Water cooling a gtx 280 what's the best way to go?

TheFreak · 30th October 2008, 5:06 PM

I've been looking @ water cooling my gtx 280 for some time now has anyone tried the D-Tek uni-sink solution out? I was thinking this looked pretty good if it was combined with an ek backplate or even just some individual ramsinks. The main reason i liked the look of the D-Tek the block would be reusable once i upgrade the card and it's cheaper initially vs an ek block. The other option i was considering doesn't look as pretty but i was considering just getting sinks for memory/mosfets etc and then just attach a gpu waterblock to the card although it doesn't look pretty main thing is to get the job done really.
Has anyone had any experiences with these and how do the ek/koolance/d-tek blocks that are available compare?
Also has anyone had any experiences using these in an sli environment?

orchidophile · 30th October 2008, 5:17 PM

Hey bud, no experience but in the same boat of looking into details, I have a thread in here discussing the options for gtx260/280 from local suppliers here...

Mine will be a pair of 260gtx but the core and card are the same so will work with the same blocks. I'll be interested to see what happens with the design of the gtx300 series, perhaps they'll be compatible as well.

As to the backplate, seems most regard it as unnecessary, although it's recommended to have a few ramsinks on the back.

Flabbergast will probably be in here to discuss this with ya shortly.

Flabbergast · 30th October 2008, 5:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orchidophile

Flabbergast will probably be in here to discuss this with ya shortly.

How can i resist talking about these sexy GPU's and putting H20 on them

While the EK blocks are expensive, they do a great job. The D-Tek GPU Rev2 Block with the Unisink is a great option also, but you will also want some ramsinks for the top memory modules also.

I am running 3 280GTX's in 2 different machines, one has the EK Ram Top and the others are Swiftech Ramsinks. Both do a great job, and both setups are OC'd a fair bit also without problems.

If you are going to use the Ramsink option for the bottom side of the card, just make sure you have really good airflow around that section as I promise its going to get very, VERY warm!

TheFreak · 30th October 2008, 7:59 PM

Haha thx for the input guys, yeah one of the biggest problems i've been having of late is the backplate on the stock cooler getting warm enough to overheat my north bridge so i'll definately be going for a solution that cools the ram on the back too i'm a bit of a compulsive upgrader like orchidophile lol so the D-tek + FuZion GFX 2 solution looks very tempting - is it possible to use a combination of the D-tek block/front plate with the ek back plate? or not really viable i just figure a larger heatspreader would probably be more tolerant to less air flow than smaller sinks. I do have a bit of concern whether or not my water cooling system can handle it atm it's the stock system thats included with a thermaltake armor lcs so tt p500 pump and the drivebay reservoir + radiator (wishing i spent the extra $200 on a custom kit now). I plan on running the cpu + mobo (block on striker ii formula) and eventually 2x gpu blocks all on water. Do you think it'll be able to handle the cpu/mobo/1x graphics card with my existing setup? or what would you recommend replacing prior?

Ps Top site flabbergast i've been trying for weeks looking for a place to source water cooling gear locally and i swear it's so difficult to find then i saw ur sig

Flabbergast · 30th October 2008, 8:35 PM

TheFreak,

For some other sites, as we all carry different products, while still overlapping a bit:
- http://www.gammods.com.au/store/
- http://www.radiical.com.au/

You are sure to be looked after by the few stores that Aus has to offer.

TheFreak · 31st October 2008, 10:55 AM

Haha thx flabbergast lol are u trying to send me broke :P so much temptation more h20 + case modding looks like fun. Imo though i need the hardware that needs extreme cooling i mean single card doesn't reallly cut it :P hmm do i wait for the next lot of gpu's or go all out now

The Wraith · 31st October 2008, 11:05 AM

I seem to remember the D-TEK GFX block has better flow rate than the EX FC blocks. Read it somewhere on XS I think. Probably cheaper in the long run to use the GFX and Unisink as it can be transferred to your next video card.

30th October 2008, 5:06 PM	#1
TheFreak Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Melbourne Posts: 32	Water cooling a gtx 280 what's the best way to go? I've been looking @ water cooling my gtx 280 for some time now has anyone tried the D-Tek uni-sink solution out? I was thinking this looked pretty good if it was combined with an ek backplate or even just some individual ramsinks. The main reason i liked the look of the D-Tek the block would be reusable once i upgrade the card and it's cheaper initially vs an ek block. The other option i was considering doesn't look as pretty but i was considering just getting sinks for memory/mosfets etc and then just attach a gpu waterblock to the card although it doesn't look pretty main thing is to get the job done really. Has anyone had any experiences with these and how do the ek/koolance/d-tek blocks that are available compare? Also has anyone had any experiences using these in an sli environment?

30th October 2008, 5:17 PM	#2
orchidophile Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Under melaleuca unciata Posts: 622	Hey bud, no experience but in the same boat of looking into details, I have a thread in here discussing the options for gtx260/280 from local suppliers here... Mine will be a pair of 260gtx but the core and card are the same so will work with the same blocks. I'll be interested to see what happens with the design of the gtx300 series, perhaps they'll be compatible as well. As to the backplate, seems most regard it as unnecessary, although it's recommended to have a few ramsinks on the back. Flabbergast will probably be in here to discuss this with ya shortly. __________________ HAF-932----DFI Lanparty DK-X58-T3EH6 Core i7 920----Stock cooled (for now...)----6gb (3x2gb) Corsair Platinum XMS3 1333 9-9-9-24----Galaxy Gtx260 216sp x 2 in SLI---Gigabyte Odin GT 800w----2x Samsung 640gb 16mb Sata----Benq v2400w 24" LCD----Logitech x-530 5.1 Surround----Logitech LX310 Desktop---- Betcha can't guess what my avatar is.

31st October 2008, 11:05 AM	#7
The Wraith Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 418	I seem to remember the D-TEK GFX block has better flow rate than the EX FC blocks. Read it somewhere on XS I think. Probably cheaper in the long run to use the GFX and Unisink as it can be transferred to your next video card. __________________ "On whom shall we feed"

30th October 2008, 7:59 PM	#4
TheFreak Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Melbourne Posts: 32	Haha thx for the input guys, yeah one of the biggest problems i've been having of late is the backplate on the stock cooler getting warm enough to overheat my north bridge so i'll definately be going for a solution that cools the ram on the back too i'm a bit of a compulsive upgrader like orchidophile lol so the D-tek + FuZion GFX 2 solution looks very tempting - is it possible to use a combination of the D-tek block/front plate with the ek back plate? or not really viable i just figure a larger heatspreader would probably be more tolerant to less air flow than smaller sinks. I do have a bit of concern whether or not my water cooling system can handle it atm it's the stock system thats included with a thermaltake armor lcs so tt p500 pump and the drivebay reservoir + radiator (wishing i spent the extra $200 on a custom kit now). I plan on running the cpu + mobo (block on striker ii formula) and eventually 2x gpu blocks all on water. Do you think it'll be able to handle the cpu/mobo/1x graphics card with my existing setup? or what would you recommend replacing prior? Ps Top site flabbergast i've been trying for weeks looking for a place to source water cooling gear locally and i swear it's so difficult to find then i saw ur sig

30th October 2008, 8:35 PM	#5
Flabbergast (Banned or Deleted) Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mt Barker, SA Posts: 731	TheFreak, For some other sites, as we all carry different products, while still overlapping a bit: - http://www.gammods.com.au/store/ - http://www.radiical.com.au/ You are sure to be looked after by the few stores that Aus has to offer.

31st October 2008, 10:55 AM	#6
TheFreak Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Melbourne Posts: 32	Haha thx flabbergast lol are u trying to send me broke :P so much temptation more h20 + case modding looks like fun. Imo though i need the hardware that needs extreme cooling i mean single card doesn't reallly cut it :P hmm do i wait for the next lot of gpu's or go all out now