The Swiftech Universal GPU Bridge Works Great!

[lilmanmgf]

I have always been a fan of universal GPU blocks, but I ran into issues when I purchased my second 5850. I attempted to run two MCW60s in series, but there really wasn't much room to work. This is a photo of my first attempt:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/lilmanmgf/2011-08-30153411.jpg

It worked, but I ran into flow issues because the connecting tube kept crimping. I ended up throwing the air cooler back onto the second card. Here is the same loop, sightly different order, using the crossfire/sli bridge for universal Swiftech blocks:

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg192/scaled.php?server=192&filename=20120128200216864.jpg&res=medium (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/192/20120128200216864.jpg/)

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg26/scaled.php?server=26&filename=20120127171804529.jpg&res=medium (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/26/20120127171804529.jpg/)

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg194/scaled.php?server=194&filename=20120128200247281.jpg&res=medium (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/194/20120128200247281.jpg/)

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg600/scaled.php?server=600&filename=vidcards.jpg&res=medium (http://imageshack.us/f/600/vidcards.jpg/)

Admittedly maintaining a uniform connector tube length a little tricky, but overall the installation wasn't too difficult. I found that heating the tubes in boiling water made the process much easier. There isn't much room to work with when it comes to clamping the hose onto the barb. I used 1/2" wormdrive hose clamps, but I had to be careful of the location of the screw. Without paying attention one could easily allow a hose clamp to make contact with the second card. I recommend putting it together outside of the case and then installing the whole package onto the motherboard. So far it looks great, and works even better. If anyone is very picky about colors I should point out that the logo is chrome, and not black as advertised on the Swiftech website. I don't have a window on my case, so this wasn't an issue for me. Thank you Swiftech for continuing to show love to those of us who prefer universal GPU block!

On a side note, I messed around with three ways of cooling the Ram and VRMs of the second card. First I tried using the stock backplate with ram sinks attached to it. This didn't work very well, after only 15 minutes in game I was almost hitting 70c on the VRMs. I then tried using Swiftech VRM and Ram Heatsinks, but experienced similar results. Using the universal Swiftech heatsink the VRM temps stay around the mid 40s, even with a voltage of 1.22 V (stock is 1.087).

[Utnorris]

I use one of these, but instead of using tubing, I use BP D-plugs and Enzotech extenders. Works like a champ and actually feels pretty solid. I have two GTX580's and use the MCW82's to cool the GPU's and the Swiftech heat sinks to cool everything else. I have no issues with the memory or VRM's staying cool even under full load. This with very little air flow going across the heat sinks. Even with me maxing the voltages for benching the two cards do not get hot.

[lilmanmgf]

I use one of these, but instead of using tubing, I use BP D-plugs and Enzotech extenders. Works like a champ and actually feels pretty solid. I have two GTX580's and use the MCW82's to cool the GPU's and the Swiftech heat sinks to cool everything else. I have no issues with the memory or VRM's staying cool even under full load. This with very little air flow going across the heat sinks. Even with me maxing the voltages for benching the two cards do not get hot.

That has to look nice. I thought about doing the same, but I couldn't justify the cost. I like to keep everything hidden away in my big black aluminum box anyway. If I had a window I may have gone the same rout, I actually already have two Enzotech extenders. I have the same ram sinks, but I used these on my VRMs: http://www.swiftech.com/mc21mosfetheatsinks.aspx. They are tiny and didn't really seem to do anything. Did you increase the voltage to the VRMs for your OC? I don't mind buying the uni-sinks. I think $30 for each upgrade is much easier to swallow than $130. I think they look than full coverage blocks too. What kind of temps are you seeing with your MCW82s? On my 60s the primary card hits 38c on average with the secondary staying about 3c cooler. The maximum I've seen is 42c after several hours of gaming (ambient is 20c).

[Utnorris]

My temps are around the same. I posted pics in the Monsoon thread. I wish I had had black D-plugs, but I only had the silver and since I can't really see them once they are back in my desk it was hard to justify the additional costs. I did the individual sinks previously, but I like the uni-sinks better. Cheap enough and easy to install, plus I think they look better. Either way, I probably won't go back to full cover just because I don't need them and other than the looks I don't see the benefit to full cover. As far as voltages go, I maxed them out and still had no issues with temps.

[dasa]

the other way to avoid the tight bends is to go gpu cpu gpu pump rad rad and back to the gpu again
mcw60 are not restrictive blocks so your pump should have been able to provide plenty of flow to prevent the last block being much hotter than the first id be surprised if the water was up more than 1c