GPU Waterblock for Asus Matrix 7970

ASUS cards typically do not follow reference PCB in all cases. It really depends, so you might want to check out http://www.coolingconfigurator.com/ and check your card model.

A card like that definitely wouldn't follow a reference design PCB, pretty sure of that.

These images seem to support that as well.


ASUS HD7970 Matrix PCB.

Lot more VRM's than the reference as well as literally being larger.

Not saying there isnt a block that will work, but I dont think it will be reference design if there is one.

If I get one of those universal gpu water blocks, would I still need to run a fan over the PCB?

You would need heatsinks for the memory and probably the VRM's, so you would definitely need decent case airflow to keep that cool.

Absolutely correct. There is a section in the watercooling sticky that specifically covers universal GPU blocks and additional considerations.