Reference Cooler Vs Custom Cooler For SLI/X-Fire

[Sir Tom Jones]

Hi All

I am currently using a HAF X case with the same airflow config as this picture (I didn't make this pic).

Currently looking at getting two 780ti for SLI and was wondering whether a reference cooler would give me better temperatures as it blows the hot hot air out of the case.

Or due to the relatively high air flow through my case would a custom cooler such as MSI 780ti yield better cooling?

 

[vorticalbox]

If you got plenty of air flow that it shouldn't matter that much.

Though I would say the read and front as intakes and the top as exhaust.

 

[Sir Tom Jones]

I did initially have the top fans as exhaust, but achieve better temperatures on my CPU which is cooled by a H100 with 2 x 200mm fans on the top and 2 x Corsair AF120s below the radiator.

If you got plenty of air flow that it shouldn't matter that much.

Though I would say the read and front as intakes and the top as exhaust.

Wouldn't having the front/rear as intake disrupt air flow when they meet?

 

[Wraith]

If you got plenty of air flow that it shouldn't matter that much.

Though I would say the read and front as intakes and the top as exhaust.

+1 for this, hot air rising and all that. Plenty of space in the HAF X for quality air movement you should be rosy.

 

[Sir Tom Jones]

So with the amount of airflow in this case and the space that would be between the cards (on a Z77 Sabretooth) would a custom cooler move more air and = better cooling or not?

 

[Wraith]

Custom GPU coolers generally cool and move air far better than the reference models i.e Gigabyte Windforce, MSI Twin Frozr and Asus Direct CUII are all miles better than reference designs so in answer to your question I'd say yes to custom cooling over reference.

 

[Sir Tom Jones]

Custom GPU coolers generally cool and move air far better than the reference models i.e Gigabyte Windforce, MSI Twin Frozr and Asus Direct CUII are all miles better than reference designs so in answer to your question I'd say yes to custom cooling over reference.

Ok thanks, I've been looking at the MSI twin frozr model. I just wasn't sure the custom cooler's extra air flow would out weigh the advantage of the stock cooler removing hot air from the case.

 

[vorticalbox]

I did initially have the top fans as exhaust, but achieve better temperatures on my CPU which is cooled by a H100 with 2 x 200mm fans on the top and 2 x Corsair AF120s below the radiator.



Wouldn't having the front/rear as intake disrupt air flow when they meet?

If you have an air cooler blowing towards the back then yes you'll need the read as exhaust.

Heat raises and blowing air down goes against the way it naturally wants to flow.

If you can it's always better to follow the Heat flow and have more air going in than out to create a positive case pressure.

 

[Wraith]

If you want temps of custom cards vs reference cards you can find plenty of useful info in the graphics card reviews.

 

[Sir Tom Jones]

If you have an air cooler blowing towards the back then yes you'll need the read as exhaust.

Heat raises and blowing air down goes against the way it naturally wants to flow.

If you can it's always better to follow the Heat flow and have more air going in than out to create a positive case pressure.

in theory i'd agree with you but it didn't affect my gpu/ case temperature that much having before/ after having the top fans as exhaust. Having them as intake has improved my cpu temps alot.

Also reading else where on the internet (yes, I know the internet isn't always a reliable source of info). there are a lot of people claiming reference "blower" design is better for SLI. Currently with one XFX 7970 GHz edition my case is about 24 degrees ideal and anywhere from 25 to 27 degree C when gaming.

If you want temps of custom cards vs reference cards you can find plenty of useful info in the graphics card reviews.

Thanks, I've been reading alot here. Just unsure about the effect of SLI on temperatures

 

[Sir Tom Jones]

Thanks for all the help guys, After the info here and reading around the internet, I think I am going to go with 2 x MSI 780ti gaming. I may play around with the air flow in my case, seeing if having the top as exhaust and front and rear as intake effects gpu temps/ if I can keep my CPU cool enough considering my radiator will now be using warmer air to cool it