Swiftech Komodo HD7970 Preview

[gabe]

ETA for release is wk4 February.

Features:

- True full cover (covers the entire PCB)
- 0.25x0.25 Micro Pin matrix
- Active VR Cooling
- Black chrome plated single slot PCI bracket
- Brushed Aluminum black anodized back Plate
- Bridge has illuminated Logo (Brushed Aluminum black anodized Front plate)
- locating GPU standoffs to re-use AMD stock cross-bracket
- True-Chrome plated copper base plate

CF, 2-CF & 4-CF bridges will also be available.

[maxxx]

Nice looking block!

[Boogerlad]

under the sticker, is it just regular flat delrin?

[Philwong]

I've two questions, Gabe.

1. Will there be a bridge to support GFX cards, which are only 1 slot apart? In another word, they're all sandwiched together without any extra space.
2. Will removing the sticker void warranty? E.g. Taking apart the block to clean the interior?

Phil

[Kayin]

Simply put, do want. This SERIOUSLY matches what I'm working on now. It's as if you read my mind.

GET OUT OF MY MIND!

(Just kidding, but this is great. Will we get a 7950 version like it?)

[Philwong]

Nice one tapping the fan header to power the block's LED.

Phil

[Martinm210]

Nice job on sealing up all those complex paths with o-rings....also neat fitting block/LED concept. Great job!

[cobra93]

Very nice!
What will the damage be?

[gmat]

Will it be available in full retail form (pre-mounted), from EVGA or other partners ?

[gabe]

under the sticker, is it just regular flat delrin?

Yes it is.

I've two questions, Gabe.

1. Will there be a bridge to support GFX cards, which are only 1 slot apart? In another word, they're all sandwiched together without any extra space.
2. Will removing the sticker void warranty? E.g. Taking apart the block to clean the interior?

Phil

bridge spacing: we are making bridges for 1.6" and 2.4" PCI spacing.
removing sticker: no it doesn't void your warranty, but if you have leaks upon re-assembly, it's your responsibility.

Will it be available in full retail form (pre-mounted), from EVGA or other partners ?

EVGA doesn't offer AMD boards. Swiftech will continue partnering with EVGA for upcoming NVidia products; I can't comment re. other AMD/partners.


QUESTIONS FOR YOU ALL:

Noticed that some of our competitors are offering the 1-slot bracket as an option; Also, I have not seen any back-plates being offered for this card, but the question is this:

What's the consensus for these two items? you prefer optional or included in price?

[aReado]

Plz include it

[lowfat]

QUESTIONS FOR YOU ALL:

Noticed that some of our competitors are offering the 1-slot bracket as an option; Also, I have not seen any back-plates being offered for this card, but the question is this:

What's the consensus for these two items? you prefer optional or included in price?

Both should be available but not included IMO.

[frank anderson]

I second what lowfat said.

[Kayin]

I would absolutely want them with the block. I'm hoping we see a trend with this being offered for other blocks.

[ElGreco]

bridge spacing: we are making bridges for 1.6" and 2.4" PCI spacing.

QUESTIONS FOR YOU ALL:

Noticed that some of our competitors are offering the 1-slot bracket as an option; Also, I have not seen any back-plates being offered for this card, but the question is this:

What's the consensus for these two items? you prefer optional or included in price?

Excelent job Gabe! Welldone!

...

Regarding your question:
a. I prefer to have all the extra items included in the box (bracket and backpate, etc). This way, the production of these extra items will be higher and the overall price lower! So, all these people who want the complete package will not pay a higher total price as they would if they would buy the items inividually. Not to mention the fact that many times, the availability of the blocks and backpates or brackets is not the same, meaning multiple orders and consequently increased postage fees!
b.There is at least one company producing backplates as addon to their 7970 waterblock, utilzing thermal pads for extra cooling.

Nice Job!

[Waterlogged]

I think both, include for those that absolutely have to have them (@ a small mark up (say 5%) compared to what they would cost individually for the "convenience" of an all inclusive kit), and sell individually for those that could care less or don't like spending on things they feel they don't need.

[gabe]

Excelent job Gabe! Welldone!

Regarding the Crossfire Bridges: You imply to use swiftech existing bridges or you will build new ones specific for these series of blocks?

Regarding your question:
a. I prefer to have all the extra items included in the box (bracket and backpate, etc). This way, the production of these extra items will be higher and the overall price lower! So, all these people who want the complete package will not pay a higher total price as they would if they would buy the items inividually. Not to mention the fact that many times, the availability of the blocks and backpates or brackets is not the same, meaning multiple orders and consequently increased postage fees!
b.There is at least one company producing backplates as addon to their 7970 waterblock, utilzing thermal pads for extra cooling.

Nice Job!

excellent & realistic remarks.

[naokaji]

Block looks very nice

What's the consensus for these two items? you prefer optional or included in price?

Included please, I don't like the risk of having to order from 3 different stores to get all 3 items due to stock levels.

[Martinm210]

IMHO, I would rather have the backplate included. I really enjoy having a very complete accessories package and you guys have always been very generous in that area with the included barbs, clamps, etc. It's well worth while and makes the overall experience much better.

[gabe]

Plz include it

Both should be available but not included IMO.

I second what lowfat said.

I would absolutely want them with the block. I'm hoping we see a trend with this being offered for other blocks.

Excelent job Gabe! Welldone!

...

Regarding your question:
a. I prefer to have all the extra items included in the box (bracket and backpate, etc). This way, the production of these extra items will be higher and the overall price lower! So, all these people who want the complete package will not pay a higher total price as they would if they would buy the items inividually. Not to mention the fact that many times, the availability of the blocks and backpates or brackets is not the same, meaning multiple orders and consequently increased postage fees!
b.There is at least one company producing backplates as addon to their 7970 waterblock, utilzing thermal pads for extra cooling.

Nice Job!

I think both, include for those that absolutely have to have them (@ a small mark up (say 5%) compared to what they would cost individually for the "convenience" of an all inclusive kit), and sell individually for those that could care less or don't like spending on things they feel they don't need.

Block looks very nice



Included please, I don't like the risk of having to order from 3 different stores to get all 3 items due to stock levels.

IMHO, I would rather have the backplate included. I really enjoy having a very complete accessories package and you guys have always been very generous in that area with the included barbs, clamps, etc. It's well worth while and makes the overall experience much better.

Thanks for your feed-back YALL, "in favor of including" seems to prevail, with solid rationale behind it. I personnaly concur, but wanted some feed-back. Dealers also prefer that (less spare parts to carry), and I prefer it also from a logistics stand-point. Given the $500 price-tag of these graphics cards, it seems that a few bucks more for a complete watgerblock package makes more sense.

[D749]

Thanks for your feed-back YALL, "in favor of including" seems to prevail, with solid rationale behind it. I personnaly concur, but wanted some feed-back. Dealers also prefer that (less spare parts to carry), and I prefer it also from a logistics stand-point. Given the $500 price-tag of these graphics cards, it seems that a few bucks more for a complete watgerblock package makes more sense.

I vote for all - block, bracket and backplate.

[OC Nub]

Nice looking card!

I agree with most others, charge a little extra and include everything.

Any plans for an over clocking utility?

[Church]

Gabe: when making those bridges imho you might use not rounded edges with big radius like for previous bridge for use with universal blocks, but with angular edges, to fit better with most of latest swiftech full cover blocks / tops of MCP35X / top of apogee HD. Or rather post several design options here to gatehr feedback.
And it's more with block design, i hope you have settled on specific distance to inlets from end of card, for different blocks to be uniteable with same bridge (uni-gpu + multi-gpu, or mixed vendor cards to get physx with amd for example), like it was talked about at one other thread.

[ElGreco]

Today i tried to redesign my loop on paper in order to be ready when swiftech waterblocks arrive. I think i am stuck since i have no idea of the bridges design (input, output, serial, parallel etc)
Gabe, it would be nice to have a preview of those bridges in order to be able to prepare accordingly...

Regarding churchy's post about the bridges, please allow me to add another parameter to the cf bridge "equation"... and that parameter is "efficiency". GPU waterblocks are restrictive, especially in crossfire or even quadfire. So, right angles might be an "effective" idea, but not sure if its going to be efficient as well, since these will cause even higher pressure drop...
http://martinsliquidlab.org/2011/01/...elbow-impacts/

[D749]

Gabe, any plan to support the upcoming Asus 7970 DirectCu II?