TECing an 8800?

[lloydsmart]

Hey. I've got a couple of questions relating to TECs and Watercooling.

First of all, which is better for cooling an 8800 Ultra/GTX - one of those all-over waterblocks like this from Dangerden (http://www.dangerden.com/store/product.php?productid=257&cat=18&page=1)

http://www.dangerden.com/store/files/images/blocks/8800gtx/8800gtx_blocktop_1_600w.jpg

Or the ones that cool the GPU directly, and have seperate blocks for the RAM, VREG, etc., like this from D-Tek:

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/sharka-computers_1953_6632220

Okay, that's the first question. Remember, I'm not asking for a specific comparison of these two particular products, necessarily, but rather an idea as to which method of cooling is better - one big block or lots of little ones.

Right, the second question only really needs to be asked if the answer to the first one is that the all-over blocks are better. Basically, I'm interested in putting a TEC on the GPU of an 8800, then watercooling it. Is it possible to fit a TEC in underneath one of these all-over blocks? Or would I have to get something like this from Swiftech: (http://www.swiftnets.com/products/mcw60-T.asp)

http://www.swiftnets.com/assets/images/products/MCW60-T/mcw60-t.gif

And go with the second method? Any help appreciated.

[Holst]

I think that blocks for GPU only are better as long as you have good heatsinks and airflow for the ram.

As far as I know a full cover block cannot be used with TEC.

The only TEC GPU blocks avalable are the swiftech ones, im not sure what wattage TEC they use.

Please read the stickys a bit as TEC is no as simple as it seems.

[bball4ever39]

Ya blocks that are just gpu only perform better than full cover blocks, well they cool the gpu better, but ramsinks and air won't cool your ram quite as much.

And if you did try and fit a TEC on a full cover wb it would take a lot of custom work on the block, because the surface of the block is set up to where it makes contact with all the components. If you stick a TEC under the block it will life the whole thing up and not allow contact to be made between the block and the ram.

[hecktic]

the mcw60t will not mount properly on the 8800s.

The block can be used with the 8800s if you cut the neoprene off and then install the G80 adapter kit and then remount and affix some new neoprene on. But swiftech themselves have not even tried this though they recommended it when I asked them about the TEC GPU blocks a couple months back.

Just call swiftech and they will be happy to tell you how to get the block working.

There are some pre built 8800s with TEC w/ heatpipe and fans ready to go out of the box out there... I forgot the brand name but I do remember it was an out of the box overclocked card stable and ready to go.

Just look up the brand behind vigor gaming and it will lead you to them in a google search.

EDIT: I am actually tempted to try this the more I read about the huge pressure drop in the Dtek Fuzion gfx.

[lloydsmart]

Thanks guys, big help. Shame about the Swifty not fitting the 8800s. I found this (http://www.mvktech.net/content/view/3552/39/1/1/), which might be the TEC/heatpipe solution hecktic mentioned, but I want to integrate this into a water cooling loop, not have fans.

I guess I could always mod the MCW60, as hecktic suggested.

[hecktic]

Thanks guys, big help. Shame about the Swifty not fitting the 8800s. I found this (http://www.mvktech.net/content/view/3552/39/1/1/), which might be the TEC/heatpipe solution hecktic mentioned, but I want to integrate this into a water cooling loop, not have fans.

I guess I could always mod the MCW60, as hecktic suggested.

Yep! thats the one I was talking about... It actually isnt that bad but I dont think its a powerful TEC like the MCW60Ts.

[lloydsmart]

Right, looks like it's the MCW60T for me, then. Anyone know of any waterblocks for VRAM/VREG on 8800? I found this (http://www.zalman.co.kr/eng/product/view.asp?idx=230&code=021) from Zalman, but it says it's only for 7800/7900 and 1800/1900. I've read that just sticking ramsinks on an 8800 isn't enough to get good performance, unless you've got some serious case fans blowing directly onto them, which I'd rather not have.

http://www.zalman.co.kr/upload/product/zm_rwb1_s_p.jpg

(Sorry if I should be posting this in the water cooling section, but I didn't want to start a whole new thread just for this little block.)

[hecktic]

Right, looks like it's the MCW60T for me, then. Anyone know of any waterblocks for VRAM/VREG on 8800? I found this (http://www.zalman.co.kr/eng/product/view.asp?idx=230&code=021) from Zalman, but it says it's only for 7800/7900 and 1800/1900. I've read that just sticking ramsinks on an 8800 isn't enough to get good performance, unless you've got some serious case fans blowing directly onto them, which I'd rather not have.

http://www.zalman.co.kr/upload/product/zm_rwb1_s_p.jpg

(Sorry if I should be posting this in the water cooling section, but I didn't want to start a whole new thread just for this little block.)

dont go with the MC14s because frankly they suck, the more improved version of the same is the BMR-C1s by Enzotech. They work well with the stock 3M TIM but do add a dab of AC/AS5 in the middle of the ramsink.

[AliG]

Don't forget to be sure whatever tec you are buying, it is more powerful than 8800gtx (power capacity wise). If there's something I can mention, if you decide to go tec, there's definitely going to be an increase to your power bill too

There's a lot of hidden costs and stuff like to tec, I agree with holst that before you do anything, read ALL the stickies on it. There's tons of useful information that you just can't pass up in them

As for my choice of block, I like this combo block by dtek (no it's not one full cover block, it's actually two)
http://www.petrastechshop.com/dgfxcof88gt.html
The only problem is I don't know if it's big enough for a tec, you may have to get one of these in order to fully cover the tec
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/2410/exp-03/50x50mm_Copper_Cold_Plate.html?tl=g30c105s188

[hecktic]

AliG speaks the truth

[lloydsmart]

Wow, thanks AliG - that's just what I was looking for!