2 MCW 60 on a 3870X2?

[Eastcoasthandle]

look

[leo_bsb]

good find but I want to see two mounted blocks with heatsinks on ram chips or at least some good measurements

[Agent11]

It should work. Although if you factor in the cost of 2 mcw60's, 16 bga sinks and misc sinks for regs etc a full coverage block starts to look appealing.

[leo_bsb]

Sure, but we should consider that a lot of guys already have a MCW60, ramsinks and we will not have a paperweight block when upgrading cards.

[Jon Boy Deluxe]

look

Legend. I skipped through that review way too eagerly and missed that. Thank you

Sure, but we should consider that a lot of guys already have a MCW60, ramsinks and we will not have a paperweight block when upgrading cards.

Exactly. I have one mcw60 and ramsinks and a friend will sell me his mcw60/sinks for next to nothing. Sold. X2 on route

[lior307]

i belive 2 MCW60R are better that full plate for OC this beast

[nuttcase21]

the MCW60 block will NOT fit this card. I'm trying to figure out how to get the 2 new ones i bought to fit on my 3870x2 as i write this. the bolt patterns on the card are too narrow for the waterblock... back to the drawing board...

Measurements for the bolt holes on the 3870x2 are as follows: hole diameter = 0.125" ; hole spacing = 1.65" center to center.
Measurements for the bolt holes on the MCW60 are as follows: hole diameter = 0.100" ; hole spacing = 1.733" center to center.

THIS ALL MEANS IT DOESN'T FIT!!

[Martinm210]

Depending how popular the card is, maybe D-Tek will eventually make a unisink for it?

I've always favored GPU only blocks a bit more (Performance/price), but with as much stuff as there is on this one, it's getting more difficult and price probably isn't as appealing with two blocks plus all the ramsinks needed.

It could probably be done though...we'll see..

[systemviper]

look

So, with that knowledge the water cooling boys are busy doing their happy dance. Why? Because their vaunted Swiftech MCW60 GPU blocks should have no trouble fitting on this card.

the MCW60 block will NOT fit this card. I'm trying to figure out how to get the 2 new ones i bought to fit on my 3870x2 as i write this. the bolt patterns on the card are too narrow for the waterblock... back to the drawing board...

Measurements for the bolt holes on the 3870x2 are as follows: hole diameter = 0.125" ; hole spacing = 1.65" center to center.
Measurements for the bolt holes on the MCW60 are as follows: hole diameter = 0.100" ; hole spacing = 1.733" center to center.

THIS ALL MEANS IT DOESN'T FIT!!

[Grafton]

Pictures! We Demand Picures!

[Grafton]

So for the last three days, I have been unable to post yet as I just registered. with the recent post about the mcw60's NOT fitting the 3870x2 I just wanted to say that they definitely wont fit using any mounting bracket.

However, because I have not received my ramsinks yet I have been unable to mount the mcw60 waterblocks. But by removing the screws designed to hold the waterblock together and inserting four of the screws from the G80 adapter plate kit (using washers, nuts, etc. from said kit as well) through these holes it would appear that the new screw positions now align themselves properly with the screw holes for the stock 3870x2 backplate.

In short, having done everything but actually mounting them, two MCW60's will fit the 3870x2.

Unfortunately, it seems you will need ramsinks for at least the red side's stock heatsinking as the mcw60's are pushed to far away from the core due to interference from the red heatsink. The MCW60's are just to wide. But of course thats just the ramsinks so have fun

if your wondering Tanamoril is a newly registered member (btw welcome)
and pm'd me to post on his behalf:

Follow up to my previous PM/Post:

"Pictures! We Demand Pictures!" - Grafton

Well, here they are!:

I decided soon after sending that post request to you to just take the card apart (and forgo my planned anime session >_<) and try it on. The block on the left (viewed from the side and top) was the one I focused on when putting it onto the card. The one on the right I had mainly put on for the sake of completion hence why it isnt all together or completely installed.








My setup:



It's kinda sad I'm still waiting for may ramsinks after putting it all together, only to have to take it off again and put the stock heatsink back on.
Threw my rig in for good measure. =3

thanks this nice thanks

[nonlnear]

So has Tanamoril found a satisfactory solution for cooling the bridge and RAM, or is he giving up on using the MCW60s? I wasn't quite sure what this meant:

It's kinda sad I'm still waiting for may ramsinks after putting it all together, only to have to take it off again and put the stock heatsink back on.
Threw my rig in for good measure. =3

[leo_bsb]

it doesn't look like a clean install, too bad the card will not take the mcw60 without bending the screws.
The cost for two mcw60 and ramsinks is not that cheaper:

- mcw60: 47 * 2 = $94
- enzotech ramsinks = 13 * 2 = 26
- swiftech mosfets heatsinks: $10
- some kind of heatsink for the pci express chip: $2

total: $132. The good part is the two mcw60 would fit a newer card in the future, the full block will find its end on the 3870 X2 or keeping a pile of paper on place.

full block: $166 for the EK, hope the dangerden version comes cheaper

[SKYMTL]

FYI, my review on HWC has been updated.

THE MCW60 WILL NOT CLEANLY INSTALL!!!!!!!!!!! I have it and a Danger Den Maze 5 here now to test my theory and I can confirm that they will not install cleanly since the mounting holes are about 2-3mm off from the 2-hole retention bracket.

IMO, the HR-03 Rev.A fit because it has a greater tolerance for the holes on its mounting plate.

[Grafton]

nother update from my pm friend

Glad to help out with the thread. As for the ramsinks, I was referring to not having them at the moment as they are still in the midst of being shipped (24 on the way). I intend on cooling the RAM, Voltage control chips, and the bridge using ramsinks. From what I've heard the bridge only puts out a small amount of heat and doesn't actually require much cooling. Of course if it comes down to it I'll just drop more heatsinks on it as I'm sure I could fit a max of 4

[Pej]

Hello

I 've got a MCW60R..and it's too "hard" to make it fit correctly and to cool the ram and mosfets too..

So..even if i know that evryone here juste hates aluminium..



these fit perfectly..It's anosided aluminium..
Not expensive at all(50 euros) and cool correctly.

In fact all the 6600/7600GT and X1600 WB's will fit on an X2 card..

[jimmyz]

Sweet, they may be aluminum but it looks good on the card. just make sure you use aditives to prevent corrosion. keep us informed on how well they work. I am modding my danger den blocks at work tommorow and will see if they mount properly. I saw those zalmans but with six blocks around the house right now I decided to mod what I already have.

[leo_bsb]

Pej, could you take a picture with the hole card on it? I'd like to see the all ramsinks installed.

[SKYMTL]

Yes, those Zalman water blocks fit without a problem because they have adjustable mounting locations which line up with pretty much any card's HSF holes. It is a pretty brilliant way to go about it actually.

[leo_bsb]

FYI, my review on HWC has been updated.

THE MCW60 WILL NOT CLEANLY INSTALL!!!!!!!!!!! I have it and a Danger Den Maze 5 here now to test my theory and I can confirm that they will not install cleanly since the mounting holes are about 2-3mm off from the 2-hole retention bracket.

IMO, the HR-03 Rev.A fit because it has a greater tolerance for the holes on its mounting plate.

Did you include any new pictures or just the statement at the top of the page?

[SKYMTL]

Did you include any new pictures or just the statement at the top of the page?

I will be including the pics soon. Seems as though the memory card I was using last night to take the pics is suffering from some sort of corruption. Pics should be up soon once I figure out what the heck happened.

[Grafton]

seriously can a mod plz let this guy post lol i am nice but i am not on that often so his posts kinda back up

SKYMTL and Leo are right about the non-clean install. Although it is a bit rough, from what I can tell after remounting it again (oh that was fun ) that dispite the angle the screws are at it actually makes complete contact with the core - best testing method I could come up with, while getting a second opinion. The second time around was slightly more thorough than the first time, as it wasn't 6am in a dorm room w/ a room mate sleeping (pics taken in hallway - except parts+comp).

I should be getting my ramsinks on Monday/Tuesday so expect to see some complete results + Temps then, as I'll be going all or nothing (no WC on GPUs). I have a few more ideas in mind

and

Oh yes, and I mean no offense, I'm not really intent on those Zalmans

[Jon Boy Deluxe]

Wont that just leak everywhere? The bolts removed compress the copper base to the plastic top, the o-ring makes the seal...

Unless there are some locking nuts slipped in between the block and the pcb (if you follow me)

[Tanamoril]

I'm on...

Massive thanks to Vapor for the help getting on and to Grafton for the posting help

Alright time for that long over due post I had ready Monday night:

Update:

@Jon Boy Deluxe: On the left block is where your attention should be focused (right block designed for the sake of completion) because the right one will definitely just gush out fluid. The left one actually has lock washers and nuts directly underneath the copper base to hold it together. However this usually makes it difficult to arrange the screws through the mounting holes as it straightens them out.

So another idea I arrived at was to remove them due to their constrictive nature and seal the block through use of force created by the mounting on the backside of the card. The idea being that the force created by the mounting would be enough to seal the blocks but not enough to break the unprotected core. Of course the only way to prove this was to let liquid flow through and perhaps have to spill all over the insides of my case or tighten the card to the point at which it would seal but possible bringing it to the point where the core would break – this aftermath resulted in the kicking of two other ideas I had: the previously mentioned idea and zip ties.

Then again there won’t be too many people keen on such risky methods.

[Tanamoril]

2nd Update:

Alright, my ramsinks arrived today; All 24 of ‘em. However two of them need to be cut in half and one arranged so that it losses some height. I don’t have the appropriate tools for the job and my backup plan to use my buddy who tends to have such materials failed.

But such an update is, I’m sure, not what you wanted to hear. So of course I just decided to go without the cooling, for now , but for the sake of information I decided to use an older idea I had passed on with a slightly new implementation. This led to the following:

Two MCW60’s on a 3870x2 – Clean Installation:

If you will permit me to not post temps as I prefer to have a working card when I finally go about water cooling it. No cooling on the voltage regulators or make shift cooling that can accomplish the same thing, but I do have pics.

Installation:
First off, I’ve brought back the stock screws used to fasten the copper block to the plastic top (ensuring the seal). These screws go on opposite corners of the block to give the main bulk of the seal. Next two of the long screws from one of the mounting block assemblies (in this case the G80 adapter kit) fitted with washers at the top are slid, and I do mean slid – no forcing necessary, through the two remaining holes on opposite ends of the block. Once they are in place the block is actually capable of some movement so it’s not dead stuck or tight. The backside is then fitted with two paper washers, two springs, their accompanying plastic inserts, and finally the open-ended screws to fasten the block in place. Repeat this process once more for the other block and you should have two fully mounted MCW60 water blocks on your nice, new 3870x2.

Pictures –