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

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Originally Posted by scottc19

So So, but does it really take 3 months and still not have a complete review?
This to me is not acceptable, what are your thoughts?

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can anyone create a foot-in-mouth smilie? :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by gabe

can anyone create a foot-in-mouth smilie? :rolleyes:

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Will this one do? :rofl:

Benchmarking and testing takes an inordinate amount of time and just because the parts are free doesn't mean it ever works out in the reviewer's favour. I know 90% of the time for me I could have just worked those hours and bought myself one instead of reviewing it.

We do it for the passion, but sometimes it takes a back seat to real life...

I'll miss Skinnee around here, but I understand why this had to be done. Hopefully he'll be on parole for good behaviour in no time.

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Originally Posted by scottc19

So So, but does it really take 3 months and still not have a complete review?
This to me is not acceptable, what are your thoughts?

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My thoughts are Skinnee could have kept quiet about the extensive (ten separate reviews to be exact!:eek:) VGA water block reviews until they were a few days away from completion, then there would be no complaining from those that are inconsiderate and do not realise that no one is paying Skinnee for his spare time! This complaining is not acceptable, what are your thoughts? Give it to me and give it to me now, because I want it now! :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Waterlogged

Yet ppl automatically gravitate towards EK because of the bling factor so does it really matter? I'm not disagreeing about the lower temps to be gained but when you already get a fair share of sales, why risk that if ppl all of a sudden start bricking cards for marginally (if not negligibly) better performance?

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+1, Dont think Ek would risk making the jump..

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Originally Posted by Waterlogged

Yet ppl automatically gravitate towards EK because of the bling factor so does it really matter? I'm not disagreeing about the lower temps to be gained but when you already get a fair share of sales, why risk that if ppl all of a sudden start bricking cards for marginally (if not negligibly) better performance?

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The bling factor has nothing to do with why people purchased the EK Supreme HF, I bought it for it's performance (on Skinnee's #1 list for CPU blocks) as did everyone else, the bling was just icing on the cake! This could be said for most EK products! :yepp: I don't see people buying their radiators though.

-Systemlord ~ :)

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Originally Posted by Systemlord

The bling factor has nothing to do with why people purchased the EK Supreme HF, I bought it for it's performance (on Skinnee's #1 list for CPU blocks) as did everyone else, the bling was just icing on the cake! This could be said for most EK products! :yepp: I don't see people buying their radiators though.

-Systemlord ~ :)

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This topic is about full cover GPU blcoks, not CPU blocks. GPU's are far less temp sensitive than CPU's so there are 2 things that are used to differentiate what block you buy, effect on flow rate and appearance. EK has a decent handle on the restriction and he seems to sell more than a few blocks that bling. ;)

IMO, this whole thing has been an enormous of skinnee's time and I said so in the beginning. ;) :2cents:

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Originally Posted by Waterlogged

This topic is about full cover GPU blcoks, not CPU blocks. GPU's are far less temp sensitive than CPU's so there are 2 things that are used to differentiate what block you buy, effect on flow rate and appearance. EK has a decent handle on the restriction and he seems to sell more than a few blocks that bling. ;)

IMO, this whole thing has been an enormous of skinnee's time and I said so in the beginning. ;) :2cents:

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WL, so I would like to ask a question about this. I tore down my loop for testing and found that these two Swiftech MCW80's are the most restrictive items in my loop. I'm debating two options:

1) Try to improve flow by using 2 Y splitters and running the two cards in parallel. It will relieve a bad kink and rather inexpensive.

2) Go full coverage; EK's are my first choice. DD or Bitspower are both runners up.


I'm really looking to utilize these two D5's w/EK tops more than they are now.

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Originally Posted by mlee49

WL, so I would like to ask a question about this. I tore down my loop for testing and found that these two Swiftech MCW80's are the most restrictive items in my loop. I'm debating two options:

1) Try to improve flow by using 2 Y splitters and running the two cards in parallel. It will relieve a bad kink and rather inexpensive.

2) Go full coverage; EK's are my first choice. DD or Bitspower are both runners up.


I'm really looking to utilize these two D5's w/EK tops more than they are now.

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Can you start a new topic and add at least 1 clear pic of the whole system and 1 clear pic of the GPU area? I'll be more than happy to help you there. :up:

I say parallel with the MCW80s...if for no other reason than a huge difference in price.

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Originally Posted by Vapor

I say parallel with the MCW80s...if for no other reason than a huge difference in price.

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:slap:

Yeah, I was going to offer pretty much the same advice, just didn't want to do it in a "review" topic. :p: How I would set the bridge up is with 2 DD Delrin T's and 2 DD delrin elbows and either Enzotech or Koolance fittings that would depend on the gap to be bridged.


OT: Vapor, you should have never stepped down. :shakes:

There's 1000+ non-review posts in this thread, a few more won't hurt :lol:

Without knowing the spacing or price interests, not sure how I'd do it...the basic nylon Ys aren't such an awful idea if aesthetics don't mean much. I also like the Koolance SPL-XUFY5B splitter, but it might be too small for this.

Well Enzo has these now and mixed with some of these or these and these along with the DD delrin T's and elbows, it should work and look pretty decently.

Aesthetic-wise imho BP's Ys (#1, #2) are best looking (and they have also similar ones with rotaries). Also no sharp 90deg bend.

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Originally Posted by Conumdrum

My thought Scott?

Your one of the new 'Give me NOW" generation and have many years left to learn real common sense and courtesy.:shakes:

You do it next time k?:ROTF:

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You don’t know anything about me, and fair enough I don't know anything about you, but be careful what accusations you make about me . If I was a manufacture I would want a review done in a reasonable amount of time. If someone gave me 10 blocks to review, I understand it will take a while to do it right. I am currently working 45+ hours per week so I know that time can be hard to come by. But 3 months seems like a really long time, I can't believe that the manufactures let him keep the blocks that long? Somehow the pieces aren’t quite making sense. It just seems like a lot of people were waiting for this review and most of those people have already purchased their blocks. A new revision of the cards will probably come out by the time this review gets completed. I suppose its his personal thing to do this review, but announcing it 3 months ago without completion leaves open ends and 70,000+ views that lead nowhere.

I agree with the other guy, maybe he should have waited until he completed the review to post a thread.

GABE: I wonder if you might feel different if he had one of your blocks....

It says "working thread" in the title.
The length and depth of his reviews are un-equalled in the community, this takes time.
On top of which there are usually several other irons in the fire, Skinnee often has many other parts in testing.
AFAIK, its all done in his own time and at his own expense.
IMO, he can take as long as he wants given no one else is putting this much effort into gleaning the results.

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Originally Posted by scottc19

<snip> Somehow the pieces aren’t quite making sense. It just seems like a lot of people were waiting for this review and most of those people have already purchased their blocks. A new revision of the cards will probably come out by the time this review gets completed. </snip>

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True, a little something is lost on account of the blocks/cards no longer being cutting edge, but this review will still speak volumes in the future. Things like how certain designs correlate to different temperatures and pressure drop, to say nothing of companies' attention to detail and QC. Even if I never use/watercool a GTX480, this is still a fascinating process/review.

What? GTX 480s? That's so Quarter 2, 2010! I'm waiting for the GTX 480 Dual water block review!

/kidding

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Originally Posted by UrbanSmooth

What? GTX 480s? That's so Quarter 2, 2010! I'm waiting for the GTX 480 Dual water block review!

/kidding

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OT: One can only imagine a dual GTX480 card with water cooling, with heat being sliced in half clock rates could soar! Skinnee will surely be there for that review as I apreciate all he has contributed to the water cooling community! :yepp:

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Originally Posted by scottc19

You don’t know anything about me, and fair enough I don't know anything about you, but be careful what accusations you make about me . If I was a manufacture I would want a review done in a reasonable amount of time. If someone gave me 10 blocks to review, I understand it will take a while to do it right. I am currently working 45+ hours per week so I know that time can be hard to come by. But 3 months seems like a really long time, I can't believe that the manufactures let him keep the blocks that long? Somehow the pieces aren’t quite making sense. It just seems like a lot of people were waiting for this review and most of those people have already purchased their blocks. A new revision of the cards will probably come out by the time this review gets completed. I suppose its his personal thing to do this review, but announcing it 3 months ago without completion leaves open ends and 70,000+ views that lead nowhere.

I agree with the other guy, maybe he should have waited until he completed the review to post a thread.

GABE: I wonder if you might feel different if he had one of your blocks....

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Scott; No worries. I read many, many of your posts on this forum to decide how your brain works and I even know your shoe size. It's the Internet, I have you pegged. 45 hours a week. Wow. Must be nice.

Can't believe you'd even question someones efforts and whine. You do it next time. When you drop to a decent 40 hr week schedule.... :ROTF:

Basically, quit bugging Skinnee or do it yourself.:D

It just amazes me when folks talk trash about this review taking a long time. It's not like you're paying for it. And, did you stop to think there's a reason we don't often see comprehensive GPU block reviews? Obviously takes a long time to put it all together.

Ah well - just goes to show, you can't please everyone. Testing truly is a thankless task (can't wait to learn how to do some myself ;)).

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Originally Posted by shazza

It just amazes me when folks talk trash about this review taking a long time. It's not like you're paying for it. And, did you stop to think there's a reason we don't often see comprehensive GPU block reviews? Obviously takes a long time to put it all together.

Ah well - just goes to show, you can't please everyone. Testing truly is a thankless task (can't wait to learn how to do some myself ;)).

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I don't wish to bicker anymore. But it is not a thankless task. Look up any reivew in XS, many people show their gratitude and there are many many more viewers and guests that don't physically express it, but deem it useful.

Well I got my Koolance block installed, i'm idling at around 32~33 and hitting around 44 at full load (stock clocks). All I have in my loop is my i5 at 4.2ghz and the GTX480, so far I'm pretty impressed with the block. I wish I had a proper camera, I would try and take some nice photos :)

nice results coldon

@waterlogged, you had any problems with the new black n gold enzotech fittings? They sure do look promising..

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Originally Posted by scottc19

I don't wish to bicker anymore. But it is not a thankless task. Look up any reivew in XS, many people show their gratitude and there are many many more viewers and guests that don't physically express it, but deem it useful.

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I have to agree with so. So many thanks has been given in this thread, yet when one person comes along and acts ungrateful, every thank you is forgotten and reviewing gets called a thankless task.