with replaceable inserts and jet plates creates a significant flow restriction, especially compared to other CPU water blocks. I’ve owned XSPC Raystorm, Apogee HD, and now the EK Evo Elite.
Additionally, I think the EK-XRES 140’s design might be problematic. Since the inlet is at the bottom of the reservoir, pushing water through the top could cause more air bubbles to escape. With both inlet and outlet at the same level and only one hole for water, I believe air bubbles would escape more easily. This could lead to the pump being affected by recycled air, which is risky. I’m not an engineer, but this comes from my own experience.
By the way, I haven’t heard much about the XSPC dual bay reservoir being problematic. Maybe there’s a special method to fill it that prevents pumps from running dry, which I’m not aware of. Also, there’s a possibility that even if it works, the air issue is more likely than the pump itself. Owning a D5 has taught me that running it dry for any time significantly shortens its lifespan.
I’m seeking advice and feedback.
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