GPU cooling options needed. Water or other?

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ModKiller

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I tried to figure this out using the stickies but some of that stuff is way over my head. I understand a lot of it, but I want to know my options.

I have 2x Asus gtx670-dc2-4gd5 sli running stock (170tdp, ambient temp between 68F and 71F). During rendering they can reach over 80F and I limit some games display or it will really get up there.

I am looking for alternate ways to cool my GPUs, options that will not only allow me to run games at high res but also allow a slight overclock to speed up rendering times. I am not trying to win any records, just make things a little better.

I have been looking at water cooling, but I am also not sure how much radiator I will need. If I understood what I read then one 420 will do for both cards (Alphacool UT60 Triple 140mm), if I didn't understand then hopefully you will correct me or offer .

Monitoring with EVGA PercisionX16

If you have alternate ways of doing this without the $800 investment please off them.

Thanks for looking.
 
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Motopsychojdn
Check my log, theres places you can mount a fancontroller that ain't on the case manufacturers radar as well as rads, resses and pretty much anything else
and dont mind the nickel block comment too much, Ek had real issues a while back with their nickel plating process, have a google because I know they apparently resolved it, but personally I try not to mix metals and if Ek nickel was my only option I'd make a solution myself hehe
and once youre a little more 'into' wc you can relax a bit because youll know what to expect from rads and pumps so 2nd hand purchases won't be as potentially risky or expensive :)
Moto
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ModKiller

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Thanks for that reply, while it seems like a "neat" thing to do, if I were to water cool them I would feel safest with full cover waterblocks cooling the vmrs and ram as well (to new to watercooling to start looking outside the box).

My question is, is there an option other than water cool and if not what size radiator will i need? My CPU is doing great with a Hyper212evo so only need to concern myself with the GPUs.

If I read the stickies correctly (doubtful) then my cards would need cooling for around 480tdp with a slight overclock. So "if" water is the only way, will a 420 rad 60mm thick with 3x NF-A14 140 3000prm fans pushing do the job? Can I do it with less?

I am just a guy at home doing a few things to occupy himself, nothing that requires a huge investment.
 
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Motopsychojdn

Motopsychojdn

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Its so neat that Gfx card manufacturers copied me hehe, My way cools the vrms etc by retaining the dcII shrouds and as an idea for performance 2 cards and a 4Ghz 975 didnt break 40'c after a couple hours of Crysis3, and the fans on the shroud run at 10% so v.quiet :) a 420 as you set it up would handle the job,just about, pushpull would be better both for cooling and noise, you can afford to slow them down more than if you only have one bank,
I've recently retired my external radbox so could do you a pair of ex360s fully fanned with fittings and some tubing for a decent cost if you're in the uk, offers there and dont worry about thinking outside the box, when you watercool you often have to :)
Plus we'll help you out with any problems, design etc
Moto
 
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ModKiller

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Sorry, I did not notice the heatsinks before. I will take the lack of other responses that water cooling is the only option...
Thanks for your help, I will look at your link again as well as a few other water cooling options for my case size and go from there.

BTW. thanks for the offer but I am in the US.
 
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ModKiller

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Using some of the threads here and a couple of the reviews I have come up with this...

Alphacool Repack Dual Reservoir
Swiftech MCP655-B
2x XSPC 2 x 140mm Radiator Gasket - 3mm
2x Alphacool NexXxoS XT45 Full Copper Dual 140mm Radiator
2x EK GeForce 670 GTX DCII VGA Liquid Cooling Block - Acetal
2x Swiftech 8-Way PWM Cable Splitter - SATA Power

1.. will it do the job?
2.. and most importantly, is it overkill?
3... bitspower or monsoon compression fittings? seems there is a debate between them.
(whispers... is there a way to get this stuff used :) )
 
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Motopsychojdn

Motopsychojdn

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Pump good
resses are resses are resses if you know what I mean :)
Rads good, wouldnt bother with gaskets
not research blocks as I do my own solutions as you know but Ek are a good choice as long as theres no nickel in there
Id go for a fancontroller over the splitter cable, you need control over your fans for best results
and I'm the wrong person to ask about overkill lol safe to say the setup there is sufficient for your needs at the moment
and fittings again are a personal choice if they be shiny to your eyes theyll do hehe
and you can pickup stuff on ebay etc but as a newcomer Id shy away from buying rads or pumps secondhand
Moto
 
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ModKiller

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sadface-- only comes with nickel.


Been using FanExpert2 for fan control. Open to your opinion however I only have 2 bays.


will do..


 
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Motopsychojdn

Motopsychojdn

Illustrious
Jan 26, 2010
11,749
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41,960
Check my log, theres places you can mount a fancontroller that ain't on the case manufacturers radar as well as rads, resses and pretty much anything else
and dont mind the nickel block comment too much, Ek had real issues a while back with their nickel plating process, have a google because I know they apparently resolved it, but personally I try not to mix metals and if Ek nickel was my only option I'd make a solution myself hehe
and once youre a little more 'into' wc you can relax a bit because youll know what to expect from rads and pumps so 2nd hand purchases won't be as potentially risky or expensive :)
Moto
 
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