View Full Version : UPDATED:Anyone running the EK HD6970 blocks?
Utnorris
03-18-2011, 10:39 PM
So I have these installed on two HD6970's, one MSI and one Asus. Both are reference PCB's. The block mounted on the MSI has no issues, but the Asus one does not seem to be making good contact with the memory since my temps get into the 80c range on the memory. The GPU and VRM temps stay in the 30c to 40c range under load. I even took out the standoffs to see if that would make a difference and it had no effect. Thinking I just need to tighten some screws a bit more, but just wondering if anyone else ran into this issue. Also, due to the P67 placement of the PCIe lanes on the Asus Deluxe and the Asrock Extreme 6, you cannot use the EK Bridge to connect them. Neither the dual nor the triple line up correctly, more of a heads up on that one.
penguins
03-18-2011, 10:53 PM
Did you switch the blocks to rule out the asus as a problem?
Utnorris
03-19-2011, 06:31 AM
Not yet. If tightening the screws didn't help I was going to try that. I figured the Asus might have a part slightly off causing the block not to be able to sit correctly. Of course, if the problem follows the block then I know it's the block and that would suck. The other option will be to increase the thickness of the thermal pads on the memory. I think I have enough extra of the really thin pads to do that.
tool_462
03-19-2011, 06:50 AM
Are you sure you used the right thermal pads on the right components? I mixed it up on one of mine and had to remount.
Eddy_EK
03-19-2011, 09:06 AM
Hi!
Please check if you have right configuration of EK bridge.
I also hope you don't have that first series of EK bridge dual serial with overdrilled hole. Because those were supposed to be removed from sales 8 months ago...
Utnorris
03-19-2011, 02:28 PM
Hi!
Please check if you have right configuration of EK bridge.
I also hope you don't have that first series of EK bridge dual serial with overdrilled hole. Because those were supposed to be removed from sales 8 months ago...
No idea Eddy. They have worked fine in the past, but they just do not line up with this weird PCIe configuration. I tried both the dual serial and triple parallel bridge and neither lined up. I really like the bridge and wish I could use it.
Utnorris
03-19-2011, 02:30 PM
Are you sure you used the right thermal pads on the right components? I mixed it up on one of mine and had to remount.
Yep, double checked and triple checked them during the third mount when I took out the spacers. I really think the Asus card is just slightly out of spec which I should be able to solve with thicker pads.
Running mine no issues on my reference XFX 6950. I took it off to check the contact, and there are impressions in all the thermal pads.
Eddy_EK
03-20-2011, 12:02 AM
some pictures possible?
Can send to our support e-mail also...
Utnorris
03-20-2011, 04:56 AM
I will take some later today and send them to you. I have to take that part of the loop apart first. Thanks for the help.
Utnorris: You mind posting a picture of the base of your block? Mine has an atrocious finish, and EK has told me it's normal. I'd just like a point of reference to compare to.
Utnorris
03-20-2011, 12:51 PM
Should be able to late tonight. I Have some stuff to work on outside, so just depends on how tired I am after that, but I will try.
fatherTime27
03-20-2011, 10:13 PM
in for results
Utnorris
03-22-2011, 07:13 PM
Ok, so I got the block pulled and if you do not remember, I had two issues:
The first issue was that my memory was getting hot - When I pulled off the block I discovered that 3 of the memory modules on the side were barely making contact. This is without the spacers even. Here are a couple pics to show you what I mean:
http://img858.imageshack.us/img858/9827/imag0445.th.jpg (http://img858.imageshack.us/i/imag0445.jpg/)
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/5320/imag0446.th.jpg (http://img3.imageshack.us/i/imag0446.jpg/)
http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/7981/imag0447f.th.jpg (http://img94.imageshack.us/i/imag0447f.jpg/)
You can see that the memory modules on the top are making great contact because of the impressions left behind, whereas the three on the side are barely noticeable. To fix this, I added additional thermal pads to those three. I won't know for sure till I run the card under stress if it fixes the issue.
The second issue was the use of the EK bridge on a P67 MB with odd spacing. I confirmed that neither the triple nor the dual bridge will work on P67 MB's that add an additional slot space between the first x16 slot and the second x16 slot. The bridges were designed for MB's that have a single slot space between x16 slots, so slot one is x16 then slot two is whatever, slot three is x16. So essentially, the bridges work when the x16 slots are in the odd number slots, i.e. slot 1, slot 3, slot 5 versus these odd P67 MB's that have spacing as slot 1 and then slot 4. The x16 slots have to be every other slot for them to align correctly, which is normal for 99% of the MB's out there. It's only on these P67 boards that add an additional slot between the first x16 slot and the second x16 slot to allow for additional air flow when using the OEM coolers. Keep in mind that this effects any SLI/CF connector that is not adjustable since they rely on the standard spacing.
Hopefully this tidbit of information helps anyone setting up SLI/CF on the new P67 MB's. EK and other manufactures will either have to make a special connector or just except that the bridges/connectors will not work on certain P67 MB's. This seems to be the standard spacing for most, if not all P67 MB's designed for SLI/CF, but I may be wrong on that as I am sure there are a few boards that do not adhere to this spacing such as the MIV.
Utnorris
03-22-2011, 09:24 PM
Ok, so my memory temps improved, however my GPU and Shader temps suffered. They are still under what air would be, but not by much.
As reported by AIDA64 running Furmark:
GPU1 (DISPI0) - 44c
GPU1 (MEMI0) - 57c
GPU1 (SHADER) - 61c
GPU2 (DISPI0) - 66c
GPU2 (MEMI0) - 80c
GPU2 (SHADER) - 86c
Blocks are ran in series and temps go back down to idle temps almost immediately. So, I will look at probably getting different blocks or maybe I just need to tighten these down a bit more, not sure yet. Between the temps and trying to make serial work for proper bleeding I am a little frustrated. Hopefully tomorrow I will think of something to improve the temps.
Hmmm, yours looks considerably better than mine, which EK Support has told me is normal.
http://ompldr.org/tN2hpNg (http://ompldr.org/vN2hpNg)
penguins
03-23-2011, 12:12 AM
Troll Much? in the last thread you were trolling in Eddy EK told you to send an email to him and that it shouldn't have gotten out of the factory.
SpuTnicK
03-23-2011, 12:21 AM
Hmmm, yours looks considerably better than mine, which EK Support has told me is normal.
http://ompldr.org/tN2hpNg (http://ompldr.org/vN2hpNg)
now that is total crap quality:(
Troll Much? in the last thread you were trolling in Eddy EK told you to send an email to him and that it shouldn't have gotten out of the factory.
I missed that post. Shooting Eddy a PM now.
Edit: His PM box is full. Anyone know his email?
Utnorris
03-23-2011, 04:28 AM
Hmmm, yours looks considerably better than mine, which EK Support has told me is normal.
http://ompldr.org/tN2hpNg (http://ompldr.org/vN2hpNg)
Actually, and I didn't grab a pic of it, but my looks similar to yours with the circles off to the side. I didn't grab a picture because I wasn't worried about the looks, just the performance. And the reality is, I am not going to ship a block all the way back to Europe to get it replaced. It's costs too much and takes too long. Maybe if I decide to replace the blocks with something else, but I don't want to be down for a couple weeks waiting on a new block.
LowRun
03-23-2011, 06:15 AM
Hmmm, yours looks considerably better than mine, which EK Support has told me is normal.
http://ompldr.org/tN2hpNg (http://ompldr.org/vN2hpNg)
:eek:
Troll Much? in the last thread you were trolling in Eddy EK told you to send an email to him and that it shouldn't have gotten out of the factory.
This is not even remotely looking like trolling dude. I'd be utterly pissed if i got something that bad for my money.
tiborrr
03-23-2011, 06:45 AM
Low Run: This picture by nvmc is posted in every thread which is even remotely regarding EK. EK provided prompt solution to this issue so yeah, pengius has a point.
Eddy_EK
03-23-2011, 07:36 AM
Hmmm, yours looks considerably better than mine, which EK Support has told me is normal.
http://ompldr.org/tN2hpNg (http://ompldr.org/vN2hpNg)
Thank you for reminding us again, I have offered you a replacement but we never got contacted by you. So...
Utnorris
03-23-2011, 11:18 AM
Ok, Eddy and Tiborrr, any solution for my issue besides replacing the block? I really do not want to have to ship it back to Europe. Will different thermal pads cause issues long term? I did tighten the screws a little more and my temps got a better, so I would think changing the pads out for thicker ones should fix the issue, correct? Also, any plans on a different bridge?
Kenjiwing
03-23-2011, 11:33 AM
Thank you for reminding us again, I have offered you a replacement but we never got contacted by you. So...
Speaking of blocks.. Eddy I have contacted you twice now with no response about my 6970 block.
The block is nickel is coming off and ive only had the block for 2 weeks.. the loop is nothing but distilled and silver coil like I told you..
Pics:
http://i.imgur.com/Q1n1P.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5MKD9.jpg
Orig Email:
I'm having a problem with one of your new blocks.. I bought 2 Nickel/Acrylic blocks for my 2 6950s. I took the rig apart over the weekend and noticed one of my blocks was having an issue with the nickel. Around the middle area the nickel is coming off and copper is exposed. This is only happening with one of the blocks.
My loop consists of Distilled Water and one Silver Killcoil.. I looked around on the net and multiple other people are noting the same thing. Is there something wrong with the nickel plating on my block?
Id like to have it swapped if possible..
Thanks,
LowRun
03-23-2011, 12:13 PM
Low Run: This picture by nvmc is posted in every thread which is even remotely regarding EK. EK provided prompt solution to this issue so yeah, pengius has a point.
I checked before i posted and could only find one previous occurrence of nvmc mentioning that problem which i wouldn't call trolling or posting in every thread regarding EK but some of his posts could have been deleted so i wouldn't know.
Sorry didn't mean to derail the thread.
I've posted it once before, in a thread about FC block quality (not about EK, tiborrr), a very appropriate place IMHO.
I missed the original post from Eddy about contacting him, and I have since done so via the "info@ekwaterblocks.com" address. Had I seen it I would not have posted the picture again in this thread, but as far as I knew, the situation was still the same, and EK had not opened up any avenue for a solution.
As for the instinctive accusation of trolling, most of my loop is made up of EK gear, so I'm doing a pretty bad job of trying to hurt EK if I'm still buying their stuff :rolleyes:
Church
03-23-2011, 01:34 PM
nvmc: So you like EK products, nice. But rants like that can impact purchase decisions of tenhs or hundreds. No wonder some don't understand or might dislike lately rather often seen public whining about different issues before even trying or waiting to get it resolved with vendor/shop/RMA service and only after (doubtfuly) failing that post for others to know. EK, Swiftech, Koolance and several other vendors are here well respected and thought of highly exactly because of their reps working hard to resolve any issues in sensible and prompt way, so not even giving them chance seems plain wrong. And as i wrote above, such posts can hurt vendor business much more then those users might have thought.
tool_462
03-23-2011, 02:11 PM
For what it is worth, my blocks look pretty close to those pictured.
Not that I care, it's a FC GPU block and temps are great. 40C load tops with fans at 6v.
Eddy_EK
03-23-2011, 02:31 PM
All blocks have milling marks.
But the one that nvmc got it is not appropriate with EK quality and standards.
Utnorris
03-23-2011, 04:48 PM
For what it is worth, my blocks look pretty close to those pictured.
Not that I care, it's a FC GPU block and temps are great. 40C load tops with fans at 6v.
Yeah, 100% agree, for me it's more important that it performs. Don't get me wrong, I like the outside that everyone sees to look great, which mine do. I just need to figure out the temp issue.
tool_462
03-23-2011, 05:01 PM
Yeah, 100% agree, for me it's more important that it performs. Don't get me wrong, I like the outside that everyone sees to look great, which mine do. I just need to figure out the temp issue.
What are you monitoring temps with anyway?
Utnorris
03-23-2011, 05:27 PM
AIDA64 and MSI Afterburner.
nvmc: So you like EK products, nice. But rants like that can impact purchase decisions of tenhs or hundreds. No wonder some don't understand or might dislike lately rather often seen public whining about different issues before even trying or waiting to get it resolved with vendor/shop/RMA service and only after (doubtfuly) failing that post for others to know. EK, Swiftech, Koolance and several other vendors are here well respected and thought of highly exactly because of their reps working hard to resolve any issues in sensible and prompt way, so not even giving them chance seems plain wrong. And as i wrote above, such posts can hurt vendor business much more then those users might have thought.
I had tried to resolve this privately, but was told that the block was normal, after sending an email to "support@ekwaterblocks.com". I have since sent another email to "info@ekwaterblocks", but as of yet I have not received a reply.
Kenjiwing
03-24-2011, 06:21 AM
I had tried to resolve this privately, but was told that the block was normal, after sending an email to "support@ekwaterblocks.com". I have since sent another email to "info@ekwaterblocks", but as of yet I have not received a reply.
I sent my email to Eddy.. he seriously said that it looked like there was DIRT in my loop.. its clearly exposes copper from the plating coming off.. after I responded he has ignored my 3 emails since then..
Utnorris
03-29-2011, 06:56 PM
Ok, so I finally got time today to pull both blocks off and swap them out with each other. This time I got a good mount on both, although my temps under load do get in the 50c range which is higher than usual, not by a lot, but still. Looking at both blocks they looked the same, so the only thing I can come up with is it was a bad mount, several times on the Asus card. Either way it seems to be fixed now.
kaytaro
03-30-2011, 08:22 AM
Just wanted to say I got the V2 blocks installed on my Powercolor 6970's dam they are sexy! I also got the nickel backplates best looking setup I've ever had for GPU's. http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab337/mystkrh/cards.jpg
Utnorris
03-30-2011, 07:01 PM
Looks good, especially those backplates.
Wish they did a reference block that looks like the PowerColor block.
zalbard
06-01-2011, 08:32 AM
I have a question about 6970 V1 block... Just trying to make sure.
Would this block work fine with straight 7/16" ID, 5/8" OD (12mm (http://www.ekwaterblocks.com/shop/ek-psc-fitting-12mm-g1-4-black.html)) compression fittings? I am worried about the clearance issues between the PCB (and backplate) and these fittings. Would I need to buy couplings, such as these (http://www.koolance.com/water-cooling/product_info.php?product_id=1125)?
I need to be sure because I am ordering from about one billion miles away, so I'd have to wait for a couple of weeks if they didn't fit.
Thanks in advance! :up:
tiborrr
06-01-2011, 08:37 AM
@zalbard: Will confirm that tommorrow morning when I return to the office (computer) :up:
zalbard
06-01-2011, 08:50 AM
Sweet, thanks a lot! :)
Utnorris
06-01-2011, 10:27 AM
Ok, so if I remember correctly, I had to use either the spacers that came with the blocks or a Koolance spacer, like what you linked too. That was on 1/2", 3/4" compression fittings, however I believe it was barely over, so you might be able to get away with your fittings. That being said, I would use the spacers or better yet, these:
http://www.jab-tech.com/Bitspower-G1-4-Matt-Black-Anti-Twist-Adapter-BP-MBDR-C-pr-4705.html
They come in very handy.
zalbard
06-03-2011, 05:17 AM
I have a question about 6970 V1 block... Just trying to make sure.
Would this block work fine with straight 7/16" ID, 5/8" OD (12mm (http://www.ekwaterblocks.com/shop/ek-psc-fitting-12mm-g1-4-black.html)) compression fittings? I am worried about the clearance issues between the PCB (and backplate) and these fittings. Would I need to buy couplings, such as these (http://www.koolance.com/water-cooling/product_info.php?product_id=1125)?
I need to be sure because I am ordering from about one billion miles away, so I'd have to wait for a couple of weeks if they didn't fit.
Thanks in advance! :up:
Bump! Somebody gotta be using similar-sized compression fittings with these blocks...
RacingTurtle
06-03-2011, 05:25 AM
Bump! Somebody gotta be using similar-sized compression fittings with these blocks...
I'm using those BP compression fittings on my 6990 block, so I know it's not apples to apples but... I had no clearance issues with the fittings and the PCB, however using the stock backplate I had to dremel a little groove in the plate to allow the BP's to fit.
~Dunno if that helps at all.
Utnorris
06-03-2011, 05:25 AM
Well, you could hold your breath for an answer from EK, but I am afraid you will end up passing out first.
tiborrr
06-03-2011, 05:42 AM
Sorry zalbard buddy for a late reply: I can confirm EK-PSC 12mm G1/4 fittings fit on the EK-FC6970 when using EK-FC6970 Backplate.
zalbard
06-03-2011, 05:46 AM
Okay, thanks a lot, RacingTurtle & tiborrr! :up:
Good to know! :)