need help watercooling asus matrix gtx 285

[Mr_Orange742]

Hi all

I got 3 asus matrix gtx 285's for my bday earlier this month and of course my father not knowing anything about gpus would of had to buy a card that is not reference model. Anyway i want to watercool them and i think my only solution is to go for a gpu only block and buy a bunch of heat sinks. My top choice would be the swiftech mc-60 block with some of their heatsinks. My main question is what are all the parts that i must cool on the cards and how? I managed to find a couple of pics on xbit labs of the pcb

main pcb
http://www.xbitlabs.com/misc/picture...front2.JPG&1=1

back or pcb
http://www.xbitlabs.com/misc/picture..._back2.JPG&1=1

i know i can use the little 14x14mm swiftech gold heatsinks on the memory and the long black ones for the mosfets. but how do i cool the chip by the dvi ports? i was thinking a southbridge heatsink? also on the back of the pcb, is it only the 1 line of mosfets on the left that need to be cooled or is there anything else?

the other thought i had was to get the swiftech gtx 285 heatsink and maybe do some minor mods to make it fit?

thoughts and suggestions are welcome.

[Scaniris]

Are you sure that it's not based on the reference version? For GTX285 there are 2 revisions for the PCB, check that here below.

I'm pretty sure that it's recommended to use GPU only waterblocks + heatsinks on a GTX285... for example if you have a look on the Arctic Cooling Accelero Xtreme GTX (air cooling) http://www.arctic-cooling.com/catalo...ath=2_&mID=251, or on the Thermalright HR03 GTX rev A (Air cooling) http://www.thermalright.com/new_a_pa...r_hr03gtx.html , they BOTH have or recommend to have fans on top of the memories, vrm and s.o. I'm absolutely not sure that a passive heatsink will be enough for VRM and memories.

[Mr_Orange742]

yes im sure its not a reference design. If you look here on xbit labs they have a comparison between the asus matrix and the standard evga card

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/vid...5_3.html#sect0

they have different mounting hole cos the asus card has a different stock cooler.

I wouldnt have a fan attached directly to the cards but i have a 140mm on the side of my case pointing to the gpus and another at the front of the case blowing over the gpus as well. you think that would be enough if i went for the swiftech heatsinks?

[Andrea deluxe]

you need to cool the red zone.

and for the gpu you can use this:



but first check the compatibility.

[Mr_Orange742]

thanks andrea. i would have missed a couple of those red zones. Are there any better small vga heat sinks than the swiftech ones? i can only find the swiftech ones.

[nkresho]

6.5(L) mm x6.5mm(W) x12mm(H) http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/enmofocomohe.html

10(L) mm x 10mm(W) x 14mm(H) http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/enmofocomu10.html

[Waterlogged]

If your looking to water cool GFX cards, there are 2 brands you definitely stay away from as they will be non ref with 97% certainty. . .they are Asus and Gigabyte.

[Mr_Orange742]

If your looking to water cool GFX cards, there are 2 brands you definitely stay away from as they will be non ref with 97% certainty. . .they are Asus and Gigabyte.

good to know, thanks.

I think im going to try the swiftech block on one of the cards to test and get some of the little heat sinks. Ill also get the swiftech 1 piece gtx 285 heat sink and see if i can modify it somehow to fit. the 1 piece looks like it might cool things a little better.

[StAndrew]

It will be difficult to setup three GPUs with the MCW60 block (or any dedicated GPU block). Its also a pain to stick on (and keep on) all those heat syncs. If one falls off, it can short the bottom card and you have to remove the GPU to get it back on. If you mix some epoxy with AS5, you can use that as a glue to keep them on (removable if you use the correct glue). For this setup, I'd look into a full cover block. Its pricey, but the convenience is worth it for a TRI SLI setup.

Check out the Swiftech Komodo Series if you have the money. Some of the nicest looking and best quality blocks (IMHO).

# Komodo-GTX285-P891: nVidia® reference board design P891
# Komodo-GTX285-P892: nVidia® reference board design P892

[Waterlogged]

If your forced to use a core only block, you may want to see if you can get your hands on the D-Tek Fuzion V2 GPU block. . .it's almost a full 1/4" of an inch lower in profile than the MCW-60.

[Mr_Orange742]

It will be difficult to setup three GPUs with the MCW60 block (or any dedicated GPU block). Its also a pain to stick on (and keep on) all those heat syncs. If one falls off, it can short the bottom card and you have to remove the GPU to get it back on. If you mix some epoxy with AS5, you can use that as a glue to keep them on (removable if you use the correct glue). For this setup, I'd look into a full cover block. Its pricey, but the convenience is worth it for a TRI SLI setup.

Check out the Swiftech Komodo Series if you have the money. Some of the nicest looking and best quality blocks (IMHO).

# Komodo-GTX285-P891: nVidia® reference board design P891
# Komodo-GTX285-P892: nVidia® reference board design P892

i never thought about the heatsinks falling off and shorting the cards, thanks for reminding me about that. Is there a specific type of epoxy to use when mixing with as5? id be intrested in giving that a try. Also i dont think ill be able to use a full cover block as its not a reference pcb design. The screws over the gpu chip and the chip next to the dvi connectors (forget what its called) look like they would fit. Its the ones near the the power connectors that are the problem. Also looks like there will be other stuff in the way. Thats why im going to get the swiftech gtx 285 heatsink and see if i can mod that somehow then see if i can do the same mod on a waterblock.

If your forced to use a core only block, you may want to see if you can get your hands on the D-Tek Fuzion V2 GPU block. . .it's almost a full 1/4" of an inch lower in profile than the MCW-60.

i had a look at the d-tek block and it looks a bit smaller. My only concern is the barbs will be directly on top of the ram heatsinks and i think that one might be a bit too low. ill see if i can get some measurements for them both then decide.

[StAndrew]

i had a look at the d-tek block and it looks a bit smaller. My only concern is the barbs will be directly on top of the ram heatsinks and i think that one might be a bit too low. ill see if i can get some measurements for them both then decide.

You'll get that problem with the MCW60 as well. Two things you can do: Cut the heatsyncs for a lower profile or bend each ind copper extension to allow space for the fittings. See if Swiftech makes a heatsync for this card and consider getting that as well (or Dtek depending on what block you go with).

A pic of the heatsyncs bent:



All heatsyncs attached with "Power Poxy, Super Crystal Clear Cement." I mixed at about 3:1 AS5 and epoxy. As you can see, even the large sync on the mosfets doesnt budge. However, if you stick your hand in your case, be careful not to bump the sync's. They are still easy to knock off.

Some people recommend using super glue very sparingly, but I tried that and it failed miserably. First, i didnt use enough and they fell off. Next, I used a bit more and they stuck, however when I tried to take them off, the memory came OFF the card. Also the super glue leaves a residue on the memory and syncs that wont come off.

[Mr_Orange742]

You'll get that problem with the MCW60 as well. Two things you can do: Cut the heatsyncs for a lower profile or bend each ind copper extension to allow space for the fittings. See if Swiftech makes a heatsync for this card and consider getting that as well (or Dtek depending on what block you go with).

All heatsyncs attached with "Power Poxy, Super Crystal Clear Cement." I mixed at about 3:1 AS5 and epoxy. As you can see, even the large sync on the mosfets doesnt budge. However, if you stick your hand in your case, be careful not to bump the sync's. They are still easy to knock off.

Some people recommend using super glue very sparingly, but I tried that and it failed miserably. First, i didnt use enough and they fell off. Next, I used a bit more and they stuck, however when I tried to take them off, the memory came OFF the card. Also the super glue leaves a residue on the memory and syncs that wont come off.

thanks for the info. I think what i might do is mix some as5 with some epoxy and test it out on my old 7900 and 8800 gpus. Id rather pull the memory off those than my new 285's.

Also anyone know where i can buy the d-tek Fuzion V2 GPU block that ships to switzerland? i had a look and the only place i could find it was at performance-pc but its out of stock at the moment.

[Waterlogged]

I checked all the Euro and North American retailers that D-Tek lists and only 1 shows they have it.

http://translate.google.com/translat...&sl=auto&tl=en

As for the heat sinks, you'd probably get better "sticking" results without resorting to somewhat more "drastic" measures using these.

Shorties

Regular

. . .and if you'd like a recommendation on some awesome sticking thermal tape, I'd recommend Akasa Thermal adhesive tape. I have it and was able to lift a 8500GT off the desk holding only the heat sink it was holding to the card with a MCW-60 mounted. A+ stuff.

[Mr_Orange742]

I checked all the Euro and North American retailers that D-Tek lists and only 1 shows they have it.

http://translate.google.com/translat...&sl=auto&tl=en

As for the heat sinks, you'd probably get better "sticking" results without resorting to somewhat more "drastic" measures using these.

Shorties

Regular

. . .and if you'd like a recommendation on some awesome sticking thermal tape, I'd recommend Akasa Thermal adhesive tape. I have it and was able to lift a 8500GT off the desk holding only the heat sink it was holding to the card with a MCW-60 mounted. A+ stuff.

thanks for having a look. I didnt know of angela.pl. Also ill have a look at the akasa thermal tape, it looks and Sounds like a better solution than mixing as5 and epoxy and i can get it at my local store.

[TJ TRICHEESE]

you could go for the enzotech heatsinks (basicly the same as swifty ones but there are normal ones and low profile ones)

LINK:http://www.chilledpc.co.uk/shop/inde...a5f2772a8d7903

[Mr_Orange742]

you could go for the enzotech heatsinks (basicly the same as swifty ones but there are normal ones and low profile ones)

LINK:http://www.chilledpc.co.uk/shop/inde...a5f2772a8d7903

another store i didnt know about, thanks.