Water Cooling for Zotac 980 AMP Omega Edition

kumarvimal · Mar 3, 2015

When the GPU is at 80% load, temperature cranks upto 80C. I would like to prolong the life of the card as I usually play a lot of games and these temperatures though approved by NVIDIA is not healthy for a graphics card.
I have heard that corsair makes AIO kits with prefilled liquid for CPU.
How to get a watercooling kit for this gpu?

Cristi72 · Mar 3, 2015

Hello,

Corsair indeed have such GPU kits, but they are compatible with older GPUs such GTX780, Titan (it should work with the reference GTX980 cards too):
http://www.corsair.com/en/hydro-series-hg10-n780-gpu-liquid-cooling-bracket (you must add a Corsair watercooler).

Or you can use a NZXT product, GTX980 certified (and also allows even more watercooling solutions):
http://www.nzxt.com/product/detail/138-kraken-g10-gpu-bracket.html

kumarvimal · Mar 3, 2015

Cristi72 :

Yeah these water cooler attachments are really good but will it be compatible with my non reference card. Its GTX 980 amp omega edition? I feel the board size to be the same, though MOSFETs and VRM may be placed differently.

Cristi72 · Mar 3, 2015

kumarvimal :

Unfortunately you are right, 980 AMP has a peculiar layout which prevents using any of the kits above without modifications...

What case do you have? Try to improve the airflow by adding fans or changing the air direction.

kumarvimal · Mar 3, 2015

Cristi72 :

I have a zebronics reaper cabinet and its got 5 fans installed into it 3 120 mm fans and 2 80 mm fans but the temperatures cross 75C on gpu sometimes (80% load) while gaming and 65-70C on cpu (at 40% load).

That's why I was planning for a watercooling solution. Are you sure there is no way to cool down this 980 amp omega edition card and will have to stick with the stock heatsink and cooler?

Shall I buy the NZXT kraken and try to fit it on the gpu (the gpu booard size is same as reference) ?
In my opinion it should fit in well because the only thing of concern is the board size?
What do you recommend?

Cristi72 · Mar 3, 2015

kumarvimal :

Where are the fans mounted? You should have two fans mounted onto the side panel as intake (one will blow onto the GPU, the other - onto the CPU), two front fans, also as intake (cooling the HDDs), and you will have the back fan and the PSU's fan as exhaust.

The main problem with your GTX980 board is not the size or the positioning of the graphics chip, but the board's layout, specifically the power circuitry situated above the graphics chip, which have its own heatsink and will not be cooled down by the NZXT bracket (not to mention that you must modify the bracket to fit the card, meaning to cut the upper part of the bracket to make place for the heatsink).

kumarvimal · Mar 4, 2015

Cristi72 :

kumarvimal :

Where are the fans mounted? You should have two fans mounted onto the side panel as intake (one will blow onto the GPU, the other - onto the CPU), two front fans, also as intake (cooling the HDDs), and you will have the back fan and the PSU's fan as exhaust.

The main problem with your GTX980 board is not the size or the positioning of the graphics chip, but the board's layout, specifically the power circuitry situated above the graphics chip, which have its own heatsink and will not be cooled down by the NZXT bracket (not to mention that you must modify the bracket to fit the card, meaning to cut the upper part of the bracket to make place for the heatsink).

Intake ------2 side fans(120mm and 80 mm) ,one front fan (120 mm)

exhaust---------one top fan(80mm), one rear fan(120 mm) and top mounted PSU also does exhausting

So if I cannot install kraken or corsair's bracket for my card what other option do I have. I am feeling very helpless. Please help.

Cristi72 · Mar 4, 2015

kumarvimal :

If you are not willing to change the case (which is not a good choice for such high-end configuration):

- change the 80-mm side fan with a more powerful one (these are thicker fans, 38 mm, so make sure there is enough space between the fan and the GPU):
http://www.evercool.com.tw/categories/global/fan/dcfan/ec-8038/ec8038.html (the model: EC8038M12X)
http://www.vantecusa.com/gl/product/view_detail/115 (TD8038H) (but it will sound, well, like a tornado...);

- or, if you don't mind drilling/cutting, change the side 80-mm fan with a more powerful 120-mm one, or add another 80-mm fan next to the existing one, or add an 120-mm fan (or two fans, if there is enough space) at the bottom of the case.

Of course, if you live in an area with high ambient temperature (25C - 30C), you could go for a custom waterloop, but the case must also be changed, and the budget will easily go over 500$ US.

kumarvimal · Mar 4, 2015

Cristi72 :

kumarvimal :

If you are not willing to change the case (which is not a good choice for such high-end configuration):

- change the 80-mm side fan with a more powerful one (these are thicker fans, 38 mm, so make sure there is enough space between the fan and the GPU):
http://www.evercool.com.tw/categories/global/fan/dcfan/ec-8038/ec8038.html (the model: EC8038M12X)
http://www.vantecusa.com/gl/product/view_detail/115 (TD8038H) (but it will sound, well, like a tornado...);

- or, if you don't mind drilling/cutting, change the side 80-mm fan with a more powerful 120-mm one, or add another 80-mm fan next to the existing one, or add an 120-mm fan (or two fans, if there is enough space) at the bottom of the case.

Of course, if you live in an area with high ambient temperature (25C - 30C), you could go for a custom waterloop, but the case must also be changed, and the budget will easily go over 500$ US.

Already my 80mm fan is touching the graphics card. I will drill holes where a thicker 80mm fan can fit easily and also will look to place a 80/120 mm fan at bottom. Do you think it will bring the temperatures down? I live in 30C ambient room. BTW I am ready for a new cabinet and watercooling setup. But the problem still remains the same. There is no bracket available for this custom card? How to do it even if I custom make a loop?

Cristi72 · Mar 4, 2015

kumarvimal :

Cristi72 :

Already my 80mm fan is touching the graphics card. I will drill holes where a thicker 80mm fan can fit easily and also will look to place a 80/120 mm fan at bottom. Do you think it will bring the temperatures down? I live in 30C ambient room. BTW I am ready for a new cabinet and watercooling setup. But the problem still remains the same. There is no bracket available for this custom card? How to do it even if I custom make a loop?

The ambient temperature is indeed very high. Try to use a floor fan directing air towards the PC (front + side); if the GPU temps will drop significantly (from 80C to 70C in the same load conditions), then some additional fans and a bigger case will solve the problem. If the temps will remain roughly the same, your system needs unfortunately more advanced cooling solutions.

Where are you from? Please list your preferred PC shops, to find a good case to begin with.

kumarvimal · Mar 5, 2015

Cristi72 :

kumarvimal :

Cristi72 :

Already my 80mm fan is touching the graphics card. I will drill holes where a thicker 80mm fan can fit easily and also will look to place a 80/120 mm fan at bottom. Do you think it will bring the temperatures down? I live in 30C ambient room. BTW I am ready for a new cabinet and watercooling setup. But the problem still remains the same. There is no bracket available for this custom card? How to do it even if I custom make a loop?

The ambient temperature is indeed very high. Try to use a floor fan directing air towards the PC (front + side); if the GPU temps will drop significantly (from 80C to 70C in the same load conditions), then some additional fans and a bigger case will solve the problem. If the temps will remain roughly the same, your system needs unfortunately more advanced cooling solutions.

Where are you from? Please list your preferred PC shops, to find a good case to begin with.

I am from India and ususally shop from flipkart.com, snapdeal.com or amazon.in .

Cristi72 · Mar 5, 2015

kumarvimal :

I would go for this:
http://www.snapdeal.com/product/corsair-obsidian-series-550d-black/213629170#bcrumbLabelId:56

Or, if the side panel must be transparent:
http://www.snapdeal.com/product/corsair-obsidian-750d-black-atx/2039675395#bcrumbLabelId:56

Other good cases:

http://www.snapdeal.com/product/cooler-master-haf-912-combat/541751#bcrumbLabelId:56 (limited selection of watercooling options)
http://www.snapdeal.com/product/corsair-carbide-400r-cpu-cabinet/217439#bcrumbLabelId:56
http://www.amazon.in/Corsair-CC-9011012-WW-Carbide-Steel-Mid-Tower/dp/B005E983JW/ref=sr_1_31?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1425600858&sr=1-31&keywords=computer+cabinet
http://www.snapdeal.com/product/cooler-master-stryker-cpu-cabinet/541754#bcrumbLabelId:56

kumarvimal · Mar 6, 2015

Cristi72 :

kumarvimal :

I would go for this:
http://www.snapdeal.com/product/corsair-obsidian-series-550d-black/213629170#bcrumbLabelId:56

Or, if the side panel must be transparent:
http://www.snapdeal.com/product/corsair-obsidian-750d-black-atx/2039675395#bcrumbLabelId:56

Other good cases:

http://www.snapdeal.com/product/cooler-master-haf-912-combat/541751#bcrumbLabelId:56 (limited selection of watercooling options)
http://www.snapdeal.com/product/corsair-carbide-400r-cpu-cabinet/217439#bcrumbLabelId:56
http://www.amazon.in/Corsair-CC-9011012-WW-Carbide-Steel-Mid-Tower/dp/B005E983JW/ref=sr_1_31?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1425600858&sr=1-31&keywords=computer+cabinet
http://www.snapdeal.com/product/cooler-master-stryker-cpu-cabinet/541754#bcrumbLabelId:56

But Christi we cannot fit a watercooling setup for GPU if there is no mounting bracket available for watercooling the GPU. What will be the benefit of buying a new cabinet in my case?

Cristi72 · Mar 6, 2015

kumarvimal :

Much better cooling for your GPU: the cases are wider, more spacious and more fan configurations allowed, allowing the card to "breathe" (not to mention they can accomodate a wide variety of watercooling options).

Also, while the Corsair/NZXT brackets will not fit in their standard configuration, a bigger case will allow you eventually to make a custom cooling solution for the VRMs and the memory chips (think of an airduct from the front/bottom fans to the card). The graphics chip can be watercooled easily, the challenge is to provide good airflow to the chip's surroundings.

kumarvimal · Mar 7, 2015

Cristi72 :

Even for a custom watercooling loop we require a bracket for GPU? Don't we? Do you mean to say that the VRM and memory chips will be cooled directly from air within the cabinet and only for the core we will have a block over it?

Cristi72 · Mar 7, 2015

kumarvimal :

Not directly using the air inside the case, but using an airduct (which you must manufacture by yourself): taking air from the bottom or from the lower front fan, you will have a continuous stream of cool air over the VRM and the memory chips (of course, you'll have to beef up the cooling for the VRM by changing the heatsinks, and you must add heatsinks for the GRAM chips).

My suggestion is to start by changing the case: your actual cabinet is not suited for any serious watercooling setup (serious meaning at least an 140-mm radiator), much less a custom water loop (which will necessitate space for at least an 240- or 280-mm radiator, a pump, the tubing and the liquid reservoir).

Your GPU has a very capable cooling system, so by changing the case you will have much better temperatures using only the ZOTAC original cooler and some additional fans (so no warranty problems or risking the system's integrity if the liquid escapes the loop; also, much cheaper).

Until then, try this: unmount the 80-mm side fan and modify the side panel to accomodate a pair of these:
http://www.flipkart.com/cooler-master-xtraflo/p/itmd5xzpqyggkuff?pid=COLD5XZPBVPRGERZ&srno=b_11&ref=287ccb17-06d4-4a8c-8572-93e5fa3d4f18

Try to mount the fans below the GPU (I am assuming your box is this: http://zebronics.com/products/cabinet-gaming/reaper):

kumarvimal · Mar 8, 2015

Cristi72 :

Warranty for the graphics card is a primary concern for me at this stage. Zotac offers a 5 year warranty for this card and its hardly been a month since I purchased the card. I will try to mod the case and get some more fans on the cabinet. But there is not enough space for 120mm fans completely below the graphics card.
1.A part of them will lie on and above as well.
2.can fit 80 mm fans completely below the GPU.

Which of the above 2 I should go for and what should be the configuration(intake/exhaust)? The configuration for other fans are given in the previous replies to the thread.
BTW how to manufacture an airduct?
Should I buy a corsair liquid cooler for CPU for bringing CPU temps down. I was thinking of replacing my rear 120mm fan with the rad+fan setup?

Cristi72 · Mar 8, 2015

kumarvimal :

Yeah, any modifications of the card alters the warranty...

All side fans will be set as intake, of course. If you cannot find the 80-mm fans I listed a few posts ago (Enermax, Vantec), try to find some Noctua fans (NF-A8: http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=productview&products_id=100&lng=en). If not, at least try to fit a pair of 92-mm fans:
http://www.flipkart.com/deepcool-uf92-cooler/p/itmdhe5zdyghqfub?pid=COLDHE5NQK2KFKJW&srno=b_2&ref=ff0d17c1-77bb-456f-9940-efc42fdabd8d

An airduct is like a funnel: you'll have the fan/fans at the bigger side, and the other side will evacuate the air right upon the area/areas of interest (you can cool several areas at once by splitting the airstream). You can make an airduct from pretty much anything, but it's best to use some plastic/PVC/acrylic sheets. You don't need an airduct unless changing the GPU original cooler;.

It is indeed easier to begin the watercooling with the CPU, you would not need to modify anything (well, you may need to take the motherboard out for mounting the CPU backplate). What CPU do you have? For Intel: CM Seidon 120V, Corsair H60 and up. For AMD: CM Seidon 120XL, Nepton 120XL, Corsair H80 and up.

You can also use an air cooler (cheaper and quieter at full speed than most AIO coolers):
http://www.coolermaster.com/cooling/cpu-air-cooler/geminii-sf524/, or

http://www.coolermaster.com/cooling/cpu-air-cooler/Hyper-612-ver2/, but for using this one you will need to remove the 120-mm side fan.

kumarvimal · Mar 8, 2015

Cristi72 :

kumarvimal :

Yeah, any modifications of the card alters the warranty...

All side fans will be set as intake, of course. If you cannot find the 80-mm fans I listed a few posts ago (Enermax, Vantec), try to find some Noctua fans (NF-A8: http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=productview&products_id=100&lng=en). If not, at least try to fit a pair of 92-mm fans:
http://www.flipkart.com/deepcool-uf92-cooler/p/itmdhe5zdyghqfub?pid=COLDHE5NQK2KFKJW&srno=b_2&ref=ff0d17c1-77bb-456f-9940-efc42fdabd8d

An airduct is like a funnel: you'll have the fan/fans at the bigger side, and the other side will evacuate the air right upon the area/areas of interest (you can cool several areas at once by splitting the airstream). You can make an airduct from pretty much anything, but it's best to use some plastic/PVC/acrylic sheets. You don't need an airduct unless changing the GPU original cooler;.

It is indeed easier to begin the watercooling with the CPU, you would not need to modify anything (well, you may need to take the motherboard out for mounting the CPU backplate). What CPU do you have? For Intel: CM Seidon 120V, Corsair H60 and up. For AMD: CM Seidon 120XL, Nepton 120XL, Corsair H80 and up.

You can also use an air cooler (cheaper and quieter at full speed than most AIO coolers):
http://www.coolermaster.com/cooling/cpu-air-cooler/geminii-sf524/, or

http://www.coolermaster.com/cooling/cpu-air-cooler/Hyper-612-ver2/, but for using this one you will need to remove the 120-mm side fan.

CPU is i7 2600K. But these air coolers bring heavy load temps to 60C whereas the AIO bring it down to 45C. Whats your take?

Cristi72 · Mar 8, 2015

kumarvimal :

Given the high ambient temperatures and crammed case, you will be lucky if an 120-mm AIO will reduce the full load CPU temps to 55-60 C. Pretty much all tests are done in an open environment on a test bench (so plenty of air) and at 20 C constant ambient temperature. Be aware that a new trend is to indicate the temperature above the ambient (delta), so in many cases reading a 30C temperature from the graph actually translates in 30 + 20 = 50 C real temperature (why 20C? because this is the room temperature the human body is most comfortable with, and in most situations the PC is next to the user). Also, between the best air coolers and the best AIOs (even the 280-mm ones) the differences are only 3-8 degrees in AIO favor, not 15:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/nepton-280l-tundra-td02-water3.0-pro-reserator3-max,3607-11.html

I (wrongly) assumed that, having a GTX980, you also have a newer generation CPU (Haswell or at least an Ivy Bridge), for which such high temps are the norm. An i7-2600K reaching 70C at only 40% usage is pretty high, so a new CPU cooler is a must. Go for the CoolerMaster Nepton 120XL.

kumarvimal · Mar 8, 2015

Cristi72 :

This model is not available at any site in my country. (amazon.in,snapdeal.com,flipkart.com) Can you suggest any other one for my situation. And will a 120mm AIO be sufficient for cooling the CPU down to 40-50C range or shall I first buy a better cabinet and make the AIO cooler upgrade later?
Frankly speaking I cannot afford both the cabinet upgrade and the AIO cooler upgrade and in my opinion AIO upgrade looks more relevant to me.

Cristi72 · Mar 8, 2015

kumarvimal :

You can use a Corsair H80i:
http://www.amazon.in/Corsair-Hydro-Performance-Liquid-Cooler/dp/B009ZN03AA/ref=sr_1_13?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1425839744&sr=1-13&keywords=cooler

Or go for a CM Seidon 120V and add a second fan:
http://www.flipkart.com/cooler-master-seidon-120-v-plus/p/itmeytwbswftrcbg?pid=COLEYTVFQFYRNHTZ&srno=b_13&ref=57aab8b8-0082-4d24-8110-c7fa3a815fd1

http://www.flipkart.com/cooler-master-jetflo-blue-120-mm/p/itmdmzx4hvmfmyxa?pid=COLDMZX2XZRMKCHN&srno=b_15&ref=34a0c824-6346-4f02-abfd-dd12ba08141b

As I was saying, you will see min. 55 C at full load, and 37-40 C at idle (with fans at 100% speed). You cannot do wonders with such small radiator, little airflow and high ambient temperatures.

By changing the case, the temperature drop should be around 5 C for both CPU and GPU.

kumarvimal · Mar 8, 2015

Cristi72 :

I will buy one of these 2 AIOs and mod the case with a pair of fans below the graphics card.Will report back the temps on this thread once I am done with everything. (Might take a week or a month).
I will buy a full tower cabinet (ones from your list) at start of fall when I graduate from college.
Anyways thanks for all the help Cristi72 and the time you spent on this thread. The information you shared might help future readers as well who purchase a custom after market graphics card in warm countries like India and suffer a similar plight as me.

Retrorecall · Jan 6, 2016

kumarvimal :

Cristi72 :

I will buy one of these 2 AIOs and mod the case with a pair of fans below the graphics card.Will report back the temps on this thread once I am done with everything. (Might take a week or a month).
I will buy a full tower cabinet (ones from your list) at start of fall when I graduate from college.
Anyways thanks for all the help Cristi72 and the time you spent on this thread. The information you shared might help future readers as well who purchase a custom after market graphics card in warm countries like India and suffer a similar plight as me.

Hi I was wondering if you ended up modifying the GPU with water cooling? I recently purchased the same card for a new build and plan on doing the same in the future, I'm curious as to which solution worked for you.

kumarvimal · Mar 13, 2016

Retrorecall :

kumarvimal :

Hi I was wondering if you ended up modifying the GPU with water cooling? I recently purchased the same card for a new build and plan on doing the same in the future, I'm curious as to which solution worked for you.

No, I was feeling skeptical that I would void the warranty that zotac offers on the card (5 years) and hence didn't mod the card. But feeling pretty much sure that kraken g10 and corsair's bracket would be compatible with the card as the die of the reference 980 is not modified on this card.

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