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

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Originally Posted by Waterlogged

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:

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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.

XSPC block makes it way to the lab...

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images...0_contents.jpg http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images...0_prodshot.jpg http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images...TX480_base.jpg http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images..._internals.jpg

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images...internals2.jpg http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images...internals3.jpg http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images...X480_inlet.jpg http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images..._prodshot2.jpg

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

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...

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Originally Posted by 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...

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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:

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...

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.

Skinnee

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

**i see a revised version..nevermind

It's in this pic:
http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images...0_contents.jpg

:)

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Originally Posted by EnJoY

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

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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?

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Originally Posted by skinnee

XSPC block makes it way to the lab...

http://skinneelabs.com/assets/images...C_prodshot.jpg

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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.

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Originally Posted by Coldon

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...

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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.

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...

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

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Originally Posted by Vapor

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.

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Lets start a pool! :up:

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Originally Posted by HuffPCair

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

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Fixed, thanks for reporting! :up:

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Originally Posted by Vapor

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.

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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.

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...

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Originally Posted by 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...

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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.

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.

We also have a block for the GTX 470:

http://www.abload.de/thumb/gtx470_1vk7b.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/gtx470_21moq.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/gtx470_3j7tc.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/gtx470_5u7l9.jpghttp://www.abload.de/thumb/gtx470_6yuy8.jpg

http://ac.shoggy.de/youtube_aquagrafx_gtx_470.jpg

Shoggy, where is for sale in the US?

Nowhere :D

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

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.

We offer that as as accessory.

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Originally Posted by Shoggy

Nowhere :D

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

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Shipping must be really expensive!!