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3 way SLI possible with non-reference/aftermarket air cooler? First hand experience appreciated.

Tags:
  • Cooling
  • Graphics
  • Overheat
  • SLI
  • Heat
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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September 4, 2014 6:22:23 PM

Hi guys i'm new here and a bit of a noob

I am exploring the possibilities of setting up a 4k monitor for gaming in the next year or so. I'd like to start with some sort of high end 2 way sli but have the possibility open to upgrade to 3 way sli down the line. I've been able find some good info that with spacing 2 non-reference 780 TIs seem to do fine with good air flow. I've found next to nothing about making non reference 3 way sli with no slot spacing work on air. Can 3 way sli non reference air cooling work at all? I have my eye on either Asus Direct CU GPUs or EVGA ACX cooled GPUs.

Currently i have a cooler master haf x. I upgraded the side fan to bitfenix 200mm spectre with 148.72 CFM. I also use the Haf-X GPU duct with an enermax everest 120mm that maxes at 76.00 CFM. I also added the optional 200mm top exhaust fan for the Haf-x. Everything else is what the haf-x came with. Here is the current specs of my rig:

Cooler master Haf-X
i-7 990x
Gigabyte G.1 Assassin rv.1
enermax liqtech 240 AIO liquid cooling
4x corsair vengeance 1600 mhz 4gb
Gigabyte OC windforce gtx 660 factory overclock
EVGA OC signature 2 gtx 660 factory overclock
samsung 840 evo 1tb
HGST 3 tb 7200 hard drive
cooler master silent pro 1000 watt

I definitely appreciate input from anyone with first hand experience with this, but i welcome any answers you all have.

Thanks!

More about : sli reference aftermarket air cooler hand experience appreciated

September 4, 2014 7:19:35 PM

Moot point, since the GTX 660 doesn't support 3 way SLI. The 660 Ti does but not the regular gtx 660.
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September 4, 2014 7:27:37 PM

Hi again,

Sorry I may not have been clear, the 660s are current but im looking at 780 Tis and a 4k monitor at some point in the next year. Im really hoping the rumors about 780 ti 6gb will come true. Another possibility is some kind of high end gtx 800. Anyways i'm mostly looking for input on people's experience with 3 way sli nonreference higher end nvidia cards.

Thanks
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September 4, 2014 7:44:42 PM

Nvidia seems t be skipping the 800 series and going with 9xx for its next cards(more info supppose to be relases 19th of this month). I use to run 3 gts 580s in SLI all 3 had after market coolers, 1 was a MSI twin frzer, the other was an evga with a Gelid Icy vision cooler and the other was a evga that I put a accelero hybrid cooler(aio) and i used it as the middle card because of the heat created by the other 2 cards. However the stock blower coolers are usually a good option when the cards are in close quarters. I'd say either use the blower coolers or water cool.
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September 4, 2014 7:57:20 PM

Admittedly i am not too familiar with the rumors for the 800 and 900 series. I'd ideally like to start with two high end aftermarket GPUs with a decent factory overclock, i am just not sure what to do if and when i want to add a 3rd. I suppose reference cards is the smarter way to go, but i am still interested to hear if any of you have been able to make triple non-reference work on air?

Thanks guys
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