Brand new GTX 280 appears rather unwell :(

[Robert]

I was going to consider the 280 - but I think I'll stick with my decision to get a 4870X2 now :\

Although I'm hearing about issues from both camps :/

[Madafwo]

The EK one - personally i didn't like one end of the block versus the EK 8800GTX block i've got as it's not directly bolted down. The one pictured above has a much nicer fit from the looks of it and the benefit of moving water over pretty much the whole card rather than just the centre.

EK normally make pretty good blocks though, quite surprised about that... How much is the aqua computer one?

[dangel]

EK normally make pretty good blocks though, quite surprised about that... How much is the aqua computer one?

More or less the same - a shade more expensive at 70quid. Does look like the better block - i'll post some pics side by side when i have both.

[b0redom]

So did you get a new one? What's the performance lift like over your 8800GTX? Considering pulling the trigger on one myself....

[dangel]

So did you get a new one? What's the performance lift like over your 8800GTX? Considering pulling the trigger on one myself....

Just got the card back yesterday and no time to fit it last night (on air this time to check!) but i will update this with my thoughts (it may have to wait for the weekend). It should be faster than both the 8800/4870 without the drawbacks of the 4870x2 though. I guess crysis will be my first port of call as that's where the 8k suffers right now.

I'm in the middle of planning a whole new build based around an antec 1200 case, a new watercooling loop (thermochill 120.3 rad + d5 pump + new blocks) which I almost have all the parts for. I will test the card in the current case - but i'll need to
move a harddrive to get the bugger in (it's bigger than the 8800gtx with the air block).

I've got the new block - IMHO a much nicer design (although the finish underneath isn't quite as resolved) being very slim and having the 'whole block' cooling loop versus the EK one. I'm much more confident about getting this one on right (haha) too.

[b0redom]

Cool. Will wait for you to test 1st then :-)

[moogle]

I'm in the middle of planning a whole new build based around an antec 1200 case

Good choice of case

[dangel]

Good choice of case

Bloody massive though! Even so - i'm mounting the radiator externally because a: i want the heat outside the case and b: the rad is er.. enormous. I will post pics but believe me, coupled with the performance shroud it's a monster.

[moogle]

Bloody massive though! Even so - i'm mounting the radiator externally because a: i want the heat outside the case and b: the rad is er.. enormous. I will post pics but believe me, coupled with the performance shroud it's a monster.

It's what I've done too what rad you got. I got a 120.3 size one. I should get an extra shroud to support it though

[dangel]

It's what I've done too what rad you got. I got a 120.3 size one. I should get an extra shroud to support it though

120.3 here too. the sheer weight of it (rad+shroud+fans) needs some serious support.

[moogle]

I got mine mounted on the middle 120 so the weight distribution is even. Plus the two rear 120mm fans double up the cooling power as they are right in front of the rad

[dangel]

I got mine mounted on the middle 120 so the weight distribution is even. Plus the two rear 120mm fans double up the cooling power as they are right in front of the rad

Ah - i see - are you drawing air over the rad (i.e. from behind [fans sucking]) as I believe this is more efficient? What about having warm air from the pc going into the rad? Or is that not an issue with the case and it's top fan?

How did you resolve the mounting? Brackets? Offset?

[moogle]

Drawing air through the rad like you said is more efficient, the air coming from the 2 x 120's isn't as warm as from the top 200mm fan (as in it seems the top fan is taking most of the warm air out as the air coming from it is warmer) so it doesn't seem to affect the cooling. It's mounted on a Swiftech 120 shroud.

Here's my diagram




The 200mm fan seems to spread the air out when it exits so some of it gets pushed into the top 120mm rad too.

So all in all the rear fans don't push out warm enough air to affect the rad. The graphics card though does which is why I mounted it higher out of it's way (Forgot to put it on the diagram )

[dangel]

Interesting - i like how you get the rad out of the way of the pci slots (my card will be watercooled so no heat issues but ease of access is nice).

[Daydreamer]

Hiya don't mean to hijack the thread but I'm looking to pick up a 4870x2 and am considering a water cooling solution. When looking at parts, I know that a 'bigger' rad will perform better but how do I know if a certain component is high quality and whether it will be enough to cool the v hot X2.

[dangel]

Hiya don't mean to hijack the thread but I'm looking to pick up a 4870x2 and am considering a water cooling solution. When looking at parts, I know that a 'bigger' rad will perform better but how do I know if a certain component is high quality and whether it will be enough to cool the v hot X2.

The more you cool (at once) the bigger the rad as a general rule. I've cooled a Q6600 (OC'd) + a 8800GTX with the double radiator (black ice) with good results for 2 years. I could add a chipset block to that loop without needing a triple. I went triple for this new build because it cost a couple of quid more than the 120.2 thermochill - it'll do no harm anyway. Radiators vary in themselves by design too - the thermochills are better performers (at all sizes) than the black ice ones for example (they're a great deal thicker and have greater surface area as a result) but cost more.

Just as important is flow rate - a good pump with big 'head' (pumping height) is far more important than fat tubing (the latter is a popular misconception IMHO it makes very little difference). On this count good waterblocks count too (i.e. ones that flow well without too much restriction). Stick to good reputable companies and you're generally ok. I think I saw an EK block out for the X2 the otherday - they're usually good.