First design for a NVIDIA 280GTX block

Today we have started to develop a block for the upcoming NVIDIA GTX280 graphics card. We just wanted to share the current state with you:

http://www.shoggy.de/ac_forum/NVIDIA_GTX280_1_k.jpg

http://www.shoggy.de/ac_forum/NVIDIA_GTX280_2_k.jpg

The block is very flat and made of pure electrolyzed copper. It has G 1/4" threads which allows the use of several connectors.

Since the block is not final yet, we would like to hear your opinion. We can still do some changes on the block (design etc.).

For SLI we might do a version with a plexiglas cover so you have two additional threads in the other direction.
The standard cover is made of stainless steel.

Wont you get galvanic corrosion mixing stainless (316?) with copper? Where are you getting your dimensions from? Do you actually have a GTX280? What about the memory chips on the back of the card?

Looks very nice from the looks of it. I take it you have a layout of the card already to start basing the design of the block off ?

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Originally Posted by gojirasan

Wont you get galvanic corrosion mixing stainless (316?) with copper?

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We had no real problems with this combination in the last years. Anyway, we always recommend to use an anti corrosion additive - regardless which materials you use in your loop.

Are you using the few very small leaked pictures to make the initial design? Will this be ready by the cards launch in a month? Can I pay for them now and have two shipped to me by the time the card is released.

one thing to change; make the top thicker to improve flow. thin restricts the water.

@Scubar and HaCKs: we have detailed dimensions of the card and its components. Without this information it would be a waste of time to create a block for it.
We also know the small and large pictures of the card. Good luck to everyone building a block with the help of this pixel-crap ;)

I'm pretty sure that we will be able to sell the block when the card hits the stores. Currently you can't order it because we do not have a price yet.

@Boogerlad: making the top thicker would be useless in this case. We would have to make the whole copper base thicker. We already increased the height from 6 to 8 mm (compared to an 8800GT/GTS block).

Would it be posible to make the block that the barbs thread into out of brass, nickle plated brass or maybe stainless steel (as an option)
I kinda value my pci slots so i like the thin profile of the block(im guessing theres plenty of room inside since you can go pretty thin with the cover platel)
looks like a real nice block :up:

no, what i mean as in the inside is more hollow/bigger to allow water to flow through better. cause most aqua computer wb are really thin; thinner than necasary.

Might want to look seriously at making the inlets double-sided/SLI compatible, since it adds a lot of functionality to the block. Even some single-card users want/need the inlet or outlet aiming downwards.

That aside, is it definitely a single-slot solution? I remember the EK blocks weren't true single-slot until the cover bolts were countersunk.

@_G_: I do not really understand what you mean :( The small block which is made of plexiglas?

@Boogerlad: ahhh, now I uderstand :D

@MpG: you can be 100% sure that the current block is a true single-slot solution :) For SLI we will have a look what is possible. I'm sure there will be a solution.

So are those leaked photos correct? :)

any pics of the internals?
...or is that top secret stuff? :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shoggy

The small block which is made of plexiglas?

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yea that one, just would feal better about having a metal block for the barbs to thread into.

id suggest better renderings, looks great and all but the renders can be improved very simply.
might take a bit effort but its not that hard, would increase its appeal visually and makes the
consumer feel like its coming closer to being a real product instead of some images..

aside from that looks cool :up:

It looks nice. I like that you've widened the flow channels and it's looking a bit more massive which I think is good. I think a plexi option would be great though with SLI capability.

I love your slim VGA blocks, they look the best. Hands down.
I don't care what they do to flow :p:


Are you guys going to be making ATI 4000 series blocks like this?
Cause I'll have an ATI card next round, and would love to buy one of these sexy blocks. :)

I think it is safe to say that NVIDIA wants you to show us the reference PCB of the GTX 280. In fact I was on the phone with Nvidia the other day and they said "If aqua computer doesn't leak those pictures, we will sue them"

Just a friendly heads up!

We also sell your blocks in Asia...very good quality and very good response from our customers...

I hope this can support SLI and that will the best choice for G200 ..

when will your heat sink be availiable to puchase??? And when will it start shipping??? I'm thinking late summer.

nice CAD model. all fasterners have the same orientation, not random:)

still would like to know the dates, would give me a clue when nvidia will release.

need to have plugs on both sides for sli...

shoggy can you list the entire wetted parts.

So its copper and steel? But you said the SLI version will have a acrylic top instead?
Is there a way you could make the top a little thicker and make the water path larger so its less restrictive?

Also any chance you guys can glass bead the interior like DD's so you increase surface area and give this block a chance with the big boys?

I want to give your company a shot at my HTPC. I have your Cuplex DI and these guys would go very nice with it.

Were there ever any definite results published on DD's glass-beading process?

And on a related note, it'd be nice to see interior shots of this block, if possible.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MpG

Were there ever any definite results published on DD's glass-beading process?

And on a related note, it'd be nice to see interior shots of this block, if possible.

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you dont need definite results. Its physics. putting dents in the block increases surface area. Increase surface area = more area for water -> block transfer -> better cooling.

Only problem is unless AC makes the channel path larger, it wont matter. :\

sand blasting inside would be a good idea to increase surface area.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by NaeKuh

you dont need definite results. Its physics. putting dents in the block increases surface area. Increase surface area = more area for water -> block transfer -> better cooling.

Only problem is unless AC makes the channel path larger, it wont matter. :\

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I don't doubt that the beading helps, I was simply curious as to what the degree of improvement was. With the Ione blocks, DD seemed to actually be relaying on it (and a low pressure drop), since the internals were so minimal. As opposed to say, the EK design, which used a greater concentration of cooling fins directly over the heat source(s). Unfortunately, I haven't stumbled across any actual comparisons.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MpG

I don't doubt that the beading helps, I was simply curious as to what the degree of improvement was. With the Ione blocks, DD seemed to actually be relaying on it (and a low pressure drop), since the internals were so minimal. As opposed to say, the EK design, which used a greater concentration of cooling fins directly over the heat source(s). Unfortunately, I haven't stumbled across any actual comparisons.

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ahhhhh i see what you mean.

Well, you cant really cross compare blocks like this.

You would need a ione thats not glass beaded vs one that is to get definite results.

You cant tell if the DD block is better because of the less restriction and more passes, or because of the glass beeding otherwise.

Or maybe the piece of copper they got was just overall better. You see what i mean?


And yea i wish i could get some results down too, however my 8800GT is non REFERENCE! :down:

Interesting.... if this block is correct NV plans on going back to a NVIO chip for this series.

I'm hoping for a 4xxx series block from AC and be able to actually buy one within six months.

@Janno and others: I really would like to show you more pictures, also from the internals, but my boss would kill me if I do :D Maybe later... :)

@_G_: I don't think that we will do it in metall. Delrin might be an option.

@biftek.: the last blocks were all done in that flat design, so a block for the next ATI cards will get this design too (if it does not have a weird layout or whatever).

@RottenMutt: if everything went fine it should be available together with the launch of the card. Preorders might be possible a few days earlier.

@NaeKuh: it cools both chips, the RAM and the voltage regulators. I will forward your suggestions for the SLI variant. Well, for the glas beading I do not really think that this will be an option for us but we will discuss it.

Instead of glass beading, I would rather see short dams that would increase the turbulence of the water; thus effectively making the boundary layer thinner.

Maybe I didn't read carefully enough, but how are you cooling the ram chips on the back?

After several users have asked for an easy SLI assembly we have followed this wish with the Xconnect. The Xconnect can be used for all copper coolers of the current aquagrafx (except for 9800 GX2) and aquagratix series, so it is not only suitable for Nvidias SLI but also for ATIs Crossfire.

The Xconnect is manufactured from delrin and has G 1/4 " threads. The water flows behind each other through the connected coolers.

Currently the Xconnect is only an idea and we would like to hear your opinion, whether you would buy something like that or not or which changes or improvements should be done.

Here is a picture of the Xconnect:

http://www.aqua-computer.de/prodimg/x_connect_k.jpg

(The copper base is taken from an aquagrafx 8800 GT)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shoggy

After several users have asked for an easy SLI assembly we have followed this wish with the Xconnect. The Xconnect can be used for all copper coolers of the current aquagrafx (except for 9800 GX2) and aquagratix series, so it is not only suitable for Nvidias SLI but also for ATIs Crossfire.

The Xconnect is manufactured from delrin and has G 1/4 " threads. The water flows behind each other through the connected coolers.

Currently the Xconnect is only an idea and we would like to hear your opinion, whether you would buy something like that or not or which changes or improvements should be done.

Here is a picture of the Xconnect:

http://www.aqua-computer.de/prodimg/x_connect_k.jpg

(The copper base is taken from an aquagrafx 8800 GT)

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Do you have a picture or diagram of the internals of the Xconnect? Sounds like a good idea I would like to see more.

too big an bulky for those nice blocks..

Looks nice, what type of mounting holes are they, G80 or 7/g92 series?

Seems like a roundabout way of doing things, simply putting holes on both sides would be a much more elegant solution and one that wouldn't require what is probably a relatively expensive piece of hardware to accomplish.

That is damn ugly and will never end up in one of mine computers.
never ever.. (The Xconnect)

Have to say that the block it self is hot.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by aspire.comptech

Seems like a roundabout way of doing things, simply putting holes on both sides would be a much more elegant solution and one that wouldn't require what is probably a relatively expensive piece of hardware to accomplish.

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i fully agree on this..

it would be nice to have something like this though...it looks easy to apply and i do like the look of it.

i do have one question though. Dont some motherboards have different pci-e spacing from each other? or am i wrong? if this is the case it would be hard to make a universal one

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Giannis86

i fully agree on this..

it would be nice to have something like this though...it looks easy to apply and i do like the look of it.

i do have one question though. Dont some motherboards have different pci-e spacing from each other? or am i wrong? if this is the case it would be hard to make a universal one

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Thats an excellent point you bring up.

Generally it's a 2 slot spacing but on some boards you can use 2 of the 3 or more pci-e slots.

Thats one of the things I'm looking for in my next motherboard as the core only blocks I use would be nearly impossible to use with only two slots of spacing in between the cards.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shoggy

After several users have asked for an easy SLI assembly we have followed this wish with the Xconnect. The Xconnect can be used for all copper coolers of the current aquagrafx (except for 9800 GX2) and aquagratix series, so it is not only suitable for Nvidias SLI but also for ATIs Crossfire.

The Xconnect is manufactured from delrin and has G 1/4 " threads. The water flows behind each other through the connected coolers.

Currently the Xconnect is only an idea and we would like to hear your opinion, whether you would buy something like that or not or which changes or improvements should be done.

Here is a picture of the Xconnect:

http://www.aqua-computer.de/prodimg/x_connect_k.jpg

(The copper base is taken from an aquagrafx 8800 GT)

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better make replacement delrin tops for the stainless steel part to add connectors on the bottom of the block :up:

makes it much cleaner and possible to use it with tri-sli (im sure that there are some special people with such setups out there

Quote:

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Originally Posted by NaeKuh

ahhhhh i see what you mean.

Well, you cant really cross compare blocks like this.

You would need a ione thats not glass beaded vs one that is to get definite results.

You cant tell if the DD block is better because of the less restriction and more passes, or because of the glass beeding otherwise.

Or maybe the piece of copper they got was just overall better. You see what i mean?


And yea i wish i could get some results down too, however my 8800GT is non REFERENCE! :down:

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Actually, it's pretty simple to do the testing. Just pick a EK block, which is not beaded then make a baseline thermal testing. After doing glass beading (should be easy to do by a local shop with the necessary equipment), redo the test to see if there is a improvement.

About the AC block, it's sexy indeed but I agree with others about making the channels a bit larger to reduce the restriction and it will be a nice winner.

X-connect seems it would be too heavy. If my screws slipped out for my video cards I am sure they would break due to the weight.

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Originally Posted by HotGore

X-connect seems it would be too heavy. If my screws slipped out for my video cards I am sure they would break due to the weight.

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It's made from Derlin and shouldn't weigh too much at all. If your screws are coming out it's time to hit the weight room.

I think it looks good though. A plexi top would really be sweet I think.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BlueAqua

It's made from Derlin and shouldn't weigh too much at all. If your screws are coming out it's time to hit the weight room.

I think it looks good though. A plexi top would really be sweet I think.

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Copper does though, and it would be combine the weights off the two.

It would also effectively combine the support from the two cards. You're dealing with force, no weight. (Or did I mean to say not mass ?? I always get the two mixed up.)

Looks like a very nice idea and would stop the problems with SLI tubes kinking.

Thanks for the feedback. Mhhh, due to the mixed opinions (also in other forums) it is very likely that we will not produce it. Maybe later as some kind of special article for collectors ;)

looks huge,

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HotGore

Copper does though, and it would be combine the weights off the two.

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i dont think it will have any copper in it.i dont see the point in that anyway. it looks like it will work like a tube instead its not a tube..besides the copper would not be connected to any cores so there would be no point in using copper

Nice to see your using copper not aluminum.
I bought a couple of your 7900gtx water blocks a few years back they did a good job but after I sold them the guy took them apart and told me they were looking pretty bad due to them being made out of painted aluminum even though I used a anti corrosion fluid it didn't totally stop it.
This one,
http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.c...s_2008_1823244
Never again will I mix Metal, copper & plastic only.