Help with buying water cooling components

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LimitedWard

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My current build runs like a dream. There's only one problem: my R9 290 (with stock cooling) runs super hot and super loud (I know I should have gone with an aftermarket cooler for the 290, but it was on sale $100 off). I have some extra money to spend on upgrades, and I was considering setting up water cooling to solve the issues with my current build. I have no experience with water cooling, so I was hoping someone on here could recommend what to buy.

My budget as around $200 (preferably less, but I'm flexible if it's a bit over).

My build is as follows:

PSU: EVGA Supernova 750 G2
GPU: Sapphire R9 290 (essentially just stock cooling with a sticker slapped on)
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws X DDR3-1866 (2x4gb)
CPU: AMD FX-6300 (3.5Ghz stock speeds)
MOBO: Asus M5A97 R2.0
CASE: Rosewill Challenger (a cheap case, but it does have holes for water cooling in the back)
COOLING: I'm using all stock fans.

Any help would be greatly appreciated :)
 
Solution
KyleADunn
Hey there,

For about $100 (haha, what you saved), you can add on a KrakenG10+H55 setup to your r9 290. That's what I'm running currently.

You'll need a KrakenG10: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?gclid=COqZx_fm778CFSMV7AodJREAcg&Item=N82E16835146037&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-VGA+Cooling-_-N82E16835146037&ef_id=U6iS8gAAAfxsuw4P:20140731145319:s
A closed loop water cooler, like the H55 (works well for me): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181029
Gelid's r9 290 vrm kit: http://www.feppaspot.com/servlet/the-897/GELID-Solutions-Icy-Vision/Detail

And some copper vram heatsinks. 16, so 2 packs of 8. Most come with adhesive tape...
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KyleADunn

KyleADunn

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Jul 8, 2014
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Hey there,

For about $100 (haha, what you saved), you can add on a KrakenG10+H55 setup to your r9 290. That's what I'm running currently.

You'll need a KrakenG10: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?gclid=COqZx_fm778CFSMV7AodJREAcg&Item=N82E16835146037&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-VGA+Cooling-_-N82E16835146037&ef_id=U6iS8gAAAfxsuw4P:20140731145319:s
A closed loop water cooler, like the H55 (works well for me): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181029
Gelid's r9 290 vrm kit: http://www.feppaspot.com/servlet/the-897/GELID-Solutions-Icy-Vision/Detail

And some copper vram heatsinks. 16, so 2 packs of 8. Most come with adhesive tape. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-8-pcs-New-Copper-Memory-Chipset-Cooler-HeatSink-For-DDR-DDR2-DDR3-RAM-Memory/360627355088?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D23845%26meid%3D8705220922788863278%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D10180%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D121387965243

It may seem tedious and difficult, but it was worth it for me. I'm sure there's others with similar or better options though. Perhaps not for the same price, however. Also, a better closed loop ssytem would keep it cooler, if you have the budget. The Krakenx40 cooler would do you well, or the H80. H55 is enough to keep you well under 80c in gaming, though. Typically in the 50-60s.
 
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LimitedWard

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Dec 15, 2013
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That seems like a great option, but I have seen reviews from people saying the holes for attaching the KrakenG10 don't fit properly with AMD cards. Did you experience the same issue?

Also, what are the noise levels like for this? And how do you manage to control the fan speeds?
 
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KyleADunn

KyleADunn

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I didn't experience anything like that with my r9 290. Since you have a reference card (what they design these things off of), your card would have the best fit with it as opposed to custom brand coolers.

EDIT: As for noise, it's not loud at all. Loudest part for me was the fan that came with the H55, which I swapped out for a $8 CM fan. As for fan speeds, they can be changed in BIOS or a program.
 
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LimitedWard

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Well after reading some more reviews, this thing looks really cool (literally and figuratively). Did you experience any problems with the VRMs overheating using those generic heatsinks?
 
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KyleADunn

KyleADunn

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Gelid's vrm kit? Nope, none; it's specifically designed for the r9 290. Using that kit and those copper heatsinks for vram (I edited a link in), my vrm 1 & 2, and Vram, all stay within the 50s, or 60s if I'm doing some intensive stuff. And they all come with adhesive tape, so no worries there.

EDIT: Here's a list of compatible closed loop water systems.

NZXT : Kraken X61, Kraken X41, Kraken X31, Kraken X60, Kraken X40
Corsair : H105, H110, H90, H75, H55 , H50
 
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LimitedWard

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Okay well now I have a really awesome option to consider. Thank you so much for the input :)

Oh also, are the included directions clear enough for a relative beginner to figure it out, or did you use an online resource?
 
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KyleADunn

KyleADunn

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I'm trying to find a video that I used for the process, but can't seem to find it. Most of it's all on a guide provided with the Kraken G10 in the package. The only part I used a video tutorial for was removing the stock cooler, which is as easy as removing all the screw on the back and the metal vent, then gently pulling the whole thing off (takes a bit of force to remove it from the adhesive stuff)

Feel free to PM me about it if you've got any questions later on!
 
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