Koolance release reference GTX 980 water block

[Smizzlopi]

For those of you who took the plunge and invested in a GTX 980, you may be looking for a way to slide it into your custom water cooling loop. With the card itself only released 2 weeks ago, the ever popular EK were straight out of the block (pun intended) with their solution. For those looking for an alternative, you are in luck. Koolance have decided to release their own water block for reference GTX 980 cards.

Unlike others, Koolance have decided to offer a single variant. This isn't necessarily a bad thing as it's built with a nickel-plated copper block, an Acetal top, a 0.5 mm micro-fin structure over the GPU area for heat dissipation. It also covers the memory and VRM circuitry and comes with the popular G1/4" fittings. Because of this, chances are, if you already have a custom loop, this will be compatible.

It's available to order now, if you don't mind waiting for delivery from the US and bulk orders (for SLI configurations) do provide small discounts. If you wanted to order direct, head over the Koolance website. Prices, excluding delivery, start at around £80.

Source: Tom's Hardware

 

[MadShadow]

Nice article, it read very well.

As for the block, I prefer full cover water blocks.

 

[nepas]

Nice article, it read very well.

As for the block, I prefer full cover water blocks.

errrrrr,that is a full cover block

 

[MadShadow]

errrrrr,that is a full cover block

Sorry, my bad. I guess what I meant to say is that I prefer a more solid, plain block with a simple shape.

 

[shambles1980]

you mean a brick with an ice cube glued to it?

 

[NeverBackDown]

Sorry, my bad. I guess what I meant to say is that I prefer a more solid, plain block with a simple shape.

He means he perfers a full cover waterblock that covers the whole PCB and not just 80% of it.

 

[JR23]

Nice, does anybody know more than me about what cards 980 blocks will fit? Do they fit reference 970's, and are all of the blower coolers considered reference PCB. It seems all like a bit of a grey area right now and hardly any blocks are actually available.

EK list compatibility with quite a lot of different 980's like the ACX and HerculeZ but also randomly the 970 HerculeZ. By great assumption is it likely 980 blocks will fit 970 ACX's too, obviously it won't fit a G1/Frozr/Strix.

JR

 

[shambles1980]

i thought 780's fitted 970's??
not sure where i read that.
and i assume they dont fit 980's..

 

[JR23]

i thought 780's fitted 970's??
not sure where i read that.
and i assume they dont fit 980's..

I've just had a look at the PCB's on EK's site and the 970 is very different to 780/980's for a start all of the power delivery stuff is at the IO end. The HerculeZ X4 is a bit of a weird one because its a 970 using a reference 980 PCB and seems to be unique. There's no way a 780/Titan block would fit either the 970 or 980. It looks like each will have it's own exclusive block and for now the reference 980 blocks will only fit reference 980's including exclusively the HerculeZ X4 970.

JR

 

[shambles1980]

glad i havent been running arround stating what i read as fact then lol..

 

[Smizzlopi]

I've just had a look at the PCB's on EK's site and the 970 is very different to 780/980's for a start all of the power delivery stuff is at the IO end. The HerculeZ X4 is a bit of a weird one because its a 970 using a reference 980 PCB and seems to be unique. There's no way a 780/Titan block would fit either the 970 or 980. It looks like each will have it's own exclusive block and for now the reference 980 blocks will only fit reference 980's including exclusively the HerculeZ X4 970.

JR

According to the EK compatibility list, the 970 reference PCB by EVGA, Gainward, Palit etc. is 'visually' compatible with their GTX 670 water block. Until it's properly confirmed OR they bring out a specific 970 block, I don't know whether it's worth the risk.

670 block compatibility list

 

[JR23]

According to the EK compatibility list, the 970 reference PCB by EVGA, Gainward, Palit etc. is 'visually' compatible with their GTX 670 water block. Until it's properly confirmed OR they bring out a specific 970 block, I don't know whether it's worth the risk.

670 block compatibility list

They do look very similar but I guess why take the risk if a 970 EVO block is around the corner. It's very weird at this very moment in time if you want a 780/780Ti/970/980 card, backplate and clean CSQ acetal+nickel block I don't think there are any options. Hopefully everyone sorts their stuff out and gets the new stuff rolling out at full capacity pretty soon. I think EK have sent them all to Snef!

JR

 

[Smizzlopi]

They do look very similar but I guess why take the risk if a 970 EVO block is around the corner. It's very weird at this very moment in time if you want a 780/780Ti/970/980 card, backplate and clean CSQ acetal+nickel block I don't think there are any options. Hopefully everyone sorts their stuff out and gets the new stuff rolling out at full capacity pretty soon. I think EK have sent them all to Snef!

JR

I suppose it's difficult to release a lot at once seeing as most of the 'popular' cards like MSI, ASUS and Gigabyte all have custom PCBs. Custom loops scare me so it's not something I really dabble in but I did spot that EK have a 'Coming Soon' listing for most of the custom PCB reference cards, if you look on coolingconfigurator.com

 

[MadShadow]

you mean a brick with an ice cube glued to it?

Yeah why not. To each their own, right?