GPU cooling suggestions please

[JAFFA]

First off, Hi to all!

I have a small dilemna that I hope some of you guys can help me out with, I've decided that I want Water Cooling for my graphics card, but in all honesty I know nothing at all about what a good water cooling set-up would be.

I'm gonna be using a Mach2 for my cpu so what I really need is a set-up that would be fine for cooling just one GPU with the option to install a second GPU block should I decide to go for SLi or Crossfire at a later date. I'm not all that bothered about cooling the Motherboard chipset as it never really gets that hot and I understand that fitting a block on the DFi NF4 chipset can be problematic due to the proximity of the Graphics cards and probably wouldn't raise performance significantly anyway.

I'd prefer to start out with the very best set-up possible as I'd rather not buy a low-end kit only to realise that I'd have been better off spending a little more and getting the right stuff from the get go. So, really what I'm asking is what stuff in the opinion of you guys would be best for what I have in mind?

Thanks in advance,

JAFFA

 

[jellybeard999]

Righto, id go with one of 2 options :

Thermochill 120.2 or PA160

DangerDen Maze 4 GPU

AquaXtreme 50Z

Res / Fillport

Thermochill 120.2 or 120.3

DangerDen Maze 4-1 GPU w/ 172w Tec

AquaXtreme 50Z

Res / Fillport

If choosing the 2nd... be sure to read up on Tecs and condensation proofing, good luck

 

[K404]

Hey! Hows it goin? A 120.2 Rad or Heatercore will give good performance and allow you to add a second GPU later and will still be able to cope wirh the heatload. The best blocks for the core/memory depend on what card you`re using, and others know WAY more bout that than me. As for a pump...Hydor would do fine, but some Swiftech or AquaXtreme pumps will give a higher flow rate.

Tygon tubing is the daddy, but some specialist neoprene tubing has advantages in some situations as well.

Hope this helps a bit

Kenny

 

[justin]

i just installed the maze 4-1 tec block, its really quick, and the condensation is easy. Good luck!

 

[maverik-sg1]

The 120.2 will cope with all your vga needs, I am using the EXOS 2 package and it's plenty cool enough for the 7800GTX's I am using (permantly set on fan level one of 10 settings) as it can remove up to 700w of heat - meaning the 120.2 will cope too.

Anyone here will tell you I am a great fan of 8mm and 10mm tube and of the GPU blocks that cool the ram as well (such as the new DD block for 7800's) but find it easier to work with than the 1/2" blocks.

The choice can endless I would drop a mail to Phil Stanbridge (sales@extremeprometeia.com) and enquire about a watercooling case with the rad housed internally for you and modded to accept the mach2 cooler.

Does not have to be a fancy colour (although Phil does do some beautifull kit if you want it to look as good as it cools).

I avoid fillports finding that a reservoir can actually help with stable temps under load.

Pumps? I love the Aqua-extreme unit I am using.

If you want to stay 1/2" (as many people here do) I can offer the following:

2x DD Acetal (SLI/crossfire compatable) blocks with nvidia mounting

1x AQZ050 Pump (suitable for 1/2" and 10mm systems)

1x Clear 400mm height reservoir (including external mounts and barbs to accept 1/2" or 10mm Tube)

PM me if these items are of interest to you.

 

[K404]

Pumps? I love the Aqua-extreme unit I am using.

LOL....you practising your testimonials for when you get sponsered??!

 

[JAFFA]

Thanks for all the replies lads, its good to read impartial advice like this!

I'm pretty much settled on the DangerDen Maze 4 GPU block and AquaXtreme 50Z, assuming the Maze 4 would allow me to uprade to a TEC later on if I felt so inclined.

The Radiator choice is the real pain in the proverbial now due to size restrictions with my Lian Li PC61. I've seen that it is possible to mod the PC6X cases to accept a PA160 rad with a little bit of dremel magic, but I wonder if this rad will really cut it should I go SLi/Crossfire. What do you reckon?

enquire about a watercooling case with the rad housed internally for you and modded to accept the mach2 cooler.

Maverick is this like a seperate case for all the watercooling the gear? I'm not sure I quite catch your drift. Forgive my noobiness on this subject

JAFFA

 

[maverik-sg1]

No it's like ordering a lian li case from EPUK that already has pre-installed a watercooling rad similar to the case like this:

But without the fancy paint job/window/custom power switch to save a few squid.

You could sell your kit on ebay to help fund the project.

I doubt very much if you'll wanna go TEC's - short term they are great. I doubt if they are good for the long term (condensation etc) plus it's really difficult with the space provided between the two cards to actually fit TEC's in SLI (Danger Den say no to SLI TECS).

So my offer for maze4 acetal low profile blocks and ancillary kit stands - trust me its the right kit for SLI/crossfire

@ K404 - still waiting for the first sponsorship deal (probs saying that for many years to come too ) - although trying out a chiller for EPUK was a great reward for my benching success and the pimpage it provides.

 

[K404]

@ K404 - still waiting for the first sponsorship deal (probs saying that for many years to come too ) - although trying out a chiller for EPUK was a great reward for my benching success and the pimpage it provides.

You`ve earned it

 

[Master_G]

I would make sure to get some nice copper ramsinks for the memory, i know people often forget about the memory until they take the cooler off and go, oh, i need to have a bit of cooling on those.

A maze4 will serve you great, happy clocking and happy benching.

G