EK, the leading computer cooling solutions provider, is expanding its Nucleus AIO portfolio with a brand-new model, EK-Nucleus AIO Dark. EK constantly pushes the envelope of available products, trying to make something for everyone. This AIO retains the shape of the original model but offers a price-competitive, all-black, non-RGB option for people whose budget or taste doesn’t allow for additional FPS otherwise harnessed from RGB lighting #joke.
EK-Nucleus AIO Dark Series
The EK-Nucleus AIO Dark is an all-black all-in-one liquid cooling solution for modern AMD® and Intel® CPUs. It comes without any RGB on the fans or the pump-block unit. Unlike the standard model, it doesn’t have a shroud over the end tanks that hides the fittings on the radiator, or the aluminum shroud across the radiator. These cost-saving measures allowed EK to offer a fully performance-oriented yet budget-friendly AIO solution.
These AIOs come in 240 and 360-mm sizes, sporting EK’s 120mm FPT fans. Full Pressure Technology (FPT) is a full-frame design that makes contact with the radiator, sealing it completely off without losing static air pressure. These fans feature an optimized and balanced performance-to-noise ratio on the wide operational range of the fan. Rubber corners are implemented on both sides of the fan to reduce vibration transfer to the rest of the PC.
EK’s Nucleus AIOs, including Nucleus Dark, offer a plethora of new features, some of which are a rotatable pump top, new fitting positions, and daisy chaining the fans. Nucleus AIOs are also ready for the next-gen Intel socket and AMD socket AM5.
Pump-Block Unit
The circular design was chosen for a reason – the top allows you to re-orient the badge logo regardless of the cooler positioning. The orientation can be changed in 90-degree increments, so you can remove the top and turn it to position the logo correctly, depending on the position the AIO was installed on the CPU. So no matter the angle used to install the AIO cooler, it will always offer clean and aligned aesthetics.
The coldplate is made of copper with a dense fin stack to ensure great thermal conductivity and heat transfer from the CPU to the coolant.
Fittings and Tubing
New EK-Nucleus AIO Dark comes with pre-installed and reinforced rubber tubing, featuring fine nylon mesh sleeves and aluminum covers on each tube that ensure extreme durability. Improved fitting positions allow for easy installation and adjustment of the rubber tubing, making this Nucleus AIO suitable even for the tightest of spaces.
A neat toolbox with all necessary mounting screws, thermal paste, tools and stand-offs is included with this AIO. There is a special tool that allows users to screw down and tighten the stand-offs easily without hurting their fingers. This is another benefit to the user experience while mounting this AIO.
Availability and Pricing
EK’s Nucleus Dark series AIOs are designed in Slovenia, Europe. They are available for pre-order on the EK Shop. They are expected to ship out in late April 2023. In the table below, you can see the manufacturer-suggested retail price (MSRP), including VAT.
| Name | MSRP (incl. VAT) | |
| EK-Nucleus AIO CR240 Dark | 129.90 € | |
| EK-Nucleus AIO CR360 Dark | 169.90 € |
