Which manufacturer is going to be ready with 5850/5870 blocks?

[babalouj]

Wooooaaah, I go away for the weekend and see alot of responses to the koolance results I got. First off, there are a few issues that need to be pointed out about my setup vs Gabes. My GPU loop is internal blowing hot air out of the case while my CPU loop is internal and pulling cool air in. I would like to clarify that I am using a CPX1 not a DDC which is a HUGE difference from your 655. Also, my 74C is what my room thermostat is reading so case temps are going to be higher. All things said though I think both blocks are great performers from what I have seen. I was just trying to post results so people could see the koolance in action.

[JaD]

Nevertheless, swiftech's Komodo-class waterblocks have always had a much more complex internal structure, so a lower GPU temp would be expected.

[leo_bsb]

Take the block off the card and take picture of the contact.
Also tell us your watercooling system setup.
The overall temps are high which might mean your system is overloaded.

I don't think it is overloaded, It has a Q6600 (200W under load), X38 chipset (30W???) and the 5870 under a PA120.3 and a MCR220.
An user sent me a PM reporting bad stand offs on the koolance block.
I'll check it later this week, right now I'm too tired to unmount everything again.

[Pen3]

If it were a poor mount, I think that would show in games though?

(though pen3 didn't say what the temps were in Aion, just the amperage)

Not enough data to draw conclusions yet

With Furmark my vddc shoots up in the 80s

[Vapor]

With Furmark my vddc shoots up in the 80s

Yeah, seems to me that the throttle/kill signal is being sent intermittently...past 80C while being pretty far overspec is asking a lot of the VRMs, which could explain why you see the jumpy amperage readings.

No way Aion should provide the same amperage loads as FurMark--FurMark is significantly more stressful and power-eating than any game.

[Pen3]

Aion is almost unplayable on my old 4890. The cryengine is pretty intense. I still get 50fps in the towns on the 5870, but a hell lot better than the 4890.

[Utnorris]

Waterlogged, I owe you an apology, I said I would try glueing the spacers in place, but got too impatient and just used artic ceramique to hold them in place. A little messy, but does the job. I did discover an issue and a perfect example of why standoffs are better than not having them.

Well, I installed mine tonight and I will need someone else to confirm what I discovered. This is a perfect example of why standoffs are needed, the backplate actually hits the block right under the ports on the backside of the block causing the backplate to warp. If you did not have the standoffs I imagine the PCB would also warp. For those that have installed theirs already if you could visually check just to confirm it I would appreciate it. Otherwise I love the block, although mine has a nick on the top of the block exposing the copper under the nickel plating, not a big deal and not something I am going to worry about, but someone needs to take a closer look at the nickel blocks before letting them out of the warehouse. Also, while there are enough thermal pads it would be nice if there was a little extra just in case something happens, i.e. you make a bad cut and an extra screw or two along with an extra spacer would be nice. Installation was fairly easy as long as you take your time. I did end up using artic ceramique to keep the spacers in place. I was going to glue them, but I didn't want to wait or mess with it. I haven't tested it yet, but I imagine it will do a great job just like other EK blocks.

[ChielScape]

what's wrong with inlcuding some of these?

[Garrett]

Waterlogged, I owe you an apology, I said I would try glueing the spacers in place, but got too impatient and just used artic ceramique to hold them in place. A little messy, but does the job. I did discover an issue and a perfect example of why standoffs are better than not having them.

Well, I installed mine tonight and I will need someone else to confirm what I discovered. This is a perfect example of why standoffs are needed, the backplate actually hits the block right under the ports on the backside of the block causing the backplate to warp. If you did not have the standoffs I imagine the PCB would also warp. For those that have installed theirs already if you could visually check just to confirm it I would appreciate it. Otherwise I love the block, although mine has a nick on the top of the block exposing the copper under the nickel plating, not a big deal and not something I am going to worry about, but someone needs to take a closer look at the nickel blocks before letting them out of the warehouse. Also, while there are enough thermal pads it would be nice if there was a little extra just in case something happens, i.e. you make a bad cut and an extra screw or two along with an extra spacer would be nice. Installation was fairly easy as long as you take your time. I did end up using artic ceramique to keep the spacers in place. I was going to glue them, but I didn't want to wait or mess with it. I haven't tested it yet, but I imagine it will do a great job just like other EK blocks.

Do you have any pics of the warping please?
So others can see exactly what you mean

[Bojamijams]

So to recap... The Swiftech and BP models are compatible with both 5850 and 5870. EK, Koolance and Aquagrafix are not and need individual blocks for the 5850 / 5870 right?

[Utnorris]

Do you have any pics of the warping please?
So others can see exactly what you mean

No I do not right now, but you can look at the EK HD5870 block mounting thread and see right under the fittings is where the backplate hits. I can take some pics tonight when I get home from work though and show you what I mean.

[Jokester_wild]

I have never ever found a need for spacers when using ek blocks. Ive been using them since x1900 series. Unless cards have gotten worse or I just lucked out on PCB quality.... I dont get what the problem is. Contact is great, temps are fantastic.

[santiagodraco]

It has already been stated in various threads about the 5800 series that Furmark is not the best test for them, haven't heard about OCCT being bad though. Personally, if it passes the benchmarks without artifacting and I can play games for 3-4 hours then I consider that stable. OCCT, like Prime95, is good to test your CPU for stability, but stability is in the eye of the beholder so to speak. If you are trying to test the temps, run multi passes of 3DMark06 or Vantage of the GPU only tests and that should give you an idea of the temps you will see.

I'd run vantage... if I could run vantage. It simply refuses to launch on my system, go figure

Going to give 06 a try and see how it goes.

[Utnorris]

Ok, so just some prelim numbers on my EK block on the XFX HD5870.

Stock settings:

Idle - 3-4c above water temp
Load (Vantage) - 6-7c above water temp

At 1.3v (1021/1298) settings:

Idle - 7-8c above water temp
Load (Vantage) 10-11c above water temp

Overall not to bad, actually pretty pleased with the results so far. I am going to game for awhile and see if temps change, but since my water temp will remain pretty constant I doubt I will see much difference, maybe 1-2c. Tomorrow I am going to see what my max overclock is now that my temps are about 50c lower than stock cooling. For those wondering I am using my chiller for my GPU, so I can keep my water temps slightly below ambient.

[scamps]

I have never ever found a need for spacers when using ek blocks. Ive been using them since x1900 series. Unless cards have gotten worse or I just lucked out on PCB quality.... I dont get what the problem is. Contact is great, temps are fantastic.

spacers are part of the EK-supply for the 4890 and the 5870 cooler ... if you do not use them, I won´t put my money on the lifetime of your card

This one is on the way to me:
http://www.a-c-shop.de/Aquacomputer-...ckelt-A-C-Shop

[Bojamijams]

I'm trying to find a 5850 block.. any kind.. somewhere.. now!

[punkrockpolak]

I don't remember which ones, but some of the manufacturers here have said that their blocks are compatible with both the 5870 and the 5850. It may have been earlier in this thread as a matter of fact, but I'm too lazy to flip back and check

[Locke]

I'm trying to find a 5850 block.. any kind.. somewhere.. now!

Mines on the way. So I'm looking for the same answers.

[Jamesrt2004]

Wooooaaah, I go away for the weekend and see alot of responses to the koolance results I got. First off, there are a few issues that need to be pointed out about my setup vs Gabes. My GPU loop is internal blowing hot air out of the case while my CPU loop is internal and pulling cool air in. I would like to clarify that I am using a CPX1 not a DDC which is a HUGE difference from your 655. Also, my 74C is what my room thermostat is reading so case temps are going to be higher. All things said though I think both blocks are great performers from what I have seen. I was just trying to post results so people could see the koolance in action.

think you means 74F not C you would die if C

[fornowagain]

spacers are part of the EK-supply for the 4890 and the 5870 cooler ... if you do not use them, I won´t put my money on the lifetime of your card

I don't go with that, I've been using EK for years and no stand offs. Even difficult cards like the 4870X2 and a year later no problems.

[Manicdan]

im a user who prefers no standoffs. with my DD 2900xt block, i shaved down the standoffs so i can get better contact. was able to keep the 2900xt at 940Mhz core, using 1.35v at 45C load. while the stock mounting on stock clocks/volts was almost 60C. i prefer to set the pressure myself. i never found it difficult.

if your warping a card without standoffs, then loosen the pressure until the card is no longer warped, then when running a benchmark, watch the temps, and apply pressure between the gpu block and the back of where the gpu is, basically mimic the idea of more pressure exactly on the gpu, if temps drop by a noticeable spike, even 1-2C then you need to/can add more pressure. if nothing changes, you wont see a difference by cranking the screws down.

basically start soft and add a little bit over time until results are no longer gained

[Jokester_wild]

spacers are part of the EK-supply for the 4890 and the 5870 cooler ... if you do not use them, I won´t put my money on the lifetime of your card

Thas funny because people acted like that regarding the GTX280.... not only was mine just fine it also had great temps. Others seemed to be over tightening there cards, I think thats one of the main problems. But like I also said if your getting some really bad PCB quality from a model (which I havent experienced) that would definitely not be beneficial.

[Waterlogged]

Sooo, I'm guessing you guys that "got it right the first time" believe that guys like CyberDruid, Syrillian among others, are. . .inexperienced?

[fornowagain]

No, but everybody makes mistakes. I had that block same as CyberDruid/Syrillian and it was a screw that was too long shorting out the card. I never had the issue, because I always fit fibre washers and short stainless button head screws anyway. Personally I like being able to vary the pressure without the stand offs, I applaud EKs optional 'safe, noob proof mounting system'. Not my words btw.

[Manicdan]

Sooo, I'm guessing you guys that "got it right the first time" believe that guys like CyberDruid, Syrillian among others, are. . .inexperienced?

i checked those links, the issue had to do with short circuiting, not over tightening and warping/cracking a card. that is an interesting issue, but using standoffs was not going to really change much when other and simpler solutions were available. and they loved the performance once they fixed the shorting issue.