Brand new GTX 280 appears rather unwell :(

[Daydreamer]

Ahh thanks for getting back to me Dangel, I will be sure to apply what you have said to my choice of pump and radiator.

What I find most confusing though are the fittings. Looking at the EK block it doesn't seem to come with 'barbs' (I'm assuming here that a bard is the part that you connect the tube to), ok so I buy some barbs connect tubing to it and then use 'compression fittings' to make sure it's tight?

Do I need to buy these barbs for the pump and rad aswell? I am very tempted to buy a ready kit but from everything I have read they are best avoided and won't cool particularly well.

I only want to cool the gpu btw.

[moogle]

Thats how it usually is in the Watercooling area. Barbs come seperate. I thought they would provide some but you gotta get your own. You don't have to use compression fittings. You can use the Jubilee clips (the ones you tighten with a screwdriver) or cable ties or the plastic clips. The compression fittings are like £5 a barb I think. As for pumps the MCP-655 is the big one but if you want a small one (seeing as you're only cooling the GPU) you can get a DDC. I've yet to go to B&Q to get a stand to make my pump stand the right way

[Madafwo]

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.

Unless you have a GTX280....

You run your card on air yet to see if it is still borked?

[dangel]

Ahh thanks for getting back to me Dangel, I will be sure to apply what you have said to my choice of pump and radiator.

What I find most confusing though are the fittings. Looking at the EK block it doesn't seem to come with 'barbs' (I'm assuming here that a bard is the part that you connect the tube to), ok so I buy some barbs connect tubing to it and then use 'compression fittings' to make sure it's tight?

Do I need to buy these barbs for the pump and rad aswell? I am very tempted to buy a ready kit but from everything I have read they are best avoided and won't cool particularly well.

I only want to cool the gpu btw.

Yeah you (as the other poster said) buy the barbs seperately (or sometimes the site will ask you if you want to select some as you buy the block). The types are:

Push over (with jubilee clips/plastic clips)


Compression (where you push it over and then screw a nut over the top to hold it)


Push Fit (where the tube is pushed into the fitting and 'grabbed') [showing a right angle fitting here which can be most useful]


I'm using compression for this build - they're simple and effective. I have used push fit successfully too but in all honesty there are certain circumstances where they're tricky (the ends of the pipe must be square and angling the pipes is more risky).

You'll find the blocks usually have 1/4" screw fittings - so you just buy a 1/4" -> some fitting type. I'm using 1/4"->10mm OD compression (OD = outer dimension, ID = inner of the pipe itself). Fittings cost £1-£2 each if you shop around.

Will you ever want to add things to the loop or always just gpu? think about that when ordering bits, along with where you'll be putting/mounting things. Planning the loop is the important part - that and leak testing it well away from anything vital (think washing up bowl lol). Leaks are most common when you're inexperienced - trial and error and getting to understand the connections is a worthwhile investment. It's great fun, and the rewards are excellent (low temps, low noise).

Here's a link to the EK X2 block: http://www.watercoolinguk.co.uk/cata...oducts_id=1130 (good website btw)

Unless you have a GTX280....

You run your card on air yet to see if it is still borked?

..ouch No, not yet - will do at the weekend.

[Daydreamer]

Thx you have been very helpful, just one last question (promise
how easy is it to actually remove the stock heatsink and install the gpu block. I watched a video on youtube and it looked straightforward enough but one area that concerned me is the memory heatsinks,
do I have to apply thermal compound to the memory as well. During the video it looked as if he was cutting out some kind of material and sticking it to the card. Any idea what material that is and where to get a hold of it?

thx

[dangel]

Thx you have been very helpful, just one last question (promise
how easy is it to actually remove the stock heatsink and install the gpu block. I watched a video on youtube and it looked straightforward enough but one area that concerned me is the memory heatsinks,
do I have to apply thermal compound to the memory as well. During the video it looked as if he was cutting out some kind of material and sticking it to the card. Any idea what material that is and where to get a hold of it?

thx

You'll need a tube of artic silver 5 (paste) - the bits you don't stick paste on are covered by thermal tape which comes with the block. Removing the air block is careful, slow work (read instructions carefully and don't rush in other words) and you'll need a set of fine screwdrivers usually to do it (the ones they sell for repairing glasses). Look at online guides with plenty of pics etc and double check you've removed all the screws etc before prising the block off. The last part is usually the most unerving - the paste on the air block sticks it down slightly and so it's easy to think there's still a screw in there. Twist from side to side to confirm it's loose before pulling it off (it will slide a little usually).

It always looks harder than you think

[dangel]

Run into a stumbiling block - can't get the 280 in my current case so i'm pushing ahead with the new build (to then try it on air first). Only problem is looks like specialtech forget to send me some 3/8" to 1/4" ruducers with the rad so i'm prolly going to have to lash together some of my old watercooling kit to get me running again (atm it's all in bits as i've spent the day planning the runs and doing the prep work).
I'm liking the compression fittings tho - very secure with a little join sealant to top them off

[The Asgard]

Which block are you using mate?

EK or Aqua?

I'm possibly after a block myself.

[dangel]

Which block are you using mate?

EK or Aqua?

I'm possibly after a block myself.

I currently have both - so i guess i'll have one spare!

[Daydreamer]

Hi Dangel, I got my ek waterblock from specialtech (it was bloody dirty) it came with 1/2 fittings, if I get a pump or rad with 1/4 connections which fittings do I use, looking at scan there don't seem to be any. thx

[dangel]

Hi Dangel, I got my ek waterblock from specialtech (it was bloody dirty) it came with 1/2 fittings, if I get a pump or rad with 1/4 connections which fittings do I use, looking at scan there don't seem to be any. thx

The EK has 1/4" threads on it - so you just need a fitting that goes from 1/4" thread to whatever sized tubing you want. The ones you've been given are screwing in with 1/4" thread but have barbs (the non-screw-in-end) which are for 1/2" pipe. I've used 1/4" thread to 10mm compression fittings in the build i'm doing now which has 10mm OD tubing.

[dangel]

This thread: http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-hardwa...build-log.html
now contains updates on the build.

The GTX appears to work fine on air now (doh)

[moogle]

This thread: http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-hardwa...build-log.html
now contains updates on the build.

The GTX appears to work fine on air now (doh)

yay

nice to see another build log