14 DAY TRIAL // Advanced Micro Devices has officially launched the Radeon HD 7990 Malta dual-GPU graphics card, which means that everyone with a potential stake in the market is reacting.
And by everyone we don't just mean AMD's partners, like Origin PC whose own-brand HD 7990 Malta appeared just a short time ago.
No, we also mean companies that make products meant to be used in conjunction with the new high-end graphics adapter.
We've come to expect EK to move as soon as it gets a chance, and the company has definitely not disappointed.
It has put together the EK-FC7990 SE water block, which is not yet available for order but will make it to stores sooner rather than later.
As we've grown used to learning, the waterblock base comes in direct contact with not just the graphics processing unit, but the memory chips and the VRM (voltage regulation module).
Since water, or whatever other coolant is used, cannot safely come into contact with electronics without frying them, this is the closest thing to direct-contact cooling.
To enhance effectiveness, EK even implemented a high flow design that will ensure the water constantly changes, staying at a low temperature, even when the water cooling system isn't the best (doesn't produce the highest pressure).
There will be Copper Plexi, Copper Acetal, Nickel Plexi, Nickel Acetal versions of the EK-FC7990 SE, all of them set to start shipping in May 2013 (next month) through EK Webshop and Partner Reseller Network.
On a related note, the EK-FCS10000 full-cover water block has been modified as well. The item was originally designed for the AMD Firepro S10000 server graphics adapter.
EK is nothing if not capable of adapting, however, which is why the waterblock was so quickly adjusted for use with the new dual-Tahiti model.
None of the waterblocks are actually necessary of course, and they may not even qualify as good purchases when the board alone costs $1,000 / €1,000, but overclockers will find it a great boon.