EK Fluid Gaming 270 Conquest Review: Immaculate PC Gaming
EKFG 270 Conquest: Final Thoughts And Review Conclusion
We are very impressed by the EK Fluid Gaming 270 Conquest. As one of its inaugural products, EK should be lauded for doing so much right out of the gate. Then again, the folks at EK presumably have about as much experience with custom cooling solutions as anyone could ask for. After all, EK helped popularize open loop cooling with their legendary water blocks and other plumbing hardware.
While this review is ostensibly focused on the 270 Conquest, most of our observations can be generalized to their entire Fluid Gaming family. EK’s approach is to offer an iconic “look” and let the customer select from a handful of configurations, while reusing as many of the same components as possible. This allows EK to constrain their pricetags like a mass production OEM while still delivering enviable custom rigs.
To be clear, at $2,300 EK still appears to be asking for a premium over a “typical” Ryzen 7 3800X and Radeon RX 5700 XT build someone would assemble, while keeping the rest of the specs in line. That would be true relative to a system incorporating even an AIO liquid cooler, certainly. Nevertheless, this system's custom hard line open loop adds a lot of cost not only in terms of parts - the CPU and GPU blocks, the reservoir and pump, tubing and fittings, etc. - but also in any tooling and labor needed to fit it together. It is not unheard of for hobbyists to spend a grand on their plumbing alone. In light of this, the 270 Conquest delivers on value as well.
Furthermore, the system could serve as an opportunity for an otherwise DIY hobbyist to dip their toes into hard line liquid cooling. This series of boutique PCs is surprisingly straightforward to upgrade. Since the liquid cooling loops are built from off the shelf EKWB components and no tube bending is necessary, it would likely be easier to swap in a new GPU, for instance, than for most other hard lined systems. Sure, it will take a little elbow grease and extra patience to drain and refill the system, but it is not out of the question. In fact, the EK Fluid Gaming 270 Conquest is easier than most custom, liquid cooled pre-builts to work with and service down the road.
Upgradeability is especially important here. While the 270 Conquest performed well in our tests for 1440p gaming, a large share of the high end market is looking more and more at 4K. This system can serve these users well now while being almost assuredly ready to accommodate a Big Navi upgrade when they are ready to make the leap -- just mind that 650W PSU.
In the end, the EK Fluid Gaming 270 Conquest is one of the slickest all-AMD rigs we have seen in a while. Its straight-piped layout is striking and the clear front panel distribution plate gives it one of the most unique looks out there. We can certainly recommend checking out the entire Fluid Gaming lineup for some serious gaming and productivity muscle with an impeccable cooling solution.
While this review is ostensibly focused on the 270 Conquest, most of our observations can be generalized to their entire Fluid Gaming family. EK’s approach is to offer an iconic “look” and let the customer select from a handful of configurations, while reusing as many of the same components as possible. This allows EK to constrain their pricetags like a mass production OEM while still delivering enviable custom rigs.
To be clear, at $2,300 EK still appears to be asking for a premium over a “typical” Ryzen 7 3800X and Radeon RX 5700 XT build someone would assemble, while keeping the rest of the specs in line. That would be true relative to a system incorporating even an AIO liquid cooler, certainly. Nevertheless, this system's custom hard line open loop adds a lot of cost not only in terms of parts - the CPU and GPU blocks, the reservoir and pump, tubing and fittings, etc. - but also in any tooling and labor needed to fit it together. It is not unheard of for hobbyists to spend a grand on their plumbing alone. In light of this, the 270 Conquest delivers on value as well. 
Furthermore, the system could serve as an opportunity for an otherwise DIY hobbyist to dip their toes into hard line liquid cooling. This series of boutique PCs is surprisingly straightforward to upgrade. Since the liquid cooling loops are built from off the shelf EKWB components and no tube bending is necessary, it would likely be easier to swap in a new GPU, for instance, than for most other hard lined systems. Sure, it will take a little elbow grease and extra patience to drain and refill the system, but it is not out of the question. In fact, the EK Fluid Gaming 270 Conquest is easier than most custom, liquid cooled pre-builts to work with and service down the road.
Upgradeability is especially important here. While the 270 Conquest performed well in our tests for 1440p gaming, a large share of the high end market is looking more and more at 4K. This system can serve these users well now while being almost assuredly ready to accommodate a Big Navi upgrade when they are ready to make the leap -- just mind that 650W PSU.
In the end, the EK Fluid Gaming 270 Conquest is one of the slickest all-AMD rigs we have seen in a while. Its straight-piped layout is striking and the clear front panel distribution plate gives it one of the most unique looks out there. We can certainly recommend checking out the entire Fluid Gaming lineup for some serious gaming and productivity muscle with an impeccable cooling solution.
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