EVGA GTX 780Ti Classified Hydro Copper SLI Help

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Spongeman131

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Oct 29, 2012
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Finally getting some GPUs for my rig I built last year.

I want to get 2x EVGA GTX 780Ti Classified Hydro Copper cards however looking at pictures
of SLI builds people have on the internet, I'm unsure as to what kind of bridge they use for
connecting them together.

I'd like mine to be connected together using one block such as this but I don't know
if I can do that with these blocks.

My build has a Rampage IV Extreme motherboard and I am aware of which PCI-e slots are
recommended to be filled for 2-way SLI however these slots are not side by side and there is a gap.

slotswm.jpg


Slots 1 and 4 (x16 and x16/x8 reds) are the recommended to be filled. Are there nice blocks
that would cover such a distance for only two cards? Would EK-FC Bridges be what I'm after or something like that? All my current fittings are Bitspower or EK and I've been quite happy with them so far.

Or would I be better off to just
use fittings and tubings to connect the cards together? Does anyone have any
recommendation for SLI connectors?

I'd also like to get an EVGA Pro SLI Bridge to connect the cards together. I know that slot spacing is standardized but will any of their Pro SLI Bridges work for just two cards on this board? I'd really like to be able to get/use one of these.

EDIT: Some of this necessitates a discussion and not a single answer. I can't find out how to change the thread type over, sorry.

Thanks guys.
 
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Spongeman131

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Oct 29, 2012
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That thread and those pictures really helped! I was unsure as to how bridges such as those worked, but that cleared things up.

Do you think that the bridge would look better and cleaner? Or some tubing and a couple of fittings.

Still need an answer for the SLI Bridge though, but that pretty much clears up the water bridge part. Thank you!

I was looking at spacing on the my motherboard and the provided SLI Bridge (3-Way) that came with the motherboard.

The teeth are spaced 40mm apart so would this 3/2 Way Bridge be the perfect size (and appropriate type of bridge) for 2 of the cards in SLI? And would that SLI Bridge fit in conjunction with the Water Bridge?

Also would I be better off getting a parallel or series water bridge? Or do I only have one option to choose from here with these cards?
 
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thismafiaguy

thismafiaguy

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You shouldn't have any problems using that 3 way SLI bridge for 2 way SLI, as long as your 2 cards are connected, and you can just leave the unused connector blank. Whichever looks better would depend on what you have in the rest of your system. What CPU block are you using? The EK SLI water bridge would look fantastic if you also had a CPU block with the same design. But since your cards are spaced out so far, tubing wouldn't look too bad neither, if you want to match your SLI tubing with the rest of your loop.

As far as the water bridge configuration goes, you can choose either one, they have both parallel and series bridges for this setup. I would recommend going parallel, as it yields better flow, which could mean better temperatures across the loop. And no need to worry about your water bridge interfering with your SLI bridge, they will get along just fine.
 
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Spongeman131

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When you mean connected (just to make sure there isn't some form of "connected" I'm not aware of, you mean
inserted to a PCI-E x16 slot on the motherboard and hooked up with appropriate power cables correct?



Currently using Koolance CPU 380i:

cpu-380i_p1-700x700.jpg




Parallel it is then, thank you. Where do the fittings to connect the bridge to the loop go? Looking at the pictures for a parallel bridge it looks like I have to have it coming in at the top of the top end then out the side of the bottom end?

flah6q.jpg


Or can I configure where how it connects to the loop with plugs? Basically I just want to know if I'm stick having to connect it to the loop in the way shown in the picture or if I can modify it a bit.
 
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thismafiaguy

thismafiaguy

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I meant connected by the SLI bridge, as long as both cards are connected via the SLI bridge, you can ignore the unused port on the 3 way SLI bridge. Your last picture is a good example of a parallel setup, and yes that is one way of configuring it. Still one inlet and one outlet, but the water gets from the inlet to the outlet by passing through both cards simultaneously, rather than in a serial setup where water goes through one block at a time. If you have a basic understanding of electrical circuits, this is very similar to that in concept.

Here is another helpful thread regarding parallel setups: http://www.overclock.net/t/1347431/different-methods-of-running-multi-gpu-in-parallel-any-difference-in-temps

As for your CPU block, it'll match either the EK FC water bridge or just plain tubing, pick whichever looks the best to you, because watercooling is largely about aesthetics as well as performance.
 
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Spongeman131

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Alright, now looking more into detail on the bridge and the parts its parts, will it even work? The links for the bridge say they only work for specific EK waterblocks.

Regardless of anyone's answer to this, would you mind explaining how you know?

And would I also have to close off the unused port with something like this (which is fine)?
 
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thismafiaguy

thismafiaguy

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Now that you mention it, I believe the EK bridges are restricted to EK blocks to due its design, so you won't be able to use them with your Hydro Copper blocks. I looked around for EVGA bridges for the Hyrdro Copper, but didn't find anything. So your best bet is just simple tubing, especially since your cards will be spaced out further than the average SLI configuration. Are you able to use the stock Hydro Copper fittings with your existing tubing?
 
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Spongeman131

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Oct 29, 2012
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Thanks for looking around. I will be picking up some EK fittings so it all matches. I have to pick up additional fittings to put the cards in the loop anyways. I've measured and two of my fittings will take up ~45mm of the ~70mm I'll have between threads on the card waterblocks. So there should be plenty of room.
 
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kingkennyc

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Not sure if it helps.. or if you are bothered about looks... but I just used barbs and cut the tubing to fit. It was easier using clips than trying to get compression fittings to work (kept twisting the tubes...so didn't bother...). Kinda had to balance all 3 cards while I put them in. Found it easier to lay the case flat on its side (motherboard facing up...). Once I'd got the tube length right the rest was easy..

Hope you find a solution that works for you.
 
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