Crossfire r9 290x (Do I need to watercool them)?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
G

Guest

Guest
I'm thinking of getting second 290x card for crossfire. I already got r9 290x lightning from msi and I was thinking buying second one after the summer but It's expensive and I heard you need waterblock to use them both properly therefore maybe I should go with reference card? Or do I must own waterblock and all that watercooling kit to even properly use crossfire with any of those cards? If I do, could someone send me links with watercooling kit and waterblock for 290x lightning so I get general idea what I'm supposed to do.
Also I already have Pre filled closed loop cooling for the cpu, h100i from corsair, and very good fans from Noctua so I'm all good with airflow.
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
Thelps

Thelps

Distinguished
Feb 20, 2013
855
2
20,515
If you want a cooling solution similar to your H100i closed-loop cooler, you could always check the Kraken X-41 / X-61. It's marketed as a CPU cooler but you can purchase separate GPU mounts ('Kraken G10") to make it compatible with a GPU. It's purported to shave 40%-50% off your temperatures. Mine arrives tomorrow so I'll be getting first-hand experience once I get the chance to install it.

http://www.nzxt.com/product/detail/145-kraken-x41-liquid-cooler.html

The r9 290X is indeed well-known for running very, very hot at load, but obviously performs like a monster. With adequate cooling, and two cards in SLI, you'll have phenomenal graphics processing power.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
G

Guest

Guest


hmm it looks nice and that kit doesn't need any water reservoir just like that? But it looks like only one part of gpu will be cooled how about parts where descent heatsinks or thermal pads once were?
But overall what is better to cool both gpu with Kraken separatly or just have 2 msi Lightnings WITH proper airflow?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Thelps

Thelps

Distinguished
Feb 20, 2013
855
2
20,515


Legend is correct, the Kraken is not a cheap solution.

However, it is (purportedly) very effective. The G10 mount (purchased seperately from the X-41 / X-61) is a mount that both holds the Kraken GPU cooling pad in place and provides a fixed fan to cover the VRAM modules. Effectively you have the fan mounted where it would be on a stock GPU cooler, but a dedicated liquid cooler + fan assembly covering the GPU.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
G

Guest

Guest


It looks like I'm going to create something bizzare one non reference card AND reference card with watercooler it will be a sight to see!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Thelps

Thelps

Distinguished
Feb 20, 2013
855
2
20,515


If price is an issue then you'd do well to go with Legend's advice. You'll save money overall by purchasing a lightning and extra case fans.

The Kraken will probably be quieter, but I can only point you to the cooler's website at the moment. I won't have first-hand experience with the component until sometime over the next week.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
G

Guest

Guest


My issue with lightning that is triple slot card therefore I don't have that much space left for the extras. My motherboard of choose is Asus Sabertooth 990fx r2.0 an Atx board (I couldn't find E-atx or xl-atx compatible with 990fx chipset but that is not the point) I might buy third card when the price will be lowered but the space that Lightning is taking is too big and I'm not sure can I even place third card there. Having lots of Kraken's is not a handy thing either I can stick one in the back of the case for the second I have place in the front and for the third one it would be placed in the bottom. The thing is reference card is significantly cheaper in the place where I live so buying extra kraken is equivalent of buying one lightning.
The bottom line is 2 smaller cards with watercooling on it vs two big ones with air cooling what would be better?
(Also I can return lightning and get full refund since my friend works there and he promised me they will refund it if I change my mind about Lightning )
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
T

Thunderballs

Distinguished
Jan 7, 2014
238
0
18,760
Running watercooling using a Crackhen drops sound wonderfully.

Space is a problem both with rads and tubing but it is one you can solve especially if you dont mind mounting things out of your case or you have a big case.

With some creativity you could come up with all sorts of mounting options.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom