First design for a NVIDIA 280GTX block

[NaeKuh]

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.

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!

[RickCain]

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.

[Shoggy]

@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 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.

[RottenMutt]

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.

[Mati87]

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

[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:



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

[shabranigdo]

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:



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

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

[ripken204]

too big an bulky for those nice blocks..

[Eddie3dfx]

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

[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.

[modzona]

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.

[Giannis86]

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.

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

[aspire.comptech]

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

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.

[generics_user]

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:



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

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

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

[Xilikon]

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!

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.

[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.

[BlueAqua]

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.

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.

[HotGore]

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.

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

[yngndrw]

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.

[Shoggy]

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

[junkun13]

looks huge,

[Giannis86]

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

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

[USFORCES]

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,

Never again will I mix Metal, copper & plastic only.