Wait so they locked you all out of the buildings and haven’t paid you?

So sorry you had to deal with this, definitely get legal advice about the whole thing dude

That so sad and incredibly gut wrenching. I really hope things get settled

Is there any legal action you could take or could they just lead people on like this? This is fucked

that sucks to deal with. hopefully everything works out for ya'll.

branching out? he ha sbene recomending there shit!? now i hear it is a horror story?

@@davidnonya7359 where shit?

Ya, wasn't he just showing off their weird new distro block and fitting the other day?

@@ScytheNoire i believe GN asked jay to look at it.

​@@ScytheNoirebranching out doesn't mean abandoning the roots

"Government" you meant to say the society that gets robbed, right?

I get the gist, but honestly I think this probably and legitimately sucks more for those strung along and owed money, than those who "just" might have to find somewhere else to _spend_ theirs. EKWB has a great track record for very solid products. But if they can't recover, it's not as big a loss to consumers as it would have beem 5-10 years ago. There are several well established competitors in the market now that at minimum _meet_ EKs product quality, and are plenty capable of picking up the industrial business if that market wants it. I got lots of love for EKs products and so many great folks that habe come and gone or are still there. And while I hope _the company_ can recover and restore, I don't stay beholden to commercial entities.

@@pr0xZen You are totally right. I thought about the warranty aspect for consumers not the spending part but I didn't make it clear in my comment.

There's a difference between running into a tight spot, telling all your suppliers "hey, cashflow is an issue, can you take a rain check for a few months" vs what EK has been doing, which is complete *radio silence* and then only paying up when they get harassed publicly about it. That's not a company trying to survive, that's a company that either has nothing left at all, or is extracting and hiding all the money before abandoning ship to leave everyone else holding the bag.

@@TheFlighteur That's certainly a fair point.

Most of the workers that were left stranded by Artisan are now working for Starforge.

I got me a ek waterblock and have nothing wrong with it

@@billyhatcher643 wow I guess ek is fine then. Nothing to worry about here.

Never wanted or needed their products so I could care less about all this.

The other half of Artisan workers went and started Phoenix PC @@Cyberdeamon

GN Steve did the same in his video on it now that you mention that.

UKposts allows profanity in videos, but the video gets demonetized (no UKposts ads)

its not censored because its not monetized.

Just means they aren't monetizing the video so they don't have to worry about curse words messing up the algorithm.

@jsncrso No, you can swear in videos and still get monetized. It just cannot be within the first 30 seconds, or you can't have multiple swear words in succession. Those will get a video flagged.

BOOST

To the top!

Sorry to hear that, hope your talents* gets picked up quickly. Good luck sorry for the headaches you have to endure.

I hope you have a better future from this day onward, poor souls that were tortured at EK US... I'm really sorry for you guys :\

This is all on the management. Hope you and the rest of the team land on your feet.

that's just the kinda guy Jay is

Hes also staying the hell out of the legal department.

Man, companies are corrupt and fucked up everywhere you look. I live in London, and just recently the only water supplier here has announced they will raise prices 40% or go bankrupt. Highly embarrassing…. For them lol. No reflection on ordinary Londoners, except obviously it sucks that we will all end up screwed one way or another lol. Peace dude x

I've always liked EK in part because it's cool to see a small Central/East European company become a global brand. I really hope they pull through! And hey, you can't control what you have no control over. 🇷🇺🤝🇸🇮

'tis the slovenian way.

@@TheSorrowedMan no we can do better than this

@@ClassicDura Thousand years of history says otherwise.

But Jay lies so have fun listening to a down to earth channel that doesn't respect honesty. Jay was introduced to a bunch of shady stuff EKWB was doing a couple years ago by another small youtube channel, NoNonsensePC (the channel no longer exists BTW). I guess it didn't survive the pandemic. Jay just write the guy off when he asked Jay to help out with getting EKWB to be honest and refund customers on an ARGB controller they released called the Loop Connect which had a crap ton of software problems they refused to fix.

I like this channel because Jay is an old school PC guy who understands a computer is just a machine for serving a purpose. Most tech channels just use pcs as a fashion statement and as a result completely ignore the amazing specifications a component may have because it lacked rgb.

@@Robbie-mw5uu Jay is old-school but I think he values his PCs also as 'artworks', where he will build a beautiful looking PC that also functions extremely well as his computer, e.g. Skunkworks

There was like three of them. Jay definitely mad.

Don't forget the "S" bomb.

Definitely made my head snap back to YT. I don't think I've ever heard him drop an f-bomb.

Jay only mad after GN leads the way and now he feels braver.

@@regwatson2017 Did you miss the bit where Jay said he was always intending to release the video but was going to wait until the end of the month, but brought it forward because Steve's video made it apparent to him that the problem was more widespread?

Serious question; how much did you spend on your cooling solution, what is your cpu/gpu, and how do you feel about the build moving forward in terms of upgradability of parts (cpu/gpu) and not always being able to bring those blocks forward? What extra frequency were you able to squeeze out and how far ahead of something like a trusty NHD-14 from noctua do you think you are ($90USD on sale). I ask these questions as someone who can appreciate the work and money spent on a beautiful custom cooled build, but has trouble justifying spending a minimum of 4x more for a cooling solution that then requires bi-annual maintenance of 2-4 hours to drain loops and clean blocks and parts that can't be carried forward in 3-5 years when you feel the need to upgrade.

@@MDxGano Oh, my build is nothing like the usual idea of water cooling builds. Mine is much more form-over-function, because it's actually an SFF build, and I needed the parts to create what is essentially a compact custom AIO cooler for the CPU (13600K). The block is an Alphacool Eisbaer Aurora LT, which is basically an AIO block sold separately and compatible with water cooling fittings. The entire point of the water cooling was to actually get the CPU to stop thermal throttling in the case and also be more tolerable in noise profile, which it successfully does now. Total cost is $200-300, but it's definitely worth it to me. If I were to do a custom loop for a standard desktop PC, I think it would still be worth it for a hot CPU, to get good continuous multi-core performance out of it at tolerable noise levels. I don't care much for hard-tube aesthetics though. Also for air coolers, the NH-D14 is terrible value next to a $35-40 Thermalright Phantom Spirit.

Or for.

Can you point me in the direction of a company that does have integrity nowadays? Certain personality types seem to have infiltrated management of all these companies and everyone is in it for themselves now.

Truer words never written , yet Apple, Microsoft and Nvidia are billion dollar companies.

I felt the same about a leading cable and internet provider I previously worked for

Or for. Or buying From. Not to mention the "stink". If it has a bigger brand in the server side, this may affect that too. EASILY

Agreed. I've personally wanted to buy water cooling parts myself but rarely had the the money for it. I do understand that manufacturing isn't cheap, but EK expensive? Idk.

They aren't even good quality. EK machining is horrible and defect filled. Every part I've ever gotten from them was flawed in some way. Often minor ways, but sometimes complete failures. Don't get me started on their shitty coolant that gunks.

Too niche probably. They need MOQ for some parts like RX GPU waterblocks. They then need to charge a minimum for each of those since having the inventory sit costs money. If I were EK I'd get rid of the too niche products. Buy bigger for the better movers, lower cost there. Assuming this is at all possible of course, I do not work for them.

I loved EK parts , but the last 3-5 years the stuff just got expensive to buy. I make good money to afford it , but when a cpu block like the newest one is almost $300. That would eventually it them when people stop buying.

Yeah, they don't even manufacture in house. All they have (had) is the brand image and warehouses full of overpriced products that sell in single digit quantities.

Tip of the iceberg whoops😅

BOOST

It sounds like you had some really skilled people to do as well as you did in impossible conditions. Maybe time for HydroPhoenix builds?

So you think this was a reason why the Slovenian branch thought of the US as incompetent?

It seems like the Slovenians were right all along from all that has been said 😅

and leadership gets all the money.

Yep. There seems to be a critical point where companies get too big to be reliable. For many one sign is when something happens and the blame/responsibility can be spread around enough that they're no bite to any recompense/penalties. Distributed Liability, I call it. The point the leadership can get away with anything, and begin to take advantage of the customers, employees and so on, often to an egregious degree.

I saw this first hand. Big companies will ruin anything they can. For me it's only a matter of time.

Very rarely company growth and good consumer relations go hand and hand. Especially company's that go public. Once a company goes public their shareholders are everything. Consumers can't fire board members.

All the time all over. It's a horrible trend.

Why would Steve prop him up ? Where was Jayz speaking out before GN went public ?

Would like to hear from traditional media on this too!

@@regwatson2017 It's all in the video if you care to watch it.

Nobody cares

EK was definitely in the wrong, but you actually waited for months? Why didn't you at least get a cheap air cooler so you could use your PCs?

This is wild, sorry you had to go through that.

​@@chrys9256 Because i spent close to £25,000 on 2 computers out of my bonus. I wanted what i wanted at the time, and i was willing to wait for them, to a point, and i couldnt put them on air even if i wanted, there install location and space limitations precluded it. Proverbial dream machines from my point of view, id worked bloody hard to get EXACTLY what i wanted.

How did you know it was on a NHL rink?

@@chrys9256 Because i spent £25,000 out of my first big bonus from work, id had an amazing year. I wanted what i wanted, they were proverbial dream machines, and i was willing to wait for EK. I didnt buy coolers either untill i involved the bank, i was willing to wait to get it sorted, cos i wanted what i wanted. I couldnt put them on air, there install location precludes air cooling full stop.

Got ther just before me

I was watching GN video yesterday thinking "Oh shit I wonder what Jay is going to have to add to this". I wasn't sure if he wanted to drag himself into all of this.

Jay,I was wondering what your thoughts were on Ek, especially after Gamer-Nexus video on them I know that you luv water cooling, and have reviewed many Ek products/and -or been sponsored by them, well what now! And Roman Debuer too!

This

I'm glad Jay speaking his side but doesn't rub the right way it always takes gamers nexus to speak up before everyone else like to every other creator if you got something to say then say it why you waiting til someone else to open the door of "exposing."

I totally agree. At that end of the luxury good/design market people arent just looking for a product, they are looking for an image and person/group behind it. They have competition now, from people that seem to be actually cool people. I dont see how they stay a premium product form here.

@@mycosys Who is that competition ?

Literally watched that right before this!

nobody knows how fixable it is. like how much it is that they owe and is it because they weren't doing money and if there is a venue to making money. spending on products like they make is down all across the globe.

For it to be fixed, a drastic attitude change is needed, which won't happen in cause people don't change overnight

Goddamn that was a good series of events with Louis. That dude was insane (the guy made at him I can't remember his name)

​@@alexdavis9324One of the lead devs (now former) for GrapheneOS.

Totally agree. And that a company making expensive stuff like this, you think they would understand what happens when you treat people like sh!t. And now it just hit the fan, spreading everywhere. If this is actually true, they deserve what's coming...

Sadly my experience (I'm 70) is that in almost any company the management starts out convinced they are perfect and the employees and customers are stupid, whereas the employees and customers start out convinced that if they support the company that things will go smoothly. As you can guess my experience is that the opposite is true: management stupid, employees and customers smart and honest. It's like the movie "Airplane!" only it's not supposed to be a comedy.

Many terrible people have made beautiful things - doesnt mean we should enable them....... where did i put my Hugo Boss jacket?

People need to respect the whole Gamers Nexus team. It's not just "Steve's video" there is a whole team there.

I did my first custom watercooling loop in a decade a few weeks back and used an EK block / some EQ fittings. If this had dropped 4 weeks ago my build would not have any EK stuff in it.

EK used to make good, nice looking (in the discreet sense) water cooling products that was a little more expensive than most other brands. Now they have tons of flashy stuff that costs an arm and a leg. Definitely too many SKUs and maybe a lack of focus - what does EKWB want to be?

@@rogeramu couldn't agree more, I've 4 different FLT pump/res combos which are still good to use in various builds and a new 7950x block that is effective and very nice to look at ,(only Alphacool made a good looking block for my 3080) . I do think it's difficult for companies like EK, It would be difficult to even cover the last 2-3 generations of Nvidia cards alone., the outlay must be mind boggling, but there's no excuse for not paying staff unless you're going under.

I was hoping for this video as well. I was surprised that he was already disgruntled.

I will never buy stuff from Thermaltake. They literally steal designs for themselves. Most cases they sell are literal copies.

​@@fs9553That a fact??

@@PSYCHOV3N0M Oh yeah. Caselabs, Fractal, NZXT, Corsair, Swiftech all got copied and put up a cheaper version on the market, not to mention quality wise a lot worse as well. I had a Thermaltake case once... flimsy piece of junk it was.

​@@PSYCHOV3N0M Literally Jay blacklisted Thermaltake because they stole the designs from Caselabs, sued them and won, bankrupting them.

Same here, came here because of the GN video. Really confused about what some managing people can get away with and still land a position in the board of directors of another company.

Naw Asus made him pretty mad last year. Lol

Nah, this is like ASUS all over again

@@BigDrewski1000 Asus comes close but this is worse.

@@robcason9827 True. Lol. I don't think he dropped an f bomb back then. 😂

Dude he bought some fluid that turned a nasty color after heat (can't remember which company) and nearly started WWIII back around 2014.

You're a decent person? Then they'll never hire you.

I hope you have living expenses saved up for a while.

@dannymac9110 they have been having trouble selling EK goods for a while. I noticed they put EK stuff on clearance a lot the last few years.

So the death kneel comes before death knell?

@@mycosys ask that blm dude lmao

@@MisterSiga look out, you might cut yourself with all that edge

@@MisterSiga fun fact, he didn't die from being knelt on like that.

This whole hobby has. Remember when a $1000 system was a good computer? Now GPU's cost $2500..... This hobby just isn't worth it anymore.

that is "only" a EKWB. there are plenty of other manufacturers that have reasonable prices

Not expensive at all. I've done full Bykski/Barrow custom loops and they perform great. Two 360 rads, CPU Block, GPU Block, Pump, fittings, tubes for $350-400. Might not be as good, but they perform within 3-5C which means you'll never worry about thermal throttling. You don't need the best of the best water cooling to get the benefits of custom loops.

Thanks Nvidia ​@@GOPACKERSJT

Nah there are plenty of good products out there that are reasonably priced. Alphacool still makes very reasonably priced blocks that aren't garbage. EK just thought they could be Apple and ride on their name while cutting every conceivable corner on their products while still charging nearly double the price of other manufacturers.

You make it sound like if it's hard to search for Gamers Nexus' channel and see the video at the top of the list. 😅

How DARE you imply that Soviet rule was better than capitalism FREEDOM in ANY way /s

Transitions always bring with themselves a new set of rules or the lack of rules, in order to maximize their control. It would appear the Slovenian government needs to begin to regulate industry.

@@FNLNFNLN ive no clue where this dude worked, but this culture and corruption in slovenia comes from yugoslavia. And most of these people still have commie nostalgia where they could get away with this no problem, theres a reason we broke away from yugoslavia

@@BillyLapTop our government is full of corrupt people, they could not care less about anyone except their own pockets. Companies owned by our country are just as bad.

If its normal to not get paid for months, do rent or utilities also expect long delays? what about food, and other basic necessities, is theft a big problem?

I had one of their CPU blocks that corroded (using their coolant and pump + rad that was a kit), leaking all over the back of my GPU - obviously killing it. They took zero responsibility, said that it was clearly my fault for taking the block apart (which their CS requested I do to photograph the inside of the block). I moved back to air cooling from then on and haven't considered using liquid cooling again.

​@@AxR558Maybe my GPU block also corroded. I didn't take it apart to take a look. Used their EK Cryo fuel premix. I was considering doing something about it but now after Steve's and Jay's videos it feels futile.

I built my custom loop in 2021 and my water blocks haven’t had any problems, bit of discoloration but that’s expected after 3yrs

I've been using their AIO since 2022. No issues so far but all of this news is making me start to sweat lol

Gonna correct on thing with your statement EK doesn't machine any of their own stuff in house, they farm that out. Their failure is in not checking the quality they are receiving from their venders. I work for a large mining company we do not have the capacity at our facility to rebuild every project we get so I have a few trusted venders that I get machining support from. I send them checklists for each component, and they send them back to us, our QA then checks what they made, audits their machining checklists, hell we sometimes call them up and ask if we can drop in for a visit all our venders are doors open for us to do quick spot checks. EK needed to be doing the same thing, check fit and finish, stop in every now and then. or hell just get a few machining cabinets and have some of your own capacity.

That's what she said

Facts.

I can understand why you might have TTY bolts, or bolts that snap if you overtorque to stop breaking stuff, but to not have replacements for what is at that point a consumable is borderline criminal