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Started by Chris-toe-pher | | 16 answers
water cooling r9 290s
Hi everyone just after a bit of advice. I'm looking to water cool my dual r9 290 reference cards but it's new territory for me. Could anyone please suggest a kit or list of parts available in the UK to build a loop for the two cards for under £300? Any help is much appreciated :) 
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October 17, 2014 7:11:30 AM

170 watts for CPU
275 - 300 watts per GPU
20 watts Pump

Total ~ 740 - 790 watts @ 10C target x 60% ~ 445 - 475 watts

Download the appropriate Rad Size Estimator here (XSPC):

http://www.overclock.net/t/1457426/radiator-size-estima...

It says (1250 rpm is audible, 1400 quite noticeable and 1800 is loud:

RX 480 provides 241 watts with single fan and 292 with push/pull @ 1250 rpm
RX 480 provides 268 watts with single fan and 324 with push/pull @ 1400 rpm
RX 480 provides 337 watts with single fan and 408 with push/pull @ 1800 rpm

So even at loud fan rpms, you a bit short of the 445 - 475 you'd want for 10C. Your Delta T would be about 16C with the RX480 @ 1250 rpm
October 16, 2014 10:07:07 PM

I have decided against my initial budget and I'm now looking at this kit with a few decent blocks for the two cards.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC...
Would I benefit from an extra rad considering it would be two r9 290s and an i7 2600k in the loop? I would like room for moderate overclocking on all 3 without seeing temps run too high.if I were to add a 3rd or 4th card would I be able to run it all in the same loop with a 2nd/3rd rad?
October 16, 2014 2:55:57 PM

Thanks I will use that setup and do it one card at a time

Best solution chosen by Chris-toe-pher

October 16, 2014 2:17:27 PM

GPU Blocks 2 x £79.99
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC...

GPU Backplate 2 x £29.99
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC...

Pump / Res Combo 1 x £29.99
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC...

Radiator 1 x £69.98 (The 420 provides slightly more cooling)
420mm - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC...
480mm - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC...

Fans 6 x 140mm Phanteks 6 x £12.95
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG...

Fan Controller Phanteks 1 x £12.95
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA...


Keep in mind that each 290 puts out 275 - 300 watts overclocked under fill load...so for 600 watts you want 60% or 360 watts of cooling to hit 10C delta T

That 420mm rad provides about:

246 watts @ 1250 rpm, 297 in push / pull
271 watts @ 1400 rpm, 328 in push / pull
329 watts @ 1800 rpm, 399 in push / pull

To keep things quiet, I'd do with the 1200rpm fans ... delta T should be about 12C

To add the CPU

EK Supremacy Evo 1 x £12.95
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC...

Radiator 1 x £49.98
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC...

Fans 4 x 140mm Phanteks 4 x £12.95
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG...

Then you'll need tubing and fittings .... 2 barbed fittings and clamps for each component plus fill and drain ports.

If getting a new case, the Enthoo Primo will hold a 45mm-420 on top and 60mm-280 on bottom easily....tjhose rads are only 30mm
October 16, 2014 2:16:36 PM

I could just add the top card to the loop until I have the money for a second block which would keep the price around the 300 mark. I am getting rid of my haf x case and making a custom build so I have as much room for rads as is needed.
October 16, 2014 1:56:13 PM

Chris-toe-pher said:
I don't know much about water cooling so these questions may seem stupid but bear with me. What if I were to buy a kit similar to this one and add two ek blocks? Would it be sufficient?
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/alphacool-nexxxos-cool-a...


It would break ya budget. The 290s are $292 w/ backplates + shipping here....Thatz 181 pounds before VAT and UK price premium. The Swiftech pre-assembled kit is a lot cheaper but doesn't seem to be on sale as yet over by you.

Can you fit a 480mm radiator ?

That kit's major cost item is a CPU block which you don't need.
October 15, 2014 10:22:36 PM

Yes it does.

But it depends on the brand he got the GPUs from.

If the screws in the back have a sticker on one of the screws? It'd void the warranty and there'd be no avoiding that.

But if there isn't? You can just remove the cooler and put the reference cooler back on and you can still RMA it no problem.
October 15, 2014 10:20:26 PM

ZeusGamer said:
sla70r said:
May I ask why you wish to go this route ?


Reference 290s are really hot no matter what you do. They go up to 95c no problems.

Watercooling those two would actually benefit him. I think that's why he wants to do it.


Does it void any warranty ?
October 15, 2014 10:18:05 PM

sla70r said:
May I ask why you wish to go this route ?


Reference 290s are really hot no matter what you do. They go up to 95c no problems.

Watercooling those two would actually benefit him. I think that's why he wants to do it.

See all answers