Help me with a $200 GPU loop.

[Vhaara]

So, I'm not too fond of the temps my 480 are giving off. Could you all help me put together a loop for about $200USD? Is this really even feasible?

Also, the rig in sig needs to be updated.

[BeepBeep2]

It's sort of not really doable.

GPU Block: Heatkiller GPU-X / EK FC480 Nickel $110 / $115, I'm sure fifty people will jump in and nag me for listing the heatkiller block but it's cheap. Then you have the Koolance block for $120, I'm not too fond of that one.
Rad: Swiftech MCR220 QP $40
Pump: OCZ HydroPulse 500 $45, cute little not so powerful (but most likely enough for this) Jingway pump. The EK DCP 2.2 variant is also available, same price. You might want that one.
Res: Swiftech Micro Res $23

110+40+45+23 = $218 no shipping

[OC Maximus]

You can do it if your willing to take the time and search the for sale thread. There are a lot of good deals on quality items and a decent discount. You just may pull it off for $200, just gonna take some time.

OCM

[Aedubber]

Yup check the for sale thread , i literally just parted out my whole system and most prices were 50% off what retail is lol..

[BeepBeep2]

Or read the post I posted above. You can get away with $250 shipped new with barbs/tubing/clamps

...but $200 prolly won't happen. GPU Blocks just cost too much. For sale sections are your friend.

[Vhaara]

Hmmm... I might see if i can scrounge up some more money then... Ill definitely hit up the for sale thread though.

But one more question, how big of a radiator should i look for? To keep this beast under control, while its OC'ed.

EDIT: Just hit up the for sale section... All the 480 blocks are sold, and the radiators... Might be too big...

[Vhaara]

So i am prepared to come to the realization that this will cost me something more along the lines of $300.

So what do you guys think would be the best $300 setup for a graphics only loop?

I'm thinkin' about grabbin' one of the Quad Rads from the for sale section at $55 +Shipping.

[OC Maximus]

Or read the post I posted above. You can get away with $250 shipped new with barbs/tubing/clamps

...but $200 prolly won't happen. GPU Blocks just cost too much. For sale sections are your friend.

Why did you change your avatar. You must be BeeBeep2's evil twin. You must bring the smiley face back, lol.

[TJ TRICHEESE]

you could use an only gpu block such as the koolance gpu-220 but even then it would be hard.

[Aedubber]

How many cards are you cooling first of all ? This is for just 1 480 or are you running sli or more??

[Vhaara]

This is just for a single 480.

Ill update my sig, right this very second.

EDIT: Updated.

Also, about how big of an improvement in temps am i going to see with watercooling? With the quad rad for example.

[BeepBeep2]

A 2x120mm rad will hold a 480 no problem.
If you are up around 90-100c load now, expect mid 60's I'd suppose depending on how efficient the loop is.

Why did you change your avatar. You must be BeeBeep2's evil twin. You must bring the smiley face back, lol.

Well the avatar I have now is a photo shot I did of one of my Super Talent sticks for a review...goes nice as an avatar. As for bringing the smiley face back, I dunno. It just seems really arrogant.

[dengyong]

Find a used full cover waterblock and use a T-line instead of a res.

[Vhaara]

What about the XSPC full cover block?

EDIT: Linkage

[BeepBeep2]

Its cheaper but may not perform as well. But I'm not sure if it will matter since temps will be so much lower than before anyway. Maybe you should give it a try and tell us all about it

[Conumdrum]

What about the XSPC full cover block?

EDIT: Linkage

The link to pick a block is this one.

http://skinneelabs.com/gtx480-fc.html

Then find a price.

[BeepBeep2]

The XSPC Razor performed better than I thought it would, especially for VRM's :o

[afireinside]

It can be done for $200. The block is the tricky part. You're either going to have to run a GPU only block + heatsinks or find a used full cover. You can get an MCR220, dtek DB-1 pump, and an MC-res for a bit over $100, especially if you buy used.

[systemviper]

you can mod this


Corsair Hydro Series H70 CPU Water Cooling Kit

[penguins]

It can be done for $200. The block is the tricky part. You're either going to have to run a GPU only block + heatsinks or find a used full cover. You can get an MCR220, dtek DB-1 pump, and an MC-res for a bit over $100, especially if you buy used.

New full cover blocks vs gpu only + unisink or even individual ramsinks usually costs virtually the same, or the FC is 15 usd more, so i don't think it matters if he goes fullcover or not. used is the way to go.

[halo112358]

What about the XSPC full cover block?

EDIT: Linkage

I was just going to suggest that one, I bought one for my 5870 when I realized it was $40 cheaper than the competition.

(Yay for $69.99 sale prices )

[anzial]

New full cover blocks vs gpu only + unisink or even individual ramsinks usually costs virtually the same, or the FC is 15 usd more, so i don't think it matters if he goes fullcover or not. used is the way to go.

Uhm, you don't really need heatsinks/unisink, stock heatplate on the 480/470 works quite well with GPU-only WBs.

[Vhaara]

Hmmm... How about this? Im thinking about adding a CPU block... Would a quad rad with VERY low RPM fans be able to hand the CPU and GPU? Probabaly GT's 1k or lower rpm on a swiftech quad rad.

GPU Block- EK-FC480

CPU Block- EK Supreme HF

Pump- Swiftech MCP655

Res- EK-Multioption RES X2

Barbs- EK Highflow 1/2"

Tubing- Either 7/16" or 1/2". Im not sure yet really, what is the visual difference in thickness?

So, how does that look? Comes out to about $400 with the quad swiftech rad I'm looking at for $55.

[BeepBeep2]

7/16 to 5/8 looks good.
1/2 to 3/4 is (to me at least) gargantuan.
3/8 to 5/8 would probably be the best choice though.

Just take that MCP655/D5 out and throw in an EK DCP 4.0. If you dont like the shape of it or something then do with a Laing DDC 3.25.

I'd suggest you run GT's @ 1450RPM on the rad. Way more performance than sub 1000 RPM, and GT's are so quiet I'm sure you won't be able to hear them.

Yes, the quad would handle the CPU and GPU both. just put the CPU before the GPU in the loop order (and after the rad) if you can.

[anzial]

Yes, the quad would handle the CPU and GPU both. just put the CPU before the GPU in the loop order (and after the rad) if you can.

Well, loop is (usually) sealed in a circle, so CPU is always in front and behind the gpu (forgetting about pumps/res/rad)