GTX 480 Waterblock.

[Sincoura]

Hello all. :lol:

I recently decided to add my Graphics card, to my water cooling loop and have been looking over different blocks, and in particular the Koolance GPU-200.

I am aware that a full cover water block would be better in terms of cooling performance, but I am limited to what NCIX has to offer, and they don't sell any for the GTX 480 unfortunately.

My question is: If I do go ahead and get this block, will it be okay by itself, or would I require something else for the rest of the card? (RAM, VRM, ect.) Or will they be fine without it?

 

[jamesriley94]

You'll need some kind of RAM sinks, and possibly a side panel fan, depending on overclocks.

You may be better off upgrading the card to something where the blocks are more widely available. The 480 is a bit outdated now, and I'd be questioning whether it's really worth putting underwater tbh

 

[Sincoura]

Upgrading the card isn't an option unfortunately, nor do I see a need to do so. I'm quite happy with it.
What im not happy with, is the heat this thing generates..
Not just to itself, but everything around it gets toasty as well.
480's are known to get quite hot, so I don't see how water cooling it would be a bad idea.
Furthermore, I suggested a Koolance 200. It's universal, so if I do upgrade for whatever reason, then it is worth it, since I can reuse it.

 

[jamesriley94]

No - the point is that the universal blocks arent very good. Full cover blocks are far better, and newer cards are far cooler and less power consumptious.

Anyway - if you're happy, you'll need the block, decent rad space, RAM and VRM heasinks and probably a side panel fan to blow over the card

 

[Sincoura]

I understand, I'll think this over a bit more.

Thank you for your input. ^.^

 

[airdeano]

but I am limited to what NCIX has to offer, and they don't sell any for the GTX 480 unfortunately.

why just ncix?
theres aquatuning
theres DazMode
theres Performance PC
theres Frozen CPU

assuming your are in canada, all the above have a great canadian service..
i was persuring the same as you are on a 580 (not excited about the selection)
waterblocks, and to find out the indie GPU cooler and heatsink idea is usually a last
resort option. for a sli gts450 idea for example. unless you can get a full-length
heatsink (like swiftechs 480) the stick-on RAM sinks are menial, so now you have to
have a fan dedicated to the GPU and have a half-answer for the cooling solution.

airdeano

 

[Sincoura]

Ah, I choose NCIX for a couple reasons.
First is since I can pick up at a store close by, shipping is free.
Second, even if an item you want is out of stock, they ship it from a different location.
Fast.* I have never had to wait more than a week for an item there. ^.^

Full cover water blocks are clearly the best solution, but price is a variable too..

 

[Azurite]

Should be plenty of people selling fullcover clocks for that card. You might wanna replace the thermal pads and clean the blocks before useage

 

[Sincoura]

Alrighty, I will look into em'

Although, in a worse case scenario, couldn't I just use a universal water block, and keep the stock cold plate and fan for the rest of the card?

 

[airdeano]

not a scerario id want to use. i understand about the local dealer thing, but they dont have it
so do it right and get the right parts. so you wont be asking "why my temps aren't what they
should be with a full block installations." there are other forces involved here and without
controling them, you'd might as well leave it air cooled for the moment.

airdeano