Need help Liquid Cooling an XFX AMD Radeon R9 DD 280A

sessionzer01

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Hey guys, I am new to this site but have been using the forums a lot lately to help me with my first-time build.

I have a moderate understanding of piecing together components for my set up.

I decided to go with the GPU listed in the title, which can also be found here: 280A GPU on newegg

I have been looking up cooling blocks because the whole purpose of this build is to make a silent PC. But I only find blocks that are for the 280X though such as: 280X waterblock on frozencpu

Now I know that some cards are the physically the same as their better models, so that's what I wanted to ask this community. Can I use the same cooling blocks for the 280X, on the GPU I went with (280A)?

Thanks
 

meldmn

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Dec 4, 2014
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That card is not a "reference" design card - don't know of any full cover water blocks for it. If you really want to go with a full cover block return the card and get one with full cover blocks available from EK or Swiftech, etc. Check their sites first - then pick your card based on what's available. Good Luck
 

sessionzer01

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Dec 22, 2014
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That card is not a "reference" design card - don't know of any full cover water blocks for it. If you really want to go with a full cover block return the card and get one with full cover blocks available from EK or Swiftech, etc. Check their sites first - then pick your card based on what's available. Good Luck

Thanks for the prompt response. However I got a really good deal on the video card I have and really prefer it due to its price/quality ratio.
Would you recommend a Universal Block rather than a full cover? Will I have to worry about my vrm if I do so?
 
It's essential to cool the VRMs on cards like this, passive cooling just isn't enough.
Send off a few E-mails to places like frozengpu, they'll have (hopefully) a better handle on what is currently available/compatible with your particular card and build.
Also you could look into the add on VRM coolers like the NZXT Kraken G10 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835146036 or you could use a number of stick on ramsinks plus a super quiet 120 m.m. fan if you can't find a full coverage waterblock.
If you haven't done so already, try the card as it is, that cooler has received some impressive reviews with respect to its noise-or lack thereof.
 

sessionzer01

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FrozenCPU gave me the idea of the universal cooler. I was planning on running everything as-is first to make sure it's all in working order before voiding the warranty.

It's a pain in the neck man, every site, even amd themselves always list 280X, they even list 290 and 290X separately but never do they have the 280, which leads me to assume that they have the same PCB.

I might just leave it as it is, but I have the means to water cool it, sooooo :D
 

meldmn

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meldmn

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It'll work but you'll likely have to buy some stick on heat sinks for the VRM's - easy enough to do I suppose. Just in my opinion the full cover both performs and looks better than a universal and the stick on heat sinks.

I always research full cover water blocks before I update my video card, that way I know for sure a full cover block is available - I've been water cooling for several years with absolutely no problems.
 

sessionzer01

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Dec 22, 2014
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I just called xfx, and they didn't have a 280A in stock to compare to the 280X PCB :\

I'll just buy the Heatkiller Block and if it doesn't match, I'll return it, no biggie.

Thanks guys.
 
Did think about putting my HD 7950 (also XFX DD-Spooky-under water but couldn't find a full cover waterblock either, gave up in the end and dropped an Gelid Icy Vision onto it. Using the original XFX PWM fans (thank God for cable ties!) the load temps dropped 10-15C and the noise became almost nil.
I suggest you do as you plan: Get the system running and stable, then add the GPU into the WC loop later, it'll give you more time to weigh up the options and with a good case (I'll assume you're not going to go cheap ;) ) adding the GPU into the loop shouldn't be too much of a problem.
And you'll have a little time to pay off some of the Christmas credit card debt.
Before adding more. ;)
 

toms0033

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The issue is, every graphics card model is different, and if the card is not of reference design, the manufacturer will put their own "new/improved" twist on the card's layout. Where am I going with this? Well, even if you're able to find a water block for a R9-280 it will likely not work with your card (unless specifically stated by the water block manufacturer.)

I just performed a search using the EK cooling configuration, and came up empty. (the universal options aren't even listed)
Perhaps try http://www.coolingconfigurator.com/newhardware
follow the instructions, and if you're lucky, you may be able to use a universal water block with passive heat sinks where needed.
Honestly though, unless you were able to get that particular card card for free (or really close to it), it's probably not worth the extra effort of sourcing a liquid cooling solution.
I say that only because right now you can pick up a R9 285 that will have full coverage block options for less than $200 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161466

- other models to pick from below -

VGA FullCover Club3D Club 3D Radeon R9 285 royalQueen 2GB GDDR5 (CGAX-R92856) visual
VGA FullCover HIS HIS Radeon R9 285 IceQ X² OC 2GB GDDR5 (H285QMB2GD) visual
VGA FullCover HIS HIS Radeon R9 285 Mini IceQ X² OC 2GB GDDR5 (H285QMC2GD) visual
VGA FullCover PowerColor PowerColor Radeon R9 285 TurboDuo OC 2GB GDDR5 (AXR9 285 2GBD5-TDHE) visual
VGA FullCover VTX3D VTX3D Radeon R9 285 X-Edition 2GB GDDR5 (VXR9 285 2GBD5-DHX) visual


The choice is yours ultimately, but in my humble opinion you're better off getting a different graphics cards if you have your heart set on water cooling.

Best of luck to you.
 

sessionzer01

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Dec 22, 2014
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Did think about putting my HD 7950 (also XFX DD-Spooky-under water but couldn't find a full cover waterblock either, gave up in the end and dropped an Gelid Icy Vision onto it. Using the original XFX PWM fans (thank God for cable ties!) the load temps dropped 10-15C and the noise became almost nil.
I suggest you do as you plan: Get the system running and stable, then add the GPU into the WC loop later, it'll give you more time to weigh up the options and with a good case (I'll assume you're not going to go cheap ;) ) adding the GPU into the loop shouldn't be too much of a problem.
And you'll have a little time to pay off some of the Christmas credit card debt.
Before adding more. ;)

I wanted to build a PC for a few years now and not wanting to screw anything up I decided to spend up to $200 bucks each paycheck on a part or two and then while I wait for the next paycheck, I do my research on what the best part would be next. That's why money really isn't an issue in a small picture scenario, but big picture... I think I already broke a grand. It's just awesome because I don't feel like I spent that much at all.

Anyway, I have heard nothing but good things about the silence of this card so I'm gonna give that a go. But I found some pictures online of the separate PCBs:

280:
xfx280-12b.jpg

280X:
xfx-r9-280x-scan-front.jpg


And they look very similar...

If I have any overheating problems when I OC then I'll probably risk it and get the waterblock, or keep calling xfx until they have the two in stock.
 
Well, despite the advanced effects of alcohol (oh come on, it's nearly Christmas and I'm on holiday :) ) those two look identical.
Those images look like they come off another tech site, who, helpfully, also provide a image of the back of the card, maybe you could try comparing the REAR of the cards rather than the top? Newegg provide rear images of the XFX cards in their inventory BTW...Just an idea.
 

sessionzer01

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Dec 22, 2014
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My good friend, those effects are as ancient as the drink itself.
So yeah I'm pretty confident now that they are the same pcb, with maybe slight different components, but with the same physical size. I noticed that the backs were identical from newegg initially, but took me a while to find the two fronts posted anywhere.

Anyway enjoy the holiday and thanks for the help