reference radeon R9 290 water cooling newbie question

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codrut

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Nov 18, 2013
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As the Radeon R9 290 is just too noisy and I just can't stand it (when playing games only, at idle is silent) I am thinking of purchasing an EK water block for water cooling this video card. I don't want to water cool the CPU and other components (at least not in this stage), I just want to make this video card quiet. My question is what other components do I need for the EK water block? Can I buy also a Corsair H110 and modify it to cool my video card instead of my CPU? I am looking for the simplest and decent quality solution.

Thanks

P.S. I don't want air cooling for this video card as I don't want to glue heatsinks with thermal paste as in the case of Arctic Accelero Xtreme III. The EK water block is nice. But I need a whole kit not just the water block.
 
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fil1p
With the Eisberg you have the issue of the pump being integrated with the CPU waterblock. So attaching a EK GPU block would require the removal of the CPU block and thus the removal of the pump, unless you plan on using the CPU block with the GPU (this would require modification and might not be possible). Also adding a GPU block in addition to the CPU block on that cooler would not work well at all due to the 120mm radiator which is insufficient for cooling both a CPU and a GPU.

So I would either go with a custom air cooler or go with a custom loop, unless you are willing to take a CLC and modify it to work with your GPU. Note that the EK block along with the Eisberg 120 is not a good combination. If budget is an issue then I would...
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fil1p

fil1p

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Nov 29, 2010
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Hey,

If you decide to go with the EK block or any other custom block for that matter then you will not be able to use a modified CLC (closed loop cooler, like the H110) with it. You would need to separately purchase a radiator, a pump, and optionally a reservoir. In addition to that you will need tubing and fittings of the correct size. This is by far the most expensive option but it is also potentially the most silent and coolest running option available. A custom loop would also allow you to add your CPU and other components into your loop in the future.


If you want to use something like an h110 or any CLC for that matter you would either have to buy a pre-built mounting bracket for a GPU in addition to the cooler, or go through futher steps to mod it yourself. If done properly this will still provide good performance but will not allow for future upgrades such as cooling a CPU in the same loop. Do note that you would likely still have to get separate heatsinks for the VRMs and the memory.

Quite likely the cheapest option would be to get something like the Accelero Xtreme that you mentioned. It would of course require you to get additional heatsinks just like the previous option, but it would be cheaper and also effective.

Another option would be to buy a custom cooled card and to sell your existing card.

Hope this helps!

 
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codrut

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Nov 18, 2013
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I am thinking of buying:

http://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-fc-r9-290x.html

which does not need separate heatsinks for memory and VRM.

But the problem is chosing the pump, radiator and all the tubings. I don't know anything about water cooling. I have found this:

http://www.coolermaster.com/product/Detail/cooling/cpu-liquid-cooler/eisberg-120l-prestige.html

which seems to fit in my case and it is using standard fittings and it seems to be easily modified to go with the EK water block. Is this true?

Thanks
 
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fil1p

fil1p

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Nov 29, 2010
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With the Eisberg you have the issue of the pump being integrated with the CPU waterblock. So attaching a EK GPU block would require the removal of the CPU block and thus the removal of the pump, unless you plan on using the CPU block with the GPU (this would require modification and might not be possible). Also adding a GPU block in addition to the CPU block on that cooler would not work well at all due to the 120mm radiator which is insufficient for cooling both a CPU and a GPU.

So I would either go with a custom air cooler or go with a custom loop, unless you are willing to take a CLC and modify it to work with your GPU. Note that the EK block along with the Eisberg 120 is not a good combination. If budget is an issue then I would suggest you look into air coolers, or modify a closed loop liquid cooler (if you are willing to do so). If you have more to spend and want a custom loop, then don't worry too much about choosing the parts as there are plenty of places where to get information.

Do note that if you decide to go with a custom loop it could cost close to $300 for just the GPU.

 
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