Skinnee Labs - GTX480 Block Round-Up (working thread)

[skinnee]

Some of you may know that we (Skinnee Labs) are running a GTX480 Round-Up with a planned start for the first week in May. Now I say planned start due to stock availability of both the GTX480 as well as blocks.

This thread will be sort of a catch-all, discussion and feedback type of thing, we'll take a look at each of the blocks as they arrive, installation and a variety of other things I am sure. We'll add links to specific posts in this opening post for ease of finding information as this thread grows.

In short, we're trying something a bit different from our norm, and we'll see how this goes as to whether to incorporate something like this in the future.

GTX480 Full Cover Block Roundup (http://skinneelabs.com/gtx480-full-cover-block-roundup/)

Post Index:

Pretesting Info
Card Arrived, looping and initial pretesting (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=4386085&postcount=58)

Guides
GTX480 Stock HSF removal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rxHMd4SYZg)
Bitspower Black Freezer Installation - Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r-qof2iTeU)
Bitspower Black Freezer Installation - Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_-JHMJDkHc)
Koolance VID-NX480 Installation Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pw9HOR-_azk)
Danger Den Installation Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-Ik0lUmnG4)
EK Block Installation Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8x1LID8kyjM)
Aqua Computer aquagrafx480 Installation Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfiS1b6UNzw)
EVGA Hydro Copper Install Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibKT23u-TGA)
XSPC Block Install Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSU-jRiM9qY)
Watercool HeatKiller GPUX3 Install Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASPhuXuSKas)

Block Photos (in order received)
Koolance Block pics (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=4352409&postcount=2)
Danger Den Block pics (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=4373540&postcount=40)
EK Block Pics (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=4386048&postcount=57)
Bitspower Block Pics (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=4387622&postcount=63)
AquaComputer Block Pics (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=4389603&postcount=75)
EVGA/Swiftech Block Pics (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=4392494&postcount=94)
XSPC Block Pics (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=4393694&postcount=103)
Watercool Block Pics (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=4429505&postcount=462)

Full Review
GTX480 Full Cover Block Roundup (http://skinneelabs.com/gtx480-fc.html)

Final Data/Charts
Restriction/Pressure Drop
http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/GTX480_pdrop-table.png

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/GTX480_pdrop.png

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/GTX480_flowrate.png

Temps
Stock Profile
http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/GTX480_stock-gpu.png

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/GTX480_stock-vrm.png

Overclocked Profile (875/1750/2130 @ 1138mV)
http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/GTX480_oc-gpu.png

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/GTX480_oc-vrm.png

Relative Performance Score
50% Overclocked GPU Temp, 25% Overclocked VRM Temp, 25% Loop Flow Rate
http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/GTX480_perfscore.png

[skinnee]

The Koolance Block was the first to arrive...

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Koolance/thm_KL-GTX480_boxshot.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Koolance/KL-GTX480_boxshot.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Koolance/thm_KL-GTX480_prodshot.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Koolance/KL-GTX480_prodshot.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Koolance/thm_KL-GTX480_base.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Koolance/KL-GTX480_base.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Koolance/thm_KL-GTX480_base2.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Koolance/KL-GTX480_base2.jpg)

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Koolance/thm_KL-GTX480_base3.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Koolance/KL-GTX480_base3.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Koolance/thm_KL-GTX480_flowchannels.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Koolance/KL-GTX480_flowchannels.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Koolance/thm_KL-GTX480_internals.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Koolance/KL-GTX480_internals.jpg)

[millertime359]

Sounds good Skinnee. Can't wait. :D

[owned666]

cant wait :)

ek and DD left

[masik]

sick, my GTX280 will get an upgrade after testing... ;drooling; thanks skinnee!

[GTOViper]

cant wait :)

ek and DD left

EK, DD, BitsPower(PowerColor), and Swiftech(EVGA HydroCopper) left AFAIK.

[ottoyu34]

Looks nice. I wonder if switech sent you a sample.

[xguntherc]

what about Watercool HK..

My DD Nickel will be here tomorrow. so I'm exited to read this review sir!

[kone]

what about Watercool HK..

My DD Nickel will be here tomorrow. so I'm exited to read this review sir!

+1, any news from Watercool HK?

[SiGfever]

I assume that you are running the rads with chilled water from a CenTraVac. :D

[Boulard83]

Lets hope your blocks and cards come fast !

[Danger30Q]

I am extremely looking forward to these results as I just snagged 2 EVGA 480 GTX cards off Newegg and am going to wait a few weeks before buying the WC components. Thank you Skinnee for being so aggressive with gathering these blocks and trying to get a review out.

[marxviper]

love waterblocks showdown

:up:

[xguntherc]

i missed the newegg 480's today by a few minutes.. sadness

[H20Cooled]

My EVGA FTW i on its way with the Swiftech block on it. I can't wait to see the results of this as they will help make up my mind about keeping the stock WB or going with some EK's on them

[Waterlogged]

The only relevant test will be the flow test, not that it's likely to have any effect on temps or OCing capabilities of the cards. :2cents:

This is a debacle and a headache just waiting to happen. ;)

[bundymania]

The Beta Version from Aquacomputer looks like this - Nickel plated version available soon:

http://www.abload.de/img/4802dq6h.jpg


Here we have a thread for all available GTX 480 blocks:


http://www.hardwareluxx.de/community/f137/nvidia-geforce-gtx-4xx-aka-fermi-waku-sammelthread-bitte-startpost-lesen-704065.html

[H20Cooled]

The only relevant test will be the flow test, not that it's likely to have any effect on temps or OCing capabilities of the cards. :2cents:

This is a debacle and a headache just waiting to happen. ;)

That could be true if all the blocks seat perfectly on the cards and have no contact issues with any parts that need to be cooled.

I really want to see if these cards do better then the evga FTW (Swiftech) as it uses a heat pipe and not a full card design.

[skinnee]

EK, DD, BitsPower(PowerColor), and Swiftech(EVGA HydroCopper) left AFAIK.


what about Watercool HK..


+1, any news from Watercool HK?

We contacted the companies listed below (alphabetical order) all together in one large communication to keep everyone on the same page.

Aqua Computer, Bitspower, Danger Den, EK, Koolance, Swiftech/EVGA, XSPC, and Watercool

We received confirmation from all but Watercool, no email response what so ever. Another communication will go out the first week in May to the same recipients who were sent the first email confirming the test schedule. We had to give some additional time for all companies to ramp up production and stock for the blocks, additionally there needs to be stock of the GTX480's as well just in case something goes wrong with testing and if you've looked for GTX480's in the past couple days, there are none to be had.

But, I'm going to keep this thread updated as much as possible with photos and everything else and will probably even share the pretesting and test procedure validation with my trusty 9600GT... just to wet the appetite


I assume that you are running the rads with chilled water from a CenTraVac. :D

No more CenTraVac's for me, just "typical" triple radiator cooling... I have no ties to Trane (other than it being one of our business sectors) any more since I was moved to Ingersoll Rand in the acquisition. :( I am in a Trane office today though, officing out of here on my way to Detroit. :)

[Hondacity]

what about xspc and enzotech?

[skinnee]

Yes, XSPC was contacted as well... I edited my reply. Good call with Enzo, I will contact them later today.

[SiGfever]

No more CenTraVac's for me, just "typical" triple radiator cooling... I have no ties to Trane (other than it being one of our business sectors) any more since I was moved to Ingersoll Rand in the acquisition. :( I am in a Trane office today though, officing out of here on my way to Detroit. :)

Sorry to hear that. Well you do now have access to some kick arse air compressors. :)

Hope you you are doing well, long time no talk.
John

[Shoggy]

The Beta Version from Aquacomputer looks like this - Nickel plated version available soon:

http://www.abload.de/img/4802dq6h.jpg

Ahhh, that is such a bad photo (done by the boss *g*). Here (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=4354262&postcount=27) are much better pics :)

[EnJoY]

Heatkiller?

[Blueking]

The Beta Version from Aquacomputer looks like this - Nickel plated version available soon:

http://www.abload.de/img/4802dq6h.jpg


Here we have a thread for all available GTX 480 blocks:


http://www.hardwareluxx.de/community/f137/nvidia-geforce-gtx-4xx-aka-fermi-waku-sammelthread-bitte-startpost-lesen-704065.html

No alu in that block ?

[Shoggy]

Not one single gram.

[gosmeyer]

heatkiller?

^+1^

[urgrandpasdog]

Ahhh, that is such a bad photo (done by the boss *g*). Here (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=4354262&postcount=27) are much better pics :)

Do the "wings" on that back plate conflict with the card in the slot above?

[hokiealumnus]

Heatkiller?


^+1^
See quote below.

We received confirmation from all but Watercool, no email response what so ever.

Looking forward to seeing how these stack up against each other! :up:

[Shoggy]

Do the "wings" on that back plate conflict with the card in the slot above?
If you are using another graphics card that would be no problem since the waterblock is much smaller than the stock fan.

For any other cards (soundcard for example) it will depend on its height but normally there should be no problem. The wing towards the board will also be a bit modified for the regular production since we had one old board in our company where it interferes with the lock mechanism of the RAM slots. With other boards we had no problems.

[TradeWind]

Some of you may know that we (Skinnee Labs) are running a GTX480 Round-Up with a planned start for the first week in May. Now I say planned start due to stock availability of both the GTX480 as well as blocks.

This thread will be sort of a catch-all, discussion and feedback type of thing, we'll take a look at each of the blocks as they arrive, installation and a variety of other things I am sure. We'll add links to specific posts in this opening post for ease of finding information as this thread grows.

In short, we're trying something a bit different from our norm, and we'll see how this goes as to whether to incorporate something like this in the future.

Thanks Skinnee.

Hope to see your results ASAP. Also excited that you included the EVGA/Swiftech solution in your round-up. Since they are using a "hybrid" design, it will be interesting to see if it will cool the VRMs well enough. I'm also curious to see if their thin pin matrix performs notably better than some of the more standard GPU cooling options.

I think I'm rooting for DD in this one though. Their product coverage, YouTube tutorials, and interaction with customers has been great. I just feel like they supported their launch so well.

Enjoyed the Koolance 360 review too. Nice work.

[anzial]

How about non-fullcover blocks? with stock plate ;)

[Pekalion]

Hey Skinnee, are you going to ask to Swiftech for a MCW80? It would be amazing to compare all those water blocks to that universal water block, at least, in gpu temperature concerns.

Keep it good :)

[marxviper]

I cant wait for the showdown between blocks.

I saw the bitspower waterbloack for 480, man it looked so good. If its temp are as good as it look.. I am getting it and selling my ekwaterblock which I havent used it yet.

[skinnee]

There will be another block arriving today, and some more trickling in over the next few days.

This week I am prepping the bench and going to work out my test procedure with my trusty 9600GT.

[eva2000]

sweet looking forward to this one :)

[H20Cooled]

I finally have my first 480 FTW HC infront of me and it looks real good. Now I just need to wait for EVGA to release the next batch so I can at the very least have two allowing me to start putting together my new builds GPU loops. I just pulled my 296GTX out and its going back tomorrow for a stepup to a vanilla 480, so I can't wait to see the results as I will need to grab a block for it shortly as I know running it on air will last a week or 2 before I gone nuts by the fan and heat compred to WCing.

[gosmeyer]

Go get em skinnee :up:

[Stealth42o]

Thanks Skinnee, holding of on my purchase until this review, your the best!

[skinnee]

Thanks folks! :up:

And to show my gratitude, Danger Den was the next block to arrive.
http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/DangerDen/thm_DD-GTX480_contents.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/DangerDen/DD-GTX480_contents.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/DangerDen/thm_DD-GTX480_prodshot.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/DangerDen/DD-GTX480_prodshot.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/DangerDen/thm_DD-GTX480_base.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/DangerDen/DD-GTX480_boxcontents.jpg)
http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/DangerDen/thm_DD-GTX480_internals.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/DangerDen/DD-GTX480_internals.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/DangerDen/thm_DD-GTX480_internals2.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/DangerDen/DD-GTX480_internals2.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/DangerDen/thm_DD-GTX480_internals3.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/DangerDen/DD-GTX480_internals3.jpg)

[DarthBeavis]

Thanks folks! :up:

And to show my gratitude, Danger Den was the next block to arrive.
http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/DangerDen/thm_DD-GTX480_boxcontents.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/DangerDen/DD-GTX480_boxcontents.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/DangerDen/thm_DD-GTX480_base.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/DangerDen/DD-GTX480_prodshot.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/DangerDen/thm_DD-GTX480_base.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/DangerDen/DD-GTX480_boxcontents.jpg)
http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/DangerDen/thm_DD-GTX480_internals.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/DangerDen/DD-GTX480_internals.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/DangerDen/thm_DD-GTX480_internals2.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/DangerDen/DD-GTX480_internals2.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/DangerDen/thm_DD-GTX480_internals3.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/DangerDen/DD-GTX480_internals3.jpg)

:cat::cat::cat::cat::cat::cat:
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/9656/dsc02338q.jpg
http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/508/dsc02339n.jpg
480s will be here tomorrow

[xguntherc]

WOW..

I got my Nickel+Copper DD in and I'm going to be adding it to my card today. It's a pretty one also.
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/7899/dsc1902.jpg (http://img526.imageshack.us/i/dsc1902.jpg/)

I do have a question. I'm worried about the Weight of this Block. it is very, very heavy. This will be my first GPU to be watercooled so maybe I'm just worried. but it sure is way heavier than i thought it would be.. Do people use a support bracket coming up from there PSU or anything. lol

[DarthBeavis]

wow, copper plus nickle is sexier . . .

I have been contemplating a support bracket. Let me see what I can come up with. If it is good I will make you one as well.

[Boulard83]

I like the DD !!!!

[terente0081]

By the looks of the blocks, I like the Aqua Computer one the most. Looks solid, the base looks like it's been well polished, I like the fine fins in the GPU area. It's all copper and stainless steel, it would match the HK3 just fine.
I think this is what I will go with, I am waiting for my 3 480's to arrive, just had to decide what blocks to go with....

[snoro]

WOW..



I do have a question. I'm worried about the Weight of this Block. it is very, very heavy. This will be my first GPU to be watercooled so maybe I'm just worried. but it sure is way heavier than i thought it would be.. Do people use a support bracket coming up from there PSU or anything. lol

Its either you get a horizontal motherboard stand or you can make something like the lian-li gpu support link on some of the high-end lian-li case.

[Soulwind]

Do all of these blocks get water over the voltage regs, or are any of them just passive cooling on the vregs?

[xguntherc]

Yea Darth.. it's very sexy looking huh. haha. I like your shot of all 3 though

yes I'm pretty worried about the weight. It's going in my HAF, obviously I'm not using the Tool-less design things. but I'm still thinking a simple 2 screws wont hold this up. I think the bracket will break. haha. it's really heavy

[snoro]

Do all of these blocks get water over the voltage regs, or are any of them just passive cooling on the vregs?

Fro what i have seen everybody except swiftech have a water channel going over the vrm. Swiftech instead use a heatsink applied on the vrm with a heatpipe connected to the waterblock and that heatpipe get cooled off by water channel if i remember well.

[Factotum]

And this?
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/images/bitspower/BP-VGNGTX480-BK_01.jpg

[skinnee]

Spoke with Vincent on Monday, he expected to ship by Friday. I guess a small update is in order to keep your patience and wants in check...

Now that stock and allocation on the cards is loosening up, our hardware sponsor MSI has the package en route and arriving on 05/10/2010. :up:

Aqua Computer: should be arriving any day now (need to confirm)
Bitspower: shipping Friday
Danger Den: Have
EK: arriving 05/06/2010
EVGA/Swiftech: should be arriving early next week (need to confirm)
Koolance: Have
Watercool: No response.
XSPC: Shipped today.

So much work involved in a round up before any real testing begins, thanks for being patient through the process though.

[Martinm210]

Keep up the great work!!! Pics are always perfect too!

[DoggRoger]

Really looking forward to this, keep up the good work.

[bundymania]

I´m not sure, if you guys have seen the XSPC block somewhere - it looks like this:

http://www.abload.de/img/480yft9.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/480insideou0u.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/480backl57z.jpg

[ottoyu34]

Interesting approach for XSPC.
I like how it has dedicated water channel for VRMs.
and the block is dirty/grease-less.

[DarthBeavis]

we want results!! get testing

[skinnee]

EK's block arrived this past thursday and thanks to the Plexi top, I don't have to take the block apart to show the flow channels.

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/EK/thm_EK-GTX480_box.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/EK/EK-GTX480_box.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/EK/thm_EK-GTX480_contents.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/EK/EK-GTX480_contents.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/EK/thm_EK-GTX480_prodshot.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/EK/EK-GTX480_prodshot.jpg)
http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/EK/thm_EK-GTX480_base.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/EK/EK-GTX480_base.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/EK/thm_EK-GTX480_prodshot2.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/EK/EK-GTX480_prodshot2.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/EK/thm_EK-GTX480_closeup.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/EK/EK-GTX480_closeup.jpg)

[skinnee]

Sorry for the back to back posts here, but I have been a little behind in keeping this thread updated as work has been taking up way too much of my time. :shakes:

Blocks:
Aqua Computer: Shipped, DHL has it leaving Germany on 05/08/10 :shrug:
Bitspower: Shipped, presently in Alaska via UPS
Danger Den: In house
EK: In house
EVGA/Swiftech: Shipping this week
Koolance: In house
Watercool: Finally got sort of an email response, we'll see what happens.
XSPC: Didn't ship as I expected last time. I have photos from XSPC, but I'll wait to post until I have the retail sample in hand.

More importantly, MSI has sponsored the testing and provided a GTX480, of course there will be some LN2 benching after testing has wrapped. I planned on using Afterburner 1.60 Beta 5 for voltage control and clock tweaking anyhow, and Kombustor is a FurMark clone. And of course we have some shots...
http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Bench/thm_GTX480-card1.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Bench/GTX480-card1.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Bench/thm_GTX480-card2.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Bench/GTX480-card2.jpg)
Don't worry, there are many more shots of the card to come... we will be doing a full photo session on removing the stock heatsink and will be experimenting with video as well.

Yes, prepping the Torture Rack and pretesting has been going on behind the scenes (bonus of being able to participate on conference calls and still tinker in the lab). So far in pretesting I am not see a bit of difference between Furmark and Kombustor, even with "Xtreme Burning mode" enabled. I'll verify before finalizing the procedure on the GTX480 and not just a low watt 9600GT. Some shots of the bench and pretesting...
http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Bench/thm_GTX480-bench1.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Bench/GTX480-bench1.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Bench/thm_GTX480-bench2.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Bench/GTX480-bench2.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Bench/thm_GTX480-bench3.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Bench/GTX480-bench3.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Bench/thm_GTX480-bench4.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Bench/GTX480-bench4.jpg)

The GPU loop consists of a DDC3.2 with EK V2 top, 2 dual temp probe T's(block in and block out), Koolance VL3N QDC's, XSPC RX360 V1 with Triebwerk 121's in push at full RPM, and the EK 400 Res. All BP 1/2" High Flow barbs except for the QDC's and 2 BP rotary 90's on the GPU block. The radiator has 12 temp sensor total, 6 air in and 6 air out.

As usual, all temp sensors and fan RPM are monitored and logged by a CrystalFontz and GPU-Z will be used for logging all GPU sensors and data points. So far through pretesting, the RX360 has kept a 2C delta but that is using a 9600GT @ 825 Core / 1130 Memory at stock volts. I am sure that will change once we loop up the MSI card and start tweaking with Afterburner. Although, my current plan is to log two runs per block mount... 1 stock clocks and voltage and 1 with my max stable OC and adjusted voltage.

Anyhow... time for me to get some sleep, but wanted to update everyone on the progress. :up:

[Philwong]

http://www.abload.de/img/480insideou0u.jpg

I doubt there will be any active flow over the vrm area?

Phil

[crash5s]

Must say I'm waiting on the results, looking at the EK and BP myself. I think one of my 8800's gave up the ghost (it's not showing up in device manager) so I'm looking to move up to a 470/480. So far liking the looks of the EK and BP blocks... but that's just asthetics for now.

[Boulard83]

I doubt there will be any active flow over the vrm area?

Phil

I think YES. If you look carefully, the chanel is connected to the fitting hole makgin the "spash" that hit teh block being forced into the channel. I diffinetly think that YES.

[facboy]

I think YES. If you look carefully, the chanel is connected to the fitting hole makgin the "spash" that hit teh block being forced into the channel. I diffinetly think that YES.

say what?

seems to me that there wouldn't be much flow either, the other sider path over the core seems much lower restriction.

[skinnee]

Bitspower block makes the long trip from Taiwan to Minnesota safely and here are the standard shots for your viewing pleasure.

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/Bitspower/thm_BP-GTX480_boxshot.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/Bitspower/BP-GTX480_boxshot.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/Bitspower/thm_BP-GTX480_contents.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/Bitspower/BP-GTX480_contents.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/Bitspower/thm_BP-GTX480_prodshot.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/Bitspower/BP-GTX480_prodshot.jpg)

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/Bitspower/thm_BP-GTX480_prodshot2.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/Bitspower/BP-GTX480_prodshot2.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/Bitspower/thm_BP-GTX480_internals.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/Bitspower/BP-GTX480_internals.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/Bitspower/thm_BP-GTX480_prodshot3.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/Bitspower/BP-GTX480_prodshot3.jpg)

[Shoggy]

Aqua Computer: Shipped, DHL has it leaving Germany on 05/08/10 :shrug:
According to DHL the regular shipping time to you should be 6 days but from my experience it always takes a bit longer because of the customs.

[EnJoY]

Bitspower block makes the long trip from Taiwan to Minnesota safely and here are the standard shots for your viewing pleasure.

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/Bitspower/thm_BP-GTX480_boxshot.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/Bitspower/BP-GTX480_boxshot.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/Bitspower/thm_BP-GTX480_contents.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/Bitspower/BP-GTX480_contents.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/Bitspower/thm_BP-GTX480_prodshot.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/Bitspower/BP-GTX480_prodshot.jpg)

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/Bitspower/thm_BP-GTX480_prodshot2.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/Bitspower/BP-GTX480_prodshot2.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/Bitspower/thm_BP-GTX480_internals.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/Bitspower/BP-GTX480_internals.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/Bitspower/thm_BP-GTX480_prodshot3.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/Bitspower/BP-GTX480_prodshot3.jpg)


Sorry Bitspower, but those internals look so half-assed.

[skinnee]

According to DHL the regular shipping time to you should be 6 days but from my experience it always takes a bit longer because of the customs.

Customs always seems to screw things up. :D I missed the package yesterday since I had to go into the office, should be redelivered today. :up:

[DarthBeavis]

Sorry Bitspower, but those internals look so half-assed.

prepare to get flamed by douchebags elsewhere :ROTF:

[BlueAqua]

Sorry Bitspower, but those internals look so half-assed.

My thoughts exactly. Even the externals look half-assed. Aren't the Bitspower blocks usually around $150? Who buys these things?

[DarthBeavis]

My thoughts exactly. Even the externals look half-assed. Aren't the Bitspower blocks usually around $150? Who buys these things?

let's see some performance numbers before attacking. It's not like Skinee is a shill with Bitspower Banners on his webpage. I think his review will be objective.

[Waterlogged]

Sorry Bitspower, but those internals look so half-assed.

Glad I'm not the only one that thought this. I opened the topic last night, looked at the pics and went "http://undergroundfreakz.com/s/cwm/cwm/eek7.gif, wtf" and closed the tab shaking my head.

[Boulard83]

I doubt there will be any active flow over the vrm area?

Phil

Forgot something ... you NEED to use the right fittings in the pic as teh INLET.

[Conumdrum]

Where is the Swiftech block? I know it's in the mail, but I wanna see it.

[skinnee]

Where is the Swiftech block? I know it's in the mail, but I wanna see it.

:shakes:

patience... UPS delivers the EVGA/Swiftech block tomorrow.

[facboy]

is mcw-80 included under swiftech?

[skinnee]

Aqua Computer block makes the long swim across the Atlantic...

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/AquaComputer/thm_AC-GTX480_contents.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/AquaComputer/AC-GTX480_contents.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/AquaComputer/thm_AC-GTX480_prodshot.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/AquaComputer/AC-GTX480_prodshot.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/AquaComputer/thm_AC-GTX480_base.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/AquaComputer/AC-GTX480_base.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/AquaComputer/thm_AC-GTX480_internals.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/AquaComputer/AC-GTX480_internals.jpg)

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/AquaComputer/thm_AC-GTX480_internals2.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/AquaComputer/AC-GTX480_internals2.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/AquaComputer/thm_AC-GTX480_prodshot2.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/AquaComputer/AC-GTX480_prodshot2.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/AquaComputer/thm_AC-GTX480_internals3.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/AquaComputer/AC-GTX480_internals3.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/AquaComputer/thm_AC-GTX480_prodshot3.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/AquaComputer/AC-GTX480_prodshot3.jpg)

[creidiki]

So far ... some very nice block pr0n. :slobber:

Looking forward to the review.

[Vapor]

Are any of them long enough to cover the ugly fan hole?

The AC and Koolance have very nice fin arrays...:)

[skinnee]

is mcw-80 included under swiftech?

I never heard from Gabe on that, so I'll pick one up after I finish the full cover blocks and have a go with the MCW80. I've got my hands full with FC blocks and DDC testing among other things presently.


Are any of them long enough to cover the ugly fan hole?

The AC and Koolance have very nice fin arrays...:)

Thus far I don't think so, but will know for sure as I get mounting blocks to the card this weekend. And yes, I was pleasantly surprised by the fin array when I opened the AC block... I'm very curious to see how all of these perform and whether there is any impact to OC headroom and heat control. I will probably baseline with the Bitspower block for OC and Voltage used for the overclocked runs.

Also, EVGA/Swiftech full cover arrives today. XSPC block shipped (have tracking #) and still waiting to hear back on my reply to Watercool.

[CptDreadFlint]

... I'm very curious to see how all of these perform and whether there is any impact to OC headroom and heat control. I will probably baseline with the Bitspower block for OC and Voltage used for the overclocked runs...

Skinnee: Just wanted to drop a quick line

_______________________________________ ← quick line :D

thanking you for the great pics and whetting my (and our collective) appetite(s) for the results. :up:

[gabe]

I never heard from Gabe on that

Sorry man, been super busy. + waiting for the specific GT400 mount kit to arrive (the G80- also works, but the GT400 is better for rigidity when NOT using the stock heasink..)

[EnJoY]

Aqua Computer block makes the long swim across the Atlantic...

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/AquaComputer/thm_AC-GTX480_contents.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/AquaComputer/AC-GTX480_contents.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/AquaComputer/thm_AC-GTX480_prodshot.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/AquaComputer/AC-GTX480_prodshot.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/AquaComputer/thm_AC-GTX480_base.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/AquaComputer/AC-GTX480_base.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/AquaComputer/thm_AC-GTX480_internals.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/AquaComputer/AC-GTX480_internals.jpg)

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/AquaComputer/thm_AC-GTX480_internals2.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/AquaComputer/AC-GTX480_internals2.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/AquaComputer/thm_AC-GTX480_prodshot2.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/AquaComputer/AC-GTX480_prodshot2.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/AquaComputer/thm_AC-GTX480_internals3.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/AquaComputer/AC-GTX480_internals3.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/AquaComputer/thm_AC-GTX480_prodshot3.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/AquaComputer/AC-GTX480_prodshot3.jpg)


Yum...micro-channels. Should perform well, very curious to see the results of this one.

[JoeBar]

I'm curious about the restriction of all these similar but yet so different designs...

[skinnee]

I'm curious about the restriction of all these similar but yet so different designs...
Wasn't able to squeeze a flow meter in the loop, pressure drop testing will follow thermals though. I should pick up some FM-17's for this bench.

[Nickel020]

Hm, the Watercool-style fittings connector is a step backwards for AC imho. Pushing the water through those small holes has to hurt flow, which is always bad if it doesn't improve cooling performance. A great looking block otherwise though, I love the stainless steel backplate!

[Helloworld_98]

maybe GPU manufacturers should make blocks with inbuilt pumps

[EnJoY]

maybe GPU manufacturers should make blocks with inbuilt pumps

...or built-in even! :rolleyes:

[Waterlogged]

Hm, the Watercool-style fittings connector is a step backwards for AC imho. Pushing the water through those small holes has to hurt flow, which is always bad if it doesn't improve cooling performance. A great looking block otherwise though, I love the stainless steel backplate!

I don't know what size those holes are but, as long as it can still pass the volume of a 1/2" I.D. tube, does it really matter what shape they are? ;):shrug:

[DarthBeavis]

I don't know what size those holes are :shrug: :shocked:

[Helloworld_98]

This is a good idea, but packaging such a solution could prove difficult to meet flow requirements. The best solution I've seen so far is swiftech building the pump into the radiator.

well I meant that they use built in pumps to help the water through the microchannels which would increase cooling ability

[Coldon]

cant wait for the results as I'm kinda in the market for a block, I have to agree that those BP internals look well um... missing? its pretty much just a flat a block of copper, i thought carving the channels into the copper was meant to increase the water/metal contact area but yeh, we'll see what the results show.

I would love it if i could buy the swiftech full cover block separately, will that be possible in the future Gabe?

[ell]

Im really interested in the aqua computer block but Im trying to confirm a couple things, is it the most restrictive looking block? and will it matter anyway seeing as it will be a pair of them in a loop by them selves with a mcp355 and tfc 480? and also i'd love to know which the lightest block is.
never tried anything else but EK for full cover gpu blocks but the way that gpu area looks has made me curious

[DarthBeavis]

My unobtainium Danger Den blocks are doing a swell job in TRI-SLI.

[skinnee]

EVGA/Swiftech block arrives and spends it's time in the photo tents...

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/EVGA/thm_EVGA-GTX480_contents.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/EVGA/EVGA-GTX480_contents.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/EVGA/thm_EVGA-GTX480_base.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/EVGA/EVGA-GTX480_base.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/EVGA/thm_EVGA-GTX480_internals.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/EVGA/EVGA-GTX480_internals.jpg)

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/EVGA/thm_EVGA-GTX480_internals2.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/EVGA/EVGA-GTX480_internals2.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/EVGA/thm_EVGA-GTX480_internals3.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/EVGA/EVGA-GTX480_internals3.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/EVGA/thm_EVGA-GTX480_prodshot2.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/EVGA/EVGA-GTX480_prodshot2.jpg)

[Alexandr0s]

Although the internals look quite odd, I kinda like EVGA's design :).

And really DB, unobtanium :rolleyes: :ROTF:?

[Coldon]

wow that's a really pretty block, really keen to see how the heatpipe stands up to the full cover competitors...

[Boulard83]

@Skinnee

Is the EVGA/Swiftech block lighter ? I think this can be an advantage for the block cause of the way its made.

[Alexandr0s]

@Skinnee

Is the EVGA/Swiftech block lighter ? I think this can be an advantage for the block cause of the way its made.

I definitely think it lighter than most blocks. It almost looks like a single slot block :eek:.

[m_jones_]

I definitely think it lighter than most blocks. It almost looks like a single slot block :eek:.
It is a single slot block.

[Conumdrum]

Although the internals look quite odd, I kinda like EVGA's design :).

And really DB, unobtanium :rolleyes: :ROTF:?

Wiki it, it's pretty interesting how the word was developed.:)

I hope the 470 blocks will be forthcoming about the same time.

[Coldon]

i still think it should have been called writersblockium...

[Nickel020]

I don't know what size those holes are but, as long as it can still pass the volume of a 1/2" I.D. tube, does it really matter what shape they are? ;):shrug:

I measured and calculated the cross section of the watercool connector a while back, and it comes out to a diameter close 6mm ID tubing, i.e. really bad. If you look at the new Watercool 58x0 block you'll see that the corrs sectionw as greatly increased, I don't think Rico did that just for fun, especially since he's talking about the new block being flow optimized (which tests show it is).

The AC block seems to have a cross section at the connector similar to that of the old Watercool blocks.

That small narrowing of cross section can really make a difference as well, if you look at Cathar's testing [URL="http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=147767"]here[/URL,] you'll see a sizeable difference (close to 10% flow) between push-ins and regular 3/8" barbs, all because the push-ins don't reduce the cross section slightly like the barbs do.

Basically what I'm saying is that it's a shame because it would be so easy to make the cross section bigger and significantly increase flow.

[skinnee]

XSPC block makes it way to the lab...

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/XSPC/thm_XSPC-GTX480_contents.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/XSPC/XSPC-GTX480_contents.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/XSPC/thm_XSPC-GTX480_prodshot.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/XSPC/XSPC-GTX480_prodshot.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/XSPC/thm_XSPC-GTX480_base.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/XSPC/XSPC-GTX480_base.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/XSPC/thm_XSPC-GTX480_internals.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/XSPC/XSPC-GTX480_internals.jpg)

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/XSPC/thm_XSPC-GTX480_internals2.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/XSPC/XSPC-GTX480_internals2.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/XSPC/thm_XSPC-GTX480_internals3.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/XSPC/XSPC-GTX480_internals3.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/XSPC/thm_XSPC-GTX480_inlet.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/XSPC/XSPC-GTX480_inlet.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/XSPC/thm_XSPC-GTX480_prodshot2.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/XSPC/XSPC-GTX480_prodshot2.jpg)

Waiting for one more part to arrive from the Egg and testing can finally begin!

[Coldon]

if its not asking too much can you also do a brief writeup on the ease of mounting of each block, i know some blocks can be a real PITA to mount: requiring, reinforcement plates, back plates, slipping when trying to assemble etc...

[skinnee]

if its not asking too much can you also do a brief writeup on the ease of mounting of each block, i know some blocks can be a real PITA to mount: requiring, reinforcement plates, back plates, slipping when trying to assemble etc...

Actually, that is why I am waiting for a part from NewEgg. :D

I sat down this weekend to video the stock heatsink removal as well as the installation of each block only to discover the webcam I planned on using absolutely sucked for recording the removal and mounts. 720p webcam is en route. :up:

[Coldon]

oh epic - cant wait, i kinda watched the video for the installation of the aqua computer block and decided that it was too much effort dealing with a backplate, the DD installation guide was quick and simple so it climbed to the top of my list...

Anyone want to guess the order of performance of the blocks? My money is on the swiftech & dd blocks being the top two performers, with the koolance & ek being close seconds, and that the BP block will be the worst of the lot...

[snoro]

depending on which temp you will rank them i say the koolance,Aqua and swiftech will come at the top for core temp. As for overall performance, i think it will be between the koolance and the aqua.

[Hondacity]

Skinnee

you getting the ac backplate? i didn't see it in the pics...

**i see a revised version..nevermind

[Vapor]

It's in this pic:
http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/AquaComputer/AC-GTX480_contents.jpg

:)

[blazarcher]

Yum...micro-channels. Should perform well, very curious to see the results of this one.

I hope this one performs very well. Seeing as Aquacomputer is 2nd to the EK in terms of cooling performance (In regards to current 5870 waterblocks), I'm confident they'll do pretty good.

I'm debating whether I should go with EK (even with the issues going around of cards getting shorted) or should I go with Aquacomputer?

[blazarcher]

XSPC block makes it way to the lab...

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/XSPC/thm_XSPC_prodshot.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/XSPC/XSPC_prodshot.jpg)

Am I the only one that feels disappointed with XSPC these days? I mean seriously they are supposed to be competing with EK in terms of their GPU blocks but in regards to their 5870 blocks, they are near the bottom. Sure they make great reservoirs and even great CPU blocks but they need to either focus more on improving their GPU blocks or just abandon making GPU blocks altogether.

Whatever the case. I will definitely not be buying the XSPC block unless it miraculously performs EXTREMELY well. -- Am I also the only one that finds it kinda "ugly"? It ain't bad but it's no beauty either.

[Vapor]

Anyone want to guess the order of performance of the blocks? My money is on the swiftech & dd blocks being the top two performers, with the koolance & ek being close seconds, and that the BP block will be the worst of the lot...I like guessing games....lemme try :cool:

I'm gonna do a performance score though....10 being best, 1 being stock.
9-10 - Swiftech
9-10 - Koolance
9-10 - AquaComputer
8-9 - EK
8 - XSPC
7.5 - DangerDen
3.5 - Bitspower
1 - Stock

Skinnee hasn't even put the card on water yet, so I have no insider info and these are purely guesses :p: And these are just core temps, the Swiftech heatpipe design is too much of a curveball for me to begin to predict.

[converge]

I'm eagerly awaiting the results :) At the moment, I'm considering either the EK nickel + plexi or the Aquacomputer all nickel version whenever they are released. I like the Danger Den but the weight of the block is a concern and the lack of a backplate. Does anyone know when EK will be releasing their backplate? Watercool are supposed to be releasing their block this week and it's also supposed to be coming with a backplate, so that will be interesting to see. From the look of the blocks, my thoughts would be that aquacomputer, koolance and EK will be the top performers. It's a shame bitspower didn't put more effort into their block design...

[HuffPCair]

Hey just so you know your links on the first page to each block. Your Koolance link goes to the DD block page.

[Stealth42o]

I like guessing games....lemme try :cool:

I'm gonna do a performance score though....10 being best, 1 being stock.
9-10 - Swiftech
9-10 - Koolance
9-10 - AquaComputer
8-9 - EK
8 - XSPC
7.5 - DangerDen
3.5 - Bitspower
1 - Stock

Skinnee hasn't even put the card on water yet, so I have no insider info and these are purely guesses :p: And these are just core temps, the Swiftech heatpipe design is too much of a curveball for me to begin to predict.

Lets start a pool! :up:

[skinnee]

Hey just so you know your links on the first page to each block. Your Koolance link goes to the DD block page.

Fixed, thanks for reporting! :up:

[Coldon]

I like guessing games....lemme try :cool:

I'm gonna do a performance score though....10 being best, 1 being stock.
9-10 - Swiftech
9-10 - Koolance
9-10 - AquaComputer
8-9 - EK
8 - XSPC
7.5 - DangerDen
3.5 - Bitspower
1 - Stock

Skinnee hasn't even put the card on water yet, so I have no insider info and these are purely guesses :p: And these are just core temps, the Swiftech heatpipe design is too much of a curveball for me to begin to predict.

as per your format:

9-10 - Swiftech
9-10 - DangerDen
8-9 - Koolance
8-9 - EK
7-9 - AquaComputer (not sure about those inlet holes)
6 - XSPC
3.5 - Bitspower
1 - Stock

I'm hoping that the heatpipe transfers a decent chunk (but not all) of the VRM heat to the block to having the rest is dissipated by the heatsink and as a result offering better core temps.

[JoeBar]

Performance in FC vga blocks isn't just about core temps, in my opinion. Mem and vrm's are important, especially when overvolting...

If u want best core temps buy a MCW-80...

[BlueAqua]

Performance in FC vga blocks isn't just about core temps, in my opinion. Mem and vrm's are important, especially when overvolting...

If u want best core temps buy a MCW-80...

I agree. For full cover blocks the total package wins it for me. I like cool vrms, memory, core and a fancy backplate if they can be made.

I feel that everything has to be relatively cool in order to achieve the best overclocks and long term stability, and that's the benefit of full cover blocks.

[Conumdrum]

Hmm, asked Gabe when the blocks would be released, he said you have to go through EVGA. Meaning have to buy the cards with the blocks on them already or be able to buy just the blocks?

Also, who has the 470 blocks out? I see Bitspower has one at Sidewinder and EK has one at PPC. Any others out there for the 470s?

Which one is better in YHO? The EK one is a lot cheaper.

[Shoggy]

We also have a block for the GTX 470:

http://www.abload.de/thumb/gtx470_1vk7b.jpg (http://www.abload.de/image.php?img=gtx470_1vk7b.jpg) http://www.abload.de/thumb/gtx470_21moq.jpg (http://www.abload.de/image.php?img=gtx470_21moq.jpg) http://www.abload.de/thumb/gtx470_3j7tc.jpg (http://www.abload.de/image.php?img=gtx470_3j7tc.jpg) http://www.abload.de/thumb/gtx470_5u7l9.jpg (http://www.abload.de/image.php?img=gtx470_5u7l9.jpg)http://www.abload.de/thumb/gtx470_6yuy8.jpg (http://www.abload.de/image.php?img=gtx470_6yuy8.jpg)

http://ac.shoggy.de/youtube_aquagrafx_gtx_470.jpg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2iEOmA7FRk)

[Conumdrum]

Shoggy, where is for sale in the US?

[Shoggy]

Nowhere :D

But as always you can also order it directly from us ;)

[snoro]

and is there a possible way to get some single slot pci bracket for the gtx 470 or gtx480 ?It would be a very nice accessory to include with full cover block.

[Shoggy]

We offer that as as accessory.

[blazarcher]

Nowhere :D

But as always you can also order it directly from us ;)

Shipping must be really expensive!!

[blazarcher]

I like guessing games....lemme try :cool:

I'm gonna do a performance score though....10 being best, 1 being stock.
9-10 - Swiftech
9-10 - Koolance
9-10 - AquaComputer
8-9 - EK
8 - XSPC
7.5 - DangerDen
3.5 - Bitspower
1 - Stock

Skinnee hasn't even put the card on water yet, so I have no insider info and these are purely guesses :p: And these are just core temps, the Swiftech heatpipe design is too much of a curveball for me to begin to predict.

Wooh, wait a second... The EK is in 4th place? And XSPC is tied for 4th?? I can see the Swiftech being the top performer but why is the Koolance > EK? IT should be the other way around, in my mind that is xD

[Koolance]

Also, who has the 470 blocks out?

We launched our 470 block (http://www.koolance.com/water-cooling/product_info.php?product_id=1016) at the same time as our 480 block.


why is the Koolance > EK?

I can't confirm anything because I haven't compared EK's 480 to ours. But I think the logic assumes microfins > less complicated shapes, which is often correct.

Tim

[Vapor]

Wooh, wait a second... The EK is in 4th place? And XSPC is tied for 4th?? I can see the Swiftech being the top performer but why is the Koolance > EK? IT should be the other way around, in my mind that is xD

Look at the microchannels on the Koolance :slobber:

Compared to the EK Wave design from like...2007? EK shouldn't keep up with the micropin array of the Swiftech or the microchannels of the Koolance or AquaComputer in terms of performance (if they're all done right, that is....a too-thick base or poor contact can kill the performance of any design quickly). Kind of like saying a Whitewater can keep up with a Heatkiller LC :shrug:

[DarthBeavis]

Look at the microchannels on the Koolance :slobber:

Compared to the EK Wave design from like...2007? EK shouldn't keep up with the micropin array of the Swiftech or the microchannels of the Koolance or AquaComputer in terms of performance (if they're all done right, that is....a too-thick base or poor contact can kill the performance of any design quickly). Kind of like saying a Whitewater can keep up with a Heatkiller LC :shrug:

Didn't I see a pic of you somewhere :ROTF:

[blazarcher]

Look at the microchannels on the Koolance :slobber:

Compared to the EK Wave design from like...2007? EK shouldn't keep up with the micropin array of the Swiftech or the microchannels of the Koolance or AquaComputer in terms of performance (if they're all done right, that is....a too-thick base or poor contact can kill the performance of any design quickly). Kind of like saying a Whitewater can keep up with a Heatkiller LC :shrug:

I'm a bit confused. How can you explain the EK (5870 waterblock) performing better than EVERYONE. Here is a link, not sure about the validity of the source...
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://extreme.pcgameshardware.de/wasserkuehlung/78095-extreme-review-das-grosse-wakue-roundup-hd-5870-oc.html&ei=Cu68S-eJN4K0lQfT9smECQ&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBAQ7gEwAA&prev=/search%3Fq%3D5870%2Bek%2Bvs%2Baquagratix%2Bwaterbl ock%2Broundup%26hl%3Den

Yeah a mega-link xD

Anyways here is the graph that I am arguing from.

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/1440/gput.jpg (http://img294.imageshack.us/i/gput.jpg/)

That's just the GPU temps, the VRM temps don't matter as the EK only wins because it has a backplate. -- I guess we can guesstimate that the AquaComputer will excel here xD

Here is a shot of the EK block showing the EK wave design. Although old, I guess it did pretty well here in that regard...

(http://img405.imageshack.us/i/ekg003t.jpg/)

So is the danger den block the absolute best in terms of cooling performance (ignoring the Swiftech)? Or is Koolance just as good?

----
Sorry about the questions but I was SERIOUSLY considering the EK block and now am a bit confused xD

Again sorry about the so-called large pic, I would have assumed everyone would be running at least 1920x1200 xD

[Boulard83]

Skinnee's gona test it all milord !

[skinnee]

blazarcher, just calm down a bit... people are just placing their bets as to how everything is gonna turn out. They are not telling you which block you need to get or which leg you need to put in your pants first when putting them on. And resize that giant photo please, I hate the sideways scrolling.

[Tacops]

And resize that giant photo please, I hate the sideways scrolling.

Get image zoom addon for firefox and you can resize :up:

[Conumdrum]

Get image zoom addon for firefox and you can resize :up:

Is that for the massive crazy pic size poster or for Skinnee? I responsibily resize my pics before linking to them on Photobucket.

Need a uber detailed pic? I make a link for the visually needy with 90" monitors.

[Shoggy]

Shipping must be really expensive!!
Always 34.90 EUR for a parcel up to 31.5kg.

[Church]

Conundrum: i second skinnee's opinion - even though i use 1900x1200 27" screen, mostly i use browser window of size at half of that resolution for eg. several windows side by side. Problem with larger images is, that text gets wrapped with them in posts in same longish lines, and gets on my nerves each time when i need to maximise browser just to be able to read text. Your case is not that bad, i've seen some WIDE pics posted (like 2000-3000 and more px wide :D ), but you might note as future reference, that it would be polite to others in forum to use pics no more then 1024x768, but preferably 800x600 or even less.., even if rules allow, it's simply respecting others.

[Coldon]

personally my choice in gtx480 block is based as follows: 60% overall performance (GPU, mem + VRM) + 40% ease of assembly/dis-assembly, the back-plate on the AC block has already ruined it for me, I see absolutely no reason for it apart from aesthetics, one can argue it provides a more uniform mount but i think the effect will be minimum and isn't worth the extra hassle IMHO (see how i said IMHO there, so don't flame me).

[creidiki]

Look at the microchannels on the Koolance :slobber:

Compared to the EK Wave design from like...2007? EK shouldn't keep up with the micropin array of the Swiftech or the microchannels of the Koolance or AquaComputer in terms of performance (if they're all done right, that is....a too-thick base or poor contact can kill the performance of any design quickly). Kind of like saying a Whitewater can keep up with a Heatkiller LC :shrug:
... eh.

At this point, I'm not taking any bets. There's simply too many extra factors in GPU block performance. :shrug:

[xguntherc]

can't wait for results, my DD480 block with CPU included in loop on a Feser 360 stays around 34c idle and highest I've seen the 480 get to even while overclocked and overvolted to 900/2150 I've only hit 52c load :D:D

[Nickel020]

You always need to distinguish between cooling performance and flow restriction, both being important for the block's overall performance. And what's more important to you depends on what kind of loop you're running and on your preferences. I for one am almost sure that the EK will probably come out on top for me as usual. Lowest pressure drop and temps that aren't much worse than those of the micro channel blocks. If I were to go for a dedicated GPU loop though, I wouldn't care much about flow and only consider thermal performance. But for a CPU + GPU loop I'll gladly sacrifice a few degrees on the GPU for higher flow through the CPU block.

Vapor was only talking about thermal performance I think.

[converge]

EK now have the backplates for the 480 blocks up on their store. They look real nice and definatly made my decision on which blocks to get a whole lot easier :) It's a shame they arent bundling them with the blocks like Aquacomputer but it still works out cheaper for us Aussies anyway.

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/9137/31788035.jpg

[eternal_fantasy]

Still waiting for the Nickle plated GTX480 aquagraFX... Asked in the Aqua-computer's English section of their forum, but its like a ghost town in there... :(

Shoggy, can I pay a down payment to pre-order one??

[converge]

Still waiting for the Nickle plated GTX480 aquagraFX... Asked in the Aqua-computer's English section of their forum, but its like a ghost town in there... :(

Shoggy, can I pay a down payment to pre-order one??

A-C-Shop in Germany are selling some nickel plated Aquagrafx 480 blocks. I got my nickel plated heatkiller 5870 blocks from there a few months back.

http://www.a-c-shop.de/Aquacomputer-aquagraFX-fuer-GTX-480-GF100-G1-4-vernickelt-A-C-Shop

It's tempting but I really need plexi for my build. Another company needs to make some plexi tops for their blocks to give EK some competition on the plexi front.

[Shoggy]

@Coldon: keeping in mind that the GPU can be bend (like with our card) you will gain a lot by using the backplate since it pushes the GPU against the copper and can compensate that problem.

@eternal_fantasy: will still take some time. As long as we sell the copper one like hell we will not hold back a few to nickel-plate them since that takes a bit while others scream for blocks ;) Since that nickel plated variant does not exist in the system I can't also do an order confirmation for it.

[eternal_fantasy]

A-C-Shop in Germany are selling some nickel plated Aquagrafx 480 blocks. I got my nickel plated heatkiller 5870 blocks from there a few months back.

http://www.a-c-shop.de/Aquacomputer-aquagraFX-fuer-GTX-480-GF100-G1-4-vernickelt-A-C-Shop

It's tempting but I really need plexi for my build. Another company needs to make some plexi tops for their blocks to give EK some competition on the plexi front.
Thanks for the link!! Just put down an order with help from Google Translate. :D
Hope the site is reputable... Somehow got a 15% discount code already entered, so it came out to be around 100 euro sent to the UK. :up:


@eternal_fantasy: will still take some time. As long as we sell the copper one like hell we will not hold back a few to nickel-plate them since that takes a bit while others scream for blocks ;)
Thanks for the reply. :)

[Coldon]

@Coldon: keeping in mind that the GPU can be bend (like with our card) you will gain a lot by using the backplate since it pushes the GPU against the copper and can compensate that problem.

@eternal_fantasy: will still take some time. As long as we sell the copper one like hell we will not hold back a few to nickel-plate them since that takes a bit while others scream for blocks ;) Since that nickel plated variant does not exist in the system I can't also do an order confirmation for it.

shouldnt the 8 screws around the GPU area be sufficient to prevent a bad mount due to bending? I can totally understand why it's nice to have the option of the back plate but while I personally feel like it may be unnecessary, skinnees testing will ultimately tell...

i just received my gtx480 today and after hearing that abortion of a stock cooler at full blast, i need to get a waterblock ASAP.

[skinnee]

The fans on GPU's are just annoying and I am deaf as a post too. I've been playing with the clocks on my card as I wait for the new camera to arrive and last night just couldn't take the fan noise anymore and shut the test bench down... yes, I really want that NewEgg order to hurry up so I can get the card on water!! I will have some numbers/clocks to share from pushing the card on air later this evening though.

edit: That EK backplate looks good. I was surprised to see only AquaComputer supplied a backplate. To me backplates are like standoffs (especially for the longer cards)... they should be the norm and not the exception.

[Aedubber]

(To me backplates are like standoffs (especially for the longer cards)... they should be the norm and not the exception.) EXACTLY ... But im sure a company like EK that gets so many customers knows they can still sell a backplate seperately

[Vapor]

That EK backplate is really nice looking :toast:

@blazarcher...check the internals of the 5870 rev1 Koolance block vs. their GTX480 internals, there's been a massive update. And my performance conjecture is merely just conjecture of course :p:

[Koolance]

I'm a bit confused. How can you explain the EK (5870 waterblock) performing better than EVERYONE.

As Vapor pointed out, our original VID-AR587 didn't use microfins. The VID-AR587T2 (https://www.koolance.com/water-cooling/product_info.php?product_id=1022) (for later HD 5870's) does, though.

There are certainly other factors, like quality of contact, cold plate thickness, etc. But all things being equal, I will be surprised if the microfin coolers don't top out the list. ... And the Koolance 480 block uses microfins on both the GPU *and* VRM area. ;)

Tim

[blazarcher]

blazarcher, just calm down a bit... people are just placing their bets as to how everything is gonna turn out. They are not telling you which block you need to get or which leg you need to put in your pants first when putting them on. And resize that giant photo please, I hate the sideways scrolling.

I am calm xD Sorry about the pic, I'll get that resized.
And it's not really the fact that "they are telling which block you need to get" it's a personal preference. I was just a bit skeptical about what you said concerning the EK blocks (not having micropins = not THAT great performance).

I just want to see which one performs the best that's all.

[blazarcher]

As Vapor pointed out, our original VID-AR587 didn't use microfins. The VID-AR587T2 (https://www.koolance.com/water-cooling/product_info.php?product_id=1022) (for later HD 5870's) does, though.

There are certainly other factors, like quality of contact, cold plate thickness, etc. But all things being equal, I will be surprised if the microfin coolers don't top out the list. ... And the Koolance 480 block uses microfins on both the GPU *and* VRM area. ;)

Tim

Speaking of prior blocks.... What happened to making blocks that were gold plated? Like the one's you did for the 2900XT/3850/3870, Koolance VID 290, 385, and 387 respectively?

Working on a build right now and am having trouble picking which waterblock to go with. First I was going towards EK's Nickelplated waterblock (w/ backplate) then hearing that the Aquacomputer version performs better, I then thought why not go with Aquacomputer... Finally hearing that Koolance is doing very well with their micropin design, I'm thinking now either Danger Den or Koolance (or AquaComputer).

Now if you were to release some gold plated waterblocks, now that would be the deciding factor.

----

If that doesn't work, I came across this site http://www.goldplating.com/Products/products-brushgold.htm

They supposedly offer solutions that allow you to "gold plate" bare copper. And I was thinking of doing this on one of EK's waterblocks. Does this seem like a viable option or should I just forget about the gold (bling) and just go with a nickel plated waterblock instead?

[converge]

Thanks for the link!! Just put down an order with help from Google Translate. :D
Hope the site is reputable... Somehow got a 15% discount code already entered, so it came out to be around 100 euro sent to the UK. :up:


Thanks for the reply. :)

No worries. Yeah the store is great, Jochen is a pretty nice guy and sorted the order out for my hk 5870 blocks a while back :up:


edit: That EK backplate looks good. I was surprised to see only AquaComputer supplied a backplate. To me backplates are like standoffs (especially for the longer cards)... they should be the norm and not the exception.

Yeah I agree, backplates are a must. I heard watercool are bundling backplates with their hk blocks as well, whenever they appear...

[blazarcher]

Yeah I agree, backplates are a must. I heard watercool are bundling backplates with their hk blocks as well, whenever they appear...

Yeah if they ever appear lol. Seriously, they are taking way too long. Might as well go for AquaComputer or Koolance instead.

[converge]

I got my 480s today and noticed the ek backplates were now in stock so I decided to bite the bullet and ordered the last 2 ek nickel plexi blocks and 2 nickel backplates :up:

If/when I change the theme of my build, I'll most likely try out the aquacomputer blocks. The microhannels on the koolance block looks nice but the block is just too flashy for me and is missing a backplate. I'm sure you could make the ek one fit though.

[eternal_fantasy]

No worries. Yeah the store is great, Jochen is a pretty nice guy and sorted the order out for my hk 5870 blocks a while back :up:

Just received order dispatch confirmation from a-c-shop.de for my Nickel plated aquagraFX GTX480!!!! The ETA on the site for the nickel plated version is for the 26th, was not expecting it to be dispatched so soon! Had to change my order, added a MIPS RAM block which came out much cheaper then anywhere else with their 15% off everything before end of May. Great service and awesome shop. :up:

Will post some shots of the plated block when it arrives hopefully early next week. :D

[Armitage]

Skinee. I read that you are not using a flow meter in testing. But as I look at these blocks, I can definitely see which ones will perform better, but at the same time restrict more flow. To me the deciding factor is more than just the best temps, it's also how much flow the block will restrict. I thought this was an important aspect of all water blocks - maybe I am wrong.

I guess the pressure monitor will tell us how good the flow is? (Sorry if thats a stupid question)

[Philwong]

Forgot something ... you NEED to use the right fittings in the pic as teh INLET.

Let the test results do the talking instead.

Phil

[skinnee]

Armitage, you read my mind. Vapor and I had been talking about restriction and flow rates and we came to the conclusion that I have to monitor and capture flow rate of the loop regardless of my "issues". So, a King 7520 was looped up.

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Bench/thm_GTX480_bench5.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Bench/GTX480_bench5.jpg)

not the best pic, but you get the idea. :)

Edit: Philwong... what is that quote from, I can't seem to find the OP from Boulard?

[Boulard83]

I was refering to this block :

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/XSPC/XSPC_internals2.jpg

In order to have flow in the VRM section you need to used the right hole as inlet.

[Philwong]

I was refering to this block :

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/XSPC/XSPC_internals2.jpg

In order to have flow in the VRM section you need to used the right hole as inlet.

I know..

Phil

[prava]

I was refering to this block :

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/XSPC/XSPC_internals2.jpg

In order to have flow in the VRM section you need to used the right hole as inlet.

Shouldn't it be on the contrary? If you use the right as inlet then water goes through both entries of the VRM channel and, as such, there will be no waterflow. Instead, if you use the left one as inlet, once the water has gone through the GPU it will enter the VRM channel and then leave (provided the outlet part of the VRM channel is closed so that no water can get in).

At least this is the way I see it...:shrug:

[Waterlogged]

Shouldn't it be on the contrary? If you use the right as inlet then water goes through both entries of the VRM channel and, as such, there will be no waterflow. Instead, if you use the left one as inlet, once the water has gone through the GPU it will enter the VRM channel and then leave (provided the outlet part of the VRM channel is closed so that no water can get in).

At least this is the way I see it...:shrug:

You would think that would be the case but there would be a siphon effect from the rest of the water going past the little piece of copper acting as a diverter.

[Boulard83]

@Prave
I really doubt your right. really !

As Waterlogged told, if you use the left one, you need the outled water to cause a syphon in order to "pump" water in the VRM area.

[Waterlogged]

@Prave
I really doubt your right. really !

As Waterlogged told, if you use the left one, you need the outled water to cause a syphon in order to "pump" water in the VRM area.

Actually, it looks like it could work the same with the water flowing in either direction.

[Boulard83]

Still think the best is the right one as inlet.



Skinnee should test this with this particular block.

[eternal_fantasy]

What we need is a plexi side, drop of colour dye and a web cam. :up:

[Armitage]

Armitage, you read my mind. Vapor and I had been talking about restriction and flow rates and we came to the conclusion that I have to monitor and capture flow rate of the loop regardless of my "issues". So, a King 7520 was looped up.

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Bench/thm_GTX480_bench5.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Bench/GTX480_bench5.jpg)

not the best pic, but you get the idea. :)

Edit: Philwong... what is that quote from, I can't seem to find the OP from Boulard?

Excellent ! Looking forward to the reviews. I particularly love the look of the EK blocks, enough sometimes to pick them over a slight loss in performance :)

[DarthBeavis]

I am waiting for independent testing from phatty labs myself.

[Coldon]

Still think the best is the right one as inlet.
Skinnee should test this with this particular block.


What we need is a plexi side, drop of colour dye and a web cam. :up:

+1 on both counts!

[Vapor]

The XSPC approach to cooling the VRMs should work just fine, IMO. This barb (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/XSPC/XSPC_inlet.jpg) will ensure that flow goes over the VRMs. "Path of least resistance" dictates it will take all paths, which means over the VRMs (if that barb is aligned properly). I doubt that inlet vs. outlet will make much of a difference in end performance unless flowrates are so extraordinarily low that the heat from the VRMs increases the water temp noticeably before it gets to the core.

EDIT: and in case it's unclear, I don't think it matters much if that port is inlet or outlet when it comes to flow distribution (i.e., no observable thermal difference)--I skip that logical explanatory step above.

[blazarcher]

Actually, it looks like it could work the same with the water flowing in either direction.

Yeah lol, either way the water in the VRM section HAS to go somewhere. So either will do. Seriously, don't you think XSPC already thought about this?

[Boulard83]

Ill wait for real testing. ;)

Skinnee, i want you to test the XSPC in/out importance.

[cx-ray]

Armitage, you read my mind. Vapor and I had been talking about restriction and flow rates and we came to the conclusion that I have to monitor and capture flow rate of the loop regardless of my "issues". So, a King 7520 was looped up

Nice, because I just saw this on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/trubritar?blend=1&ob=4#p/u/0/yFQRorMZb4k

[blazarcher]

Nice, because I just saw this on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/trubritar?blend=1&ob=4#p/u/0/yFQRorMZb4k

Yeah I saw that too. But honestly, I don't care much about flow rate. All I care about is looks and cooling performance xD

[Conumdrum]

Ill wait for real testing. ;)

Skinnee, i want you to test the XSPC in/out importance.

I want you to?:rofl:

[Boulard83]

Yes i want !

or at least ..

i hope !

[Waterlogged]

The XSPC approach to cooling the VRMs should work just fine, IMO. This barb (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/XSPC/XSPC_inlet.jpg) will ensure that flow goes over the VRMs. "Path of least resistance" dictates it will take all paths, which means over the VRMs (if that barb is aligned properly). I doubt that inlet vs. outlet will make much of a difference in end performance unless flowrates are so extraordinarily low that the heat from the VRMs increases the water temp noticeably before it gets to the core.

EDIT: and in case it's unclear, I don't think it matters much if that port is inlet or outlet when it comes to flow distribution (i.e., no observable thermal difference)--I skip that logical explanatory step above.

That fitting is my biggest concern with the XSPC block. I'd really like to know what size those holes are as that could pose as a really big restriction point if they're too small.


Yeah I saw that too. But honestly, I don't care much about flow rate. All I care about is looks and cooling performance xD

Cooling performance is end result of flow rate, more flow=better performance, to a certain point anyways .

[gmat]

shouldnt the 8 screws around the GPU area be sufficient to prevent a bad mount due to bending? I can totally understand why it's nice to have the option of the back plate but while I personally feel like it may be unnecessary, skinnees testing will ultimately tell...

The screws around GPU area combined with the pressure from the block around these screws (and over the VRMs and such) will make the card bend. I really wish i had one for my 285 GTX blocks.

[cx-ray]

Yeah I saw that too. But honestly, I don't care much about flow rate. All I care about is looks and cooling performance xD

I'm interested in what the end result will bring if you for instance have two Swiftech GTX 480 blocks in the same loop with your CPU and mobo. Considering that GPU temp is rather secondary (with water cooling it's already 40-50c below the stock coolers), I'm prepared to sacrifice a few degrees there in favor for better CPU temps.

[skinnee]

Video for stock HSF removal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rxHMd4SYZg)... First one is a little rough, but I'll get better as I progress.

[Circaflex]

Video wasnt too bad for your first. Im weary though on using goo gone on PC Components

[Nickel020]

I saw Skinnee's nose ;)

Nice video, got a few suggestions though:
- edit in some close-up pictures, e.g. highlighting the screws (I think Shane did this as well), showing the pad at the back and how far you need to remove it etc.
- talk more about other options besides the cleaning stuff you used, i.e. isopropyl alcohol, acetone etc.
- explain why you're doing what you're doing; I've been doing this kind of stuff for ~8 years now, but I've never used a coffee filter, do you use it because it's lint free? I usually use paper towels and then a lint-free lens cleaning cloth...

[skinnee]

Had no problems with GooGone what so ever and have been using it for quite a while.

Good feedback, thanks Nickel! :up:

And yes, the coffee filter is for lint free, cheap and with the amount of coffee I consume daily they are guaranteed to be available in the house. :)

[Major]

Video for stock HSF removal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rxHMd4SYZg)... First one is a little rough, but I'll get better as I progress.

Do you know any "hot" chicks that could assist you during your videos? :shocked:

[skinnee]

If I did do you think you would've seen me on camera? :p:

Progressing along here, since nVidia did not give us VRM sensors we had to come up with our own.
http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Bench/thm_GTX480-vrmprobes.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Bench/GTX480-vrmprobes.jpg) http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Bench/thm_GTX480-vrmprobes2.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Bench/GTX480-vrmprobes2.jpg)

And yes, I need to clean up those hot glue whiskers yet.

[Conumdrum]

I saw Skinnee's nose ;)

Nice video, got a few suggestions though:
- edit in some close-up pictures, e.g. highlighting the screws (I think Shane did this as well), showing the pad at the back and how far you need to remove it etc.
- talk more about other options besides the cleaning stuff you used, i.e. isopropyl alcohol, acetone etc.
- explain why you're doing what you're doing; I've been doing this kind of stuff for ~8 years now, but I've never used a coffee filter, do you use it because it's lint free? I usually use paper towels and then a lint-free lens cleaning cloth...

I agree on some points Nickle, but this isn't a watercooling 101 class. Be nice to have one. Skinnee does the deep work and I'd rather him focus on the test than why he uses GOO GONE to pre wipe a CPU for TIM application. We all know that, or ones watching the vid really should know before they get to this level.

And he's very economical with that coffee filter, but doing this all the time, costs add up, even coffee filters!

I have paper towel bits scattered everywhere, and depending on my mood, the same with coffee filters.

[Conumdrum]

For the fun of it, this is a pic of Skinnee at the 2010 XS party at the go cart track next to the Palms Casino. We's just chatting. Nice guy!

His nose is perfectly normal.

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg49/Conumdrum_2007/Skinneedone.jpg

Hope you don't mind Skinnee, and there were no crazy women at this party, was typical geek stuff. I live in Vegas, the wild women only hang with the folks with mo' money that any of us have.

[skinnee]

LOL, you didn't have to blur out my face... its all good. I do have a big snoz though. :p:

A couple weeks back in Detroit...
http://skinneelabs.com/sample/_V8U4702.jpg

In GTX480 block testing news: Bitspower block was mounted up (video coming), running the first stock clocks/stock voltage run and the system hard locked. Power-cycled, instant FF. Been troubleshooting for the past few hours, and will try the board again tomorrow.

However, we have 2 options if the Classified is dead...
1. Wait for RMA
2. Run with the Rampage II Extreme

I presume you folks would like results rather than wait for RMA, so I'm switching over to the R2E now.

[Hondacity]

can you move the sensors a mm nearer the vregs? hehehe

[skinnee]

can you move the sensors a mm nearer the vregs? hehehe

:)

They are as close as they can get and still maintain clearance of the chokes. Sensors are reading 30C+ at idle as I get the system changed over the R2E.

[Marvin54]

WoooW

look goods

[ell]

LOL, you didn't have to blur out my face..

What a legend :up: such a class act!

I've literally a pair of msi 480 gtxs sitting here I refuse to touch until skinnee has finished his testing, do you have any idea what so ever on an ETA for the results?

& I know it goes without saying but your effort, hours and hard work is very much appreciated

[Nickel020]

I agree on some points Nickle, but this isn't a watercooling 101 class. Be nice to have one. Skinnee does the deep work and I'd rather him focus on the test than why he uses GOO GONE to pre wipe a CPU for TIM application. We all know that, or ones watching the vid really should know before they get to this level.


Well I disagree. The video is/should be a WC 101 since the people who don't need to hear all the details don't even need the video anyway. The point of it is to teach people who have never done this... And yes, Skinnee's time is best spent testing, so making videos you can only understand if you know how to install blocks is a way bigger waste than making 101 videos. As nice as bling videos are, Skinnee making entertainment videos for enthusiasts is really a waste of his testing time.


can you move the sensors a mm nearer the vregs? hehehe


:)

They are as close as they can get and still maintain clearance of the chokes. Sensors are reading 30C+ at idle as I get the system changed over the R2E.


Would it not be better to use calibrated thermocouple sensors here? With the Dallas sensors you can't get close enough to the mosfets, which is what you want to be actually be measuring. Sacrifice some accuracy in order to get closer to the action^^

[bundymania]

Rico sent me some pics today, which i would like to share with you:

http://www.abload.de/img/gpu_x3_gtx480_2kw83w.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/gpu_x3_gtx480_1kwv80.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/gpu_x3_gtx480_3klvtl.jpg

As you can see: Backplate not shown on the pics

[Nickel020]

Looks great, as always!

I wonder if there are any changes to the internals compared to the 58x0 block...

[Petra]

Video for stock HSF removal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rxHMd4SYZg)... First one is a little rough, but I'll get better as I progress.

I would be very leery of using and/or recommending others use localized cold shock via liquid CO2 to loosen up the adhesive on that foam strip... the components and board are designed to handle the gradual heating of the reflow process, making a hairdryer or heat gun the ideal choice for the job. The liquid CO2, if not used very carefully, could cause all sorts of damage (think of it along the same lines as why you don't want to spill LN2 on a board... sure, the liquid CO2 isn't as bad, but it's still not a good idea).

[skinnee]

Would it not be better to use calibrated thermocouple sensors here? With the Dallas sensors you can't get close enough to the mosfets, which is what you want to be actually be measuring. Sacrifice some accuracy in order to get closer to the action^^

That was my initial idea... use the UEI DT302 I have for LN2, but that was going to be more hassle for very little gain. From the runs last night on the BP block, the sensors are working very, very well. Keep in mind, if NV would've just done the proper design and provided VRM sensors we wouldn't be having this discussion in the first place. :)

[skinnee]

Just checking back after a weekend full of testing...

Bitspower installation video is in editing, max testable OC found and saved (found OCP for my PSU in the process, and I swear you can burn your fingers off on the GTX480 PCB at the VRM's using Afterburner Extreme for voltage control), 3 mounts and 6 runs completed. The rest of the blocks will be tested in the order received, but I plan on having install videos released along the way. Oh yeah, the VRM sensors are working extremely well!

Also, I did hear back from Rico @ Watercool and they will be sending a block for the round-up this week. I'll post again on that topic once the card has shipped... I am not counting on it until I know the block is en route. I have a busy work week ahead of me, but there will be progress made on block testing guaranteed!

:toast:

[Boulard83]

Nice skinnee !

We appreciate your work :)

[JoeBar]

A :toast: for the effort and time...


It's great to have guys willing to sacrifice their resources for others... :clap:

[mk-ultra]

keep up the good work skinnee!!!!

[SuperchargedZ06]

Patiently awaiting results as well - kudos to you skinnee for all the work you are pouring into this!

One quick question, in addition to all the performance metrics you are going to collect, could you also expose each block to a woman (preferably married) to get their acceptance reaction/scowl factor? (This may help influence my purchase decision...) :p:

[Conumdrum]

Patiently awaiting results as well - kudos to you skinnee for all the work you are pouring into this!

One quick question, in addition to all the performance metrics you are going to collect, could you also expose each block to a woman (preferably married) to get their acceptance reaction/scowl factor? (This may help influence my purchase decision...) :p:

Rose colored water with rose smell. We have discussed it before here.

"Honey, I got .375C lower load temps, I just need to buy xxx for a whole 1.0C."

"Thats nice dear it smells pretty and looks like the rose garden you promised me 3 years ago, go ahead, buy more stuff."

$37 a pint, interested?

[blinkin2000]

Wow this will be great. I'm really looking forward to the results. Thank for doing this research. The type of data on this forum, I feel, is way more reliable than one-off reviews floating on the web.

[luke997]

This thread is the reason I got the backplates so here it is on :)

http://rs760l33.rapidshare.com/files/391499887/EK_GTX_480_Backplate_x2_800.jpg

[-TYPHOON-]

looks like its bent.

[luke997]

looks like its bent.

It's not, just not fully screwed in the middle and not at all on both edges as the attached screws were too short.
Good screws are on the way though.

[gabe]

:)

They are as close as they can get and still maintain clearance of the chokes. Sensors are reading 30C+ at idle as I get the system changed over the R2E.

This is a debate I had in dreams between a nameless Hard core XS member and Skinnee:

XS (Authoritative): Ideally Skinnee, you'd want to epoxy 28 type T thermo-couples to the side of each one of the mosfets :p:

Skinnee (mildly amused): $%^%^:mad:&you :nuts: or what? grmbl grmbl

XS (accomodating): ok, I understand, .. how about 14 then ? You could run spreadsheets with temp variations between each of the mosfet with the different blocks, with nice standard deviation curvs.. that would look great!

Skinnee (loosing patience): *(&:cussing: (:slapass::slapass:^&*

XS (giving up): fine, let's settle for 7 then ? really that's the least you could do for a mildly accurate performance analysis.

Skinnee: (%^&%:shakes: :smoke: :explode: ^%&*(&

[-Fluffy-]

These results can't come soon enough! :p:

Does the EK backplate do anything functional, besides looking awesome?

[Boulard83]

Whats wrong gabe ?

Your afraid that skinnee could discover anything wrong about the Swiftech block ?

Im 100% satisfied with my komodo ... i dont see why the GTX one would fail ...

[luke997]

Does the EK backplate do anything functional, besides looking awesome?
I might be wrong but I don't think so - at least not until you put the thermal pads in a few places where there are chips on the PCB.
Perhaps also prevents the card to bend but to be honest I did not notice PCB to bend with EK block.

[gmat]

Progressing along here, since nVidia did not give us VRM sensors we had to come up with our own.

And yes, I need to clean up those hot glue whiskers yet.
HA you found a creative way to use those holes on the PCB :up:


I might be wrong but I don't think so - at least not until you put the thermal pads in a few places where there are chips on the PCB.
Perhaps also prevents the card to bend but to be honest I did not notice PCB to bend with EK block.
Well on the photo above, it's already bent ?

[luke997]

Well on the photo above, it's already bent ?

See my post above - it's not bent it's just not fully mounted due to incorrect size screws attached.
When mounted with random screws I've had just to try out all fits well.

[Lancelot]

results please.......ahhhhhhhhh

[Vapor]

results please.......ahhhhhhhhhPatience :p:

He's only got the BP 100% done (Koolance should be done soon I'd think).

IIRC, he saw over 100C on his VRM probes on the run that tripped his PSU's OCP. Guess the VRMs weren't getting cooled well enough and saw runaway drops in efficiency (leading to runaway increases in power consumed at the wall and power dissipated at the VRMs). So yeah, definitely has some viable data off the VRM temp setup he has going right now :cool:

And even at stock, there were major differences in GPU temp and VRM temp between the Koolance and the BP, so it looks like the test setup is done and now it's just to data collection :up:

[ForceFed_B16A]

Patience :p:

He's only got the BP 100% done... he saw over 100C on his VRM probes on the run that tripped his PSU's OCP...

Anyone want to buy my Bitspower GTX 480 waterblock? :shrug:

[Vapor]

I'm not sure how many of the blocks could handle those test settings, if any :lol:

Fortunately his finalized test settings for the review are lower...reviewers of blocks need three main things from their GPU/CPU/board/whatever: heat, repeatability, and stability. He's got all covered right now :up:

[skinnee]

Yup, BP block thermals are complete and Koolance block is 2/3rds complete but should be done tonight. Danger Den block is next since it was the second block to arrive. I should have the BP install video done tonight as well, I want the Koolance video rendering tonight but that might be high expectations of myself.

The voltage testing on the card was insane, VRM temps were well beyond 100C and watt consumption of the card just kept climbing. I can't wait to see the non-reference designs come out, as the power delivery has a lot of room for improvement. But what came out of all that white knuckle experiementation was as much heat as I could generate, remain stable and my own comfort level that the card would survive the torture of testing 8+ blocks.

But yes, we've now reached the 'grind' portion... Mount Video, Test, Test, unmount/remount, Test, Test, unmount/remount, Test, Test, Mount Video, rinse/repeat. I'm going to get a few more blocks done this weekend and might just provide a sneak peak at some performance data.

:toast:

[punx223]

nice lookin review skinee.

cant wait to see the results. The Swiftech/EVGA block looks very interesting with the hybrid VRM cooling.

[Wryknow]

I'm going to get a few more blocks done this weekend and might just provide a sneak peak at some performance data.

:toast:

Exxxxxcellent :clap:

[zeroibis]

Thanks for your hard work on bringing us these numbers :D

[Russ_64]

Is it only the Aqua block that has a backplate?

My money is on the EK (I have always used them and already purchased one for my new GTX470)......... I also have my doubts about the XSPC VRM cooling.

Can't wait to see the finished charts :)

[snoro]

If i remember well, only the aqua have a backplate as standard with the block but Ek have one in option. Best choice for me would be the ek backplate and aqua gtx 470 block with the stainless black painted and the copper nickel plated. That would be very nice.

[JoeChuo]

Skinnee fast! fast! I need juice here. JK ... can do the EK block first ... the rest later.

[Russ_64]

If i remember well, only the aqua have a backplate as standard with the block but Ek have one in option. Best choice for me would be the ek backplate and aqua gtx 470 block with the stainless black painted and the copper nickel plated. That would be very nice.

Yeah, you are correct. EK is out-of-stock for 470 and none of the UK stores have them. EK say that "Backplate serves as aesthetics add on", so I guess it is not really needed unless you have a Window case......

[eternal_fantasy]

Skinnee fast! fast! I need juice here. JK ... can do the EK block first ... the rest later.

What's the point of a single test result other then to prove the EK does cool the card sufficiently when you don't have results from other brands to compare it against?

[eternal_fantasy]

Patience :p:

He's only got the BP 100% done (Koolance should be done soon I'd think).

IIRC, he saw over 100C on his VRM probes on the run that tripped his PSU's OCP. Guess the VRMs weren't getting cooled well enough and saw runaway drops in efficiency (leading to runaway increases in power consumed at the wall and power dissipated at the VRMs). So yeah, definitely has some viable data off the VRM temp setup he has going right now :cool:

And even at stock, there were major differences in GPU temp and VRM temp between the Koolance and the BP, so it looks like the test setup is done and now it's just to data collection :up:


Yup, BP block thermals are complete and Koolance block is 2/3rds complete but should be done tonight. Danger Den block is next since it was the second block to arrive. I should have the BP install video done tonight as well, I want the Koolance video rendering tonight but that might be high expectations of myself.

The voltage testing on the card was insane, VRM temps were well beyond 100C and watt consumption of the card just kept climbing. I can't wait to see the non-reference designs come out, as the power delivery has a lot of room for improvement. But what came out of all that white knuckle experiementation was as much heat as I could generate, remain stable and my own comfort level that the card would survive the torture of testing 8+ blocks.

But yes, we've now reached the 'grind' portion... Mount Video, Test, Test, unmount/remount, Test, Test, unmount/remount, Test, Test, Mount Video, rinse/repeat. I'm going to get a few more blocks done this weekend and might just provide a sneak peak at some performance data.

:toast:

If you compare these 2 pictures:

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd126/eternal_fantasy_86/BP-GTX480_prodshot2.jpg
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd126/eternal_fantasy_86/GTX480-vrmprobes.jpg

You will see that the screw shown by the orange dot lines up with the corresponding orange dot temperature probe exactly.

From the below picture you can see the screw is not flush against the copper surface:
http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlock/GTX480/Bitspower/BP-GTX480_prodshot3.jpg

The machining of these copper blocks are very precise, often overhanging components on the PCB by few hundred micrometers, and I believe the screw placement at that location is so that it misses the chokes when mounted. From your pictures Skinnee the temp sensor seems to be flush with the chokes, so is it possible that because of this conflict the screw+temp probe causing a bad mount and therefore bad VRM contact? Seeing that the Bitspower block have no mechanical fixture point between the block and the PCB on the VRM end side like the Koolance/Aqua-Computers blocks have, it may have caused the PCB to bend away from the block when you tighten down the screws shown by the green and blue dots.

Bad design on Bitspower's end, hopefully you haven't damaged your 480 by a bad/no contact for the VRMs...

[Boulard83]

Good point here Mr. fantasy !

[DarthBeavis]

Bet certain OTHER forums will not detail a design flaw in a BP product if there were one. only flame vendors other than BP when you have their banner ad

[skinnee]

Good sleuthing! Yeah, that screw concerned me but it turned out to be a non-issue.

There were not any contact problems on the Bitspower block, the TIM and Thermal Pad contact looks fine.
http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Bitspower/thm_BP-GTX480_contact.jpg (http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images/GPUBlocks/GTX480/Bitspower/BP-GTX480_contact.jpg)

[skinnee]

Bitspower Black Freezer Installation - Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r-qof2iTeU)
Bitspower Black Freezer Installation - Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_-JHMJDkHc)

720p will be available once the videos are done processing by YouTube. Now working on the Koolance and Danger Den install videos.

[DarthBeavis]

So, BP numbers?

[skinnee]

So, BP numbers?

I have them, yes. :p:

[Sgt.McRuff]

Phew, we thought you lost them there for a second. I herd they like to hide in dark corners.

[skinnee]

Koolance VID-NX480 Installation Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pw9HOR-_azk)

Had some audio problems with this one, getting that corrected for the Danger Den installation video.

[ell]

go skinnee! nice one mate. eagerly await ek testing and final results

[cx-ray]

Koolance VID-NX480 Installation Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pw9HOR-_azk)

Had some audio problems with this one, getting that corrected for the Danger Den installation video.

Sounds like you hit puberty at 6:30 :)

[Vapor]

Sounds like you hit puberty at 6:30 :):rofl::rofl:

[skinnee]

:rofl:

Yeah, audio issues.

:rofl:

[DarthBeavis]

:rofl:

Yeah, audio issues.

:rofl:
is that what they call the merwang hitting the impeller now adays?

[skinnee]

is that what they call the merwang hitting the impeller now adays?

I have no idea what that means to begin with. :shrug:

[Sgt.McRuff]

Sounds like you hit puberty at 6:30 :)

NOT ENOUGH :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl: faces

Skinnee you sure james earl jones wasnt around at 6:30?

[skinnee]

I've watched the KL video many times now... probably going to pull it and completely re-do it. Picture is far to yellow, sound it all jacked up and so on.

Danger Den video is rendering now...

[skinnee]

Danger Den Installation Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-Ik0lUmnG4)

trying some different tricks and what not...

[ell]

interesting.. wonder why dd is the only company that insists on TIM instead of thermal pads for the memory chips, guess all will be revealed at the end!

also skinnee are you weighing each block as you go along? the weight of the blocks are quite important to me. each video is getting better and better btw

[eternal_fantasy]

interesting.. wonder why dd is the only company that insists on TIM instead of thermal pads for the memory chips, guess all will be revealed at the end!

also skinnee are you weighing each block as you go along? the weight of the blocks are quite important to me. each video is getting better and better btw

Aqua-Computers also use TIM for memory.

[ell]

well shave my balls and call me susie, that's a melon scratcher. surely thermal pads makes up any micro millimetre difference in machining of the block? whereas TIM i'd imagine you'd have to screw excessively tight to make proper contact, possibly causing pcb bending? then again, i've only ever used EK

[Helloworld_98]

surely thermal pads makes up any micro millimetre difference in machining of the block? whereas TIM i'd imagine you'd have to screw excessively tight to make proper contact, possibly causing pcb bending? then again, i've only ever used EK

other way round unless somehow solids have the same properties as liquids now

[Vapor]

Danger Den Installation Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-Ik0lUmnG4)

trying some different tricks and what not...Nice ninja swap with the MX-2 tubes :lol:

Started with a black near-empty tube and ended with a fresh white tube :p: