efilloon
All, I got an email from EK this morning, thought I'd share:
 
Dear customer,
 
Thank you for contacting us and for your interest.
Waterblock for this videocard, will be available in our sales program in three weeks time.
 
If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
 
Lep pozdrav, Kind regards, MFG!
 

Was it Peter that answered you?

EK_Luc

xarot
Will there be a copper version of the block too? Or only nickel? 

ginko147
I also want to know if there will be a version of copper or nickel.

I will ask again but the last time I asked Peter this question, the nickel version was the only one he talked about.  But that was several weeks ago so it might have change.

Well, I would really prefer bare copper blocks at least as an option. I've had the nickel fail in my 780 TI blocks, so from that on, I always prefer copper blocks. :) 
 
But regardless, it's good to get a block on this card at least.

Kind of crazy that EVGA collaborated with EK on the HydroCopper but the Classified series has to wait 4 to 5 months to get a vital component. The card can't be used as designed (talking about extreme OCs and wattages) without pots/blocks/phase but releases without the most common/popular of those available.
 
Honestly, these cards (Classified/Kingpin) shouldn't even ship with an air cooler, there should be 2 versions;
1) A bare card for enthusiasts that are going to use exotic/experimental cooling solutions
2) A waterblocked card for mainstream-enthusiasts (I made that term up, but I think you get me)
 
This would, in the case of the bare card, save people the cost of the air cooler that's going to get pulled and sit in a box; and in general send a clear message that, "If you're going to run stock clocks on air, you're looking at the wrong card." I know that EVGA is not going to do either of these things at the cost of sales but it would be really nice.
 
Regardless, EK, you say end of Jan. but "where dey at, doe?" you're killing me here.

EK_Luc,
 
Yes that is from Peter. He sent this to me as a response to my email to EK asking for an ETA for the gtx 980 classified waterblock.
 
 

efilloon
EK_Luc,
 
Yes that is from Peter. He sent this to me as a response to my email to EK asking for an ETA for the gtx 980 classified waterblock.
 

Ok thanks.

...again.

Shanester44
...again.

And just think.....when they do show up they will be as rare as back plates for the cards too!!!

I received info that it's in fact delayed a few more weeks but while we all have to wait (myself included ) I have some answers for a few questions I received earlier.  

• The classy block isn't the same for the KPE
• The block will be available with your choice of acetal or plexi top
• The block will only be in nickel finish
• The block will be an "XXL" one. So it will cover the entire card 

 

Ek did get slammed this round, with every manufacturer forgetting an EK version made. I think Ek may have bit off a healthy chunk more than needed with the moves and so many different manufacturers getting specific blocks all at once.

Cool, I won't be buying one now and after all this time you offer a single pitiful option.
 
In fact I regret ever buying this card period, this really screwed up my plans. Next round it's clear that ASUS is the brand to go to, and A good Kyro block will suffice for any reference block.
 
Thanks EK. I wish I never had this damn card, stuck on air for three months. Who's to really to blame, EK or EVGA? EK released a block for literally every other custom solution before this one, and 'jokingly' called EVGA a shady company on Facebook. I think I'll happily abandon both - that isn't very professional and obviously has a ton of truth behind it. I'm sure EK and EVGA are confident in their sales regardless of a boatload of customers jumping ship this term. I guess while EK is horrible in this scenario, EVGA is really the one getting abandoned. Both companies seems to be confident that they have endless supplies of customers, so let's see where their fumbles land them in a decade.
 
Heads up; there's a new player in town called Diamond Cooling - they aren't on the scale of EK and don't plan to compete but they offer service EK couldn't dream of offering. It's very small and they don't have many cards/blocks, but the owner is fantastic. If you send him a card, he can make a block for you. I plan to ask him to make me one for the 980ti or whatever I end up with after I sell this garbage 980 at a loss.